The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is pleased to learn that PTSB, one of Ireland's biggest retail banks has announced that they will now offer a digital voluntary block for customers who wish to stop card transactions involving gambling.
On welcoming the announcement of the initiative , CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, Anne Marie Caulfield said: ‘’We very much welcome PTSB’s introduction of an in-app gambling block, this represents a proactive and valuable Consumer Protection measure helping to reduce the risk of gambling -related harms.’’
The Gambling Regulator has had engagement with the Irish Banking Culture Board, the Irish Banking and Payments Federation and individual banks over the past number of months to encourage as many financial institutions as possible to offer these blocking facilities as a consumer protection measure for their customers suffering from gambling harm or who wish to take a break from gambling.
This means that PTSB now join Bank of Ireland, AIB, EBS and Revolut in offering their customers a gambling blocking facility. The GRAI offers practical advice on ways in which to limit exposure to gambling including bank blocking, gambling blocking software and limiting advertising online, available on our website here.
Many Gambling operators also offer exclusion systems for their customers that want to step back from gambling. Following the establishment of the GRAI in March, we are now working on the design and development of the National Gambling Exclusion Register, so that it will be operational as soon as possible following the commencement of our licensing function. The obligation on online operators to interact with the register is set out in the Act.
We will also continue to work with stakeholders to build on these initiatives and ensure greater support and guidance is in place for those that need them.
For more information on Gambling Safety please click here
For the full PTSB announcements please click here
