In a bid to reduce problem gambling, the Bank of Ireland has taken a positive step in putting consumers in charge. Customers can now block all gambling transactions from their Bank of Ireland debit cards voluntarily. This is a remarkable step since there is no legislation asking financial institutions to do so.
A Quick Summary of the Key Points
- The bank’s Q1 reports reveal 90% of gambling transactions were online and 99% of bets were made using debit cards.
- The bank says this feature will allow its customers to “take control” of their finances.
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) confirmed its plans to streamline self-exclusion mechanisms across platforms.
Bank of Ireland Joins a Handful of Financial Organisations in Offering Voluntary Gambling Prohibition Features
Under current legislation, consumers suffering from problem gambling tendencies can choose to self-exclude from gambling platforms for 90 days. However, the voluntary ban introduced by the Bank of Ireland can be implemented indefinitely at the customer’s discretion.
The Bank of Ireland’s decision to introduce voluntary blocks on debit cards for customers who want to stop transacting with gambling operators, though independent, comes after the regulator extensively interacted with the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), the Irish Banking Culture Board, and several independent financial organisations. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has confirmed that Bank of Ireland now joins EBS, Allied Irish Banks, and the fintech provider Revolut in offering customers this financial protection tool.
GRAI has been urging all financial service providers to implement a feature that allows users visiting online casinos in Ireland to voluntarily and conveniently self-exclude. This feature will allow Bank of Ireland’s customers who wish to limit their gambling spending to do so at the transactional source. Thus, removing the need to opt in for self-exclusion programs individually at the operator level.
The gambling regulator also recommends several methods for reducing players’ exposure to gambling. Banking blocks, tools to minimise gambling adverts, and third-party gambling blocking software are some of GRAI’s recommended measures.
Alongside its discussions with financial operators, GRAI also plans to introduce the National Gambling Exclusion Register. This centralised self-exclusion database will allow players to voluntarily subscribe to self-exclusion services across multiple online and offline gambling and sports betting operators.
A Positive Step in Streamlining Self-Exclusion Mechanisms
While licensed gambling operators may continue to offer self-exclusion methods, GRAI plans to unify and standardise voluntary prohibitions under this regulation. They have confirmed plans to introduce and monitor the National Gambling Exclusion Register. GRAI announced that the plan is presently underway, and the necessary technical systems and IT infrastructures are under development.
Once introduced, all licensed gambling operators will need to integrate their existing self-exclusion databases with the government’s unified database as part of a revised licensing agreement. The new licensing statutes concerning online gambling in Ireland ensure that gambling operators play a proactive role in minimising the risks of gambling addiction and supporting those who are currently suffering.
Since its introduction in March 2025, the GRAI has made countless positive efforts to support and improve responsible gambling practices. Launching the centralised database is a critical step in this process. The regulator is expected to announce several new user protection standards and issue instructions to operators regarding compliance in the coming days.
Ireland’s gambling laws have been outdated for a while. However, the nation has swiftly taken positive steps to keep up with the turning tides. First, the official launch of the GRAI earlier this year and now plans to introduce the gambling exclusion register are telltale signs of Ireland’s shifting approach to gambling oversight.