What Happens if You Bet While Self-Excluded in Ireland?

If you are on Ireland’s National Gambling Exclusion Register (NGER) and place a bet during your exclusion period, the bet and any winnings may be voided. GRAI-licensed operators are required to participate in NGER and check new customers and existing customers against it. This page explains what happens, your options, and where to get support.

The NGER and How It Works

The National Gambling Exclusion Register is a database managed by the GRAI. GRAI-licensed operators are required to check the register and refuse bets from, or service accounts of, individuals on the NGER. When fully operational, self-excluding at any single GRAI-licensed operator automatically notifies all participating operators.

What Happens to Bets Placed During Self-Exclusion

If a GRAI-licensed operator accepts a bet from someone on the NGER, that is a licence breach by the operator. Under GRAI rules, bets placed in breach of a self-exclusion are typically voided and stakes returned — but winnings are not paid out. The logic: the operator should not have taken the bet; paying out would reward the breach of the exclusion agreement.

If You Have Broken Your Self-Exclusion

First: this is not uncommon. Breaking a self-exclusion is a sign that you need additional support, not a reason to feel shame. Contact the Gambling Awareness Trust at 1800 753 753 (free, confidential) or visit gamblingcare.ie. They can assist with extending your exclusion, accessing counselling, and creating a plan that works.

You can re-register on the NGER at any time. The re-exclusion takes effect within the timeframe specified by the operator (some are immediate; GRAI is working towards a standardised near-immediate implementation).

If an Operator Failed to Block You

If you placed a bet during your exclusion period and the operator should have blocked you but did not, the operator may be liable for a GRAI licence breach. Report this to the GRAI at grai.ie. You may also be entitled to have your deposits returned. This does not negate your exclusion — it makes the operator responsible for the failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Do If Your Self-Exclusion Was Breached

If a GRAI-licensed bookmaker allowed you to open or continue using an account while you were self-excluded, this is a regulatory breach. Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, operators are legally required to honour self-exclusions registered with the National Gambling Exclusion Register or directly with the site.

Steps to Take if Your Exclusion Was Broken

1. Document everything: Screenshot the account activity, deposits, and any winnings while excluded.
2. Contact the site's complaints team in writing (email), stating the dates of your self-exclusion and the dates of the breach.
3. Request a refund of deposits made during the exclusion period — many operators will refund these when a breach is established.
4. Escalate to the GRAI if the site does not resolve the complaint within 8 weeks — file at grai.ie. The GRAI can investigate and sanction operators for exclusion breaches.
5. Seek support: A self-exclusion breach can be distressing. Contact the Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 for free, confidential support.

Strengthening Your Self-Exclusion

• Register with the National Gambling Exclusion Register (via grai.ie) to cover all GRAI-licensed operators simultaneously.
• Use GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk) for UK-licensed sites — most major operators hold both UKGC and GRAI licences.
• Use GamBlock or Betfilter software to block gambling sites at the device or network level as an extra layer.
• Notify your bank to block gambling transactions — most Irish banks offer this in their app settings.