What's actually banned
The ban targets credit card facilities specifically — a payment method that lets a player gamble with borrowed money rather than funds they already hold. It does not affect debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, or most other common deposit methods used in Ireland.
Who it applies to
This is a general consumer protection rule under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, activated on 5 February 2026 alongside GRAI's enforcement powers. It applies to any operator accepting Irish customers, not only to operators that already hold a GRAI licence — which matters, since most casinos serving Irish players in 2026 still operate under MGA, Curaçao, or similar foreign licences rather than a GRAI one.
Why this rule came first
Credit card gambling is consistently linked in problem-gambling research to larger, faster losses, since it removes the natural brake of only spending money already held. Ireland's regulator prioritised this alongside the advertising watershed as an immediate protection, ahead of the more complex work of building out full licensing categories.
Related reading
See also our explainer on the TV and radio advertising watershed, and the National Gambling Exclusion Register, both part of the same wave of player protections.