Compliance Updates
Ireland Embraces GRAI: Transforming the Landscape of Online Betting

The Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O’Callaghan T.D. has signed the order to commence parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 to enable the Authority to become operational and the order to establish Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, on a statutory basis.
Minister O’Callaghan has also approved the appointment of the seven members of this new, independent Authority, who will be appointed and commence their roles with effect from tomorrow, 5 March, 2025. They will be the members of the Authority which is responsible for regulating and licencing all gambling providers in the State and which has wide ranging powers to regulate both in-person and online gambling, gaming and most lotteries.
Mr. Paul Quinn has been appointed as chair of the Authority and the other newly appointed members are as follows:
• Ms. Celine Craig
• Ms. Marion Kelly
• Ms. Rita Purcell
• Mr. David Hickson
• Mr. Michael McGrath
• Dr. Colin O’Driscoll
Minister O’Callaghan said:“Today marks a new era for the regulation of gambling in the Irish State.
“The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is a further step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework, which will reflect the nature of modern gambling and take into account the harms associated with problem gambling, providing safeguards to protect people from those harms, especially children.
“It is designed to meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland, providing clarity for operators and for consumers and taking a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction.
“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of my predecessor, Minister Helen McEntee and Minister James Browne, in the development of this legislation.”
Minister O’Callaghan added: “I warmly congratulate Mr. Paul Quinn on his appointment as Chair of the new Authority and each of the newly appointed Authority members and wish them well in their new roles.
“The newly appointed members will now join CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield and her staff in commencing the Authority’s operations and legislative powers, on a phased basis. I understand that this includes, as a priority, work on progressing the licensing process, with a view to inviting applications for some licence types within the coming year.”
In accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the 2024 Act, appointments to the Authority will be for an initial period of three or four years. All members of the Authority may be reappointed for a second four-year term.
Speaking this morning, Minister Browne stated: “Minister O’Callaghan’s actions today mark the culmination of much hard work and dedication by Minister McEntee, Ms. Caulfield, Minister O’Callaghan and myself, supported by a core team of Authority staff and Departmental officials.
“I am pleased and encouraged at this Government’s commitment to continuing the phased commencement of the Authority’s operations and legislative powers as a priority.”
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D., commented: “I welcome today’s development as an important step towards ensuring that the harms associated with gambling are minimised. I look forward to the Department of Health working with the Gambling Regulatory Authority on initiatives to promote and progress this important goal.”
Welcoming the establishment of the Authority and the appointment of its members, the CEO of the GRAI Anne-Marie Caulfield said: ‘I greatly welcome the appointment of the seven-member Authority and the establishment of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann. I would like to thank the Ministers, Oireachtas members, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and Department of Justice officials for their work in bringing about our establishment.
“I look forward to fulfilling our mandate and delivering a safe, well-regulated and transparent sector, with consumer protection at its core.”
The post Ireland Embraces GRAI: Transforming the Landscape of Online Betting appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Compliance Updates
GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance

GeoLocs, the specialist geolocation platform for the iGaming, Sports Betting and iLottery industries, has partnered with identity verification provider Shufti to deliver a seamless and secure user experience for both operators and players in regulated markets worldwide.
The integration of GeoLocs’ precise geolocation technology with Shufti’s robust identity verification solutions allows operators to onboard players faster while maintaining full compliance with local regulations. The partnership reduces friction in the registration and verification process, enabling a smoother journey from sign-up to gameplay.
Will Whitehead, Commercial Director at GeoLocs, commented: “We’re excited to be working with Shufti to bring a more seamless, secure experience to clients and players alike. Both of our technologies have been built with compliance and UX at their core, and this partnership allows us to combine strengths—making onboarding and verification faster, smoother, and more robust for operators in regulated markets.”
With regulatory frameworks tightening in both emerging and established jurisdictions, the collaboration ensures that operators have access to integrated tools that deliver high standards of security, compliance, and user experience.
Roger Redfearn-Tyrzyk, SVP of Sales at Shufti, added: “We’re proud to be teaming up with GeoLocs to support operators in delivering frictionless onboarding and a high level of regulatory compliance. Our joint capabilities mean operators can verify users quickly and accurately while GeoLocs ensures they are playing from permitted locations—creating an end-to-end experience that puts both security and user satisfaction first.”
This partnership underscores both companies’ commitment to innovation and player-centric technology in the fast-evolving iGaming space.
The post GeoLocs and Shufti Join Forces to Streamline Player Onboarding and Compliance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
AGCO
AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.
Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.
These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.
Important Reminders
• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.
• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.
• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.
• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.
For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Compliance Updates
Brown Urges Reeves to Increase Gambling Taxes at Budget

Gordon Brown has called on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase the gambling taxes so she can lift benefit restrictions at her autumn Budget.
The former Labour prime minister and chancellor says Britain is facing a “social crisis” with a growing need to take children out of poverty.
Hiking taxes on the “undertaxed” gambling industry was “by far the most cost-effective way” for the chancellor to do this, he argued.
The Betting and Gaming Council, which represents gambling companies, warned the “economically reckless” plan would push gamblers into the black market.
Reeves is widely expected to raise taxes at this autumn’s Budget, after poor economic figures and a series of U-turns on welfare cuts made it harder to meet the government’s self-imposed spending rules.
It has prompted speculation about which areas the chancellor, who reportedly kept a framed photo of predecessor Brown in her room as a student, could look to when putting together her Budget this autumn.
The post Brown Urges Reeves to Increase Gambling Taxes at Budget appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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