Individuals who use the services of Allied Irish Banks (AIB) now have the option to request that the financial institution block their gambling-related transactions. As reported by broadcasting company Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTE), the new feature will be applicable to both credit and debit cards, regardless of whether a given card is classified as a personal or business card. Additionally, AIB Group’s EBS will also offer the same feature to its clients.
According to the AIB, problem gambling may manifest in overdue bills, the attempt to use gambling as a way to earn money, the person being secretive about their wagering habits, and more. AIB has thus advised that those close to individuals suspected of being problem gamblers watch out for such signs.
Geraldine Casey, Managing Director of Retail Banking at AIB, stressed that the AIB Group understood that when gambling becomes harmful, the families and friends of a gambling addict can also experience harm. Relationships, employment, and finances can be damaged, and the same applies to mental health. “The financial services industry has a role to play in supporting customers as they combat any gambling difficulties they may have,” she stressed, and went on to explain that was why AIB will now offer its clients support that can assist them in keeping themselves safe from problem gambling.
Oisín McConville Approves of the Block Feature
RTE also reported on Oisín McConville’s own commentary on the matter. Mr McConville is a former Gaelic footballer and the current manager of Wicklow GAA, and he used to suffer from gambling harm. As he explained in a 2022 interview published by the Sunday World, he began gambling when he was 14, and his struggles with addiction eventually left him €42,000 in debt. At some point, he even contemplated ending his life. However, he eventually found the help he needed and has since assisted many in their own battles with addiction. In July 2024, he also became a brand ambassador for The Gambling Awareness Trust (gamblingcare.ie), Ireland’s national gambling harm charity.
When speaking about AIB’s new block feature, he said he supported the measure and added the following: “I would like to reassure people that you can recover, that there is life after gambling addiction, and that help is available to anyone who needs it.”
Gambling Regulation’s Role in Tackling Harm
Apart from AIB’s own efforts to address problem gambling, the Irish Government has been working toward establishing a concrete regulatory framework surrounding gambling that should help minimise harm. Thus far, the proposals have included a pre-watershed ban on gambling ads, caps on the size of raffle rewards, the prohibition of inducements, and more.
However, the proposals have been a point of contention in the country. Industry lobbyists, broadcasters, representatives of Irish horse racing, and charities have argued that some of the measures were too strict and could harm them financially. Irish horse racing warned many racing jobs could be lost due to the pre-watershed prohibition, while media giant Sky Sports threatened the company would be forced to stop broadcasting in Ireland as the revenue losses from the partial ad ban would be too substantial.
In contrast, gambling health experts and reform advocates have called for the proposals in the gambling bill to be put into effect as soon as possible due to the harms tied to gambling addiction and how ads are said to exacerbate the issue. Moreover, the results of a recent study conducted by the Institute for Social Marketing and Health at the University of Stirling suggests that young adults in Ireland are largely in favour of the Government cracking down on gambling ads. Some also told researchers they thought even stricter measures should be implemented.
- Author
Daniel Williams
