PTSB has launched a digital voluntary block for customers who wish to stop card transactions involving gambling merchants – an important initiative in promoting financial wellbeing and supporting customers in managing gambling-related harm.
The new feature allows customers of the bank to block debit and credit card transactions that are classified as gambling, instantly through their PTSB app.
If customers choose to remove the block, a 48-hour impulse delay period will apply before gambling transactions can resume.
Along with betting sites, the block also covers online casinos, poker sites, and lottery websites.
An analysis of PTSB banking data from January to June 2025 shows that 91% of gambling spend was completed online; 80% of gambling spend was completed by men, versus 20% completed by women; the age group with the highest spend on gambling sites for both men and women is 40 49; and 2% of those who gambled in June 2025 spent over €1,000, which falls into the threshold of problem gambling, according to ESRI Research.
GAMBLINGCARE.IE
ESRI research found that there are 130,000 adults with problem gambling in Ireland. There is also growing evidence that gambling offers lure people to bet more, particularly those at risk of problem gambling. ESRI estimates that 1-in-30 adults in Ireland now suffers from problem gambling.
GamblingCare.ie aims to broaden public understanding of safer gambling, provides supports and resources to help those that develop problems and their friends and families, through information, live chat, and self help tools. Vist GamblingCare.ie or call 1800 936 725. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
