Responsible gambling: thinking about your safety

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.

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Receiving professional help for problem gambling in IE

Here are some of the organisations that offer gambling support in Ireland:

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:

1. 1
   Gambling 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.
2. 2
   You 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.
3. 3
   You’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.
4. 4
   Your 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.