The monthly card payment statistics provide data in relation to credit and debit card transactions undertaken by Irish resident households. The data includes the monthly value and volume of transactions across both credit and debit cards by Irish households. The data is collected from issuers of credit and debit cards and specifically from reporting agents that are resident in Ireland (including established foreign branches). The aggregate data is further broken down into, remote and non-remote card spending; contactless and mobile wallet card spending; sectoral card spending; domestic and non-domestic card spending; regional card spending in Ireland; and cash withdrawals. A breakdown of the number of credit & debit cards currently issued to Irish residents is also provided.

The growth of the ‘Social’ sector was primarily fuelled by a rise in spending within the ‘Entertainment’ sub-sector. In October, Irish residents increased their ‘Entertainment’ spending, with the value rising by 8.29 per cent (€31.84 million) month on month. In comparison to October 2024, spending has rose significantly, increasing by 25.97 per cent. The main merchant contributing to the rise in entertainment spending was ‘Betting/Casino Gambling’, which increased by 11.23 per cent (€20.28 million) from September. When compared to October 2024, spending has spiked, increasing by 20.12 per cent year over year.

See also, Excel spreadsheet - Monthly card payment statistics 

Note reference to gambling in Central Bank of Ireland report - Retail investor participation in Ireland consumer research and analysis, December 2025, p.19 'We asked respondents a specific set of questions on crypto-asset behaviours including what their reasons for investing in crypto-assets were. Crypto-asset investment is typically motivated by curiosity (56%) – although 28% viewed it as a short-term investment opportunity. A further 11% report it ‘feels like a game’ suggesting that some crypto-asset investors may view or behave in a speculative way or adopt a ‘gambling’ like approach to this activity.'