Ireland’s Gambling Regulator Publishes Licensing Rules Ahead of 2026 Launch
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published its licensing application guidelines in preparation for accepting Business-to-Consumer (B2C) license applications later this year.
Mandatory Steps Before Applying
Prospective licensees must follow a number of requirements outlined by GRAI:
- Notice of intent must be published in media at least 28 days before submitting an application.
- Financial documentation must include:
- Financial statements
- Bank account statements
- A business plan with financial projections
- Identification of all beneficial owners and key personnel, including:
- Proof of identity
- Criminal record disclosures
- Tax compliance information
Regulatory Compliance Requirements
Each applicant must have internal policies and procedures addressing the following areas:
- AML/CFT — Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism
- KYC — Know Your Customer protocols
- Responsible gambling
- Risk management
- Whistleblower protection
Types of Licenses
The following license categories are currently available to operators:
| License Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Betting | For operators offering betting services via the internet |
| Retail Betting | For physical betting shops located in Ireland |
| Intermediary License | For agents or intermediaries involved in betting activities |
Licenses for casino operations, lotteries, B2B services, and charitable gaming will be introduced at a later stage.
Financial Terms & Fee Structure
Licensing fees will be determined based on a tiered model:
- For existing businesses — based on previous year’s turnover
- For new businesses — based on projected turnover
Note: All fees are non-refundable.
Interim Regulation Until Full Rollout
Until the new licensing framework goes live, operators must comply with the existing legal framework:
- Betting Act 1931
- Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956
Licenses under these laws remain valid but are limited to a one-year term. Lottery permits and licenses continue to be issued by District Courts and An Garda Síochána, respectively.
Contact & Support from GRAI
Operators can contact GRAI for further guidance at licensing@grai.ie. Full documentation is available on the official GRAI website.
Additional Resources
- An ESRI study commissioned by GRAI highlights higher betting participation among vulnerable groups.
- A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Gibraltar Gambling Regulator.
- A public consultation report has been published by Governance Ireland.