Ireland’s Gambling Regulator Pushes for Bank Gambling Blocks

Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) is working closely with major banks to implement voluntary blocks on gambling-related transactions made with credit and debit cards. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen consumer protections as the country moves toward establishing a fully regulated gambling market.

Collaboration with banks to enhance gambling safeguards:

According to Irish Examiner, Anne-Marie Caulfield, the GRAI’s Chief Executive Designate, highlighted the significance of this measure, stating, “This will be a valuable consumer protection measure.” She further cited findings from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), saying, “ESRI research shows that the average spend by a person experiencing gambling harm is €1,000 per month,” 

The initiative has already seen progress with Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and EBS introducing gambling transaction blocks. In addition, digital banking service Revolut has implemented a similar feature, giving customers more control over their spending. Caulfield emphasized that discussions are ongoing with the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland to encourage wider adoption of this practice among the country’s main banks.

Ireland’s efforts to address gambling-related issues gained momentum following the passage of landmark gambling legislation in October. The legislation aims to introduce a range of measures, including advertising restrictions, a national gambling exclusion register, and a social fund to support problem gambling initiatives.

The GRAI will oversee these regulations, equipped with the authority to enforce compliance and impose fines of up to €20 million or 10% of an operator’s turnover for violations. According to Caulfield, significant progress has been made in establishing the regulatory structures needed for effective oversight.

Educational initiatives are also a cornerstone of the regulator’s strategy. Gambling has been added to the Social, Personal, and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum for junior and senior cycles, ensuring young people are informed about the risks associated with gambling. The GRAI is collaborating with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services to launch a campaign educating parents about the dangers of childhood exposure to gambling.

Research by the ESRI underscores the importance of these measures. Findings reveal that gambling before the age of 18 nearly doubles the likelihood of developing gambling problems later in life. Additionally, having a parent who gambles increases the risk of a child becoming a problem gambler. The GRAI highlighted the need for both direct measures, such as limiting children’s exposure to gambling, and indirect measures aimed at protecting adults from gambling harm.

Building a responsible gambling framework:

Key to the regulator’s preparations has been the creation of a national gambling exclusion register. This register will prohibit licensed operators from allowing listed individuals to gamble. Breaches could result in hefty fines and up to five years in prison. The GRAI is currently procuring IT services to support the implementation of this system.

Additionally, the authority is prioritizing the development of licensing frameworks. It has called on gambling and gaming companies operating in Ireland to express their interest in applying for licenses under the new regime, expected to launch in 2025. This process will help the GRAI gauge application volume and ensure a smooth transition to the regulated market.

“We issued a call to gambling and gaming companies to register their interest in applying for an operating license,” Caulfield said. “This will help us determine the level of applications we can expect once the new licensing regime opens in 2025.”

The GRAI’s efforts extend beyond regulation and licensing to include stakeholder engagement. Over 200 stakeholders, including those with lived experience of gambling harm, have participated in discussions with the authority. These insights are invaluable for shaping the regulator’s education and awareness initiatives.