Gambling help in Ireland

• You often spend more money or time than you planned.
• You bet more to get the same excitement.
• You go back to win back what you lost.
• You borrow money, use credit or sell things to gamble or to cover gambling debts.
• You hide your gambling from people close to you, or feel guilty about it.
• You feel restless or irritable when you try to cut back.
• Gambling is affecting your sleep, work, studies or relationships.

One or two of these don't mean you have an addiction, but they're a good reason to talk to someone. The HSE suggests talking to your GP if you think you may have a problem with gambling.

• Deposit limits. Set a daily, weekly or monthly cap in your casino account before your first deposit.
• Time-outs. A short break, from a day to a few weeks, when you can't log in or deposit.
• Self-exclusion. A longer block, often six months or more, that you can't undo early. Do it with each casino you've used.
• Bank gambling blocks. Bank of Ireland, AIB, EBS and Revolut can block card payments to gambling sites. In Revolut, it's under Profile, Security, Payments, and switching it off takes up to 48 hours.
• Blocking software. Apps that block gambling sites on your phone and computer add a second layer, because bank blocks don't catch everything.

Ireland's National Gambling Exclusion Register, which will let you exclude yourself from every GRAI-licensed operator at once, isn't live yet. When it is, it won't cover casinos licensed outside Ireland, so keep using each casino's own self-exclusion.

1. Call a helpline. Gambling Care's national helpline, 1800 936 725, is open 24 hours a day. Extern Problem Gambling's helpline, 089 241 5401, is a call-back service on weekdays: call or text and they'll ring you back.
2. Get counselling. Extern offers free counselling online and in person for anyone on the island of Ireland affected by gambling, including family members.
3. Go to a meeting. Gamblers Anonymous Ireland runs meetings across the country, every day of the week. Its helpline is 01 872 1133, 10am to 10pm.
4. Talk to your GP. They can refer you to HSE addiction services and help with stress, sleep or low mood.
5. Get help with debt. MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service, gives free, confidential advice on 0818 07 2000.
6. In a crisis, call Samaritans on 116 123, free, day or night. In an emergency, call 112 or 999.

Gambling harm affects family and friends too. Extern's helpline and counselling are open to family members and partners, and Gam-Anon runs meetings for people affected by someone else's gambling. Talk to the person at a calm moment, say what you've noticed without blame, and avoid paying off their debts, which can make it easier to keep gambling. Protect your own money with separate accounts.