By Irishexaminer.com,Ronan Smyth
Copyright irishexaminer
The board said that common commitment of care for problem gambling initiative aims to provide “consistent and compassionate support to customers affected by problem gambling, reinforcing the banking sector’s role in tackling this important social issue”.
The new framework commits banks to practical measures such as dedicated support phone lines, trained staff, voluntary card blocking, and signposting to trusted external services like Gambling Care and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
“By standardising the way banks support vulnerable customers, the initiative ensures consistency and reliability, while also directing people towards specialist services such as Gambling Care’s 24/7 helpline and MABS’s free debt and budgeting advice,” the board said.
Chief executive of the Irish Banking Culture Board Marion Kelly said problem gambling can “cause serious harm to individuals, families, and communities”, and its member banks “recognise their responsibility to respond with compassion and practical support when customers reach out for help”.
“This common commitment of care ensures that anyone experiencing gambling difficulties will find clear, accessible support to assistance through their bank. The introduction of a voluntary card block by AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB will make an important contribution to those experiencing problem gambling, and [the board] calls on other financial services players to put in similar measures,” she said.
‘Sectoral co-operation remains key’
The initiative is due to be launched on Friday at an event in Dublin.
Junior minister at the Department of Finance Robert Troy welcomed the new initiative, calling it an “important step” for the banking sector to take to help address the issue of problem gambling.
“The Government has committed to tackling problem gambling through the Gambling Regulation Act and the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, and sectoral co-operation remains key to achieving our aims,” he added.
The Irish Banking Culture Board is composed of banking and financial services executives, a former judge, as well as Financial Services Union general secretary John O’Connell, among others.
The board says its role is to be an independent voice advocating for cultural change in the Irish banking industry. It does not act as a regulatory body.
It says its purpose is to work with member banks to build public trust in the industry.
