The New Irish Gambling Laws: What Every Player Needs to Know

Why the Need For New Laws?

Before the implementation of these new rules, gambling regulation was heavily dependent on two Acts: the Betting Act of 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956.

The Betting Act was designed to oversee bookmakers and other betting premises, and the Gaming and Lotteries Act controlled lotteries, amusement halls and gaming machines like slot cabinets. There’s also the Revenue Commissioners' ‘betting duty’; this is how some operators have been taxed and licensed, instead of via a dedicated gambling authority as you see in other jurisdictions like the UK and Malta.

As is probably obvious from the dates of these laws, there are several issues at play here. Firstly, it goes without saying that it’s been a challenge to regulate smartphone apps, crypto casinos and online slots with an act that materialised 63 years before the first online casino was launched. As a result, online gambling has developed in a largely unregulated space, which has allowed sketchy platforms to operate in legal grey areas.

Secondly, regulations are only as powerful as the bodies that enforce them and the lack of a dedicated Irish gambling authority has posed unique challenges when it comes to law enforcement. Here enters the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. The GRAI will oversee consumer protections, advertising standards, and the new national self-exclusion register. A single, unified authority that streamlines processes for operators and consumers, creating clear legal pathways to bring the hammer down on dodgy casinos.

The implementation of these new regulations won’t all happen at once. Since several outdated laws are being repealed or replaced to make way for the new legislation, the process is being gradually rolled out over several years.

Change is already underway, but there’s a long road ahead. Today, we’ll go over some changes you might have noticed already, a few you might have missed, and what to keep an eye out for in the future.

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Who is Affected by the New Laws?

The new laws will have far-reaching effects, not only for regulators or bettors, but also for non-gambling demographics. Let’s take a look at these shifts, including the day-to-day changes you’re likely to be most affected by.

The Advertising Industry

New restrictions on what can be advertised in Ireland will impact the nature and number of gambling adverts you see, especially on your personalised social media feed.

Similarly, broadcasters will face sector-specific rules on what they can and cannot say via their channels. The GRAI is introducing a new advertising watershed between 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM to reduce vulnerable demographics’ exposure to gambling.

Billboards and newspaper adverts will also face tighter controls. The GRAI can determine where and when gambling advertising may be displayed or published, including restrictions on particular places or events and limits on how frequently adverts can appear.

The Sports Industry

Sports organisations, gambling companies and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have a long and terse history of missteps, disagreements and banned promotional material. This is often because sports teams and brands are widely considered to appeal to under-18s, which is a huge no-no for gambling advertising of any kind.

The Gambling Regulation Act introduces clear, actionable rules on how sports organisations can collaborate with gambling institutions, which will affect sponsorships and the types of betting ads you’ll encounter.

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Organisations Aimed at Children

As I mentioned, advertising anything gambling-related to minors has always been (and always will be) off the cards. Organisations aimed at children must follow the specific rules that apply to them, such as avoiding partnerships with betting platforms.

Gamers and Gaming Operators

This one is more of a “watch this space”. The Act has brought about new conversations about video game features that blur the line between gaming and gambling. For example, loot boxes are purchasable in-game items that contain mystery rewards. Typically, they’re unlocked or purchased with real-world money, which is usually converted into a virtual currency (to hide how much you’re really spending). They’ve come under fire for being a gateway for young people to get into gambling – and for good reason.

Like slot machines, loot boxes operate on a variable ratio reinforcement mechanism. Put simply, you simply don’t know if you’ll win, but your brain releases a spike of dopamine anyway because you’re excited while you wait to find out. They also employ a lot of the same sensory reward systems as online slots; namely, bright colours, sound effects and animations. Amidst this heated debate, gaming operators should reexamine how their gaming mechanisms work to avoid pressure from advocacy groups or future regulatory changes.

What Are The Changes?

For the Irish gambling sector, these changes will be felt far and wide. But remember, the goal isn’t to spoil anyone’s fun; the main objective is to keep players safer by keeping a closer eye on operators and putting mechanisms in place to prevent users from overspending. Here are the main takeaways:

The New Licence

From a regulatory standpoint, this is the biggest shift. In the past, Irish players could only gamble at operators licensed by various offshore authorities, such as the Curaçao Gaming Control Board (GCB) and the Government of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan. As of July 1 2026, platforms offering online betting services must have a B2C (business-to-customer) licence issued by the GRAI.

Further down the line, lotteries and games of chance or skill will also require a GRAI licence. Players will be able to easily locate the licensing status of a casino on its website.

Strict Identity and Age Verification

Know Your Customer (KYC) checks will become stricter and take place much sooner after you’ve created your account. Customers will need to provide documents that show their age, date of birth and address, plus an account statement from six months prior.

The End of Credit Card Betting

Casinos and sports betting platforms cannot accept payment via credit cards, or a digital platform that uses money obtained from a credit card. This is to prevent players from accidentally spending money they don’t actually have. Similar measures have successfully been implemented by neighbouring authorities like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC).

Better Protections for Winnings

Having all formal complaints dealt with through a unified governing body means disputes can be solved more efficiently, meaning you’re more likely to recover your winnings if a dispute arises. Irish players’ tax obligations, thankfully, have not changed. Just like before, the responsibility lies with the operator to pay any taxes that arise from your winnings.

Responsible Gambling: Spending Limits and Self-Exclusion

Platforms will be required to offer measures to help deal with and prevent gambling-related harm. This includes responsible gambling tools that were once optional (such as monetary limits). On top of this, casinos will have to participate in a newly established National Gambling Exclusion Register (NGEI).

Changes to Free Bets

You’ll notice a sharp drop-off in the number of inducements you’re offered. This includes welcome offers like free bets and money back promotions. These types of deals are typically targeted towards customers that algorithms flag as vulnerable to gambling harm, so this is a big step for consumer protection.

Advertising and Influencer Restrictions

An advertising watershed will be introduced between 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM, with the purpose of reducing the number and intensity of gambling ads during certain hours of the day. This will be in place during some hours during the daytime and early evening, which will reduce how often children and vulnerable people are exposed to gambling.

Loot Boxes and Video Game Gambling

As I mentioned earlier, video game gambling was a hot topic of discussion in the build-up to the Gambling Act. Ultimately, the GRAI concluded that in-game features like loot boxes are a form of e-commerce and therefore fall outside the remit of gambling laws.

Still, this verdict doesn’t mean that video game developers should take their eye off the ball. Gambling-like mechanics remain under scrutiny from advocacy groups; developers should familiarise themselves with the new regulations and make sure to stay ahead of future legislative changes.

Dispute Resolution

Before the GRAI was established, consumers didn’t have a clear path when it came to reporting casinos or sportsbooks that acted outside of the law. A unified regulatory body will make it easier to hold operators accountable going forward.

Social Impact Fund

The GRAI will launch the Social Impact Fund, which will finance measures that reduce and prevent gambling harm. This transfers the financial burden of these services away from the taxpayer and onto licensed operators.

Failure to follow the new laws will come at a high cost. Non-compliance can result in a Class A fine of up to €5,000, up to 12 months' imprisonment or both. Administrative sanctions of licensees can incur penalties up to €20,000,000 – or 10% of the licensee’s turnover, or the higher of the two.

The GRAI and the Gambling Act will bring about much-needed changes to the Irish regulatory landscape. And, when you think about it, it’s a miracle that Acts from 1931 and 1956 even worked for this long.

Strict and well-enforced legislation will raise our expectations of operators over time, forcing them to keep raising the bar in other areas to stay ahead of the competition. The scope and specificity of these laws will give the GRAI clear legal pathways to shutting down dodgy gambling platforms and keep Irish players safe long into the future.