The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has issued complete licensing tips, marking one other milestone in its efforts to modernise the nation’s playing oversight framework. The newly printed steerage goals to assist potential licensees perceive the steps required to use for licences underneath the up to date regime set forth by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Guidance Sets Stage for B2C Licence Applications
In preparation for opening licence functions later this yr, the GRAI launched detailed directions for playing suppliers seeking to function in Ireland. The steerage particularly addresses operators that can ship playing providers on to shoppers, whether or not via bodily premises or on-line platforms. Applications from business-to-consumer (B2C) operators might be prioritised initially, whereas business-to-business (B2B) suppliers and charitable organisations can anticipate to submit functions at a later section.
While no definitive launch date for the complete licensing system has been set, GRAI officers reiterated their aim to start accepting functions “later this year” and to roll out the absolutely regulated market by 2026. “We intend to accept online applications for both in-person and remote Business-to-Consumer Betting licences later this year,” the regulator famous. Until then, playing operators are inspired to take care of compliance by making use of and renewing their licences underneath present legal guidelines — specifically the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 — via the Revenue Commissioners. Lottery licences and permits will proceed to be processed by the District Courts and An Garda Síochána till the brand new construction is absolutely operational.
A Seven-Step Licensing Process
The tips printed by the GRAI define a transparent seven-step course of for candidates. One of the important thing necessities is submitting a Notice of Intention at the least 28 days earlier than submitting a full software, permitting the authority to trace upcoming submissions. Applicants are additionally anticipated to supply intensive documentation about their possession construction, useful house owners, enterprise mannequin, and compliance measures.
After reviewing the appliance underneath a risk-based evaluation framework, the GRAI will difficulty a call notification. Approved licensees should additionally adjust to ongoing obligations, comparable to promptly reporting any vital modifications in possession or operations.
The GRAI emphasised its readiness to assist operators via the appliance course of, inviting queries through its devoted licensing electronic mail. The full steerage doc is out there on the regulator’s web site for operators to overview intimately earlier than making ready their functions.
Modernising Ireland’s Gambling Market
The publication of those tips follows the GRAI assuming full regulatory tasks in March 2025, changing the long-standing twin oversight supplied by the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. The new licensing system is designed to carry Ireland’s playing oversight in step with worldwide finest practices, making certain better transparency and accountability.
Stakeholders have already welcomed earlier clarifications from the GRAI on issues such because the price construction, licence period, and the eligibility of EU and different foreign-based companies to function in Ireland underneath the up to date guidelines. Further data for certification laboratories in search of to check playing merchandise can also be anticipated quickly.
The authority, led by President and Chief Executive Marie Ann Caulfield and Chairman Paul Quinn, has been actively laying the groundwork for the brand new regime. In addition to publishing the licensing steerage, the GRAI has additionally signed its third Memorandum of Understanding with different European jurisdictions this summer season to boost its regulatory cooperation.
With the appliance window for B2C operators slated to open later in 2025 and a completely regulated market focused for 2026, the GRAI is urging operators to remain knowledgeable and guarantee their documentation is prepared upfront.
For these , the complete steerage and additional updates can be found straight from the GRAI web site.
Source:
Gambling Regulator publishes Licensing Application Guidance, grai.ie, July 10, 2025.
