Responsible gambling

Casino games are entertainment that costs money. Here is how to keep it that way, and where to get help if it stops being fun.

Need to talk to someone now? GamblingCare.ie National Helpline, 1800 936 725, is free, confidential, 24 hours a day. Online: gamblingcare.ie.

Before you play

Decide the amount first. Pick a sum you could lose without it affecting bills, rent or savings. That amount is the cost of the entertainment.
Set a deposit limit in the account. Every licensed operator lets you cap daily, weekly or monthly deposits. Set it before the first deposit, while you are calm.
Know the odds. Every game has a house edge, so the casino wins over time. Bonuses do not change this; wagering requirements mean you usually stake far more than the bonus before you can withdraw.

While you play

Set a session time and use the operator's reality-check reminders.
Never chase losses. A losing session is not owed a winning one.
Do not play when upset, tired or after drinking.
Never gamble with borrowed money, credit or money meant for something else.

Warning signs

Spending more than planned, hiding gambling from people close to you, borrowing to gamble, feeling restless when not gambling, or gambling to escape problems. If any of these sound familiar, the tools below and the helpline can help.

Tools every licensed operator provides

Deposit, loss and wager limits that increase only after a cooling-off period.
Time-outs from 24 hours to six weeks.
Self-exclusion for six months or longer, during which the operator must close access and stop marketing to you.
Account history showing deposits, stakes and results.

Ireland's Gambling Regulation Act 2024 also provides for a National Gambling Exclusion Register run by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Check grai.ie for its current status.

Free, confidential help in Ireland

GamblingCare.ie National Helpline: 1800 936 725, free and open 24 hours a day, with counselling and family support at gamblingcare.ie.
Extern Problem Gambling: free counselling, problemgambling.ie.
Gamblers Anonymous Ireland: peer support meetings, gamblersanonymous.ie.

Under 18?

Gambling is illegal for anyone under 18 in Ireland. Parents can use filtering software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio to block gambling sites on family devices.