Ireland to Open Betting License Applications in 2025
New Gambling Licensing System
Ireland will launch a gambling licensing system under the new Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The regulator GRAI (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) is preparing to open a portal for submitting applications, which will standardize rules for both online and offline gambling, excluding the national lottery.
Phases of License Launch
The regulator has planned the license issuance process in phases:
- End of 2025 – start of accepting applications for online and land-based betting.
- Beginning of 2026 – applications for online casinos.
- 2027 – full launch of licensing for all forms of gambling.
Currently, GRAI is collecting preliminary applications from potential operators to assess interest in licenses and create a database of participants.
License Categories
The new law provides for three main types of licenses:
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| B2C | Licenses for online and offline betting operators, online casinos, and lotteries. |
| B2B | Licenses for software, hardware, and trading solution providers. |
| Charity Licenses | Non-commercial lotteries and pool betting. |
GRAI clarifies that charity licenses will remain under the old licensing system and will be available until the end of the current year.
Strict Requirements for Applicants
The new gambling regulator will implement strict compliance measures. Before issuing licenses, checks will be conducted in the following areas:
- Corporate Structure – analysis of company owners and managers.
- Financial Stability – verification of the financial stability of applicants.
- Technical Standards – compliance of services with security requirements.
Thus, the reform of the Irish gambling market aims to create a transparent licensing system based on modern safety and responsibility standards.