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How gambling problems develop
Most people who gamble do not have any issues with it. For a small minority of people, gambling can become a problem. It tends to develop gradually over time rather than suddenly. For the majority of people who develop a gambling problem, their introduction to gambling usually involved winning money early on.
The design of online casino games makes it easier for people to keep gambling. A gambling problem is not a sign of weakness or something that will "go away" on its own.
Warning signs - for yourself
There is no single sign that indicates a person has a gambling problem - although the following are common patterns of problem gambling:
- Spending more than you planned, or more than you could comfortably afford to lose
- Chasing losses - returning to win back money you've already lost, usually losing more
- Thinking about gambling frequently when you're not doing it - planning sessions, calculating how much you could win
- Gambling as a way to escape stress, boredom, anxiety, or difficult emotions
- Needing to gamble with increasing amounts to get the same feeling
- Hiding your gambling from family or friends, or lying about how much you've spent
- Borrowing money, using savings, or selling items to fund gambling
- Gambling affecting your sleep, work, relationships, or general mood
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when you try to cut down or stop
- Multiple attempts to reduce or stop gambling that haven't worked
If several of these signs apply to you or someone you know, it is worth taking seriously. Call GamblingCare.ie on 1800 936 725 for free and confidential support.
Warning signs - in someone else
If you are concerned for the wellbeing of a partner, family member, or friend who gambles excessively:
- Unexplained financial problems - bills not being paid, money disappearing
- Secretive behaviour around phones, computers, or finances
- Mood swings - particularly low mood after time on devices or after receiving financial statements
- Withdrawal from family activities or social events
- Requests to borrow money, especially with vague explanations
- Working unusual hours or taking on extra work without explanation
GamblingCare.ie also provides support to the family members of those who have a gambling problem. Freephone 1800 936 725.
Tools available on your casino account
All online casinos that are licensed by the MGA are required to offer various tools to help gamblers make more responsible choices. These tools can typically be found within your casino account settings or be activated by contacting customer support via live chat.
Set a maximum amount to deposit into your gambling account each day, week, or month. Once set, the limit will take effect immediately. To increase the deposit limit, a cooling-off period will be required after contacting the casino - as stipulated by MGA regulations.
- Find in account settings under Responsible Gambling or Limits
- Set the lowest limit that still fits your genuine entertainment budget
- Reducing a limit is instant. Increasing it has a mandatory wait.
Set a maximum amount to lose during a particular time period. Once that limit is reached, you will no longer be allowed to gamble with real money until the time period has passed. Loss limits are separate from deposit limits. For example, you may have a deposit limit of €200 per day, but a limit of €100 to lose during that day.
- Available at most MGA-licensed casinos
- Particularly useful if you find yourself chasing losses
- Contact support if not visible in account settings
Session time limits allow you to set a time period after which your gambling session will automatically end. Reality check pop-ups will also occur during your gambling session to remind you of the length of your session and the outcome of your gambling.
- Set before you start, not during a session when you're less likely to stop
- Reality checks show your actual net position - often a useful reality check on its own
Temporary account suspension can be set at 24 hours, 48 hours, one week or one month. During this time, you will not be allowed to sign into your gambling account or to deposit money into it. This type of suspension is shorter in length than self-exclusion but lasts longer than simple browser closure.
- Useful if you want a break without committing to long-term exclusion
- Available via account settings or by contacting live chat
Self-exclusion can be set for a minimum of 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or permanently. During this time, the casino will not allow you to log into your account and will cease sending promotional material to you. Any balance that you currently have in your gambling account will be returned to you during this time.
- Cannot be reversed during the exclusion period at your own request
- Ask whether exclusion covers the whole group (e.g. Flutter covers Paddy Power + Betfair)
- Exclusion at one casino does not block other casinos - see the guide below
How to self-exclude across multiple sites
Self-excluding from only one gambling account will only block you at that one site. If you wish to stop gambling altogether, you will have to self-exclude from your other gambling accounts too.
- Install Gamban first. One of the most effective approaches for Irish players is to use Gamban - software that will prevent you from accessing thousands of gambling websites and applications on all of your devices at the same time. Gamban is designed to be very difficult to uninstall from your devices. You can visit gamban.com to download the software. A subsidised version of Gamban may be available to obtain through GamblingCare.ie.
- Self-exclude from every account you currently use. Log into each of your gambling accounts and select the option to self-exclude. Alternatively, you can contact live chat at each of your favourite gambling accounts to self-exclude.
- Contact GamblingCare.ie (1800 936 725). They can assist in working out which gambling accounts you should be self-excluding from and even provide you with a list of any gambling websites that you may not be aware of but should also address. All calls to GamblingCare.ie are free and will be treated in full confidence.
- Watch for the GRAI national register. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is also establishing a national register for self-exclusion from gambling. This self-exclusion register will be established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. When it is operational, registering with this website will allow you to self-exclude from all licensed gambling operators in Ireland. Check grai.ie for updates.
- If you have accounts at UK-licensed sites, register with GAMSTOP. One registration covers all UK Gambling Commission licensees simultaneously.
Financial support
Problem gambling can lead to various financial difficulties. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) can provide free, independent and confidential financial advice to those in financial difficulty in Ireland.
MABS - Money Advice and Budgeting Service
Free financial advice for Irish citizens who are in debt or facing financial difficulty. MABS will not pass judgement on your financial circumstances. Their advisors have experience in assisting those with gambling-related financial problems.
Freephone: 0818 07 2000 (Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm) · mabs.ie
Gambling and mental health
There is a connection between problem gambling and mental health issues. Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, stress and loneliness are both potential causes and consequences of problem gambling. The feeling of shame surrounding problem gambling can make people reluctant to reach out for support to improve their mental health.
GamblingCare.ie can assist in improving the mental health of those who are battling gambling addiction. The Samaritans are also available 24 hours a day should you wish to speak to someone about your mental health issues. Their freephone number is 116 123 (free from any phone in Ireland).
Irish support organisations
For family and friends
It can be very difficult to live with or be close to someone who has a gambling problem. It is natural to feel angry, scared or responsible for their gambling habits. You are not responsible for your loved one's gambling habits. You cannot control it. You are in control of your own response to their gambling and your own wellbeing.
- Don't cover their debts or lend money - this usually prolongs the problem
- Don't threaten things you won't follow through on
- Encourage them to contact GamblingCare.ie directly, or contact it yourself for guidance on how to help
- Take care of your own mental health - this is a sustained stress on families
- GamblingCare.ie runs support groups specifically for family members of people with gambling problems
Get Help Now
Free, confidential support is available any time - you don't have to be in crisis to call.
GamblingCare.ie freephone: 1800 936 725 (free, confidential, 24 hours). Must be 18 or over to gamble.