Responsible gambling: thinking about your safety
At Casino.org, we take your welfare seriously, which is why we promote responsible gambling for casino players worldwide.
This page is dedicated to explaining why responsible gambling in Ireland is so important, and introduces you to tools, tips, and resources to help you stay in control.
Keeping you safe from problem gambling in Ireland – our pledge
Before making any recommendations, we ensure that any casino in Ireland shares our commitment to responsible gambling. We check that every casino we recommend offers tools and tips for responsible and safe gambling.
We will flag any Irish gambling site that doesn’t take responsible gambling seriously and promotes an unsafe or unhealthy environment for casino gameplay. Our writers test the responsible gambling mechanisms to ensure that the casino is serious about safe and responsible play.
Only then will we recommend a betting site. We must be satisfied that responsible gambling is at the heart of what a casino is about, or we won’t recommend it to you. It’s as simple as that.
Tips for responsible gambling in Ireland
It’s pivotal to grasp the concept of responsible gambling before playing casino games for real money. The key is staying in control and betting amounts you can comfortably afford.
With that in mind, here are some tips that will help you gamble responsibly and safely in Ireland:
- 1
Play at licensed online casinos
Our recommended casinos are licensed and regulated by established bodies like the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority. Playing at a licensed site guarantees a level of oversight that helps you gamble responsibly. Part of licensing includes implementing responsible gambling tools.
- 2
Set your own limits
Use RG tools to set gambling limits based on your situation. Don’t base your gambling budget on that of others. Work out what you can afford and set your own limits before playing. Never exceed your budget — it's a slippery slope.
- 3
Don’t mix substances with gambling
It’s never a good idea to gamble while under the influence. It can impair your judgment and lead to rash decisions. Alcohol is the most prevalent culprit here, but the advice applies across the board.
- 4
Read the terms and conditions of every bonus you access
Bonuses can seem great from afar, but you need to understand the terms and conditions, particularly the wagering requirements. They can end up pressuring you into betting more than you'd budgeted for.
- 5
Don't chase losses
Understand that you can win or lose when you gamble. You should avoid chasing your losses, as this can quickly lead to irresponsible gambling patterns and can get you into financial trouble. Sometimes you lose. That's life.
The best way to gamble for fun
Your mindset is important when gambling. We recommend viewing online casino gameplay as a fun way to pass the time, like other hobbies you enjoy. Decide how much you can afford to spend, add it to your casino account, and play your favourite games. When the money is gone, it’s gone.
You can set deposit and time limits at online casinos to help you manage your bankroll. If you realise that you’re gambling more than you would like to, take the first step and reach out for help. It can be to a person, or a specialised organisation.
If you’re worried about how much you’re spending but would still like to play casino games, switch to demo games and titles with free-to-play options to protect yourself from overspending.
Gambling support in Ireland
Should you think that your gambling has become a problem, there are several ways to get help. Stay calm. You're not the first person this has ever happened to, and you won't be the last.
Our first recommendation is to reach out to a friend or family member. It’s much easier to seek support when you’re not alone.
You can also reach out to professional groups and resources for gambling-related support in Ireland, as we introduce below.
Receiving professional help for problem gambling in IE
Here are some of the organisations that offer gambling support in Ireland:
GamblingCare
Established in March 2019, GamblingCare is funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust. It provides confidential and comprehensive support for problem gambling, online and phone support, and residential care.
Visit the GamblingCare website
Extern Problem Gambling
Formerly Problem Gambling Ireland, Extern Problem Gambling provides free counselling and a confidential helpline for anyone with a gambling problem. You can call or text anytime between 9 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
Visit the Extern Problem Gambling website
Gamblers Anonymous Ireland
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women across Ireland and Northern Ireland. There are meetings all over the country every day of the week. You can find the meeting closest to you on the GA Ireland website.
Visit the Gamblers Anonymous website
Samaritans
You can speak to someone at the Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for confidential support. You can talk on the phone, email, or even write a letter and find someone to help you work through your challenges.
Visit the Samaritans website
Crosscare
Crosscare is a licensed charity in Ireland. Though not specifically for problem gambling, Crosscare offers support for various issues and potential problems to people in different regions.
Visit the Crosscare website
Finding financial support for gambling debt
If you’re in a situation where you need financial support for your gambling debt, there may be options open to you in Ireland:
What is gambling addiction?
A gambling addiction is when you cannot control your urge to gamble. Essentially, it’s the opposite of gambling responsibly.
If you have a gambling addiction, you find yourself gambling excessively and for long periods. Most gambling addicts chase their losses and see a deterioration in their health, relationships, and other aspects of their lives.
What are the causes of gambling addiction?
Numerous factors can cause gambling addiction. It is a mental disorder that various situations can trigger.
Some of it is genetic predisposition. Through no fault of their own, some people may be at a greater risk of compulsive behaviour that can lead to problem gambling.
For others, gambling addiction might be triggered by a difficult time in life or by a lack of employment.
Some people may even become addicted to gambling through other addictions, like drugs or alcohol. In other words, there’s not only one way to become addicted to gambling.
Signs that you might have a gambling addiction
It’s helpful to understand the signs of problem gambling so you can act when you think you might be addicted.
Be mindful that a gambling addiction doesn’t necessarily form overnight. It’s a slow process that builds over days, weeks, and months. Here are some signs that you might be struggling with a gambling addiction:
- 1Gambling is your main source of income: The nature of gambling means that you can win or lose money each time you do it. Therefore, you should not rely on gambling as your main source of income or think that you can earn a stable living from gambling-related activities.
- 2You don’t share your gambling habit with loved ones: Keeping your gambling activity a secret is an indication that things may be out of control. If you are hiding your expenditure or the amount of time you gamble from a loved one, it might be time to get help.
- 3You’re noticing changes in your behaviour: People with a gambling addiction tend to be anxious, uptight or irritated when they’re not gambling. If you can’t control the urge to gamble, it’s a sign that it has become a problem.
- 4Your relationships have been affected: It’s also difficult for gambling addicts to maintain their relationships and continue other social activities. If your life has recently changed for the worse because of gambling, reach out to a loved one to discuss it.
If any of the above sounds familiar, stop and have a serious think. Plenty of the support options on this page cost you nothing to reach out to and to find out more about — you have nothing to lose when you reach out to learn more.
The importance of choosing licensed casino sites in Ireland
When a site is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission or another body like the Malta Gaming Authority, it has a certain level of oversight that commits to responsible and fair gambling. Unlicensed and unregulated sites may ignore responsible gambling policies and practices to make as much money from you as possible.
This is why we at Casino.org only ever recommend online casinos that have appropriate licenses. Choosing one of our recommended sites is a foolproof way of ensuring that the casino you play at is required to take responsible gambling seriously.
How do online casinos and sportsbooks prevent addiction?
Licensed and regulated casinos in Ireland are required to take steps to promote responsible gambling. But what are the tools and resources available to you? Let’s take a closer look.
Responsible gambling tools
Our recommended casinos in Ireland offer a suite of responsible gambling tools that you can use to stay in control of how much you spend when gambling online. Some of the tools you can use include:
Personal limits
Most online casinos in Ireland enable you to set limits relating to how much you can deposit, lose, and bet in a gambling session. When you set limits, it’s much easier to control your bankroll while playing your favourite casino games.
Cooling off periods
If you feel like you’re gambling too much, taking an extended break from a casino is a great option. As a result, you can institute a cooling-off period, which excludes you from the website for a few days, weeks, or even months. During this time, you won’t be able to log back into your account, giving you time to reflect on your gambling habit.
Self-exclusion
You can take things one step further by self-excluding yourself from the online casino. To do this, contact the online casino and request a self-exclusion. The casino usually acts within 24 hours and blocks you from the website.
Blocking tools
While self-exclusion is a good way of blocking yourself from a specific gambling site, you can also use blocking tools to stop yourself from all gambling websites. Discover the best gambling-blocking software recommended by Be Gamble Aware.
At Casino.org, we are committed to responsible gambling in Ireland and want to help Irish players make smart and reasonable decisions when playing online casino games.
We aim to raise awareness about responsible gambling practices and to help you gamble with all the information that you need to stay in control. You can rest assured that all casinos that we recommend take responsible gambling seriously.
Responsible gambling FAQs
What is responsible gambling?
Responsible gambling is when you have your gambling in control, viewing it as a sporadic hobby. You budget money you can afford, set time limits, and have no issue staying within them.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is when your gambling activity impacts negatively on various aspects of your life. It may get you into financial trouble, or it might have a negative impact on your health, well-being, or relationships.
Why is responsible gambling important?
Responsible gambling is crucial because it enables you to stay in control of your finances when betting. It’s a mindset that encourages you to think carefully about how much you spend on gambling and prevents you from developing a gambling addiction.
Am I at risk of a gambling addiction?
Yes, anyone who gambles online is at risk of becoming addicted to gambling. That’s why it’s so important to consider responsible gambling tools and tips to stay in control of your habit and expenditure. Read more about Gambling Addiction.
How do I know if I’m addicted to gambling?
If you’re addicted to gambling, you can’t control your urge to bet. Your relationships and social experience will likely be affected, and you may even be anxious and irritated a lot of the time. If you think you have a gambling problem, reach out to a friend or family member and seek the help you need. Our addiction section covers key warning signs.
What limits can I set to stay in control?
When you sign up for an online casino, you can set deposit and time limits to stay in control. You can also take things further and opt for a cool-off period or self-exclusion from a specific site if you wish. Learn more about responsible gambling tools.
Written by Ian Zerafa
Ian Zerafa has been reviewing gambling sites for years, originally starting out in the US market. Since then, he's worked on Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland, and is an experienced hand with English-language gambling products worldwide. He likes to take a data-backed approach to his reviews, believing that some key metrics can make a huge difference between your experience at otherwise similar sites. Out of the office, you can find him at the gym, out running, or kicking back with a book.