The Bank of Ireland is giving customers the ability to request voluntary blocks on their debit cards to prevent them from gambling.

The new tool blocks all payments to gambling operators and is designed to improve the financial wellbeing of customers suffering from problem gambling.

The Bank of Ireland said that analysis of card spending data in the first quarter of 2025 showed that 90 per cent of gambling transactions were online transactions, with 99 per cent funded by a debit card.

The bank also found that while overall gambling spending had decreased by 2 per cent year-on-year in Q1, there was a 19 per cent increase amongst 18 to 25 year olds.

The Bank of ireland said that the block can be requested for both personal and business debit cards and will be extended to credit cards in the near future.

“This initiative we are launching is designed to help customers take positive steps to improve control over their finances. It also furthers Bank of Ireland’s ambition to improve the financial wellbeing of our customers and communities, especially those going through difficult times,” said Bank of Ireland chief commercial officer Áine McCleary.

Oisín McConville, representative from GamblingCare.ie, added: “Measures such as this are very welcome, as we can see from the latest gambling spend insights that betting amongst younger people is on the rise.

“In order to combat the scourge of problem gambling, a wide range of supports are essential to prevent the issue becoming overwhelming for those impacted. The introduction by Bank of Ireland of gambling blocks is another step in the right direction and will further safeguard their customers.”

The Bank of Ireland is the fourth financial institution in Ireland to offer this kind of blocking for gambling transactions.

In August 2024, the Allied Bank of Ireland introduced a voluntary block feature on debit and credit card transactions, which blocks any transaction identified as gambling. In addition, the bank also offers a range of support and advice to people who are experiencing gambling related harm. At the end of 2024, EBS Bank also introduced voluntary blocking of any gambling transaction.

Online bank Revolut also gives its customers the ability to block gambling transactions in Ireland, as it does in the United Kingdom.