Irish gambling regulator publishes licence application guidelines

The GRAI expects to begin taking licence applications in the second half of the year.

Ireland.- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has released licence application guidelines for both Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Business-to-Business (B2B) companies interested in applying to operate under the country’s reformed regulated gambling framework.

Operational since March, the GRAI has already conducted a consultation with prospective operators after inviting expressions of interest. It expects to open the window for licence applications in the second half of the year, with the regulated market to go live in 2026.

Until then, the GRAI has advised businesses to maintain compliance with existing laws. Operators may apply for or renew licences through the Revenue Commissioners under the legacy frameworks of the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. 

The authority said that applications for lottery permits and licences would continue to be assessed by the District Courts and An Garda Síochána until new procedures are in place.

In response to enquiries, the regulator has clarified its positions on licence duration, fee structures, and eligibility criteria for foreign-based and EU companies. It’s also outlined a seven-step licensing pathway. Of note, applicants must publish a Notice of Intention no fewer than 28 days before submitting an application.

The regulator said submissions will be subject to a rigorous, risk-based review. Applicants must disclose full details about ownership, including beneficial owners, executive officers, and the company’s operational model. Post-approval, licensees must report any significant changes to ownership, business operations, or regulatory status. Operators are advised to begin preparing documentation and monitoring GRAI updates for key milestones.

The regulator is headed by president and CEO Marie Ann Caulfield and chairman Paul Quinn. It was created under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (GRA), which replaces the long-standing dual oversight system under the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

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