Responsible Gambling
Responsible Gambling
Gambling is a form of entertainment. Like any leisure activity, it carries real costs - money spent is the price of the experience, not an investment with an expected return. Book of Dead and every other casino game is designed so the house holds a mathematical edge over time. There is no strategy, system, or streak that changes this. If you play, play for enjoyment, and never with money you cannot afford to lose.
Strictly 18+
All gambling on licensed Irish-facing sites is restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Age verification is a legal requirement, not a formality. If you share a device with younger family members, use the parental controls available through your browser or internet provider to block gambling sites. Never share your account credentials or allow a minor to access your casino account under any circumstances.
Signs of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling can develop gradually. Recognising early warning signs gives you the best chance of regaining control before serious harm occurs. Common signs include:
- Spending more time or money on gambling than you originally planned
- Chasing losses - returning to win back money you have already lost
- Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
- Lying to family or friends about how much you gamble
- Neglecting work, study, or personal relationships because of gambling
- Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when trying to cut down
- Using gambling to escape stress, depression, or difficult emotions
- Failed attempts to stop or reduce gambling on your own
If any of these apply to you, speaking to a support organisation is the most effective next step. Help is free, confidential, and available without delay.
Practical Control Tools
Licensed casinos operating in Ireland are required to offer tools that put you in control of your gambling. Use them proactively - before a session gets out of hand, not after.
- Deposit limits - set a daily, weekly, or monthly cap on how much you can transfer into your account. Reductions take effect immediately; increases require a waiting period.
- Loss limits - cap the maximum net loss you can sustain over a chosen period. Once reached, your account is locked for further play until the limit resets.
- Session time-outs - set a maximum session length. The casino will alert you when the time is up and close the session automatically.
- Reality checks - on-screen notifications at regular intervals showing how long you have been playing and your net position.
- Self-exclusion - a formal request to be blocked from a single site for a minimum period (typically 6 months to 5 years). For broader protection, Ireland's national self-exclusion scheme allows you to exclude from multiple operators simultaneously. Contact your casino's support team or visit the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) website for details.
- Account closure - you can close your account permanently at any time. A responsible operator will process this without obstacles or cooling-off delays.
Support Organisations
Trained advisors are available around the clock. All services below are free and confidential.
- GamCare - operates the National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133, free from UK and Ireland). Offers phone counselling, live chat, an online forum, and structured treatment programmes for individuals and affected family members.
- BeGambleAware - provides self-assessment tools, an advice chatbot, and a directory of local treatment services. The website includes guidance specifically for family members concerned about a loved one's gambling.
- Gamblers Anonymous - peer support meetings based on a 12-step recovery programme. Meetings run in person across Ireland and online. No referral or registration is required to attend.
- Gambling Therapy - a global online service run by Gordon Moody. Offers live support groups, one-to-one chat with trained advisors, and a dedicated forum for those affected by someone else's gambling. Available in multiple languages.
If you are concerned about your gambling or someone else's, reach out today. Early contact with any of these services significantly improves outcomes.