Permanent TSB (PTSB) has become the latest Irish retail bank to introduce a gambling-block service for customers, as financial institutions align with national efforts to curb gambling-related harm.
The move was welcomed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which is spearheading a consumer protection push as Ireland prepares to relaunch its gambling oversight regime in 2025 and beyond.
PTSB joins peers Bank of Ireland, AIB, EBS, and Revolut in offering app-based blocking tools to customers seeking to restrict card transactions linked to gambling.
Commenting on the development, GRAI CEO 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 GRAI, a new statutory body responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling services in Ireland, was formally assumed in March 2025. It was established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 which laid the foundation for a modernised gambling oversight framework.
In recent months, the GRAI has worked closely with the Irish Banking Culture Board, Payments Federation, and individual banks to ensure that as many institutions as possible offer practical protections for customers at risk of gambling harm.
The regulator is also leading the development of a National Gambling Exclusion Register, due to launch with the commencement of Ireland’s licensing system. Online gambling operators will be legally obligated to integrate with the register, as set out in the Act.
Beyond banking tools, GRAI continues to provide advice on broader measures such as gambling-blocking software and online advertising restrictions. It plans to expand collaboration with stakeholders to ensure ongoing support for vulnerable users.
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