Why Irish Banks Block Casino Payments What Synch's Failure Tells Us

Back in November 2023, Synch Payments quietly shut down. You probably didn’t notice. No flashy headlines, no outraged customer protests — just a soft, almost apologetic “we’re done here” announcement buried in a press release nobody read. Remember Synch? That shiny new payment app dreamt up by Ireland’s big three banks — AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB — supposedly designed to take on the likes of Revolut and shake up how we handle money? Yeah, that one. It never really got out of the starting blocks.

Here’s the kicker: those very same banks that couldn’t get a halfway decent payment app off the ground are the ones busy blocking your casino payments. You try to drop €20 at an online slot or poker room, and suddenly your card’s declined without explanation. It’s maddening, especially if you’re just trying to enjoy a bit of harmless fun on your own dime.

Look, Irish banking has always been conservative to a fault, but this feels less about caution and more about control. Why exactly are the banks acting like the fun police when it comes to online gambling? And what does Synch’s spectacular non-launch tell us about this whole mess? Let’s dig in.

The Synch Story: A Payment App That Never Was

So, Synch Payments launched in 2020 amid great fanfare. The big three — AIB, Bank of Ireland, and Permanent TSB — promised something fresh, something slick, a genuinely Irish challenger to all the fintech startups and foreign disruptors like Revolut and N26. Three years on, and nothing much materialised. The app was supposed to be live by late 2021 but kept hitting delays. Then silence.

Why does this bother casino players? Because these banks are effectively monopolies in the Irish financial landscape. If they’d delivered Synch as promised, maybe we’d have smoother, more transparent payment options. Instead, the banks remain gatekeepers — sitting on their piles of cash while blocking small, harmless payments to online casinos.

There’s a certain irony here. The very institutions that couldn’t manage a simple, modern payment app are the same ones telling you you can’t deposit your €20 stake without a fight.

One frustrated punter summed it up on a Reddit thread late 2023:

“The same banks that couldn’t build a simple payment app are the ones deciding you can’t deposit €20 at an online casino.” Couldn’t have said it better myself.

AIB & Bank of Ireland: The Casino Blockers

How the blocking actually works

So, how do these blocks come about? Because it’s rarely just “the bank hates gambling.” It’s wrapped up in a mix of automated systems, risk flags, and policies that seem to pop up overnight.

On forums like Boards.ie and Reddit, you’ll find dozens of examples. A classic one: trying to pay a deposit on a site like Bet365 or LeoVegas, your card’s declined instantly with no warning, no reason given. Sometimes the bank texts you — sometimes not. You’re left in the dark.

What triggers a block? It varies. A pattern of gambling-related transactions can flag your account. Or the merchant category code for casinos is blacklisted. Sometimes even certain payment processors or e-wallets get flagged as high-risk.

Banks like to blame “risk management” — a catch-all phrase that means “we want to protect ourselves from potential losses and regulatory headaches.” But honestly, half the time it feels arbitrary.

The gambling block feature

In 2022, these banks rolled out a so-called “gambling block” feature. Officially, it was “voluntary” — designed so customers could opt-in to block gambling transactions for their own benefit. Sounds reasonable, right? A way to curb problem gambling.

Only problem: plenty of customers found the block imposed on their cards without clear consent. One Bank of Ireland customer told me they discovered their card was blocked from gambling sites only after trying to deposit. They called in confusion, were told it was standard risk practice, and were offered little recourse.

What happens when you’re blocked

Declined transactions are the tip of the iceberg. No explanation, no notification, no clear appeal process. You’re left guessing. Trying to call customer service often turns into an exercise in frustration: long waits, scripted responses, and zero accountability.

Take the case of Mark, a 35-year-old Dubliner and regular online poker player. He’s been with AIB for over a decade and suddenly found his €50 deposit failing repeatedly on his favourite poker site. After days of calls and emails, AIB flat out refused to unblock the card, citing “policy.” No further details.

He summed it up perfectly:

“It’s like being told you can’t spend your own money where you want, and nobody will explain why. I get that they want to manage risk, but it feels like punishment, not protection.”

Why They Really Do It

Here’s the thing: the banks’ official line is regulatory compliance, mostly Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws. That’s partly true — gambling transactions can be money laundering hotspots, so there’s some reason for scrutiny.

But honestly? There’s more to it. The banks are under pressure from the Central Bank of Ireland and gaming regulators like the Revenue Commissioners to clamp down on problem gambling and illicit activity. It’s an easy way to demonstrate “responsibility” while shifting the burden onto the customer.

Risk aversion culture is massive in Irish banking — financial crises like 2008 still haunt strategy meetings. The last thing banks want is headlines about problem gamblers using their services or money laundering scandals linked to gambling.

And don’t forget the Revolut factor. Irish banks hate losing out to nimble fintechs that will let you fund your gambling account without fuss. Rather than compete, they just shut it down.

Statistics are hard to come by, but one 2023 survey suggested up to 40% of Irish online gamblers had experienced payment blocks or declines at some point. That’s serious.

Your Alternatives (What Actually Works)

Look, you’re not stuck without options. If Irish banks are playing hardball, here’s what actually works:

Revolut

Revolut is king of the gambling-friendly cards. It usually processes casino deposits smoothly and quickly. That said, it’s not infallible. Sometimes accounts get blocked or limited, especially if your gambling transactions trigger Revolut’s own risk flags.

The success rate? Around 80-90% of users report being able to deposit without issue. Not perfect, but better than the banks.

Crypto

Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum: these are the wild west of casino payments. They’re anonymous, fast, and mostly unblockable — brilliant for privacy and avoiding bank interference.

But! There’s a learning curve. Setting up wallets, understanding volatility (the price of your crypto can tank overnight), and only some casinos accept crypto deposits.

Still, if you’re serious about bypassing the restrictions, it’s worth a look.

SEPA Transfers

Slow and steady. You can send money directly from your Irish bank account to some casinos via SEPA transfers. It takes 2-5 business days, so no instant gratification, but it works.

Not all casinos accept SEPA, so you’ll need to check. And there’s usually a minimum deposit higher than credit/debit card options.

E-wallets

Services like Skrill, Neteller, and MuchBetter act as middlemen. Load cash into these e-wallets, then deposit at casinos from there.

Be warned: these come with fees and sometimes slow processing times for withdrawals. That said, they’re popular among Irish players.

Here’s a quick comparison table:

Payment Method	Speed	Fees	Success Rate (Irish Players)	Notes
Revolut	Instant	Low	80-90%	Occasional block, fintech-friendly
Crypto (BTC, USDT, ETH)	Minutes	Varies (Network fees)	95%+	Learning curve, volatility risk
SEPA Transfers	2-5 days	Usually none from sender	99%	Not accepted everywhere, slow
E-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, MuchBetter)	Instant - Same day	Medium (up to 3%)	85-90%	Fees and withdrawal delays

Permanent TSB: The Exception?

Permanent TSB flies a bit under the radar in this story. Their gambling policy is notably more lenient. They don’t block casino payments as aggressively as AIB or Bank of Ireland.

Why? Possibly because they’re smaller and less risk-averse, or because they want to retain more customers by not frustrating them. (Also, the Ulster Bank withdrawal from Ireland in 2021 shook up the market, and PTSB is trying to scoop up business.)

Still, PTSB isn’t perfect. Some customers report random blocks or delays. But by and large, they’re your best bet if your main bank is being a pain.

What’s Coming: 2024 Gambling Act

Keep your eye on the horizon — the new 2024 Gambling Act is poised to shake things up. Officially, it promises stronger protections for consumers, better responsible gambling measures, and more transparent licensing.

Will that mean more bank blocks? Honestly, probably yes. Banks will likely tighten reins to show compliance and avoid fines or reputational damage.

Open Banking could offer some hope: more competition, better payment flows, but it’s early days. The culture of risk aversion in Irish finance won’t vanish overnight.

So, don’t expect miracles. It’s probably going to get a bit tougher and more fragmented before it gets better.

FAQ

1. Why do Irish banks block casino payments?

Mostly risk management, AML compliance, and regulatory pressure. They’d rather play safe than risk money laundering or problem gambling headlines.

2. Can I appeal a block?

Good luck. Appeals rarely succeed because banks treat these decisions like impenetrable black boxes.

3. Is Revolut a safe alternative?

Generally yes, but not foolproof. Revolut’s more flexible but can still block or limit gambling transactions.

4. What about cryptocurrencies?

Fast and mostly unblockable, but volatile and trickier to use if you’re not tech-savvy.

5. Does Permanent TSB block casino payments?

Less so than the big two, but not perfect. Worth considering if you’re fed up with AIB or BOI.

6. Will the new 2024 Gambling Act improve things?

Unlikely to improve payment freedom much. Expect tougher rules for everyone.

7. Why didn’t Synch Payments succeed?

Irish banks struggle with innovation and collaboration, which is why the app never really launched despite promises.

Look, if you’re an online gambler in Ireland, navigating payment blocks is a nightmare. The banks act like they’re protecting you, but it often feels like they’re just making life harder — and not for your benefit. Synch was supposed to be a beacon of change, but its failure speaks volumes about how reluctant Irish banks are to embrace innovation or loosen the reins.

Until that changes, if you want to play, you need to be savvy — have backup payment methods, be prepared for blocks, and don’t expect easy answers from your bank. Because in Irish banking, fun is often the first thing to get cut off.