Banks Unite to Curb Gambling Harm in Ireland

Ireland has introduced a national, voluntary card-blocking option that lets customers stop debit and credit cards from being used on gambling sites and apps. The Common Commitment of Care for Problem Gambling, created by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB), was developed with the country’s three pillar banks — AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB. The move adds a banking-layer safeguard to the wider package of support services aimed at reducing gambling-related harm.

How the voluntary card block works and what banks will offer

Under the scheme, a customer can request their bank block card payments to gambling operators. Banks will also strengthen staff training, set up dedicated helplines, and provide consistent referrals to specialist services such as Gambling Care and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). The framework standardizes how vulnerable customers are identified and supported, with clear points of contact and processes that should make help faster and easier to access.

IBCB CEO Marion Kelly said, “Problem gambling can cause serious harm to individuals, families and communities. IBCB member banks recognise their responsibility to respond with compassion and practical support when customers reach out for help.” She urged other financial services providers to adopt similar measures.

Why banks stepped in now

The initiative responds to striking research showing 90% of gambling in Ireland occurs online, and 99% of those transactions are made using debit cards. That pattern makes card controls a practical tool for preventing financial harm before it escalates. The banking sector’s move also follows pressure from civil society: more than 200 stakeholders recently called on the GRAI to take stronger action to protect consumers.

Government officials welcomed the coordination. Minister of State at the Department of Finance Robert Troy described the initiative as “an important step” toward tackling gambling addiction and noted it complements the new Gambling Regulation Act and the establishment of the GRAI.

What this means for customers and families

For people trying to curb gambling, a bank-initiated card block can be an immediate, low-friction way to limit access to funds. It won’t replace clinical or financial counseling, but paired with referrals to services like Gambling Care and MABS, it adds a practical barrier that can buy time for recovery and budgeting.

Banks say staff training will improve consistency, so customers seeking help should get similar guidance whether they contact AIB, Bank of Ireland, or PTSB. The voluntary nature means customers must opt in, and banks have pledged compassionate, nonjudgmental responses when people ask for support.

Could this set a standard beyond Ireland?

Although the IBCB isn’t a regulatory body, its role in promoting cultural reforms across banking helped drive a coordinated response. The Common Commitment of Care may serve as a model for other countries or financial institutions facing rising online gambling activity. IBCB calls on additional financial services players to implement comparable protections to maximize impact.

A public launch event is scheduled for Friday in Dublin, where officials and industry representatives will present implementation details. For readers wanting context about the broader online gambling landscape in Ireland, see the All Irish Casino review for an example of a local operator’s offerings and payment options (/first-casinos/all-irish-casino.html).

The new card-blocking option won’t solve problem gambling on its own, but by combining practical financial controls with consistent referrals and trained staff, Ireland’s banks have added a meaningful tool to the country’s response.