On this page
Confronting a gambling problem in Ireland is a serious issue. Thankfully, Irish systems now give more control over exposure to online gambling. A person can start self-exclusion from an account with the gambling operator, then add a bank card block, then further devices, with helplines and support as back-up.
Self-Exclude From A Gambling Account
The fastest action is to use the gambling company’s own self-exclusion tools. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 establishes a National Gambling Exclusion Register, but for an immediate action, a person can contact the gambling operator directly and request an exclusion. A person can email, telephone or use live chat if the site provides one. The gambling operator must then exclude the person from their site.
While this is the fastest action, each gambling site is a separate process, and a person may gamble on multiple sites. A single cross-operator route, the National Gambling Exclusion Register, is provided for in the law but is not yet live.
Add a Banking Gambling Block
The next line of defence is putting a gambling block on the bank card or account used for payments. AIB provides a way for customers to do this by calling 0818 227 056 from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. This cuts the link between the customer and gambling transactions, making it much harder to gamble or use workarounds.
Bank gambling blocks are distinct from blocking payments to specific retailers. An AIB customer can request a full gambling transaction block, not just blocks to certain gambling websites.
Block Access on Devices
Further, depending on their needs, a person can block gambling applications or sites on all the devices they use. Software exists to do this. Some people use the parental-control or screen-time settings built into their phone or computer, and there is also dedicated blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker.
Get Help if You Need to Speak to Someone
These measures help, but if a person feels the need to speak to someone for further support, there are helplines and organisations available to help.
The National Gambling Helpline is 1800 936 725. Other organisations are Gamblers Anonymous Ireland, Extern Problem Gambling, and GamblingCare.
The National Gambling Exclusion Register
As well as being excluded from the individual sites, Irish law provides for a centralised National Gambling Exclusion Register, held by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Anybody who is on the Register will be excluded from online gambling with all bodies licensed by the GRAI, and licensed bodies will not be allowed to contact a person who has self-excluded.
The Register is planned as a centralised record available to licensed operators, so that a person excluded from gambling is excluded. Operators must take all reasonable steps to exclude a person on the Register.