Irish gambling regulator to open licensing process
Operators can begin submitting applications for new Irish gambling licences from next week.
Ireland.- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has announced the launch of its new licensing regime for online and in-person betting licences. The regulator will begin accepting licence applications from Monday February 9 after the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, signed the commencement order today (Wednesday February 2).
The new licensing regime is being introduced under Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and marks a milestone for the GRAI’s regulatory and oversight capabilities. Today’s order also commences other key elements of the legislation, including the GRAI’s enforcement and complaints functions.
Applicants must use a centralised application system and provide information to the GRAI for vetting against suitability requirements. A phased approach will be used for different licence types, including remote, in-person, and remote betting intermediary licences, in a bid to ensure an efficient transition.
Prospective licensees must demonstrate the capacity to provide the gambling activity (including funding any winnings), and that winning will be funded from lawful activities. For physical venues, the regulator will make premises assessments including checking a venue’s proximity to schools and ATMs.
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said: “I welcome the commencement by Minister O’Callaghan of the GRAI’s licensing function, which will provide the Authority with the statutory and legislative powers to regulate the gambling industry.
“Ensuring that operators are transparent and comply with regulatory requirements underpins the entirety of the licensing framework and keeps our public health mandate at its core. The GRAI’s Strategy Statement 2025 – 2027 outlines the importance of an effective, efficient, and proportionate licensing regime, and this is the foundation of a well-regulated gambling environment in Ireland.”
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said: “Today marks a monumental step in the GRAI’s regulatory journey, one that will enable us to fulfil the legislative requirements entrusted to us. I want to thank the Licensing and ICT teams for their hard work over the past year; their thorough crafting of the new licensing regime will ensure that only reputable operators become licensed in Ireland and, as a result, the public will be safeguarded from gambling harm.
“I would also like to thank Minister O’Callaghan and his officials for their support in progressing the necessary orders to allow us to open for licensing. The GRAI looks forward to receiving the first applications for licenses as we implement a comprehensive and robust process. I would encourage all operators to engage with the new process as early as possible to ensure that their application can be processed in a timely manner.”
Operational since March 2025, the GRAI last year conducted a consultation with prospective operators after inviting expressions of interest. Applicants were previously told theymust publish a Notice of Intention no fewer than 28 days before submitting an application.
