AIB, Bank of Ireland and PTSB are blocking casino transactions. Here's exactly why it happens and the fastest fix for Irish players in 2026.
Irish banks including AIB, Bank of Ireland (BOI), Permanent TSB (PTSB) and EBS have implemented blanket blocks on transactions categorised under Merchant Category Code (MCC) 7995 — the international code used by gambling operators. This policy began gaining momentum around 2020 as banks faced pressure from regulators and public health advocates to reduce access to gambling credit.
The block is applied at the bank's card processing level, meaning it affects both debit and credit cards regardless of the individual account holder's settings. Even if you have never had a gambling problem and only deposit occasional small amounts, your card will be declined at any merchant using MCC 7995. This is a bank policy decision, not a casino issue — the casino is not blocking you.
| Bank | Credit Cards | Debit Cards | Can You Unblock? | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIB | Blocked | Blocked | No | Use Revolut |
| Bank of Ireland | Blocked | Blocked | No | Use Revolut |
| Permanent TSB | Blocked | Blocked | No | Use Revolut |
| EBS | Blocked | Blocked | No | Use Revolut |
| KBC (now BOI) | Blocked | Blocked | No | Use Revolut |
| Revolut | N/A | Enabled (opt-in) | Yes — in app | Recommended |
Revolut is the most popular solution for Irish players whose bank cards are blocked. With over 3 million Irish users (more than any traditional bank has current accounts), Revolut processes gambling transactions without any automatic block. You control gambling access yourself through the app's card controls.
3M+ Irish users. Enable gambling in app settings. Instant deposits, same-day withdrawals.
Setup time: 5 minutes
Accepted at: All recommended casinos
Accepted at LeoVegas and regulated sites. Not all offshore casinos support PayPal.
Setup time: 10 minutes
Accepted at: Selected casinos
Widely accepted e-wallet. Fund from bank transfer. May be excluded from bonus eligibility.
Setup time: 15 minutes
Accepted at: Most offshore casinos
Established e-wallet. Works similarly to Skrill. Often excluded from casino bonuses.
Setup time: 15 minutes
Accepted at: Most offshore casinos
Bitcoin/Ethereum accepted at 7Bit, Katsubet, Mirax. No bank involvement. Instant processing.
Setup time: 30–60 minutes
Accepted at: Crypto-friendly casinos
SEPA bank transfer works at some casinos but takes 1–3 business days. Not ideal for deposits.
Setup time: Immediate
Accepted at: Limited casinos
Online gambling in Ireland occupies a legal grey area. The Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 requires international bookmakers and exchanges to obtain an Irish licence, but most pure casino operators have not engaged with Irish regulators. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 established GRAI (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) to create a comprehensive licensing framework, but full implementation is phased and ongoing through 2026–2027.
For Irish consumers, playing at reputable offshore casinos licensed in Malta (MGA) or Curaçao is not criminalised. No Irish player has faced prosecution for placing bets at an unlicensed offshore casino. The regulatory risk falls on the operators, not the players. That said, unlicensed sites fall outside Irish consumer protection law — choose well-established operators with a verifiable track record.
Every merchant transaction is assigned a Merchant Category Code (MCC). Online gambling operators use MCC 7995 (Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting and Wagers). Irish banks have instructed their card networks (Visa Ireland, Mastercard Ireland) to automatically decline authorisation requests from MCC 7995 merchants. This happens at the network level before the bank even evaluates the individual transaction.
E-wallets like Revolut process gambling deposits under their own MCC (typically 6012 for financial services or 7389 for miscellaneous business services when acting as an intermediary), which bypasses the gambling-specific block. This is completely legal and is the intended use case for e-wallets as payment intermediaries.
All of our recommended Irish-friendly casinos accept Revolut deposits. The following sites process Revolut withdrawals the fastest:
Using e-wallets removes one layer of friction around gambling access. This makes responsible gambling practices more important, not less. Before depositing via Revolut, set your session budget and stick to it. Use the casino's own responsible gambling tools — deposit limits, cool-off periods and self-exclusion are available at all our recommended sites. If you think your gambling is becoming a problem, call GamblingCare.ie on the Freephone 1800 936 725 for free confidential support.
Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, USDT) is accepted at 7Bit Casino, Katsubet and Mirax — all three are explicitly crypto-friendly operators. Crypto bypasses all bank restrictions and typically processes instantly. To use crypto, you'll need a Coinbase or Binance account to purchase crypto using your Irish bank account (this is permitted — buying crypto is not blocked by Irish banks, only direct gambling MCC payments). Transfer crypto to the casino wallet address and deposits arrive within minutes.
Responsible Gambling Notice
18+ only. If your bank was blocking casino deposits, consider whether gambling is something you need to do. Use casino deposit limits, session time reminders and self-exclusion tools proactively. Free confidential support is available from GamblingCare.ie.