Paddy Power unveils new responsible gambling tools

Paddy Power Betfair is to add new tools to its websites to offer assistance to problem gamblers.

The company, according to the Irish Times newspaper, has announced the introduction of tools on its website that let customers limit how much they can lose over time. They can also set daily, weekly and monthly limits on their stakes.

Paddy Power’s website now includes account history, deposit limits, reality checks and loss limits.

The company said: “We want betting with Paddy Power to be an enjoyable and positive experience for all our customers.”

According to the Irish Times, Colin O’Gara, a consultant psychiatrist and head of addiction services at Saint John of God Hospital in Dublin, said that giving information about losses could help stop addictions.

“Gamblers have a distorted view of how much they have bet and how much they have lost or won over time, so any information that helps address that is to be welcomed,” Dr O’Gara said.

Paddy Power Betfair has also reiterated its call for the Irish government to establish an independent regulator.

According to the Irish Times, James Midmer, head of communications, said the company wanted the delayed Gambling Control Bill to be introduced “at the earliest opportunity”. The government is updating its gambling bill, which was approved in 2013, to establish an independent regulator and cover online gambling and social media advertising.

“It’s in everyone’s interests to have a credible, properly funded regulator who can work constructively with the industry,” he said.

Related article: No change to Ireland’s betting tax throughout 2018