Responsible Gambling in Ireland: How to Play and Stay Safe

At Match.Center, we want our players to have an enjoyable experience. Online bookmakers are there to entertain, not to make money. The focus is on having fun and experiencing positive emotions. Responsible gaming is an important aspect of this. Betting should not impact your life or those of others negatively. We safeguard underage individuals from accessing illegal sites and support Irish players who might develop addiction.

Why We Advocate Responsible Play

According to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), 3.3% of the adult population in Ireland suffer from problem betting, that’s 130,000, and a further 279,000 adults have moderate gambling problems, bringing the total to over 400,000.

Compulsive behaviour can have a serious impact on the individual and their surroundings. Gambling carries risks, but protective measures can help minimise these. We are committed to promoting responsible play for the benefit of both players and the online industry.

Key Challenges and Effects of Gambling Addiction

Aspects of Mental Health

People with a gambling addiction are more prone to anxiety, depression and other mental health problems that can worsen their condition and hinder recovery.

Financial Difficulties

Problem gamblers often accumulate large debts that affect their financial stability and lead to serious economic difficulties.

Family Issues

Addiction can create serious family issues, resulting in broken relationships and a lack of trust among family members.

Workplace Problems

It can lead to lower productivity, strained relationships with colleagues and even job loss due to absenteeism or theft.

Criminality

There is a remarkable correlation between gambling addiction and criminal behaviour, with people forced or compelled to commit crimes to pay off debts.

How To Play Responsibly?

In Ireland, regulation will be overseen by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which will be established under the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022. The new authority will be responsible for licensing and regulating all forms of money games, both online and in person.

But you don’t have to wait for a new authority to control your habits. Just follow these basic rules:

• Make sure you’re playing for fun
• Set a time and financial limit for betting, do not overstep it
• Expect to lose – the odds are against you and loss is part of the process
• Do not gamble on credit, and do not loan money to place a bet
• If you play, be in good shape physically and mentally
• Maintain a balance in your life, do not prioritise gambling over family, work, friends and hobbies.

If sports betting is no longer fun and it takes up a lot of your time, you need to take a break.

How to Identify Addiction

Understanding the signs of an addictive tendency is crucial to getting help in time. You can take the necessary steps to address your gambling if you are aware of the warning signs. Here are some tips to help you recognise when if you or someone you know may need support.

• Evaluate Your Losses. Assess the impact of betting on your finances and relationships. Frequent losses and mounting debts may indicate a problem.
• Monitor Changes in Behaviour. Be aware of any significant changes in your behaviour, mood or daily routine. Irritability, neglect of responsibilities and secrecy about wagering activities are red flags.
• Avoid Emotional or Alcoholic Betting. This can impair your judgement and lead to risky behaviour.
• Take Time Out. Try to take breaks from wagering. If you find it difficult to stay away, this could be a sign of addiction.

Gambling Addiction Help

The main organisations in Ireland provide free resources to help play safely:

GamblingCare.ie was set up in March 2019 to help people understand safer practices and get support if they need it. It is funded by the Gambling Awareness Trust, an independent charity which funds research, education and treatment services to help minimise gambling-related harm in Ireland.

GambleAware is the leading charity for gambling harm education, prevention, early intervention, and treatment. It offers free, confidential support via telephone and live chat 24/7.

The Dunlewey Addiction Service provides free and confidential advice, counselling and helplines for individuals over 18 in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. They have a freephone number that operates 7 days a week and gives immediate access to a qualified counsellor.

Responsible Gaming Tools

If you find that you often answer the test questions in the affirmative, here are some ways to help yourself:

• Set a block on your bank cards to prevent transactions with bookmakers. Many banks offer this option to help you control your spending.
• Set time limits on your gaming sessions.
• Implement deposit limits on your gambling accounts to control the amount of money you can deposit over a specific period.
• Use services like AdBlock to block advertisements on your phone and computer. This reduces exposure to promotions and helps you avoid temptation.
• Set a reminder to check how long you’ve been playing. This will help you stay aware and take breaks.
• Use the self-exclusion feature offered by betting platforms.

Prohibition of Underage Gambling

In Ireland, you must be 18 or older for most online betting activities. Underage involvement can result in addiction, financial troubles, and negative effects on mental health. Protect children by using parental controls to block access and setting passwords for relevant apps. Educate them about the dangers and keep the lines of communication open. Check their online activity regularly to make sure they’re not exposed to inappropriate content.