National gambling self-exclusion register: Ireland’s latest play against problem gambling
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Ireland’s government is creating a national gambling self-exclusion register to comply with new reforms on gambling regulations spearheaded by the country’s legislative body.
The national self-exclusion register will include all registered gambling operators and will be implemented within the next year. Research shows 3.3 per cent of adults in Ireland suffer from problem gambling, and 7 per cent participate in gambling activities that pose a moderate risk. This initiative aims to mitigate the growing concern about the adverse social and economic effects of gambling (ESRI, 2025).
Irish Legislators are creating a national gambling self-exclusion register that will allow individuals to bar themselves from participating in gambling activities at all licensed gambling operators. This initiative coincides with the establishment of a new statutory gambling regulator and the concern that the gambling-related harm was underreported in Ireland.
The primary goal of establishing a national gambling self-exclusion register is to streamline the process of self-exclusion in both online and retail operators. This initiative aims to expand Ireland’s gambling control initiatives and place the self-exclusion system at the core of its gambling policies to protect at-risk customers.
Government takes action to tackle gambling issues
National self-exclusion registers aim to protect against gambling-related harm, and concern about gambling harm in Ireland has prompted the Government to act. The new Irish regulatory authority commissioned research which found that about 3.3 per cent of adults engage in problematic gambling, while another 7 per cent exhibit moderate signs of gambling harm (Economic and Social Research Institute, 2025). Such findings have led the authorities to consider gambling harm as a public health concern.
The register will enable individuals to self-exclude from all licensed gambling activities through a single registration. This concept is akin to promotional mechanics seen in online gaming, such as free spins no deposit offers. These promotional offers incentivize users to engage with the platform without an initial cost, while self-exclusion features allow users to self-exclude from the platform or decline promotional offers. The national register takes this approach to a large-scale individual self-exclusion and to all licensed gambling operators in Ireland.
Officials suggest that a centralised system makes it easier for people to disengage from gambling. The interim strategy by the regulator gives focus to licensing, oversight, enforcement and public safety actions, including self-exclusion. Critics caution that people may still gamble through unregulated or offshore gambling sites that are not bound by Irish laws.
A strategy inspired by teamwork and discipline
Regulators equate the system to a strategy of collaboration, similar to a well-functioning rugby team. The strategic plan of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland describes how licensing, enforcement, and safety mechanisms interact. Self-exclusion is just one of the many options to reduce assisted gambling.
High participation in gambling remains a concern. The ESRI study found that three-quarters of adults in the country had spent money on gambling in the month prior to the survey, with one-third gambling online (Economic and Social Research Institute, 2025). Gambling problem rates were highest among people in their 30s, and online betting and casino gambling were strong predictors of risk.
The regulator views self-exclusion schemes as a way to improve consistency and clarity around the management of gambling harm. Other initiatives include increased advertising restrictions and gambling credit issuance, imposed compliance obligations on operators and gambling management. The success of these initiatives will depend on the operators’ compliance and the regulator’s enforcement of these measures.
Rugby lessons off the pitch
There are clear lessons to be learned from Rugby. Each player has a clear and defined role, but it’s not enough to just focus on your role. Everyone on the team must be disciplined, and the team must act as one. Advocates for gambling reform and policy changes focus on the reduction of gambling harm by ensuring that all the pieces are working together.
Representatives for the gambling industry warn that overly restrictive and burdensome regulations will drive consumers to act in unregulated markets, where regulations, along with consumer protections, are absent. A focus on regulated protections and unregulated markets as an alternative is a recurring theme in gambling legislation around the world.
The design of self-exclusion schemes and the length of time required for a person to complete an exclusion are key elements that will determine the success of the programs. Jurisdictions that have instituted more streamlined and user-friendly self-exclusion processes have seen a greater number of participants. The simpler the exclusion, the more effective the system will be.
What this means for everyday gamblers
Betting enthusiasts, be it on rugby or other sports, will notice changes to self-exclusion schemes on the register. Once self-exclusion schemes are active, users will be able to self-exclude for specific time frames, and all licensed operators will be required to honour that exclusion period, which means the self-exclusion schemes will be a lot more effective. The self-exclusion schemes are likely to be a lot more effective than the gambling operators’ self-exclusion schemes, which a lot of gamblers will likely register.
Ireland’s support services are imperative. Addiction counselling and peer support services assist self-exclusion and support individuals in addressing gambling behaviours and the consequences thereof.
The likely effectiveness of the register is hinged on uptake and enforcement. There is a dire need for the regulators to supervise operator compliance and the enforcement of a no-workaround system. There is likely to be a public health advocacy for the monitoring of gambling-related harm and for increased oversight and monitoring.
