Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland: new strategy “not just about regulation”, minister says
The new Irish gambling regulator aims to be self-sufficient within 2 years.
Ireland.- The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published its Statement of Strategy for 2025 to 2027, setting out its strategic priorities over the next three years. The document outlines a plan for the regulator to become self-financing within two years through fees charged to the game sector.
The regulator began operations in March of this year as an independent regulator under the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration following the implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. In July, it released licence application guidelines for both Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) companies interested in applying to operate under the new regulated gambling framework.
Presented today by minister Jim O’Callaghan TD alongside GRAI chair Paul Quinn and CEO Anne Marie Caulfield, the Statement of strategy focuses on six functional areas with related strategic goals reflecting the regulator’s legislative mandate: Licensing, Monitoring and Compliance, Enforcement, Consumer Protection and Awareness, People, Organisation, and Governance. Digital First.
Each goal is supported by objectives and deliverables, which will guide the GRAI’s progress through to 2027.
Callaghan said: “This strategy is not just about regulation; it is about educating the public, protecting those vulnerable to gambling harm, and ensuring that the industry operates to the highest standards of integrity and social responsibility. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I am committed to supporting the Authority in delivering on its mandate.”
Quinn added: “As a newly established independent regulator, we have been entrusted with a vital public mandate: to ensure that gambling in Ireland is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner, with the interests of individuals, families, and the wider community at its heart.
“Our work is grounded in the principles of prevention, protection, and evidence-based regulation. This Statement of Strategy sets out the roadmap to delivering a modern, fair, and trusted regulatory regime that reflects the constantly evolving nature of gambling and the expectations of the Irish public.
“Establishing the new licensing arrangements, compliance management, and enforcement functions during the term of this Strategy is central to reducing the likelihood of gambling harms and will underpin a well-regulated gambling market in Ireland.”
Timeline for Irish gambling licensing
The GRAI expects to open the window for Irish gambling licence applications by the end of the year, with the regulated market to go live in 2026. Until then, the GRAI has advised businesses to maintain compliance with existing laws. Operators may apply for or renew licences through the Revenue Commissioners under the legacy frameworks of the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.
