New Voluntary Debit Card Blocks by Bank of Ireland Targeting Youth Gambling Concerns
Bank of Ireland takes action against youth gambling through restrictions
In an effort to combat the rising concern of youth gambling, Bank of Ireland has rolled out a new voluntary debit card block feature. This move comes in light of recent data revealing a striking 19% surge in betting activity among young adults aged 18 to 25 years old [1][2][3].
Gambling Swell Among Younger Age Groups
Bank of Ireland's data shows that this trend, while seeing a slight overall decline in spending, has notably increased in card transactions related to betting activities. The rise occurred amid major sporting events in the first quarter of the year. Aine McCleary, chief customer officer at Bank of Ireland, underlined the far-reaching impact of problem gambling on individuals and their loved ones [2].
Voluntary Debit Card Blocks for Financial Control
The new initiative features voluntary debit card blocks designed to prevent transactions with gambling operators, online casinos, slot machines, and lottery websites.Bank of Ireland offers this service for both personal and business debit cards, planning to extend it to credit cards in the forthcoming months [2][3].
Rising Gambling Trends in Ireland
Oisin McConville from GamblingCare.ie highlighted the increasing trend of betting among younger age groups, emphasizing the need for comprehensive support systems to address problem gambling proactively [2].
Gender and Regional Discrepancies
The data reveals that over 70% of bets placed in Q1 2025 were made by men [3][4][5]. Regionally, the highest increases in gambling activity were observed in Wicklow (up 37%), Kilkenny (up 24%), and Limerick (up 20%) [2][3][4]. Curiously, betting activity among those aged 65 and over declined by 8% [2][3][4].
Sporting Events Propelling Betting Activity
The increase in gambling among younger age groups can be primarily attributed to high-profile sporting events, such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Six Nations [4].
Ireland's Broader Efforts to Combat Problem Gambling
Bank of Ireland's initiative is part of a wider effort to address gambling-related issues in the country. In early March, Ireland launched its first fully-funded gambling addiction treatment program, marking a significant leap in supporting those affected by harmful gambling habits [4].
As gambling trends continue to evolve, with new trends emerging like betting on the next pope [4], the introduction of voluntary gambling blocks by Bank of Ireland represents a proactive approach to promoting responsible gambling practices and financial well-being among its customers. The ongoing "gamblified" generation where online gambling is considered normal among young adults necessitates this swift response [1]. The new feature will grant customers control over their finances and combat problem gambling [2][3][5]. This move aligns with the bank's broader goal of improving financial well-being among its customers [3][4].
In light of the rising gambling trends among young adults and the detrimental effects on mental health [1], Bank of Ireland's voluntary debit card block feature [2][3] aims to foster financial control and promote responsible gambling, while also supporting the bank's broader goal of enhancing the overall health-and-wellness and financial stability of its customers [3][4]. Furthermore, the expansion of this service to credit cards [3] will enable a broader scope for mental-health improvement and financial management within the business sector [5].
