📞 Need Help Right Now?
If you are struggling with gambling, please reach out before reading further.
- Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 (free, confidential, 24/7)
- gamblingcare.ie — online support, chat, and self-help tools
- GamCare: gamcare.org.uk — counselling and live chat
💡 Key Takeaways
- NGEI = National Gambling Exclusion Register for Ireland, launched under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024
- Register once at ngei.ie and you are excluded from all GRAI-licensed operators simultaneously
- Currently covers GRAI-licensed betting operators only — casino licences are not yet issued (expected 2027–2028)
- For casino self-exclusion, use each casino's own tools, GamStop, or the Gambling Awareness Trust
- Exclusion is legally binding on all GRAI licence holders — operators must enforce it
What Is the NGEI?
The National Gambling Exclusion Register for Ireland (NGEI) is a centralised self-exclusion register created under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. It is Ireland's first national self-exclusion system, operated at ngei.ie.
Before the NGEI, a person who wanted to self-exclude from gambling in Ireland had to contact each operator individually — a process that was slow, inconsistent, and often incomplete. The NGEI replaces that fragmented system with a single registration that immediately covers every operator holding a GRAI licence.
The key distinction is that the NGEI is a national register, not an individual operator tool. When you register, all GRAI-licensed operators are legally required to match your details against the register and block your access. You do not need to repeat the process operator by operator.
How the NGEI Works
The register works through identity matching. When you register at ngei.ie, you submit verified personal details. GRAI-licensed operators are required to check new account registrations and existing accounts against the register. Where a match is found, the operator must immediately restrict access.
This is a statutory obligation, not a voluntary one. If a GRAI-licensed operator fails to enforce an NGEI exclusion, they are in breach of their licence conditions and can face enforcement action by the GRAI, including fines, suspension, or revocation of their licence.
✅ What NGEI Covers (November 2026)
- All GRAI betting licence holders (42 licences)
- Sports betting accounts at GRAI-licensed operators
- Horse racing, in-play betting, and similar wagering products
- Any new GRAI-licensed operators added to the register after your exclusion date
❌ What NGEI Does Not Yet Cover
- Online casinos (GRAI has issued zero casino licences to date)
- Internationally licensed operators (MGA, UKGC, Gibraltar, etc.) serving Irish players
- Land-based gambling venues (separate rules apply)
- Lottery products operated by the National Lottery
How to Register for NGEI Self-Exclusion
Registration is handled entirely through the NGEI's official website. The process is straightforward and free of charge.
- Go to ngei.ie — the official National Gambling Exclusion Register for Ireland.
- Create an account using your email address and choose a secure password.
- Verify your identity — you will need to provide personal details (name, date of birth, address) so the register can accurately match your profile to operator accounts. Identity verification helps prevent errors that could leave accounts unblocked.
- Select your exclusion period — the register offers a range of exclusion durations. Choose the period that suits your situation. Longer periods are generally recommended; self-exclusion should not be treated as a short-term pause.
- Confirm your registration — once submitted, your exclusion is live. GRAI-licensed operators will begin enforcing it as they process the register update.
- Close or withdraw any existing funds from GRAI-licensed accounts before or during registration, as access will be restricted once exclusion takes effect.
⚠️ Important: Exclusion Is Not Instant Everywhere
While NGEI exclusion is legally binding, there may be a brief processing window before every GRAI-licensed operator's systems are updated. During this period, avoid gambling. If you find that a GRAI-licensed operator has not enforced your exclusion within a reasonable timeframe, report this to the GRAI directly at grai.ie. For immediate support while you wait, call the Gambling Awareness Trust on 1800 753 753.
Casino Self-Exclusion: What to Do While GRAI Licences Are Pending
As of November 2026, the GRAI has not issued any casino or gaming licences. Casino licences are expected to become available in 2027 or 2028. Until they do, online casinos serving Irish players operate under international licences — primarily from Malta (MGA), Gibraltar, or Curaçao.
This means NGEI registration does not automatically exclude you from online casinos. If you need to self-exclude from casino gambling, you have several options:
| Option | What It Covers | How to Access |
|---|---|---|
| Individual casino self-exclusion | The specific casino where you register | Responsible gambling section of each casino's website or app |
| GamStop | All UK Gambling Commission-licensed operators (many serve Irish players) | gamstop.co.uk — free, takes effect within 24 hours |
| Gambling Awareness Trust | Advice, referrals, and support; can help you navigate self-exclusion tools | 1800 753 753 or gamblingcare.ie |
| Bank/payment blocking | Transactions to gambling merchants via your bank card or account | Your bank's app or customer service — most Irish banks offer this feature |
| Blocking software | Gambling websites at the device or network level | Gamban (gamban.com), Betfilter, or Net Nanny — works across all operators |
Using NGEI alongside one or more of these tools gives you the most comprehensive protection available in Ireland right now. The NGEI covers GRAI-licensed betting; GamStop or individual exclusions cover the casino side.
NGEI and the Gambling Regulation Act 2024
The NGEI was created by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the same legislation that established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The Act makes it a legal requirement for all GRAI licence holders to participate in the national exclusion register — this is not voluntary opt-in by operators.
This statutory basis is what makes NGEI meaningfully different from the patchwork of individual operator exclusion tools that existed before. Under the old system, a person who self-excluded from one bookmaker could immediately open an account with another. NGEI closes that gap for all GRAI-licensed operators with a single registration.
As GRAI expands its licensing framework to include casinos (expected 2027–2028), those operators will also be required to participate in the NGEI. At that point, a single NGEI registration will cover both betting and casino gambling in Ireland.
Additional Support Resources
Self-exclusion is an important practical step, but it works best alongside wider support. The following organisations offer free, confidential help for anyone affected by problem gambling in Ireland:
Ireland's national gambling support service. Free, confidential helpline available 24/7. Counselling, online support, and guidance on self-exclusion tools.
📞 1800 753 753 • gamblingcare.ie
UK-based but serves Irish callers. Live chat, online counselling, and the National Gambling Helpline. Forum community for people in recovery.
📞 0808 8020 133 • gamcare.org.uk
Peer support meetings across Ireland, including online meetings. Anonymity guaranteed. Family support available through Gam-Anon.
Register to self-exclude from all GRAI-licensed betting operators with a single registration. Free and legally binding.
Frequently Asked Questions About NGEI Ireland
This guide is written by Mark Craic, editor at CraicBet with 8 years of experience in gambling analytics. We produce responsible gambling guides on a strictly non-promotional basis. Read how we work on our About page.
18+ — Gambling can be addictive. Please play responsibly. This page is an informational guide only. CraicBet does not earn any commission from registrations with NGEI, the Gambling Awareness Trust, GamCare, or any other support service listed above. If you are concerned about your gambling, contact the Gambling Awareness Trust on 1800 753 753 or visit gamblingcare.ie.