Bank of Ireland has introduced voluntary blocks on debit cards for customers who want to stop using gambling operators.

The new card-blocking feature, which also blocks access to online casinos, slot machines and lottery websites, can be put in place after a customer request.

It stops any payments identified as being made to a gambling operator, which Bank of Ireland said will improve the financial wellbeing of customers with problem gambling.

Bank of Ireland said an analysis of card spending data in the first quarter of this year revealed that 90% of gambling transactions took place online, with 99% funded via debit cards.

The bank’s figures show that while total card spending on gambling fell 2% year-on-year in the first three months of the year, there was an increase of 19% amongst 18 to 25 year olds.

It noted that 71% of bets placed were from men, with betting activity rising the most in counties Wicklow (+37%), Kilkenny (+24%), Limerick (+20%), and Laois (+17%) as popular sporting events such as the Cheltenham horse racing festival and the Six Nations rugby competition took place.

Bank of Ireland said the block can be requested for both personal and business debit cards and will be extended to include credit cards in the coming months.

Customers in the Republic of Ireland can call a dedicated number on 1818 200 423, or 0345 6016 157 for Northern Ireland based customers.

Customers can also find out more about the blocks and how they work at www.bankofireland.com/gambling.

Áine McCleary, Chief Customer Officer at Bank of Ireland, said that problem gambling can have a devastating effect not just on the person involved, but also on families, friends and loved ones.

“This initiative we are launching is designed to help customers take positive steps to improve control over their finances. It also furthers Bank of Ireland’s ambition to improve the financial wellbeing of our customers and communities, especially those going through difficult times,” she added.

Oisín McConville, from GamblingCare.ie, said that measures such as this are very welcome, as we can see from the latest gambling spend insights that betting amongst younger people is on the rise.

“In order to combat the scourge of problem gambling, a wide range of supports are essential to prevent the issue becoming overwhelming for those impacted. The introduction by Bank of Ireland of gambling blocks is another step in the right direction and will further safeguard their customers,” he added.