GRAI: “Licensing is a key priority and we will be opening for phase one licence applications later in the year”

In an exclusive interview with Focus Gaming News, a spokesperson for the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland outlines the regulator’s early achievements and next steps for licensing and consumer protection.

Exclusive interview.- A representative from the newly created Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), granted an exclusive interview to Focus Gaming News to talk about the recent milestones reached by the regulator and the next steps to fulfil their legislative mandate as outlined in the Gambling Regulation Act. 

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland officially began operations in March. How would you describe the first weeks of activity, and what have been the initial priorities?

Over the last few months, we have had many milestones. Firstly, we had the enactment of the Gambling Regulation Act in October 2024, which was a major milestone. The legislation at its core is a public health measure, was a huge step forward for regulation of the gambling sector. A further major milestone on the journey of the Authority was its establishment as an independent regulatory body in March with the appointment of the 7-person authority. 

In our first weeks, the priority was bringing the new authority together and up to speed on the various work streams. In terms of the overall priority, the introduction of licensing is hugely significant as the obligations in the Act are applied to licensees. 

We will be opening for licensing applications later in the year and will be taking a phased approach to this as we open the different licence types. 

One of the first steps was to invite expressions of interest from potential gambling licence applicants. What has the response been like so far, and what are the next steps in the licensing process?

To assist in our preparations for the roll out of the new Licensing regime and ensuring a scalable, efficient and effective roll out we are requesting all interested parties to register their interest for a licence in the Irish market. The objective of this survey is to estimate the number of potential applicants per licence type and to generate a mailing list which will keep potential applicants informed of licensing roll out developments. 

Further to this original register of interest, we published our public consultation on our website on the 7th of April, and the submission period is open until the 5th May. So far, we have had a good response rate to the proposed licensing regulations, and we would obviously hope to hear from as many operators and interested parties as possible, so I would encourage people to use the opportunity. 

Ultimately, regulations are a decision of the authority, and our next step will be to collate the information we received and present our proposal to the authority. While the decision on the final regulations are a decision for them, I think the public consultation is an example of how we as the regulator are open to listening to the views of people and taking on board concerns and obligations. 

The GRAI has highlighted that it will vet executives as part of the licensing process. Could you elaborate on what this vetting will involve and the key criteria for approval?

We are currently in the process of building out our licence application process, which will include this element. The licensing process will be communicated clearly to all potential licensees as soon as it has been approved. Comprehensive and robust checks will be part of the process for applicants and these checks will involve corporate, technical and financial checks as well as relevant officers. 

It is also clear within the Act that key decision makers within licensees will need to be licenced, and this is another area that will be communicated clearly well ahead of the opening of phase one applications. 

Collaboration with other international regulators is often crucial. Could you tell us more about the MoU with the British Gambling Commission and what you hope to achieve through this partnership?

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the UKGC is the first of many MoU’s we hope to put in place with other regulators over the coming months. This particular agreement establishes a framework for cooperation and sets out the broad principles of collaboration between the Gambling Regulator and the UK Gambling Commission. The shared aims of both regulators are to enable closer working relationships, which will enhance each organisation’s ability to discharge their respective duties and functions.

We are also an active member of the Gambling Regulators European Forum and other international regulator forums and cooperation between regulators is something the GRAI value given that many operators operate across multiple jurisdictions it is important that regulators have open and constructive lines of communication. 

Have you initiated or do you plan to establish cooperation agreements with other international regulatory authorities?

Yes, as stated, this is an area we hope to expand over the coming months. We have hosted meetings with numerous regulatory bodies across Europe and further afield, and cooperation agreements will be a key facet of that future relationship.  

What measures or policies is the GRAI planning to introduce to promote safer gambling practices?

At its core, the Gambling Regulation Act is a public health measure, and the mandate of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is centred on consumer protection. The consumer protection measures laid down in the primary legislation will be obligations on licenses and we will develop appropriate monitoring and enforcement functions to oversee these, and we also have the power to make further regulations where needed. 

In terms of promoting safer gambling practice, education and awareness, as well as research, are key areas of focus for the GRAI. Informing the public on the potential dangers of gambling harm will be a key focus. 

We will establish and administer a Social Impact Fund, which will support a range of services to prevent and address gambling harms. The development and rollout of a Social Impact Fund is a key priority of the recently established GRAI. The new fund will invest in educational and awareness initiatives, research and training. Public and private bodies which support people with lived experience of gambling harm and/or gambling addiction through treatment will also benefit from the Social Impact Fund.

The Regulator will apply an annual Social Impact Fund contribution on gambling providers based on the turnover of each business.  The amount of this contribution will be determined by the Minister for Justice, but it will be based around a percentage of licensees’ turnover.

The assessment of need, currently being undertaken by Pobal on behalf of the GRAI, is made up of a series of questionnaires designed to reach different representative groups and individuals in society. This Call for Input is live on our website, and we welcome the views of interested parties. 

Other measures to address gambling harm are the roll out of the National Gambling Exclusion Register. Following the establishment of the GRAI we are now focusing on getting the National Gambling Exclusion Register developed and in place so that it will be operational following completion of the licensing process. The obligation on online operators to interact with the register is a licensee’s obligation. 

The GRAI has also undertaken substantial engagement with blocking software providers and for instance, banking representative bodies around gambling blocks to ensure that consumers have other options to complement the National Self Exclusion Register when operational. 

We currently offer advice on services, self-help tools and useful information on our website at https://www.grai.ie/gambling-safety. 

What are the GRAI’s primary goals for 2025, and what would you consider key indicators of success during this first year?

As stated previously, licensing is a key priority and we will be opening for phase one licence applications later in the year. Obligations stem from the operator being licenced, so that is a clear priority. 

Measuring success will be achieving our stated goals and being stood up appropriately to fulfil our legislative mandate as outlined in the Gambling Regulation Act. 

Other areas of focus for 2025 include: 

• We have recently launched our new Website and established our Social Media Channels to increase awareness on the work of the Gambling Regulator
• We intend to develop Codes of Practice/Practical Guidance to support the obligations on licensees within the Act
• We also intend to develop Draft Technical Standards for business-to-business products
• We will look to further build a view of total sector – the initial survey of potential licensees is currently underway
• We have carried out significant Stakeholder/Regulator Outreach and will continue to do this as we look to support the development of our compliance and enforcement functions
• We hope to commence work on building the National Gambling Exclusion Register, which will be a significant ICT project 
• We will continue to build our Governance Structures in order to support the work of the new Authority
• Publishing further research in the areas of Inducement effects and Irish Consumption Patterns of Gamblers. 
• We also hope to be going live with information campaigns in areas of gambling harm.