The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will begin issuing operator licences from February 5, 2026, as Ireland takes a major step in modernising its gambling regulatory framework under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
An order signed by Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, enables the newly established gambling regulator to issue accreditation for land-based and online gambling companies starting February 5, 2026.
The minister confirmed that licences for new market entrants can be issued “as soon as is feasible.” Online operators can obtain licences from July 1, 2026, while land-based operators will be required to secure licensing by December 1, 2026, when their existing licences from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners expire.
New Enforcement Powers Take Effect
The order activates substantial enforcement capabilities for GRAI, including the authority to impose fines of up to €20 million or 10 percent of a licensee’s turnover for non-compliance.
Additional regulatory measures taking effect from February 5 include a ban on credit card use for gambling transactions, mandatory reporting obligations requiring licensees to notify the regulator of suspicious activity, and oversight of online gambling account operations.
The order also implements prohibitions on allowing minors to gamble or work for gambling companies, while granting GRAI authority to impose limits on customer deposits with licence holders.
Modernising Ireland’s Gambling Framework
“Today marks another important step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework,” O’Callaghan said. “This reflects the nature of modern gambling and takes into account the harms associated with problem gambling, by providing safeguards to protect people from those harms, especially children.”
The minister noted that the Gambling Regulation Act provides GRAI with enforcement powers to address licensees who fail to comply with licensing terms, conditions and regulations, and to take action against unlicensed operators or those operating without the correct licence.
“The Authority can issue licences for new entrants as soon as is feasible, licence remote operators from July 1, 2026 and in-person operators from December 1, 2026, when their existing licences, issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, expire,” O’Callaghan added.
GRAI’s Three-Year Strategy
In October 2025, GRAI published its Statement of Strategy outlining plans to build its regulatory framework over three years. The strategy focuses on six core areas: licensing, monitoring and compliance, enforcement, consumer protection and awareness, people and organisational governance, and digital-first operations.
“Establishing the new licensing arrangements, compliance management and enforcement functions during the term of this strategy is central to reducing the likelihood of gambling harms and will underpin a well-regulated gambling market in Ireland,” said GRAI Chair Paul Quinn.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which established GRAI as Ireland’s independent gambling regulator, replaces decades-old legislation including the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.
Source: InterGame
