The Short Version
Since February 2026, GRAI-licensed operators are prohibited from accepting credit cards or extending any form of credit for gambling. The rule is part of the player-protection provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, mirroring the UK’s 2020 credit card ban. Debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets remain available.
Who the Ban Applies To
The prohibition binds licensed operators. Since the GRAI currently licenses remote betting only, the hard legal ban applies to bookmakers. Offshore-licensed casinos serving Irish players are not yet inside the GRAI system — some still list credit cards. When Irish casino licensing opens, the ban will extend to every licensed casino automatically.
Why the Ban Exists
Gambling with borrowed money is the single strongest predictor of gambling harm. Research behind the UK ban found a large share of credit-card gamblers were classified as problem gamblers. Removing credit from the equation forces gambling back inside money you actually have — which is the first rule of safe play anyway.
What Irish Players Can Use Instead
| Method | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Debit cards (Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit) | ✅ Allowed | The default for most players — our guide |
| Bank transfer / SEPA instant | ✅ Allowed | Slower but reliable for large amounts |
| Revolut and instant banks | ✅ Allowed | Debit-funded — Revolut casinos guide |
| E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller) | ✅ Allowed | Fastest withdrawals — guide |
| Prepaid (Paysafecard) | ✅ Allowed | Hard spending cap by design — guide |
| Credit cards | ❌ Prohibited at licensed operators | A casino still pushing credit cards to Irish players is a red flag |
A Practical Red Flag
Use the ban as a quick trust test: an operator that actively promotes credit card deposits to Irish customers in 2026 is either unlicensed or indifferent to Irish rules. Combine that check with our 2-minute licence check before you deposit anywhere.