Allied Irish Bank introduces voluntary block to support customers struggling with gambling

Allied Irish Bank (AIB) has rolled out a new initiative allowing customers to voluntarily block gambling transactions on their personal and business cards. This measure, available to all 3.3 million AIB customer accounts, aims to provide additional support to individuals struggling with gambling-related issues.

The gambling block can be activated by customers who call the AIB Additional Support Helpline, where they can request to have the block applied to their accounts. This move follows a similar initiative by Ulster Bank, making AIB the second major Irish bank to introduce such controls. The block will also be available to customers of EBS Ireland, AIB’s insurance and lending subsidiary.

AIB has positioned this feature as part of a broader effort to support vulnerable customers and prevent financial harm to families. Geraldine Casey, AIB’s Managing Director of Retail Banking, emphasized the importance of the bank’s role in helping customers manage the negative impacts of gambling.

“We understand that when gambling becomes harmful, it can affect not just the person involved but also their families and friends. It can damage relationships, finances, employment, and mental health,” said Casey. 

“The financial services industry has a role to play in supporting customers as they combat any gambling difficulties they may have, and it’s important that AIB does what we can to help them stop the harm.”

The initiative has received public support from Oisín McConville, a GAA All Ireland Football Championship winner who has openly discussed his own struggles with gambling addiction.

McConville praised AIB’s efforts, stating: “I am very pleased to see AIB is offering this voluntary gambling block to help their customers to begin to tackle their gambling problems. I would like to reassure people that you can recover, that there is life after gambling addiction and that help is available to anyone who needs it.”

AIB’s move comes amid ongoing delays in the implementation of Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill (GRB), which aims to establish a new regulatory framework for gambling in the Republic of Ireland.

Although the tri-coalition government agreed on the terms of the GRB at the end of 2022, progress has stalled, with the bill currently under review by the Dáil (Irish Assembly) since July 2023. The GRB is intended to replace the nearly century-old Betting Act of 1931, but a timeline for its finalization remains unclear.

Fianna Fáil minister James Browne, who is leading the legislative process, has reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing a new Gambling Regulatory Authority, although frustrations continue to mount over the slow progress.