Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland Casinos 2026

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, or GRAI, is the independent statutory regulator established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The Authority became operational on 5 March 2025, with a mandate covering licensing, monitoring and compliance, enforcement and consumer protection for gambling activities within the scope of the Act.

Ireland's new system is being introduced in phases rather than replacing every older permission on one date. A major operational step occurred on 9 February 2026, when GRAI opened applications for remote betting, remote betting intermediary and in-person betting licences. The Authority requires applicants to use its licensing system and satisfy statutory suitability and business requirements before a licence is granted. Other licence classes continue to move through separate transition arrangements.

This phased implementation matters when checking an operator. An older betting, gaming or lottery permission issued under a previous regime does not by itself prove that the business has obtained the corresponding GRAI licence, while a GRAI application is not the same as a granted licence. The relevant licence class and current status have to be checked against the Authority's published licensing information.

GRAI also has enforcement and complaints functions under the 2024 Act. Its role is regulatory: it sets and enforces the legal framework, while licensed gambling businesses remain responsible for customer accounts, payments and routine first-line service. The transition timetable remains relevant to licence verification throughout 2026.

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