Ireland’s gambling industry is entering a new era. After decades of operating under legislation that predates the internet, the country is finally rolling out a modern regulatory framework, similar to other European countries. The implications for operators, players, and problem gambling services are significant.
The Regulator Is Now Open for Business
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan recently signed an order granting the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) the power to begin issuing betting licences. Established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, passed in October of the same year and came into full effect in March 2025, the GRAI is now accepting applications from both remote and in-person operators.
The timeline for licensing isn’t immediate across the board. Online operators can obtain licences from 1 July, while physical betting venues will transition to the new framework from 1 December, when their existing licences expire.
Three Types of Licences, One Clear Goal
The framework introduces three distinct licence categories. B2C licences cover direct-to-consumer betting (both offline and online), including pool betting and remote betting intermediary services. B2B licences allow companies to supply gambling products or related services to licensed operators. A third category covers charitable and philanthropic activities, such as event-based pools or lotteries.
This tiered approach reflects how modern gambling actually works, acknowledging that the industry is no longer just a shop front with a counter and a slip of paper.
Restrictions That Will Reshape the Market
What makes this framework particularly notable isn’t just the licensing structure — it’s the accompanying restrictions. These restrictions are heavily influenced by the UK Gambling Commission, and as follows:
- Credit card payments for gambling will be banned.
- Operators will be required to offer spending limit tools.
- ATMs will no longer be permitted on betting premises.
- The long-standing practice of offering VIP perks, free bets, and complimentary hospitality as player incentives will be prohibited.
On the advertising front, gambling spots on television and radio will be banned between 5:30 am and 9 pm, and any direct marketing to consumers will require an active opt-in. A national self-exclusion register will also be launched under the GRAI’s authority, which is a measure long called for by addiction and public health advocates.
For breaches, the GRAI has real teeth. Fines of up to €20 million, or 10% of a licensee’s annual turnover (whichever is greater), can be levied against non-compliant operators. The regulator can also pursue court orders forcing unlicensed operators to shut down.
Industry Voices: Cautious Optimism
The new rules have been broadly welcomed, though some within the industry are urging restraint in how quickly and strictly they are applied.
Deirdre Rowan Reilly, who is involved in the Irish gambling comparison platform CasiMonka.com/ie/, says she views the direction of travel positively.
“These protections are long overdue, and it’s encouraging to see Ireland finally building a regulatory framework that takes player welfare seriously,” she told us. “But there’s a real risk in moving too aggressively too soon. If licensed operators are heavily restricted while unlicensed sites remain easily accessible, players will simply migrate — and that leaves them in a far worse position with no consumer protections at all.”
Her concern is one that regulators elsewhere in Europe have had to grapple with. Markets that imposed strict conditions before a critical mass of licensed operators was established sometimes saw increased traffic to grey-market sites operating without oversight. It’s a fine line to balance, and hopefully, Ireland will do it right.
A Framework Built for the Digital Age
O’Callaghan has framed the changes as a replacement for laws he describes as outdated, and it’s hard to argue otherwise. Irish gambling legislation had not been meaningfully updated since before online betting existed as a concept. The GRAI’s mandate explicitly accounts for digital activity, with remote betting intermediary licences covering peer-to-peer wagering online — something previous frameworks had no mechanism to address.
What happens next will depend largely on how the GRAI manages the transition period and whether it can bring enough operators into compliance before enforcement becomes the primary tool. The framework is sound. The execution is everything.
