Since 5 February 2026, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has the power to process applications and start issuing gambling licences for in-person and remote betting operators. The GRAI is a statutory body established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (the Act) whose primary role is to issue gambling licences and ensure necessary safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable people from gambling, like persons under the age of 18, for example.
Key Measures
Below is a note of some of the key measures introduced by the Act.
- Under the simplified new regime, on a phased basis, the GRAI can issue (a) Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Licences, (b) Business-to-Business (B2B) Licences and (c) Charitable/Philanthropic Licences.
- There is a prohibition on the use of credit cards and buy-now-pay-later services when placing bets with gambling operators.
- Members of the public can inform the GRAI that they want to be included on a Gambling Exclusion Register for the purpose of remote betting. Betting operators who then allow such persons to place bets on their websites or apps, for example, will be in breach of the Act.
- A Social Impact Fund is being established by the GRAI for public awareness purposes and to assist individuals with problem gambling. A levy will be placed on gambling operators to raise funds for this initiative. The contribution amounts for gambling operators will be determined by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
- Extra safeguards will be implemented in relation to the protection of minors, including gambling operators being restricted from employing minors and the Act providing for a ban on gambling ads on TV, radio and on-demand platforms from 5.30am to 9.00pm.
Expiry Dates of Existing Licences
The GRAI has a phased rollout in relation to the issue of new licences. The Revenue Commissioners will no longer be responsible for issuing gambling licences, this will now be solely the responsibility of the GRAI. The table below sets out the dates when the Revenue Commissioners will cease to issue new gambling licences. Existing gambling licences will run their course until they expire. It is important for existing gambling operators to act now in order to be ready to apply for new licences with the GRAI.
Licence Type Expiry Date
Remote Betting 30 June 2026
Remote Betting Intermediaries 30 June 2026
In-Person Betting 30 November 2026
New Licence Applications
Under the new regime, gambling operators will need to register with the GRAI via an online portal, upload the requested information, submit a licence application to the GRAI and pay the application fee. Prior to this, however, gambling operators are required to publish a Notice of Intention in a national newspaper (for remote operators) and/or national and local newspapers (for in-person operators) at least 28 days prior to submitting a gambling licence application to the GRAI.
Exemptions
Groups who run lotteries for charitable or philanthropic purposes who meet the following criteria are exempt from applying for a gambling licence:
- The group derives no personal profit from the lottery.
- The total value of the winnings does not exceed €2,000.
- The minimum payment to participate in the lottery is not more than €5.
- The maximum number of lottery tickets for sale is not more than 1,500; and
- The group has not held a lottery within the previous three (3) months preceding the first day on which it is intended to invite persons to participate in the lottery.
Fines and Criminal Penalties
Under the Act, the GRAI can impose fines of up to €20 million or 10% of a licensee's turnover (whichever is greater) for contraventions of the Act. Gambling providers can also be subject to criminal sanctions for breaching various provisions of the Act.
Future of the Act
Large sections of the Act still remain to be brought into force but it is imperative for gambling operators to ensure that they do not wait for their existing gambling licences to expire before applying for a new licence with the GRAI.
For more information, please contact Brian Walsh or your usual contact in Beauchamps LLP.
