Regulation is also good for players, who can play games online or offline, knowing they’re fair and the environment is safe to play in. While the operator is conducting its business, in line with regulation, it’s also protecting players.

Below is a look at the PTSB voluntary gambling block, which is a safety mechanism to protect players, and at online casino regulation in Ireland and various other countries, and how it keeps players safe while playing. 

The PTSB voluntary gambling block

To help people manage their gambling and preserve their financial wellbeing, the banking and personal services company Permanent TSB (PTSB) has launched a voluntary block for customers who want to stop card transactions involving gambling merchants. Through the PTSB app, the bank’s customers can block any debit and credit card transactions classed as gambling instantly.

The block covers online casino, poker, and lottery websites. If the customer decides to remove the block, they must wait the 48-hour ‘impulse delay period’ before they can start making gambling-related transactions again. 

Regulations for online casinos around the world

Many countries recognise the importance of protecting players and have different laws around gambling. Some either outlaw online casinos completely or only allow them in certain regions of the country. Others are perfectly comfortable with gambling but implement strict regulations so players can participate safely. 

Canada

Canadian law places gambling regulation in the hands of provincial and territorial authorities. Depending on the laws of their province or territory, gambling is legal at an online casino Canada if the operator is sponsored by the provincial authority. Often, the online casino operator is a third-party B2B operator supplying a provincial lottery corporation with its casino and betting website. 

Player safety is important to the Canadian authorities and some provinces are trying to ramp up regulation. Ontario became a pioneer by being the first province to create its own regulated casino and gambling market, allowing private operators and not just state-sponsored entities to operate in Ontario. This is to stop players playing at overseas sites, which can be risky for them. 

Canadian authorities also protect players by controlling bonuses and promotions, and exposure to them. Companies can’t display exaggerated bonuses. Nor can they advertise them on social media or Search ads. 

Gambling laws in Ireland

Ireland is liberal in its gambling laws and allows many forms, including online gambling. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) regulates gambling activities and allocates licences to operators. 

One of its protection mechanisms for players is a National Gambling Exclusion Register, which allows players to add themselves to the register voluntarily and exclude themselves from any gambling facilities operated by licence holders. 

Under the country’s Gambling Regulations Act 2024, operators can’t accept payments by credit card. Nor must they knowingly facilitate credit for gambling-related activity. The act also applies to any means of payment electronically or digitally that uses money loaded from a credit card.

Gambling laws in the USA

Although many states in the USA have gotten comfortable with sports betting, they’re much less so with online casinos. Only seven states have legalised online casino gaming:

  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Michigan
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • West Virginia
  • Rhode Island

To protect players when playing at online casinos, operators must have a responsible gaming plan in place. Just like Ireland, they may not accept payment by credit card. They must also offer self-exclusion and self-limitation mechanisms to players, such as ways to limit loss, deposits, time spent playing, and wagering amounts. 

Sites must keep players safe by verifying age and identity. They must also shield players and themselves from fraud by complying with know your customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. 

Gambling regulations in Italy

Italy sees an opportunity to re-establish itself as one of the leading countries in Europe for online gambling. Online casinos in Italy must provide compulsory self-exclusion and self-limitation mechanisms, including the ability to block themselves completely from a website. 

To comply with EU data regulations, the operator’s IT infrastructure must be based within the European Economic Area (EEA) space. Operators applying for a licence from the Agency for Customs and Monopolies (ADM), Italy’s gambling regulator, must also have proven experience of operating and managing gaming platforms in the EEA. 

Regulation is critical in the gambling industry and benefits players and gambling service operators. Players can play in a safe environment and concentrate on enjoying their gaming. Meanwhile, operators can expand into markets they know are regulated and enjoy more protection, making them less risky for the business.