Responsible Gambling
Gambling should always be entertaining, never a source of financial stress or emotional harm. This page provides tools, resources, and guidance for Irish players who want to stay in control.
If you are in crisis: Contact the Samaritans Ireland free 24/7 helpline at 116 123 or the Problem Gambling Ireland helpline at 089 241 5401. Help is available right now.
Recognising Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. It is important to recognise early warning signs before they escalate. Ask yourself these questions honestly:
Self-Assessment Questions
- Do you spend more money on gambling than you can comfortably afford to lose?
- Have you ever borrowed money or sold possessions to fund gambling?
- Do you feel restless or irritable when trying to reduce or stop gambling?
- Do you gamble to escape problems or relieve feelings of anxiety or depression?
- After losing, do you feel a strong urge to return and try to win back your losses?
- Have you lied to family or friends about how much time or money you spend gambling?
- Has gambling caused arguments, financial difficulties, or affected your work?
- Do you find it difficult to set a limit and stick to it when gambling?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, we strongly recommend speaking with a professional counsellor. Support is free and confidential.
Irish Helplines & Support Organisations
These organisations provide free, confidential support to anyone affected by gambling — including family members and friends.
Contact Information
Tools to Stay in Control
All responsible casinos provide tools to help you manage your gambling. We recommend setting these up before you start playing.
Deposit Limits
Set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits through your casino account settings. Once set, limits cannot be increased immediately — a cooling-off period of 24-72 hours applies.
Loss Limits
Some casinos allow you to set a maximum loss amount per session or per day. When reached, you are locked out of further play until the next period begins.
Session Time Limits
Set a timer that alerts you after a specified duration of play. Some casinos will automatically log you out when your time limit expires.
Reality Checks
Pop-up notifications at set intervals (e.g. every 30 minutes) showing your session duration and net win/loss. A simple way to maintain awareness while playing.
Self-Exclusion
Temporarily or permanently exclude yourself from a casino. Periods range from 24 hours to lifetime. During exclusion, your account is frozen and you cannot deposit or play.
Gamban Software
Third-party blocking software that prevents access to gambling sites across all your devices. Covers thousands of operators simultaneously. Available at gamban.com.
Tips for Responsible Play
- Set a budget before you start. Decide how much you can afford to lose and treat it as the cost of entertainment, like cinema or a meal out.
- Never chase losses. If you have lost your budget for the session, stop. The odds do not change based on previous results.
- Take regular breaks. Step away from the screen every 30 minutes. Make a cup of tea. Gambling decisions made during extended sessions are often poor ones.
- Do not gamble under the influence. Alcohol and other substances impair judgement and lower inhibitions around spending limits.
- Keep gambling separate from finances. Never use bill money, savings, or borrowed funds for gambling. If you cannot afford to lose it, do not bet it.
- Gambling is not income. No strategy or system can guarantee consistent profits. The house always has a mathematical edge over the long term.
- Talk about it. If gambling is causing you stress, speak to someone. There is no shame in seeking help — it is a sign of strength.
For Family and Friends
If someone you care about has a gambling problem, you are not alone. Problem gambling affects families and relationships as much as the individual.
Gam-Anon Ireland provides support specifically for people affected by someone else's gambling. They hold regular meetings across Ireland and online. Contact Gamblers Anonymous Ireland on 01 872 1133 for Gam-Anon meeting details.
Key advice: avoid lending money, be honest about the impact their gambling has on you, encourage professional support, and remember that you cannot force someone to stop — but you can set boundaries to protect yourself.
Underage Gambling
The legal gambling age in Ireland is 18. It is a criminal offence for operators to allow minors to gamble. If you suspect a casino is not enforcing age verification, report it to the relevant licensing authority.
Parents and guardians should consider installing parental controls and monitoring software on devices accessible to children. Most routers and operating systems include built-in tools for blocking gambling websites.
This page is provided as a public resource. If you believe any information here is incorrect or outdated, please let us know and we will update it promptly.