The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has assumed full licensing and oversight responsibilities for the national gambling sector this month. The transition marks the operational launch of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, replacing legislation that dated back to the 1920s and 1930s.
Licensing under the new framework is rolling out in stages. Remote betting operators were the first category to receive new GRAI-issued permits after the application window opened in February. Physical betting licenses will follow later this year, while gaming, lottery, B2B, and charitable licenses are scheduled for release between 2027 and 2028. All sports betting providers must hold a B2C Betting Licence to operate legally as of July 1.
The updated regulations mandate strict compliance for all licensed entities, including telephone and online services. Operators must implement age verification, guarantee payout processing, prohibit credit card transactions, and close player accounts upon request. Additional consumer safeguards include mandatory deposit limits, restrictions on promotional inducements, and a complete ban on credit-based gambling.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan TD stated that the licensing rollout establishes a consistent compliance standard for the sector. GRAI chief executive Anne Marie Caulfield noted that operating without a betting licence is now a criminal offence and that enforcement against unlicensed providers has already begun.