Gambling Help & Support Resources — Ireland

Irish Gambling Helplines — Free & Confidential

All of the following services are free, confidential, and available to anyone in Ireland affected by gambling:

In an emergency, call 999 or 112.

Recognising Problem Gambling — Warning Signs

Problem gambling can develop gradually. If you recognise any of these patterns in yourself or someone close to you, it may be time to seek help:

• Spending more money or time on gambling than you can afford
• Chasing losses — continuing to gamble to try to win back money you have lost
• Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
• Neglecting work, family, or personal responsibilities due to gambling
• Feeling anxious, irritable, or restless when not gambling
• Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
• Gambling to escape stress, anxiety, or depression
• Being unable to stop or reduce gambling despite wanting to
• Experiencing relationship problems caused by gambling

If you identify with three or more of these signs, we strongly encourage you to contact one of the helplines listed above. There is no shame in seeking help — problem gambling is a recognised condition with effective treatments.

Self-Exclusion Options for Irish Players

Self-exclusion is a formal process that prevents you from accessing gambling services for a set period. Here are the options available in Ireland:

Casino-Level Self-Exclusion

Every licensed online casino must offer self-exclusion. You can typically set this through your account settings or by contacting customer support. Periods range from 24 hours to permanent closure.

GAMSTOP (UK-Licensed Casinos)

If you play at UKGC-licensed casinos (such as NetBet, PlayOJO, or BetVictor), you can register with GAMSTOP at gamstop.co.uk to self-exclude from all UK-licensed gambling sites simultaneously. Periods: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.

BetBlocker

BetBlocker is a free app that blocks access to gambling websites and apps on your devices. Available for iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac at betblocker.org.

GRAI Self-Exclusion (Coming 2026)

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is developing a national self-exclusion register that will cover all GRAI-licensed operators. This is expected to launch alongside the full licensing framework in late 2026.

Responsible Gambling Tools at Online Casinos

All reputable online casinos offer built-in protection tools. Our legal team recommends setting these before you start playing:

• Deposit limits: Set daily, weekly, or monthly maximum deposits
• Loss limits: Cap the amount you can lose in a set period
• Session time limits: Get automatic reminders after a set duration
• Cooling-off periods: Temporary breaks from 24 hours to 6 months
• Reality checks: Pop-up notifications showing time played and net win/loss
• Wager limits: Maximum bet per spin or hand

Our review methodology specifically evaluates these tools at every casino we test.

Support for Family and Friends

Problem gambling affects more than just the person gambling. If someone you care about has a gambling problem:

• Gam-Anon provides support specifically for families of people with gambling problems. Meetings are available across Ireland — contact Gamblers Anonymous Ireland on 01 872 1133 for details.
• Extern Problem Gambling (01 670 4066) offers family counselling and support services.
• Protect shared finances by opening separate bank accounts and limiting access to joint funds.
• Avoid lending money to someone with a gambling problem — this enables the behaviour rather than helping.

Further Resources

1. Gamblers Anonymous Ireland — Free support meetings nationwide
2. Problem Gambling Ireland — Free counselling service
3. Extern Problem Gambling — Treatment and family support
4. GamCare — UK & Ireland gambling support charity
5. BeGambleAware — Independent gambling harm prevention
6. GAMSTOP — UK self-exclusion scheme
7. BetBlocker — Free gambling blocking software
8. Samaritans Ireland — 24/7 emotional support (116 123)

What Is Problem Gambling?

Problem gambling, sometimes called gambling disorder or compulsive gambling, is a recognised behavioural condition in which a person is unable to control the urge to gamble despite negative consequences to their finances, relationships, or mental health. It is classified as a behavioural addiction in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and shares neurological pathways with substance addiction.

Problem gambling develops gradually. It often starts with recreational gambling that provides excitement and entertainment. Over time, some individuals develop tolerance — needing to gamble with larger amounts or more frequently to achieve the same level of stimulation. When gambling begins to cause financial hardship, relationship strain, or psychological distress and the person continues despite these consequences, it has crossed the line from recreation to disorder.

Risk Factors

Research identifies several factors that increase vulnerability to problem gambling:

• Age: Young adults (18–25) are at highest risk, particularly young men
• Early exposure: Beginning gambling before age 16 significantly increases lifetime risk
• Mental health: Depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other conditions increase susceptibility
• Substance use: Problem gambling frequently co-occurs with alcohol and drug issues
• Accessibility: Easy access to online gambling and mobile apps increases exposure
• Social environment: Family members who gamble, peer groups that normalise gambling
• Financial stress: Ironically, financial difficulties can drive people toward gambling as a perceived escape

Gambling Addiction Statistics in Ireland

Understanding the scale of problem gambling in Ireland helps contextualise why support services are essential:

The 2019 Irish Prevalence of Gambling Survey (IPGS) found that approximately 0.8% of the adult population met criteria for problem gambling, with an additional 2.1% classified as at-risk. These figures are likely conservative given the subsequent growth in online gambling, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Treatment Options for Problem Gambling in Ireland

Problem gambling is treatable. Recovery rates with professional support are encouraging — research shows that 70–80% of people who engage with treatment show significant improvement. Here are the main treatment pathways available in Ireland:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is the most evidence-based treatment for gambling disorder. It works by identifying and changing the distorted thought patterns that drive gambling behaviour — such as the belief that a win is “due” after a losing streak, or that certain rituals influence outcomes. CBT is available through Problem Gambling Ireland (089 241 5401) and private therapists.

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Individual counselling provides a confidential space to explore the underlying causes of gambling — which may include stress, relationship problems, depression, or trauma. Extern Problem Gambling (01 670 4066) offers free counselling for both gamblers and affected family members.

Support Groups

Gamblers Anonymous Ireland follows the 12-step recovery model adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings are held throughout Ireland and online. The peer support aspect — hearing others share similar experiences — is a powerful component of recovery. Contact: 01 872 1133.

Self-Help Strategies

• Use BetBlocker to block gambling sites on all your devices
• Register with GAMSTOP for self-exclusion from UK-licensed casinos
• Remove gambling apps from your phone
• Hand financial control to a trusted family member temporarily
• Replace gambling time with alternative activities (exercise, hobbies, social events)

How to Talk to Someone About Their Gambling Problem

If you are concerned about someone else’s gambling, approaching the conversation with care is essential. Here is practical advice based on guidance from Irish support organisations:

• Choose the right moment: Have the conversation when both of you are calm and not during or immediately after a gambling session
• Use “I” statements: “I’m worried about the money we’re losing” rather than “You have a gambling problem”
• Be specific: Reference concrete observations — missed bills, changed behaviour, secrecy
• Listen without judgement: Problem gambling carries significant shame. Creating a safe space for honesty is more productive than confrontation
• Offer resources: Share the helpline numbers from this page rather than demanding they seek help immediately
• Protect yourself: Do not lend money, do not cover debts, and consider attending a Gam-Anon meeting for family support
• Be patient: Recovery is rarely linear. Relapse is common and does not mean treatment has failed

For family support, contact Gam-Anon through Gamblers Anonymous Ireland on 01 872 1133. Extern Problem Gambling (01 670 4066) also provides dedicated family counselling.