Bank of Ireland has announced it will offer gambling blocking facilities to customers, becoming the fourth major financial institution in Ireland to implement this consumer protection measure as of May 8, 2025.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland welcomed the announcement from one of the country's biggest retail banks, marking another milestone in the regulator's efforts to expand harm prevention tools across Ireland's financial sector.
Banking Sector Engagement Yields Results
The move follows months of engagement between GRAI and key banking stakeholders, including the Irish Banking Culture Board and the Irish Banking and Payments Federation. The regulator has been actively encouraging banking groups to implement gambling blocking as a consumer protection measure for customers experiencing gambling harm or seeking to take breaks from gambling activities.
Bank of Ireland now joins AIB, EBS, and Revolut in providing this facility, with GRAI expecting additional major banks to follow suit in the future.
Banking Gambling Blocks Coverage
Gambling blocks through banks typically cover all card transactions to licensed gambling operators and many unlicensed sites. Most banks allow customers to set blocks immediately online or via phone, with cooling-off periods of 24-48 hours before blocks can be removed to prevent impulsive decisions.
Comprehensive Harm Prevention Strategy
GRAI offers practical guidance on limiting gambling exposure through multiple channels, including bank blocking, gambling blocking software, and online advertising restrictions. Licensed operators also provide exclusion systems for customers seeking to step back from gambling activities.
The regulator is simultaneously developing the National Gambling Exclusion Register, which will serve as a cornerstone of Ireland's gambling harm prevention framework. Following GRAI's establishment in March, the authority is prioritizing the register's development to ensure it becomes operational as quickly as possible.
Technical Infrastructure Development
GRAI is currently advancing IT systems and arrangements to support the technical implementation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register. Once operational, online operators will be obligated to interact with the register as part of their licensing requirements.
Industry Outlook
The gambling blocking facility expansion reflects Ireland's systematic approach to harm prevention as the newly established regulatory framework takes shape. With Minister O'Callaghan having signed the Commencement Order for licensing, the coordinated effort between financial institutions and gambling regulators demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can enhance consumer protection measures.
The continued adoption of blocking facilities across Ireland's banking sector signals a strengthening foundation for responsible gambling initiatives as the market prepares for full regulatory implementation.
According to GRAI.
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