A brand new measure to help people coping with playing issues has been rolled out in Eire, giving financial institution clients the power to voluntarily block their debit playing cards from getting used on playing web sites and apps. The initiative has been developed as a part of a collaborative effort between the Playing Regulatory Authority of Eire (GRAI), the Irish Banking Tradition Board (IBCB), and the nation’s three main retail banks — AIB, Financial institution of Eire, and PTSB.
The framework, known as the Frequent Dedication of Look after Downside Playing, is designed to supply accessible and constant help to these experiencing playing hurt. Below the system, clients can request their financial institution to activate a block that stops their playing cards from being accepted by playing operators. Banks are additionally committing to further measures corresponding to enhanced worker coaching, specialised help traces, and partnerships with exterior advisory providers.
Sensible Measures and Broader Assist
The initiative contains extra than simply card blocking. Prospects can have entry to a devoted cellphone line, educated employees, and hyperlinks to outdoors sources corresponding to Playing Care’s 24/7 helpline and the Cash Recommendation and Budgeting Service (MABS), which affords free debt and budgeting recommendation. In accordance with the IBCB, this frequent customary throughout Irish banks ensures uniformity of help whereas reinforcing the position of economic establishments in addressing gambling-related hurt.
Marion Kelly, Chief Govt of the IBCB, emphasised the significance of the initiative: “Downside playing could cause critical hurt to people, households and communities. IBCB member banks recognise their duty to reply with compassion and sensible help when clients attain out for assist. This Frequent Dedication of Care ensures that anybody experiencing playing difficulties will discover clear, accessible helps to help via their financial institution.”
She added that the voluntary card block, already adopted by AIB, Financial institution of Eire, and PTSB, represents an essential step ahead, whereas calling on different monetary establishments to undertake comparable safeguards.
Research Highlights the Scale of On-line Playing
The timing of the initiative follows analysis displaying that the majority playing exercise in Eire takes place on-line, with 90% of transactions occurring digitally and 99% of those being funded by debit playing cards. This heavy reliance on card funds was recognized as a key cause behind the push for a system that may minimize off playing on the supply.
Barry Grant, venture supervisor of Extern Downside Playing, welcomed the measure, noting its potential impression: “The blanket blocking is huge. It’s only a change – all playing is blocked. A few of our service customers would have dozens of on-line playing accounts or apps, however they often have one checking account. If you happen to can minimize it off at supply, that’s large.”
This view was echoed by Oisín McConville, a former Armagh footballer and ambassador for Playing Care, who has beforehand spoken about his struggles with dependancy. He identified that folks sometimes solely search assist when they’re already in disaster. “Ninety-nine per cent of folks that come ahead for assist so far as playing is anxious are in disaster, financially and each different manner,” McConville mentioned, including that reducing off digital entry can present a significant barrier.
Political and Regulatory Assist
The initiative has additionally obtained backing from authorities representatives. Junior Finance Minister Robert Troy described it as an “essential step” within the banking sector’s position in combating gambling-related hurt. He highlighted that the federal government’s broader targets — together with the Playing Regulation Act and the institution of the GRAI — require shut cooperation between regulators, monetary establishments, and help organizations.
The IBCB, which isn’t a regulatory physique, acts as an unbiased advocate for cultural change inside Eire’s banking sector. Its membership contains senior executives from banking and monetary providers, alongside representatives corresponding to a former decide and the Monetary Providers Union’s basic secretary John O’Connell. The group’s said objective is to assist construct public belief in banking via initiatives like this one, which straight deal with urgent social points.
The Frequent Dedication of Care is about to be formally launched at an occasion in Dublin, marking a big new chapter in Eire’s ongoing efforts to scale back playing hurt and supply dependable avenues of help for affected people.
Supply:
“Transfer to allow individuals to dam debit-cards to chop off entry to on-line playing welcomed“, irishtimes.com, September 19, 2025.
