AIB has introduced a voluntary block feature on debit and credit card transactions which are classified as linked to gambling. Customers can request to have a block placed on their personal or business card which will block transactions identified as gambling.
The bank also offers a range of supports and advice to people who contact them experiencing gambling problems. Data from gamblingcare.ie shows that a person will, in many cases, first disclose a gambling problem with staff at their financial institution, and not to family or friends.
GAA All Ireland Football Championship winner with Armagh Oisín McConville, who has spoken openly about overcoming his gambling problem, urged anyone experiencing gambling issues to avail of the supports on offer.
“I am very pleased to see AIB is offering this voluntary gambling block to help their customers to begin to tackle their gambling problems,” he said. “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 has highlighted some of the signs that can help assess when gambling is becoming harmful. These include concealing or lying about gambling, gambling to try and make money to cover rising costs of living/bills, continuing to gamble even after significant financial losses, selling possessions, borrowing, or even stealing money to gamble, difficulty sleeping which has resulted in gambling at night, experiencing relationship and occupation problems because of gambling, unexplained mood changes, and continuing to gamble even when you don’t have the money to do so.
The AIB gambling block feature is optional and is only initiated at the request of the customer. AIB customers requesting the gambling block can call the AIB Additional Support Helpline on 0818 227 056 from Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm (excluding bank holidays).
Kildare’s Senator Mark Wall is among those who have welcomed the move.
“Over the last four years I’ve dealt with too many people whose lives have been destroyed by gambling addiction,” he said. “We still await the new gambling bill which is promised to come back before the houses of the Oireachtas before the year end.
“There is help out there, but Government must ensure that those helping with gambling addiction are properly funded and supported. For the majority of people gambling is not a problem, but there is a growing number of our citizens that need help and there is an ongoing need for education around gambling addiction.
“This is a public health issue and must be treated as such.”
AIB has also advised there are other services available if you or someone close to you is experiencing gambling problems.
Gamblingcare.ie provides advice, support, and information to those who are concerned about their own or another person’s gambling, with dedicated support services across the country. Its National Gambling helpline can be reached on 1800 936 725 from 9am-11pm daily.
Mabs.ie, which supports people with money advice, budgeting, and problem debt, also offers a helpline at 0818 072000.