Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
The signs of a problem with gambling will usually develop gradually over time. Many people will continue to gamble for several months or even several years before they become aware that they have a problem. These warning signs can help individuals to recognise the early stages of a problem with gambling.
The following warning signs are not indicators of a serious problem with gambling, but they do suggest that individuals should pay more attention to the issue and to the solutions offered below.
Depositing more money into casino games than you initially budgeted for is among the earliest warning signs of a problem with gambling. By setting a limit on how much money you are depositing into gambling websites and applications prior to beginning to gamble, you can avoid this problem altogether.
Gambling to recover previously lost money is another of the most recognised warning signs of a problem with gambling. While it may seem like a sensible approach, it actually ensures that individuals lose money at a greater rate than if they were to gamble without attempting to recover the money they lost. If you find yourself in the habit of adding more money to your gambling account after losing money at the casino, you should address this issue directly.
Gambling in a way that you keep secret from the individuals closest to you is among the warning signs of a problem with gambling. You may feel compelled to hide your gambling from others around you due to your awareness that your gambling habits may be going beyond what is normal or healthy for you.
Utilising gambling as a means of switching off from personal problems, feelings of anxiety, depression or boredom is another of the warning signs of a problem with gambling. Rather than gambling as a means of entertainment, many individuals with problems with gambling use it as a means of avoiding difficult emotions or thoughts in their mind. This type of use of gambling can lead to dependency.
Borrowing money from individuals close to you or using credit to fund gambling activities or debts is one of the warning signs that requires immediate attention from those who experience it. If you are finding yourself borrowing money from individuals close to you in order to fund your gambling habits or to pay back loans established due to gambling, it is important to take a step back and address this issue. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) offers free, confidential support regarding debts established as a result of gambling; visit their website or call their helpline to address gambling-related debts. (mabs.ie)
Experiencing restlessness or irritability when you attempt to reduce your gambling activities is a warning sign that your gambling is affecting you in ways beyond those you intend. These types of feelings are common among individuals who struggle with gambling problems and are not a sign of personal weakness. Gambling organisations and support services understand these feelings and do not direct their services with judgement towards individuals who experience them.
Responsible Gambling Tools Available at Irish Casinos
All licensed Irish casinos are required to offer tools to encourage responsible gambling. These tools are not optional - the casinos must provide them to ensure players are protected from the effects of developing a gambling problem.
Deposit Limits
Set limits on the amount of money that you deposit into the gambling websites or applications each day, each week or each month. The limits will take effect immediately if they are reduced. If they are increased, they will only take effect after a mandatory cooling-off period in which you cannot change the limit (between 24 and 72 hours). Set these limits prior to making any deposits into the gambling website.
Session Time Limits
Set a time limit for the length of each gambling session. The casino will notify you when your session time ends and you may be automatically logged off the gambling website after the session time limit is reached. Alternatively, many casinos will feature reality checks which are pop-ups that appear at regular intervals during the gambling session to remind you of the time and money you have spent at the gambling site.
Self-Exclusion
Ban yourself from the casino for a specific length of time (at minimum 6 months) or permanently. If you voluntarily self-exclude from a casino, the casino is required to close your account and return any remaining balance within your gambling account. Once you have self-excluded, you cannot re-enter the casino during this time.
Cool-Off Period
Set a break from gambling that lasts for a shorter period of time than self-exclusion, typically 24 hours to 6 weeks. During these periods, you cannot make any deposits or play at the casino. These periods will end on their own after the scheduled length of time. These time-outs can be scheduled for a specific length of time and are a more convenient way to take a break from gambling than self-exclusion.
GRAI National Self-Exclusion Register
One of the most significant provisions within the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is the requirement for GRAI to operate a national self-exclusion register. This register will be developed throughout 2025 and 2026.
What the national register will do: By registering with the GRAI self-exclusion register, any individual will be prevented from gambling at all licensed gambling websites and applications within Ireland. Currently, each gambler must contact each gambling website individually to self-exclude. However, by using the GRAI register, one application will prevent an individual from gambling at all licensed operators within the country.
GRAI officially began to operate on 5 March 2025. One of the priorities of GRAI in its first phase of operations was the development of the self-exclusion register. As of June 2026, GRAI is still in the active development stage of the register. For the current status of the register, visit their website: grai.ie. Registration will be straightforward via the GRAI website once it officially launches.
Until the national register is developed, individual self-exclusion from the various licensed casinos will be the most effective way to limit access to gambling in the meantime. In addition to self-excluding at the individual level, installing the software Gamban will block individuals' access to all gambling websites and applications on all devices. Gamban is available for smartphones, tablets and computers. For a small subscription fee, Gamban will prevent individuals from accessing gambling websites on their devices. Some support organisations offer Gamban software for free; contact GamblingCare.ie to ask about the option.
Free Support Organisations for Irish Players
All of the organisations listed offer free and confidential support to those affected by gambling in Ireland. There is no need for a referral from another organisation or a formal diagnosis to contact these services. The support services are available to those who are questioning their gambling habits, as well as to those who are in the midst of a gambling crisis.
GamblingCare.ie is Ireland's primary gambling support service. They offer a freephone helpline that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Gambling helpline calls are free and confidential. They provide counselling for those affected by gambling, as well as support for the families of those affected by an individual's gambling problem. If you are not sure how to begin to address your gambling problems, this is the first organisation that you should contact.
Gamblers Anonymous Ireland offers 12-step programs to gamblers to recover from their gambling problems. These meetings are held throughout the country, including in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. These meetings are free for those who wish to attend and do not require prior booking. Online meetings are also held for those who live further from these locations or are unable to attend in person. Gam-Anon, another organisation that is linked to Gamblers Anonymous, also holds meetings for the families and friends of individuals who are addicted to gambling.
Samaritans Ireland offers free emotional support to those who are feeling distressed over their life or gambling problems. This service is available 24 hours a day and can be reached on the freephone number. If your gambling problems are causing you significant mental health issues or if you are in a mental health crisis, the Samaritans can assist you in these situations. While they are not a gambling-specific helpline, they are experienced in dealing with individuals who are struggling with the emotional outcomes of their gambling problems.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) can provide individuals with free, confidential money and debt advice. If you are experiencing any financial difficulties as a result of your gambling problems, an adviser from MABS may be able to assist you in resolving those financial issues. MABS works with individuals who are experiencing any level of debt. You do not need to be in a financial crisis to contact them.
Gamban is software that prevents individuals from accessing gambling websites or apps on their devices. Gamban software can be installed on the devices of the individual in question. For a small subscription fee, Gamban will block individuals' access to gambling websites on the devices on which it is installed. Gamban does not require the individual to have a gambling problem in order to install the software on their devices. Some support organisations provide Gamban for free; ask GamblingCare.ie about this benefit.
What to Do if Gambling Has Become a Problem
The actions that you can take to reduce the negative impacts of your gambling are independent of the causes of your gambling problems.
Even if you do not have the time or the willpower to take control of your gambling problems at this time, removing your access to gambling websites will remove the temptation to gamble. Gamban will work immediately once Gamban software is installed on an individual's device. Gamban software does not have to be installed after the individual has developed a gambling problem; installing Gamban will prevent that individual from ever again having access to gambling websites.
Contact the live support for each of the casinos from which you gamble or use their website's account settings to self-exclude. When an individual self-excludes from a gambling website, the casino is required to close the individual's account and return any remaining balance within that gambling account. Self-exclude from each of the casinos from which you gamble and install Gamban software on all of your devices. After the GRAI register is officially launched, register on their website to self-exclude from all gambling websites at once.
The GamblingCare.ie helpline is available 24 hours a day on 1800 936 725. A counsellor will be able to speak with you about your gambling problems and refer you to other services that may be able to assist in your case. You do not need to be in a gambling crisis to contact them. If you are not able to contact the GamblingCare.ie helpline, they will also provide callback services and online support.
If you are experiencing any financial problems resulting from your gambling, contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). MABS can assist you in resolving your financial problems. You do not need to be in a crisis to contact MABS - they work with anyone experiencing any form of financial difficulty. (0818 072 000 or mabs.ie)
Problem gambling is associated with anxiety, depression and stress. If you are currently experiencing any mental health problems, a General Practitioner (GP) may be able to refer you to services that will provide psychological support to you. Gambling problems are recognised as a health issue by Irish doctors and GPs are trained to recognise the psychological outcomes of gambling problems.
Responsible Gambling Ireland - FAQ
What is the GamblingCare.ie helpline number?
How do I self-exclude from all online casinos in Ireland at once?
Can a casino refuse to honour my self-exclusion request?
Can I still get my balance back after self-excluding?
How do I set deposit limits at an Irish casino?
Is there help for family members affected by someone else's gambling?
Get Help Now
If you are struggling in any way with your gambling problems, please reach out to organisations such as GamblingCare.ie. Not only are their services free of charge and available 24 hours a day, but you do not need to have a serious problem with gambling to call.
GamblingCare.ie freephone: 1800 936 725 (free, confidential, 24 hours). Samaritans: 116 123. MABS: 0818 072 000. Must be 18 or over to gamble.