Responsible gambling awareness needs to be at the foundation of protecting players from the harm that can result from problem gambling. Nobody can deny this sentiment, and those platforms that try to circumvent or downplay responsible gambling measures can be fined or shut down for their negligence. It’s a pressing issue that continues to play a critical role in the industry’s future infrastructure – including long-term business models, mobile app updates, and everything and anything in between.
Dissecting the Irish gambling industry on a global playing field
Online gambling has eclipsed any other form of betting – sports betting, casino gaming or even betting on the lottery is now done via our mobile phones and the internet. The whole landscape has shifted online, and this exodus toward the digital greener grass on the other side has shifted the focus onto how the global sector has a critical role to play in managing responsible gambling and promoting awareness in emerging smaller markets, such as Ireland.
It’s also an area in which legislation might be more stringent in some countries than others – even despite the emergence of the IAGR (International Association of Gaming Regulators), which aims to bring gambling legislation under one umbrella.
Responsible gambling measures for Irish bettors
Understand the game
While this might sound like a basic point to start with, as part of Safer Gambling Week in Ireland, experts have been developing tools and tips to help Irish bettors gamble responsibly¹. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a casino game like poker, or something more specific to Irish sporting culture, such as Gaelic hurling or football. If you do not know the rules of the game, then this is both bad gambling practice and can be a warning sign of a gambling issue.
Setting limits – time and money
Perhaps the most effective self-management tool anybody can use to protect themselves from the dangers of problem gambling is to set a ceiling for your spending and the amount of time you spend gambling.
Approximately 45% of all sports bets are placed online, which is set to rise2. Ultimately, this can result in a problem for those who are prone to addiction. In particular, sports bettors have double the chance of developing an issue, according to figures released in 2021.
Knowing when to seek help
If you struggle to keep your gambling within safe limits, then knowing how to access problem gambling services is crucial. Luckily, plenty of help is available online, whether through professional services or support groups like Gamblers Anonymous. By establishing connections with people who have had issues and been able to come out the other side, they aim to provide experience and strength for those who are currently struggling.
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Measures in place from Irish industry
Central legislators in Ireland understand that putting together legislation and revising it every five years doesn’t just end there – it’s a constantly moving target, especially given how quickly the online gambling sector is beginning to grip the wider industry.
Ban on credit cards and contactless payments
It’s a 24/7 international market with constant innovation, and legislators must keep up for many reasons, whether from a legislative and legal perspective or to keep safe gambling measures appropriate and relevant.
Early in 2024, UK gambling companies explored allowing debit cards to be used on slot machines³. However, contactless payments and credit card transactions are banned in both the UK and Ireland, which is welcomed by problem gambling advocates looking to strike a balance between awareness and advertising.
National gambling exclusion register
The Social Impact Fund is a specialist organization that researches the socioeconomics behind problem gambling and how those with issues can safely seek out help or better identify themselves to central legislative foundations that can assist them and help them stop.
The UK equivalent, GAMSTOP, had great initial success. Despite some issues raised in 2019, in which problem gamblers were able to circumvent the software once they had self-excluded, it’s an organization and piece of software that continues developing and providing a crucial service in the UK – the national gambling exclusion register, which follows the same blueprint and works closely in implementing technological changes4.
Identifying global trends
Many Irish bettors use platforms with an international presence, and these companies constantly search for ways to innovate and make gambling smoother and more convenient.
Global trends don’t just refer to gambling game mechanics; they refer to how people play, whether there’s a shift toward tablet gaming or smartphones. They also identify new trends in payment methods, which have gained a lot more attention lately.
In particular, the rise of Bitcoin and its visibility as a more reputable asset for traditional finance, including the Bitcoin spot ETF for BlackRock, which has brought a $10 trillion asset management company into the space, has meant that some gambling providers have sought out ways to facilitate it as a payment method for their service5.
Summary
Unlike some other countries, such as Canada, where online gambling has only been around a handful of years and involves a much wider, cohesive approach among provinces, Irish gambling is something that is a big part of the culture.
While some may argue this systemic, entrenched awareness of gambling might be more of a negative than a positive, it means that legislators have a lot more experience dealing with a population that gambles and a society that deems it more acceptable, which can assist those looking to create a culture where discussion helps people open up and leads to a better gambling culture – one of effective problem gambling tools and awareness.
1. Safer Gambling Week Ireland, Written by Cameron Murphy, published by irishluck.ie
3. Slot machines to go cashless as debit cards allowed, written by Paul Seddon, published by bbc.com
