# Limits, breaks and blocks

> Tools that help you limit or stop betting on your phone in Ireland: operator limits, time-outs, bank blocks, BetBlocker, GamBan and helplines.

Source: https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/limits/
Updated: 2026-11-07

You can limit or stop betting on your phone at four levels: limits and time-outs inside the operator's app, self-exclusion with the operator, a block from your bank, and a block on the phone itself. Ireland's national self-exclusion register is planned but not in force. Free 24/7 support: 1800 936 725 · gamblingcare.ie.

## Four levels of control

1. **In the app:** deposit limit, time limit, time-out. A licensed operator must let you set a money limit (s.164).
2. **With the operator:** self-exclusion from that one operator.
3. **At your bank:** AIB, Bank of Ireland, EBS, PTSB and Revolut are named on GRAI's Protection Tools page. Our brief takes that list from the page.
4. **On the phone:** [Screen Time](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/block-betting-apps-with-screen-time/) on iPhone, [Family Link and other controls](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/restrict-betting-apps-on-android/) on Android.

BetBlocker and GamBan are also listed by GRAI as protection tools.

**In short:** use more than one level if one is not enough.

## The national exclusion register

The National Gambling Exclusion Register (ss.44–49 of the Act) was not in force on 21 October 2026. We describe it only as "planned". Until it starts, self-exclusion is operator by operator, plus the bank and phone tools above.

**In short:** no single register yet; exclude operator by operator.

## Helplines

**Source: GRAI Get Help page, as listed in our 6 November 2026 brief · checked 7 November 2026**

| Service | Number | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Awareness Trust (gamblingcare.ie) | 1800 936 725 | 24/7 |
| Extern Problem Gambling (problemgambling.ie) | 089 241 5401 | Not checked |
| Gamblers Anonymous Ireland, Dublin | 01 872 1133 | Not checked |
| Family Addiction Support Network | 042 935 5251 | 24 hours |
| Samaritans | 116 123 | Not checked |
| MABS | 0818 07 2000 | Monday to Friday, 9:00–20:00 |
| HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline | 1800 459 459 | Monday to Friday, 9:30–17:30 |

**In short:** one national line is open at any hour, and six more are listed.

## Pages on limits and blocks

- [Set a deposit limit](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/set-a-deposit-limit-in-a-betting-app/)
- [Take a break or self-exclude](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/time-out-or-self-exclude-in-a-betting-app/)
- [Switch on a bank gambling block](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/switch-on-a-bank-gambling-block/)
- [Controls in the apps: slice D3](https://beforeyouinstall.com/data/safer-gambling-controls-in-apps/)
- [Responsible gambling](https://beforeyouinstall.com/responsible-gambling/)

**In short:** steps, a dated snapshot and the help page.

## How we checked

Tool names, bank names and helplines come from GRAI's Protection Tools and Get Help pages as recorded on 6 November 2026. We did not re-open them in this build. Operator limit paths in slice D3 are Not checked.

**In short:** the lists are sourced; the operator paths are not yet read.