Irish Gambling Regulator Advocates for Gambling Block Feature on Bank Cards

Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) seeks to implement voluntary blocks on gambling-related transactions using credit/debit cards. The body is collaborating with the country’s major banks to add the feature and has already witnessed success with EBS and Allied Irish Bank (AIB).

Anne-Marie Caulfield, GRAI Chief Executive Designate, underscored the significance of spending blocks, stating it would be a “valuable consumer protection measure.” She quoted Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) findings, noting, “ESRI research shows that the average spend by a person experiencing gambling harm is €1,000 per month.”

Enhanced Player Protection Measures

GRAI has ongoing discussions with the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland to encourage wider acceptance of the block feature in more banks. The practice is expected to spread to digital banking services. Revolut, one of these services, already offers a similar feature, providing users with more spending control.

This safeguard is part of a broader initiative that gained traction after the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was passed in October. The block feature is one of several measures to be introduced by the legislation, including advert restrictions, a national gambling exclusion register, and a problem gambling initiatives social fund.

Education Initiatives

Educating the masses on gambling-related dangers is critical to the regulator’s strategy. The Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum already includes gambling risk information for junior and senior cycles. GRAI is also working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services to educate parents on underage gambling exposure risks.

Establishing a Sturdy Framework

GRAI is working on licensing structures and expects to establish a new regime in 2025 with new permits for gambling and gaming companies. The authority has called on operators to express interest in licenses to gauge the application volume and seamlessly transition to a strictly regulated market.

The authority also includes over 200 stakeholders’ engagement, even those who are victims of gambling harm. The stakeholders will offer invaluable insight that will help mold the body’s safety initiatives.

GRAI is also preparing a national gambling exclusion register that will ban licensed operators from offering gambling services to listed individuals. Violations could lead to hefty penalties and up to a five-year prison sentence. The regulator is currently implementing IT systems to get the exclusion register up and running.