RGC Urges Financial Institutions to Strengthen Protections Against Gambling Harm

TORONTO, ON — [MAY 11, 2026] — The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) is urging Canada’s financial sector to take a proactive role in mitigating gambling-related financial harm. A new whitepaper released today highlights how banks and credit unions are uniquely positioned to protect the financial well-being of their customers.

The whitepaper, Opportunities for Impact: The Role of Financial Institutions in Mitigating Gambling-Related Harm, argues that financial institutions have a unique duty of care. Financial institutions have direct access to gambling transaction data that reveals early warning signs of financial vulnerability. These indicators include rapidly shrinking savings and an increased reliance on overdrafts or credit.

“The rapid expansion of regulated gambling in Canada requires an evolved response from our financial systems,” says Tracy Parker, SVP, Accreditation, Advisory & Insights at RGC. “By adopting tools already proven in other jurisdictions, Canadian banks can become leaders in protecting customer financial health.”

Jurisdictions like the United Kingdom and Australia have already recognized the powerful role financial institutions play. Banks such as Monzo and Starling in the UK were the first to offer voluntary gambling blocks to their customers. Similarly, the National Australia Bank provides dedicated support pages and links to financial counseling.

RGC recommends that Canadian financial institutions implement several key strategies:

• Improving the accuracy of Merchant Category Codes to better track gambling spend.

• Offering voluntary transaction blocks and self-defined monthly spend limits.

• Providing targeted messaging and support resources within digital banking platforms.

Beyond retail banking, RGC highlights the importance of commercial relationships. Financial institutions can influence industry practices by setting high harm prevention expectations for gambling operators. Integrating these considerations into due diligence processes helps mitigate reputational and regulatory risks.

RGC is committed to working with the financial sector to develop evidence-based tools and resources.

You can download Opportunities for Impact: The Role of Financial Institutions in Mitigating Gambling-Related Harm here.

About the Responsible Gambling Council:

The Responsible Gambling Council is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing gambling harm across Canada and globally. For more than 40 years, RGC has delivered evidence-based awareness programs, advanced responsible gambling best practices, and facilitated the internationally recognized RG Check accreditation program. RGC works with regulators, operators, researchers, treatment providers, community organizations, and people with lived experience to ensure gambling safeguards are in place and that all people have access to the information and support they need. Visit responsiblegambling.org.

Media Contact:

Patrick Moore
Senior Manager, Communications and PR
Responsible Gambling Council
patrickm@rgco.org
www.responsiblegambling.org

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