Need help now?
Worried about your own gambling or someone else’s? Free, confidential support is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 936 725 or see the support services below.
Safer gambling describes the steps the gambling industry takes to keep gambling a safe and enjoyable leisure activity for adults. It covers clear information for customers, practical tools to help people stay in control, protection for young and vulnerable people, and access to support for anyone who needs it.
All members of the Irish Bookmakers Association are required to follow our Safer Gambling Code, in their betting shops and online.
What our members do
IBA members put safer gambling into practice every day:
- Age checks: betting shops operate a Think 21 policy, and online operators use strict age verification.
- Tools to stay in control: customers can use deposit limits, reality checks and other tools to manage their gambling.
- No betting on credit: members do not accept bets on credit or by credit card.
- Safer gambling messages in shops and online.
- Responsible advertising standards.
- Staff training, so that staff know how to spot and respond to signs of harm and underage gambling.
Learn more
IBA standards
Our Safer Gambling Code
The standards every IBA member follows in retail and online betting.
Underage gambling
Protecting Young People
How our members prevent anyone under 18 from gambling, in shops and online.
Annual campaign
Safer Gambling Week
Ireland’s annual campaign to get people talking about safer gambling, held every year since 2017.
Services Available
Whether you’re seeking support for yourself or a loved one, there are many free specialised services nationwide. They range from a National Helpline, residential treatment programs and in-person counselling to online counselling, support groups, and self-help tools.
These resources are designed to help individuals address the effects of problem gambling and regain control of their lives. The Gambling Awareness Trust selects, funds and supervises the wide range of services available. See the full list of free gambling support services in Ireland.
Gambling Awareness Trust
GamblingCare.ie is run by the Gambling Awareness Trust and brings together the free, confidential support available to anyone affected by gambling in Ireland, including the National Helpline, online and in person counselling, residential treatment, support groups, and support for family and friends. All services are free of charge.
Dunlewey Addiction Centre
National Gambling Helpline
The Dunlewey Centre operates a free, confidential helpline service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for individuals affected by their own or a family member’s problem gambling issues.
Telephone 1800 936 725
Family Resource Centre
Family Support
There are 20 Family Resource Centres across the country, now providing professional and confidential counselling services to those experiencing harmful gambling, and their families.
Aiséirí
Residential Treatment
Aiséirí provides community and residential services to help young people, adults and families overcome addiction and lead meaningful lives in recovery.
Concerned about a member?
If you believe an IBA member is not meeting our Safer Gambling Code, please contact us at info@irishbookmakersassociation.com and we will look into it.