Luminescence of lead bismuthate glasses PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 containing Dy3+ ions has been studied. Two overlapping luminescence bands corresponding to P-3(1)-S-1(0) transition of Bi3+ and F-4(9/2) - H-6(13/2) transition of Dy3+ were detected under 480 nm excitation. Comparison of luminescence features for the system under study to those reported for dysprosium-doped lead borate glass PbO-B2O3-Ga2O3 indicates that the luminescence of Dy3+ is efficiently quenched by Bi3+ ions. Analysis of luminescence dynamics implies that the excitation energy transfer from Dy3+ to Bi3+ is nonradiative. The theoretical calculations using Inokuti-Hirayama model confirm strong luminescence of Dy3+ ions in lead bismuthate glasses. (C) 2012 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.