The GRAI would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations concerning licensing which will be commenced on a phased basis.

Consultation Published: Monday 7th April 2025

Submission period closes: 5pm on 5th May 2025

About us

We are the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. We were established on 5 March 2025. Our role is to regulate gambling activities in Ireland.

The law that established us, and sets out what we do, is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

Those who wish to provide gambling activities in Ireland will need a licence from us. We can issue different types of gambling licences for in person or remote gambling activities, including the following:

1.    Business to consumer gambling licences

This type of licence applies to those providing betting, gaming or lottery activities to consumers.

 2.    Business to business gambling licences

This type of licence applies to those selling or supplying a gambling product or gambling related service.

3.    Licences for a charitable and philanthropic purpose

This type of licence applies to those who wish to provide betting, gaming, or lottery activities for charitable and philanthropic purposes.

We intend to start our licensing function in a phased way, with different licence category types opening at different times.

Our current plan is to first open for Business to Consumer betting licence applications in December 2025 (both in person and remote). This will be followed by opening for gaming licence applications (remote only) towards the end of the first quarter of 2026. However, the order and timing of commencement maybe subject to change. The license application process will take a number of months.  Once an application is submitted it will be reviewed to ensure all necessary information and documentation has been submitted.  We will then undertake various checks on the applicant and on the Information and documentation submitted to verify the information and to ensure it is given due consideration when making the decision to grant or refuse the license application.

What is the purpose of this consultation?

We have the power to make regulations.  Regulations are laws created by Ministers or public bodies under powers given to them by Acts of the Oireachtas.

The first set of regulations we plan to make will:

a.    Set the application fee for applications for betting (in person and remote) and gaming (in person and remote) licences. This is provided for in section 38 of the 2024 Act.

The second set of regulations we plan to make will:

b.    Set the duration for which a gambling licence remains in force. This is provided for under section 108 of the 2024 Act.

AND

c.     Set out some additional conditions which will apply to gambling licences. This is provided for under section 129 of the 2024 Act.

We would like to hear the views of stakeholders, including operators and the public on the proposed regulations.

For more information including how to submit a response please visit: Live Consultation page.