Responsible Gambling in Ireland
Gambling should be treated as entertainment and never as a way to make money. Casino games involve financial risk, and there is always a possibility of losing the money you gamble.
At CasinosOnlineIreland.ie, we encourage players to stay within limits they can comfortably afford and to use the responsible gambling tools provided by online casino operators where appropriate.
Most importantly, gambling should never interfere with essential spending, work, relationships or your wellbeing.
Tips for Safer Gambling
Setting clear limits before you start can make it easier to keep track of both the money and time spent gambling.
- Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
- Set a budget before you start and do not exceed it.
- Never chase losses by increasing your deposits or stakes.
- Set limits on the amount of time you spend gambling.
- Take regular breaks.
- Do not borrow money to gamble.
- Avoid gambling when stressed, upset or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Do not view gambling as a source of income or a solution to financial problems.
No strategy or system can eliminate the financial risk involved in casino games.
Signs That Gambling May Be Becoming a Problem
Gambling-related harm can develop in different ways. It may be worth seeking help or taking a break if gambling is beginning to affect your finances, behaviour, relationships or everyday life.
Warning signs can include:
- Spending more money or time gambling than you intended.
- Trying to win back previous losses by gambling more.
- Increasing deposits or stakes to maintain the same level of excitement.
- Borrowing money or using money intended for essential expenses.
- Hiding or lying about gambling activity.
- Feeling anxious, irritable or distressed when unable to gamble.
- Finding it difficult to reduce or stop gambling.
- Gambling to escape stress or other problems.
- Allowing gambling to negatively affect work, education or relationships.
Recognising these behaviors can be an important reason to stop gambling and seek appropriate support.
Responsible Gambling Tools
Online casino operators may provide account controls designed to help players manage their gambling. The exact tools available vary between operators.
Common options include
- Deposit limits: restrict how much you can deposit during a specified period.
- Spending or loss limits: where available, restrict the amount you can spend or lose.
- Session reminders: provide information about how long you have been playing.
- Time-outs or cooling-off periods: temporarily restrict access to gambling.
- Self-exclusion: restrict access to an account for a longer period.
- Account closure: allows players to close their gambling account.
If you are concerned about your gambling, do not rely solely on account controls. Independent professional support is also available in Ireland.
Gambling Support in Ireland
Free and confidential support is available if gambling is causing problems for you or someone close to you.
Dunlewey Addiction Services
Dunlewey Addiction Services provides specialist support for people affected by their own gambling or the gambling of a family member.
Republic of Ireland National Helpline: 1800 936 725
Support includes telephone assistance and access to counselling and other gambling-related support services.
Visit Dunlewey Addiction Services. -
GamblingCare.ie
GamblingCare.ie provides information about gambling-related harm and access to support services throughout Ireland. Its resources are available both to people experiencing gambling problems and to friends or family members concerned about someone else’s gambling.
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) also provides information about gambling safety and directs people affected by gambling harm to support and treatment services available in Ireland.
Find Gambling Support through the GRAI - Gambling safety understand your gambling get help
Blocking Access to Gambling
If taking a break from gambling is difficult, additional barriers can help reduce access.
This may include self-excluding from gambling operators, asking your bank whether gambling transaction controls are available, and using blocking software designed to restrict access to gambling websites and applications.
These measures can be used alongside professional support, not as a substitute for it.
Support for Family and Friends
Gambling-related harm can also affect partners, family members and friends.
If you are concerned about someone else’s gambling, you do not need to wait for that person to seek help before asking for advice yourself. Gambling support services in Ireland can also provide information and assistance to people affected by another person’s gambling.
GamblingCare.ie provides dedicated information about available support services, while the National Helpline can also assist people affected by a family member’s gambling.
18+ Only
Online gambling is intended only for adults aged 18 and over. Underage gambling should never be encouraged or facilitated.
Parents and guardians should take reasonable steps to prevent children from accessing gambling accounts, payment methods or gambling websites.
Our Approach to Responsible Gambling
Responsible gambling and player protection form part of the criteria we consider when researching online casinos for CasinosOnlineIreland.ie.
We look at the responsible gambling information and account controls operators provide, alongside other factors such as licensing information, payments, withdrawals, bonuses, and customer support.
You can read more about these criteria in How We Review Online Casinos - How we review casinos.
18+ | Gambling involves risk. Please gamble responsibly.