⚡ Self-exclusion is a voluntary process that blocks you from gambling with one or more operators for a set period. In Ireland, there is currently no single national self-exclusion register. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 mandates a National Gambling Exclusion Register to be run by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), but this register is not yet live and has no confirmed launch date. Right now, Irish players must self-exclude operator by operator, or use GamStop (which only covers UK Gambling Commission-licensed sites, not Irish-licensed operators).
Current status (March 2026): GRAI National Register – not yet live. GamStop – available but UK-only coverage. Individual operator self-exclusion – available at every licensed site. Bank gambling blocks – available at AIB, EBS, and Revolut.
What Is Self-Exclusion from Gambling?
Self-exclusion is a formal agreement between you and a gambling operator (or multiple operators) that prevents you from accessing your account, placing bets, or receiving marketing communications for a defined period. It is a voluntary decision made by the player, not something imposed by the operator, and it is one of the most effective tools available for anyone who wants to take a break from gambling or needs to stop entirely.
There are three distinct self-exclusion systems relevant to Irish players, and understanding the differences between them is important before you decide which route to take.
The three self-exclusion systems for Irish players:
› GRAI National Gambling Exclusion Register (upcoming) – A single registration that will block you from all GRAI-licensed operators in Ireland simultaneously. Not yet live. When launched, this will be the most comprehensive option for Irish players.
› GamStop – A free UK-based self-exclusion scheme that covers all operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Available to Irish players, but only blocks access to UKGC-licensed sites, not Irish-licensed operators.
› Individual operator self-exclusion – Requesting self-exclusion directly from each gambling site or shop you use. Available immediately but must be done separately with every single operator.
The honest reality is that Irish players currently have the weakest self-exclusion infrastructure in these islands. A player in England, Scotland, or Wales can sign up to GamStop once and be blocked from every licensed operator in the UK. An Irish player who wants the same level of protection has to contact each operator individually, repeat the process at every site, and hope they have not missed any. The GRAI National Register will fix this, but until it launches, the gap remains.
GRAI National Register vs GamStop vs Operator Self-Exclusion
Here is how the three systems compare side by side. This table will be updated when the GRAI National Register goes live.
The key takeaway from this comparison is that no single system currently provides complete protection for Irish players. GamStop is excellent if your gambling is primarily with UK-licensed sites, but it does nothing for Irish-licensed operators or local betting shops. Individual self-exclusion works, but the burden falls entirely on you to contact every operator and maintain that exclusion across what could be dozens of accounts. The GRAI National Register will be the first system to offer genuine one-stop coverage for Irish gambling, but only once it goes live.
The Numbers Behind Problem Gambling in Ireland
Self-exclusion exists because problem gambling is a real and measurable issue in Ireland. The following statistics come from research conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Department of Justice, and they help illustrate why tools like the National Gambling Exclusion Register are being prioritised.
Problem gambling in Ireland – the evidence:
› 1 in 30 Irish adults suffers from problem gambling, which equates to approximately 130,000 to 170,000 people across the country
› Childhood exposure doubles the risk – ESRI research shows that people who gambled as children are twice as likely to develop problem gambling as adults
› Parental gambling compounds the risk – Those who had a gambling parent and also gambled as children are four times more likely to develop a gambling problem
› Average problem gambler spend – ESRI research indicates that problem gamblers in Ireland spend an average of €1,000 per month on gambling
These are not abstract numbers. They represent real people across Ireland who are dealing with the consequences of gambling that has moved beyond their control. Self-exclusion is one of the most direct interventions available, and the data consistently shows that it works when properly enforced.
Enforcement and Penalties Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024
One of the most significant changes brought by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is the enforcement framework around self-exclusion. Operators who breach exclusion rules face serious consequences.
Penalties for operators who breach exclusion rules:
› Financial penalties – Fines of up to €20 million or 10% of the operator’s annual turnover, whichever is greater
› Criminal prosecution – Individual directors and officers can face criminal conviction with sentences of up to 5 years imprisonment
› Licence revocation – GRAI has the power to suspend or revoke an operator’s licence for persistent or serious breaches
› Marketing restrictions – Operators must cease all direct marketing to excluded individuals, including email, SMS, push notifications, and personalised online advertising
These penalties are deliberately severe. A fine of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover means that even the largest operators have a powerful financial incentive to get exclusion right. The possibility of criminal conviction and imprisonment goes further than most European gambling jurisdictions, sending a clear message that the Irish government takes self-exclusion enforcement seriously.
Who Should Consider Self-Exclusion?
Self-exclusion is not only for people in crisis. It covers a wide spectrum of situations, and there is no wrong reason to use it. If you are reading this page, that in itself suggests you are thinking about your relationship with gambling, which is a positive step regardless of where you land on the decision.
Self-exclusion might be right for you if:
› You find yourself gambling more than you intended, more often than you planned, or spending more than you can comfortably afford
› You have tried to cut down or stop gambling on your own and found it difficult to stick to your decision
› Gambling is causing tension in your relationships, your work, or your finances
› You want a safety net before things become difficult – a precautionary measure rather than a response to a crisis
› You are going through a stressful period and want to remove the temptation to gamble as a coping mechanism
› You simply want a clean break for a set period, no specific crisis required
There is nothing dramatic or shameful about self-exclusion. Plenty of people use it as a practical tool rather than a last resort. It is no different from uninstalling a social media app because it is eating too much of your time, or asking a friend to hold your wallet on a night out. It is a boundary you are setting for yourself, and that takes self-awareness and good judgment.
How to Self-Exclude Right Now – Step by Step
Until the GRAI National Register launches, you will need to take a multi-step approach to cover as many operators as possible. Here is the most thorough process available to Irish players today.
Step 1: List Every Gambling Account You Hold
Before you start contacting operators, sit down and make a complete list of every gambling account you have. Check your email for account confirmation messages, review your bank and card statements for gambling transactions, and look through your phone for any betting apps. It is common for players to have accounts with 5, 10, or even 20 different operators, and missing one undermines the entire process.
Step 2: Self-Exclude from Each Operator Individually
Contact each operator to request self-exclusion. Most operators offer multiple ways to do this.
How to self-exclude from major operators available in Ireland:
› Paddy Power – Log in, go to My Account > Safer Gambling > Self-Exclusion. You can also contact their customer support team via live chat or email. Paddy Power offers exclusion periods of 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years.
› Bet365 – Go to My Account > Responsible Gambling > Self-Exclusion. You can choose between 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, or 5 years. Your account will be closed and any remaining balance returned.
› BoyleSports – Contact customer support via live chat, email (support@boylesports.com), or visit any BoyleSports shop in person. As an Irish operator, BoyleSports processes self-exclusion requests for both online and retail.
› William Hill – Log in and navigate to the Safer Gambling section, or contact their support team. Exclusion periods range from 6 months to 5 years.
› Betway – Go to your account settings and select the self-exclusion option, or contact their Responsible Gambling team directly via email or live chat.
› All other operators – Every licensed operator is required to offer self-exclusion. Look for “Responsible Gambling,” “Safer Gambling,” or “Player Protection” sections in your account settings or on the site footer.
When you contact each operator, be clear that you are requesting self-exclusion, not just a temporary account closure or a cooling-off period. These are different things. Self-exclusion is a formal process with legal requirements attached to it. A temporary closure can often be reversed by simply contacting the operator again, which defeats the purpose if you are trying to create a genuine barrier.
Step 3: Register with GamStop
Even though GamStop only covers UKGC-licensed operators, many of the sites Irish players use hold both UK and Irish licences. Registering with GamStop at gamstop.co.uk will add an extra layer of protection across those dual-licensed operators.
The GamStop registration process takes about five minutes. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, email address, phone number, and home address. You then choose your exclusion period: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Once registered, all UKGC-licensed operators must close your accounts within 24 hours and stop all marketing communications.
Be aware that GamStop does not cover operators licensed exclusively in Ireland, betting shops, or any offshore unlicensed sites. It is a valuable additional step, but it is not a complete solution for Irish players.
Step 4: Set Up Bank Gambling Blocks
As an additional safeguard, you can block gambling transactions at the bank level. This stops your debit card from being used for gambling deposits even if you have not self-excluded from a particular operator or if you encounter a site you missed.
Irish banks offering gambling transaction blocks:
› AIB – Toggle gambling blocks on or off through the AIB mobile app or internet banking. The block applies to your debit card for all transactions categorised as gambling.
› EBS – Offers a gambling transaction block for debit card customers. Contact EBS directly or check your online banking settings.
› Revolut – Open the Revolut app, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Gambling Block. This toggles on and off instantly. Revolut is particularly useful because it also blocks transactions to gambling merchants that might not be caught by traditional bank blocks.
› Other banks – Check with your bank directly. More Irish banks are expected to introduce gambling blocks throughout 2026 and beyond as GRAI’s regulatory framework beds in.
Bank gambling blocks are not perfect. They rely on the merchant category code (MCC) assigned to the gambling operator, and some transactions may slip through if the operator is coded under a different category. However, they are a strong additional barrier and well worth enabling alongside self-exclusion.
Step 5: Delete Gambling Apps and Block Gambling Websites
Remove all gambling apps from your phone and tablet. On your computer, consider using website blocking software or browser extensions to prevent access to gambling sites. On iPhones, you can use Screen Time to restrict access to gambling apps and websites. On Android devices, the Digital Wellbeing settings offer similar functionality.
This is not about willpower. It is about removing friction. The easier it is to gamble, the harder it is to maintain exclusion. Every barrier you put in place increases the likelihood of success.
What Happens When the GRAI National Register Launches
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 requires the establishment of a National Gambling Exclusion Register operated by GRAI. While the exact launch date has not been confirmed, the legislation sets out how the register will work once it is operational.
How the GRAI National Register will work:
› One registration covers everything – A single sign-up will block you from all GRAI-licensed gambling operators in Ireland, both online and in person
› Mandatory operator checks – All licensed operators will be legally required to check the register before allowing a customer to gamble and must refuse service to anyone on it
› Complete marketing ban – Operators must cease all direct marketing to excluded individuals, including email, SMS, push notifications, social media targeting, and personalised advertising
› Free to use – Registration on the National Gambling Exclusion Register will be free of charge
› Severe penalties for non-compliance – Operators who allow excluded players to gamble face fines of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover, and individual directors risk criminal prosecution with up to 5 years imprisonment
The register will be a game-changer for Irish players. For the first time, it will be possible to make one decision and have it enforced across the entire licensed Irish gambling market. Combined with GamStop for UK-licensed operators and bank gambling blocks, it will create a comprehensive exclusion framework that is genuinely difficult to circumvent through licensed channels.
We will update this page as soon as the GRAI National Register launch date is confirmed.
Being Honest About the Gaps
It would be irresponsible to present self-exclusion as a complete solution without acknowledging its limitations. Here is a straightforward assessment of what works and what does not.
What self-exclusion achieves
› Creates a legally binding barrier between you and licensed operators
› Stops all marketing communications from excluded operators
› Returns any account balance to you upon exclusion
› Provides a cooling-off period to reassess your gambling habits
What self-exclusion cannot do
› Cannot block you from offshore unlicensed gambling sites
› Does not currently cover all Irish operators in one step (until GRAI register launches)
› Cannot prevent cash gambling at unlicensed premises
› Individual operator exclusion can be circumvented by opening accounts elsewhere
The biggest gap right now is the absence of the GRAI National Register. Without it, a determined player can self-exclude from Paddy Power and then walk down the road to BoyleSports, or close a Bet365 account and open one at another online operator. Individual self-exclusion relies partly on the player’s own commitment, which is precisely the thing that problem gambling undermines.
Offshore unlicensed sites are another reality. These sites operate outside any regulatory framework, will not honour self-exclusion requests from GamStop or the future GRAI register, and offer none of the consumer protections that come with licensed gambling. If you find yourself turning to unlicensed sites to get around self-exclusion, that is a strong signal that professional support would be beneficial.
Other Harm Reduction Tools – Short of Full Exclusion
Self-exclusion is the strongest tool available, but it is not the only option. If you are not ready for full exclusion, or if you want to use additional tools alongside it, there are several harm reduction features that every licensed operator is required to provide.
Harm reduction tools available at licensed operators:
› Deposit limits – Set a maximum amount you can deposit per day, week, or month. Once you hit your limit, you cannot deposit again until the next period. Most operators require a 24-hour cooling-off period before any increase takes effect.
› Session time limits – Set a maximum duration for each gambling session. When your time is up, you will receive a notification and may be logged out automatically.
› Reality checks – Periodic pop-up notifications that show you how long you have been playing and how much you have won or lost during the session. A simple but effective way to maintain awareness.
› Cooling-off periods – A short-term break, typically 24 hours to 30 days, where your account is temporarily suspended. Less permanent than self-exclusion but useful for a quick reset.
› Loss limits – Where available, these cap the total amount you can lose in a given period. Not offered by all operators, but increasingly common.
These tools are complementary. They work best when used together and alongside other measures like bank gambling blocks. However, they are not substitutes for self-exclusion if exclusion is what you need. If you have already tried deposit limits and found yourself increasing them, or if you have been setting time limits and ignoring the notifications, then self-exclusion is likely the more appropriate step.
For a detailed guide on setting deposit limits across all major operators in Ireland, see our Deposit Limits Ireland page.
Support Resources for Irish Players
Self-exclusion is a tool, not a treatment. If gambling has become a problem in your life, speaking with someone who understands what you are going through can make a significant difference. The following organisations provide free, confidential support to people in Ireland affected by gambling.
Free and confidential support services:
› GamblingCare.ie – The national gambling support service funded by the HSE. Offers free counselling, online chat, email support, and a helpline. Visit gamblingcare.ie or call their helpline for confidential advice.
› Gamblers Anonymous Ireland – Peer support groups that meet regularly across Ireland, both in person and online. No referral needed, no fees, and completely anonymous. Visit gamblersanonymous.ie to find your nearest meeting.
› Extern Problem Gambling – Provides one-to-one counselling and support services across Ireland. Extern works with both the person experiencing gambling difficulties and their family members.
› Rutland Centre – A residential treatment centre in Dublin that offers specialised programmes for gambling addiction. Typically suited for more severe cases where outpatient support has not been sufficient.
You do not need to have hit rock bottom to reach out. These services support people at every stage, from early concern to severe crisis. If you are unsure whether you need help, contacting GamblingCare.ie for an initial conversation is a good starting point. It is free, it is confidential, and there is no obligation to take any further steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GRAI National Gambling Exclusion Register live yet?
No. As of March 2026, the National Gambling Exclusion Register mandated by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 has not yet launched. GRAI has not confirmed a specific launch date. We will update this page as soon as there is a confirmed timeline.
Can I self-exclude from all Irish gambling sites at once right now?
Not through a single step. Currently, you need to contact each operator individually to request self-exclusion. Registering with GamStop at gamstop.co.uk will cover all UKGC-licensed sites, which includes many operators available to Irish players, but it does not cover Irish-licensed operators or in-person betting shops. The GRAI National Register will offer one-stop exclusion once it launches.
Does GamStop work in Ireland?
GamStop works for Irish players who gamble with UKGC-licensed operators, which includes many of the major online betting brands. However, it does not cover operators licensed exclusively in Ireland, does not cover Irish betting shops, and does not cover offshore unlicensed sites. It is a useful additional tool but not a complete solution for Irish players.
How long does self-exclusion last?
This varies by operator and by scheme. GamStop offers 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Individual operators typically offer periods ranging from 6 months to 5 years. The GRAI National Register duration options have not been confirmed yet. Most responsible gambling advisors recommend choosing the longest period you are comfortable with, as the option to extend is always available but the temptation to return early is real.
Can I reverse self-exclusion before it expires?
This depends on the scheme. GamStop does not allow early removal. Most individual operators will not reverse a self-exclusion before the minimum period has elapsed. This is by design. The purpose of self-exclusion is to create a barrier that holds even when the urge to gamble returns. If you could simply call up and have it removed the next day, it would offer no protection at all.
What happens to my account balance when I self-exclude?
Any funds remaining in your account at the time of self-exclusion must be returned to you. This typically happens via the same payment method you used to deposit. If that is not possible, the operator should contact you to arrange an alternative withdrawal method. You are entitled to every penny of your balance.
Will I still receive marketing from gambling companies after self-excluding?
Operators you have self-excluded from are legally required to stop all direct marketing to you. This includes email, SMS, phone calls, push notifications, and personalised online advertising. If you continue to receive marketing from an operator you have excluded yourself from, report it to the operator first and then to GRAI if the issue is not resolved.
What if I have gambling accounts I have forgotten about?
Search your email inbox for terms like “welcome to,” “account confirmation,” “deposit,” and the names of major betting brands. Check your bank and card statements going back at least 12 months for transactions with gambling merchants. Setting up a bank gambling block will catch any accounts you may have missed, as it blocks all gambling-coded transactions regardless of the operator.
Can I self-exclude from betting shops as well as online sites?
Yes. You can request self-exclusion in person at any licensed betting shop. The process typically involves filling out a form and providing a photograph so that staff can identify you if you attempt to return during the exclusion period. With retail shops, enforcement relies partly on staff recognising you, which is not foolproof, but it remains a worthwhile step.
Is self-exclusion confidential?
Yes. Operators are required to treat self-exclusion requests confidentially. Your exclusion status is not shared with your employer, your family, or anyone outside the gambling operator and any relevant regulatory bodies. The GRAI National Register will also be subject to strict data protection requirements under GDPR.