Ireland’s GRAI Cleared to License Operators and Enforce Rules

An order was signed by Jim O’Callaghan TD, the Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration last week, which came into effect on Monday, 9 February. 

This move is the latest in a series of steps which will see the GRAI slowly come into full operation by next year. Three types of licences will be available, covering B2C, B2B and charity gambling activities, and applicants will use a centralised system which the regulatory body will carefully examine before granting a licence. 

All requests must meet the GRAI's requirements to ensure player protection and responsible gambling measures are in place. Remote operators can be licensed from 1 July, and in-person operators from 1 December, when their existing licences expire.

Paul Quinn, GRAI Chairperson, 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.”

Alongside licence applications, the GRAI will begin enforcing a national self-exclusion register and place new legislation on gambling advertising. Operators that breach regulations risk eye-watering fines of up to €20 million or 10% of their turnover.

Anne Marie Caulfield, Chief Executive Officer of the GRAI, added: “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."

“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.”