The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has launched an innovative pre-registration process to gauge market interest and demand, marking the first step toward implementing the country’s new licensing regime. The initiative asks potential applicants to pre-register their interest in one or more licence categories.
The purpose of this early engagement is to help GRAI understand the expected volume and type of applications, ensuring they can manage the incoming flow of requests efficiently and effectively. The regulator aims to open the application portal by the end of the year and will be issuing licences for nearly all gambling activities in Ireland. This, however, does not include the National Lottery.
GRAI chief operating officer (CEO) Anne-Marie Caulfield, in comments last month, reiterated that licensing remains the agency’s top priority. In addition, she outlined a phased rollout. This begins with betting licences for online and land-based operations, before the end of 2024. Following closely are online gaming licences, to be completed by early 2026, with the remainder of the framework implemented through 2027. Every licence applicant must undergo corporate, financial, and technical due diligence, according to Caulfield. “There’ll be a fairly thorough vetting system for [operators] and that will be our priority in the first instance,” she said.
GRAI will offer three main categories of licences:
Under B2C Licences, the available licences include remote betting licences, in-person betting, remote betting intermediary, remote gaming, and lottery licences. B2B licences apply to businesses that provide services to operators, such as hosting, odds-making, and risk management. Whereas under charitable licences, organisations can apply for a specific licence if they want to conduct gambling-related fundraising activities. However, GRAI does not expect charitable applications to open in 2024, and these organisations may continue to operate under the existing permit system for now.
Earlier this month, Ireland officially entered a new phase of gambling regulation with the establishment of the GRAI. On 4 March 2025, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan signed the order to commence parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, setting the stage for a more modern and structured approach to gambling oversight in the country.
The launch of the body marks a move away from Ireland’s outdated gambling laws to a more comprehensive regulatory framework. This updated system is designed to keep up with the changing nature of gambling while also addressing concerns about problem gambling. Once licences are issued, the GRAI will oversee compliance with various operational standards. This includes advertising restrictions and promotional guidelines.
Recently, the The GRAI also clarified that business-to-business (B2B) licensing will not be part of the initial phases of this rollout. Instead, the focus is on creating an efficient transition process. A spokesperson for the regulation body explained that this phased strategy is designed to facilitate a seamless shift from the existing licensing system to the new one under their oversight. The regulator is currently collaborating with the Revenue Commissioners on betting and gaming licences, while also working with the Court Service and An Gardá Síochána regarding lotteries.
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