Ireland’s new gambling licensing regime: what’s live, what’s next and what it means for you
For almost a century, Irish betting ran on rules from 1931. Since 1 July, every online bookmaker taking Irish bets needs a licence from a new regulator with the power to fine up to 10% of turnover. Here’s the full picture for punters and the industry alike.
- Online betting now GRAI-licensed
- Betting shops switch by 1 December
- Casino licences 2027–28
Ireland has gone from one of Europe’s most outdated gambling frameworks to a modern licensing system, but it’s arriving in stages, and some of the headline rules aren’t switched on yet.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was signed into law on 23 October 2024. It replaces a patchwork of old legislation, chiefly the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. Under the old system, bookmakers were licensed through the Revenue Commissioners, a model built mainly around collecting tax rather than protecting customers.
The Act created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), formally set up in March 2025. It now issues licences, supervises operators, investigates breaches and takes complaints about licensed firms, online and in person. The Act is being brought into force piece by piece through ministerial commencement orders, which is why it’s worth being precise about what actually applies today.
The rollout, step by step
Key dates| Milestone | When | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gambling Regulation Act signed into law | Oct 2024 | Done |
| 2 | GRAI formally established | Mar 2025 | Done |
| 3 | GRAI takes over betting licensing; credit card ban and under-18 protections commence | 5 Feb 2026 | In force |
| 4 | Licence applications open | 9 Feb 2026 | Open |
| 5 | Social Impact Fund provisions commence | 30 Jun 2026 | In force |
| 6 | First online betting and exchange licences; enforcement powers go live | 1 Jul 2026 | Live |
| 7 | Betting shops must hold GRAI in-person licences | 1 Dec 2026 | Due |
| 8 | Gaming (incl. online casino), lottery, B2B and charity licences | 2027–28 | Planned |
| 9 | Ad watershed, targeted-offer rules, national self-exclusion register | TBC | Not yet |
Dates per the GRAI, the Irish Statute Book and published updates from Irish law firms, checked 28 October 2026. Commencement dates for the outstanding rules are set by the Minister for Justice and haven’t been announced.
What it means if you like a bet
If you’re betting from Ireland on the racing, the GAA or the Premier League, these are the changes that already affect you:
- You can check a bookie is licensed. The GRAI publishes a public licence register. Before you open an account, confirm the company behind the site is on it. Familiar names including bet365, BoyleSports, Ladbrokes and William Hill have been on the register since July.
- No gambling on credit cards. Since February 2026, licensed operators can’t accept credit cards for gambling. Debit cards and other approved methods still work.
- Tighter age checks. Letting an under-18 gamble is now an offence, and new regulations set out how online operators must verify your age and identity when you sign up.
- A regulator you can complain to. If you believe a licensed operator has broken its legal obligations, you can complain to the GRAI. For everyday disputes, such as how a bet was settled, go to the bookmaker first.
One important gap: there is still no national self-exclusion scheme in Ireland. The Act provides for one, but until it launches you need to self-exclude with each bookmaker separately, through the safer gambling section of your account. Your bank may also offer a gambling block on your card. If you live in Northern Ireland, GAMSTOP covers UK-licensed sites, but it doesn’t cover Irish ones.
The rules people talk about most, the ad ban and the free-bet crackdown, aren’t actually in force yet.
What hasn’t switched on yet
The advertising watershed
Once commenced, gambling ads will be banned from Irish TV and radio between 5:30am and 9pm. Further rules would limit gambling ads on social media and on-demand services unless people opt in, and restrict advertising near places such as schools. The racing industry raised concerns about the daytime broadcast ban, and the timing sits with the Department of Justice.
Restrictions on inducements
An early version of the Bill pointed towards a near-total ban on free bets and bonuses. The final Act is narrower. It targets individualised inducements, such as VIP-style perks or offers aimed at particular people or groups, while promotions open to everyone would still be allowed. The Minister can tighten the rules further if evidence shows offers are driving harm. This section hasn’t been commenced.
The National Gambling Exclusion Register
This will let you block yourself from every GRAI-licensed operator with a single request, and online bookmakers will have to check it in real time. It’s arguably the most important player protection in the Act. No launch date has been set.
How to check a bookmaker is licensed
- Scroll to the footer of the betting site and note the company name and any GRAI licence number. Licence numbers follow the format GRAI-0000-RB-26-0001.
- Open the licence register on grai.ie and search for that company.
- Check the licence type covers what you’re doing (“Remote Betting” for online sports betting) and that it hasn’t expired.
- If the company isn’t listed, don’t deposit. Online casino sites can’t hold an Irish licence yet, as that licence category hasn’t opened.
bet365 in Ireland
#AD · 18+bet365 appears on the GRAI register for remote betting, with its licence taking effect on 1 July 2026. Whichever bookmaker you use, set a deposit limit before your first bet. You’ll find limits, time-outs and self-exclusion in your account settings.
18+. #AD. New customers only. Terms apply; read the full T&Cs on bet365 before opening an account. Please bet responsibly — GamblingCare.ie, 1800 936 725.
What it means for the industry
For operators, suppliers and affiliates, the move from a tax-led licensing system to a full conduct regulator changes the commercial picture.
Industry briefing
Operators & affiliates| Area | What applies |
|---|---|
| Licensing | Online betting and exchange licences mandatory since 1 July 2026, when Revenue licences expired. Retail operators move over by 1 December 2026. Licences issued so far run for three years. |
| Application fees | Banded by gross win in Ireland rather than stakes, from four figures for the smallest retail operators up to €450,000 at the top band. |
| Combined licence | A single in-person and remote betting licence is provided for in the Act but isn’t available yet. |
| Sanctions | Licence suspension or revocation, and fines of up to €20 million or 10% of prior-year turnover, whichever is greater. Unlicensed operation is a criminal offence. |
| Social Impact Fund | Annual contribution from every commercial licensee, set by regulation, funding research, education, awareness and treatment. |
| Betting duty | Still collected by Revenue: 2% of stakes for bookmakers, 25% of commission for exchanges. |
| Online casino | No gaming licences yet. Operators offering casino products to Irish customers are in a transition window that closes when gaming licensing opens. |
The market these rules now govern is growing fast. Irish punters staked a record €911 million online in the first quarter of 2026, around 1.6 times the amount bet in shops, and some TDs have argued the 2% duty rate should rise. Retail, meanwhile, has roughly halved since 2008, to under 700 shops by the end of 2025.
For affiliates and publishers, the Act’s duties sit mainly with licensees. But once the advertising and inducement sections commence, operators are likely to pass those standards down to their partners, particularly around content that could appeal to children and offers aimed at specific groups. Building to the stricter standard now avoids reworking content later.
Your questions answered
Is online betting legal in Ireland?
Yes, with bookmakers licensed by the GRAI. You can check any operator on the GRAI’s public licence register.
Can an online casino be licensed in Ireland yet?
No. Only betting and betting exchange licences have been issued so far. Gaming licences, which cover online casino, are expected to open across 2027 and 2028.
Are free bets banned now?
No. The inducement section of the Act hasn’t been commenced. When it is, it targets offers aimed at specific individuals or groups rather than promotions open to everyone.
How do I self-exclude in Ireland?
For now, self-exclude with each bookmaker separately through your account settings. The national register in the Act isn’t live yet. Free, confidential support is available 24/7 from GamblingCare.ie on 1800 936 725.
What happens to my local bookies?
Betting shops must move from Revenue licences to GRAI in-person betting licences by 1 December 2026.
Does any of this apply in Northern Ireland?
No. The GRAI regulates gambling in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland has its own separate gambling law.
A real regulator, but only half the toolkit
Online betting in Ireland is now properly regulated for the first time, with a public register and a regulator that has serious powers. That’s a genuine step forward for anyone who wants to know the site they use is above board.
The protections that will make the biggest everyday difference, national self-exclusion, the ad limits and the rules on targeted offers, are still waiting to be switched on. Until they are, look after yourself: set limits, take breaks and use the tools in your account. We’ll update this guide as each phase goes live.
Bet with your head, not over it
Decide what you’re comfortable spending before you start, set a deposit limit in your account, and never chase losses. Only bet with operators licensed in Ireland by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
If betting is affecting your money, mood or relationships, free and confidential help is available 24/7 on 1800 936 725. Gamblers Anonymous Ireland and MABS (free money advice) can also help. In Northern Ireland, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit BeGambleAware.org.
18+ only. #AD — This article contains affiliate links. If you open an account through a link on this page we may receive a commission, at no cost to you. This article is general information about gambling regulation and is not legal advice. Regulatory details were checked on 28 October 2026 and may change; see grai.ie for the current position.