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Nationwide Reports 9% Jump in Gambling Spend, Warns on 2026 Betting Surge

The society urges use of gambling blocks featuring a 72-hour cooling-off period to help customers stay in control.

Overview

  • Nationwide says customer spending on gambling in January rose 9% year on year, with gambling-related transactions up 7%.
  • Its data shows the top 10% of gambling spenders average £745 per month.
  • A Censuswide survey of 2,000 gamblers commissioned by Nationwide found 68% expect to bet more this year and 19% are unaware banks offer gambling blocks.
  • Nationwide offers account-level gambling blocks with a built‑in 72-hour delay to lift the block, and more than 10,000 blocks are activated each month.
  • GamCare warns gambling harm is often hidden and linked to financial and mental health problems, noting 105,765 contacts to its services last year.