Ireland Launches National Bank Card Gambling Block

Ireland has introduced a nationwide option allowing customers to block gambling transactions on their bank cards, a move aimed at reducing financial harm linked to online betting and casino play. The Common Commitment of Care, developed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the Irish Banking Culture Board (IBCB), was created with AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB to give people a straightforward way to limit gambling-related spending through their existing bank accounts.

Under the framework, customers can ask their bank to prevent their debit or credit cards from being used on gambling sites and apps. Banks have also pledged enhanced staff training, dedicated helplines, and consistent referrals to specialist services such as Gambling Care and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).

How the voluntary card block works — simple in design, uneven in reach

The mechanism is intentionally direct: customers contact their bank and request a block that stops card payments to gambling merchants. Banks say they will create clear internal pathways so frontline staff can handle these requests quickly and signpost callers to external support. At launch, the measure is voluntary and limited to the participating pillar banks; it does not legally require other financial institutions or merchants to follow suit.

That simplicity is a strength — an immediate, low-friction safeguard for people who want to cut off card-based spend. It is also a limitation: the block targets a single payment channel. Many players use a mix of methods, and some operators accept cryptocurrencies, e-wallets, or alternative rails that fall outside the reach of a card block. For example, several brands listed on our site already offer crypto and card options; see the Axe Casino review for a snapshot of varied payment methods and how customers currently move funds between accounts.

Data and pressure that pushed the industry to act

Research cited by the IBCB shows 90% of gambling in Ireland happens online, with 99% of those transactions made by debit card. Those figures — coupled with a recent coalition of over 200 stakeholders urging stronger action — put significant public and political pressure on banks and regulators to respond.

IBCB CEO Marion Kelly framed the commitment as a compassionate, practical response: “Problem gambling can cause serious harm to individuals, families and communities.” Minister of State Robert Troy endorsed the collaboration as an important contribution to the Government’s broader work on gambling regulation, including the Gambling Regulation Act and the new GRAI.

What this means for players, support services and operators

For individuals seeking control over their spending, the card block offers a practical tool that can stop impulse transactions in their tracks. The promise of trained staff and clear referral pathways could also reduce the friction people face when asking for help, and route them to tailored support sooner.

Operators and the payments ecosystem face incentives to adapt. Some players may shift to non-card payment channels, which could blunt the block’s impact unless banks and regulators widen safeguards across payment types. The initiative also raises questions about standardization: will smaller banks, fintech firms and payment processors adopt comparable policies, or will protections vary widely by provider?

Critical lens: voluntary measures are a start — but more will be needed

The new commitment delivers an important, tangible option for customers and signals stronger cooperation between banks and the regulator. Yet its voluntary nature and narrow focus on card rails mean it is an initial corrective rather than a comprehensive fix. Policymakers, consumer groups and financial firms will need to monitor take-up, measure outcomes, and consider broader rules or incentives that cover digital wallets, card-not-present flows with third-party processors, and off-shore operators.

Accountability will matter: reporting on how many card blocks are requested, how quickly banks respond, and whether blocked customers reduce harm should guide the next phase. The launch event in Dublin will present the program to stakeholders; what follows should be evidence-based adjustments rather than a reliance on goodwill alone.

The card block represents a meaningful addition to Ireland’s toolkit for preventing gambling harm. Its success will hinge on wider adoption across the financial sector, consistent implementation, and follow-through from regulators and support services so that people who need help can access it reliably and quickly.