Ireland’s long-anticipated overhaul of gambling regulation has reached a decisive stage, with applications for new licenses opening this week under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The move allows the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) to begin formally licensing operators while activating enforcement powers designed to address consumer protection and gambling-related harm.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan signed a commencement order that brings key sections of the 2024 legislation into effect. With that order in place, the GRAI can accept and process license applications for both remote and in-person betting operators starting Thursday, according to Irish Examiner. The authority also gains the ability to pursue criminal enforcement and impose substantial financial penalties where operators fail to comply with the law.

In a statement following the signing, O’Callaghan said: “Today marks another important step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework. 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.”

Licensing framework and timelines take shape

The new regime introduces several license categories that reflect the structure of Ireland’s gambling market. Operators can apply for B2C licenses covering in-person betting, remote betting, and remote betting intermediary services. Separate B2B licenses will allow companies to supply gambling products or related services. The framework also provides for licenses connected to charitable or philanthropic gambling, such as lotteries or pool betting at events, although those requirements will not take effect until 2027 or 2028.

While applications can now be submitted, the rollout of licenses will follow a phased schedule. According to the minister, the authority can issue licenses to new market entrants as soon as practical. Remote operators can receive licenses from 1 July 2026, while in-person operators will transition from their existing licenses on 1 December 2026, when current permissions issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners expire.

The commencement order also amends and repeals older legislation, marking one of the final steps in a process that began several years ago and culminates in Ireland operating a modern, centralized gambling regulator.

Enforcement powers and compliance obligations

Alongside licensing, the GRAI now holds wide-ranging investigative and enforcement authority. The regulator can issue fines of up to €20 million or 10% of a licensee’s turnover, whichever figure is higher, where breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 are established. For operators that continue to trade without a license, the authority can apply to the courts for an order directing them to stop operating.

O’Callaghan described the scope of these powers by stating: “The Act provides the Authority with the necessary enforcement powers to take appropriate and focused action where licensees fail to comply with licensing terms, conditions and regulations, and to deal with unlicensed operators, those operating without the correct license, or those in contravention of the terms of a license issued by the Authority.”

Licensed operators must meet a range of consumer protection requirements. These include a ban on credit cards as a payment method for gambling, a prohibition on gambling by children, and a mandatory option for customers to set spending limits on online accounts. Operators also face obligations related to account closures and refunds.

The legislation further restricts physical gambling environments. ATM machines will no longer be permitted inside gambling premises, and inducements such as VIP treatment, free bets, free credit, or complimentary hospitality are prohibited. Advertising rules also tighten, with adults required to opt in to receive marketing and a ban on gambling advertising on television and radio between 5.30am and 9pm.

Oversight, inspections, and evidence of harm

The GRAI has indicated that it will not rely solely on paperwork when assessing applications. The authority plans to carry out “boots-on-the-ground” inspections of gambling premises, examining factors such as location and proximity to schools and cash machines. These assessments will involve consultation with local authorities.

Individuals holding key roles within licensed companies will also face scrutiny. The regulator requires “fit and proper” checks for license holders, and designated account officers may carry personal liability if offences occur. The GRAI has emphasized that those officers must fully understand the seriousness of their responsibilities.

Calls for reform have persisted for years, driven by concerns about gambling harm. Since beginning its work, the regulator has commissioned research indicating that hundreds of thousands of people in Ireland experience gambling-related problems. A recent study found that people who gambled during childhood, including through scratch cards or lotteries, face almost double the risk of problem gambling later in life.

Spending patterns have added urgency to the reforms. Over the Christmas period, analysts noted a spike in gambling expenditure, with some consumers appearing to turn to betting as a response to cost-of-living pressures. With applications now open and enforcement powers activated, the GRAI moves from preparation into active regulation, reshaping how gambling operates across Ireland.