Ireland Postpones Launch of Licensed iGaming Market Until Mid-2026
Ireland has postponed the launch of its licensed online gambling market until mid-2026.
New Regulation Start Date
Licensing was initially planned to begin in 2025. However, the launch has now been postponed by over a year — until mid-2026.
This was announced by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, who confirmed that despite the establishment of a new regulatory body — Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland (GRAI) — licensing will only come into effect in over a year’s time.
Earlier, it was reported that Ireland was preparing to start accepting license applications in 2025. However, the timeline has now been officially pushed back.
What is GRAI and Its Role
The regulatory body GRAI began its work in 2025. It is headed by former civil servant Paul Quinn. GRAI’s main functions include:
- Issuing licenses to gambling operators
- Monitoring compliance with the new regulations
- Collecting contributions to the Social Impact Fund
By the end of 2025, the organization is expected to have at least 35 employees. Further staff expansion is planned in 2026–2027 to fully launch all regulatory mechanisms.
Social Impact Fund
One of the key components of the new system is the Social Impact Fund. It is funded by a percentage of operators’ annual turnover and is aimed at:
- Research on gambling addiction
- Educational campaigns and informational projects
- Treatment and support programs for problem gamblers
Labour TD Mark Wall expressed concern about the fund’s delayed launch, highlighting research showing that over 20% of 16-year-olds in Ireland had placed bets in the past year. He called for the fund to be launched as soon as possible.
Key Restrictions in the New Law
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 introduces a number of restrictions:
| Measure | Description |
|---|---|
| Ban on free bets | Individually targeted free bets are prohibited |
| Ban on card payments | Credit cards cannot be used to top up accounts |
| Strict advertising rules | Stricter marketing controls |
| User identification | Photo ID verification required |
| Protection of minors | Under-18s are not allowed to create accounts |
Current Industry Status
Currently, Irish operators continue to operate without new licenses or restrictions. Only the part of the law concerning the creation of GRAI has come into force. The remaining provisions will only take effect once the system is launched in 2026.
This means that until then, public and private organizations working with gambling addiction issues will not be able to rely on funding from the new fund.
Conclusion
Ireland is moving toward full regulation of online gambling, but the delay of a full year creates a gap in effective industry oversight.
Major reforms will not take effect before mid-2026, including the launch of licenses, the social fund, and enforcement measures.