Ceadúnas — Irish for licence
GRAI began issuing remote betting licences on 1 July 2026, replacing decades of patchwork law. Most casinos serving Irish players still aren't required to hold one yet — here's who's filed, who's licensed, and who isn't either.
Checked as of 7 July 2026 — this market moves fast, so cross-check anything important directly with grai.ie.
Replaces the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 with a single statutory framework.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is constituted with its board and begins operational build-out.
Fines of up to €20m or 10% of turnover become active. Credit card gambling and the TV/radio ad watershed (5:30am–9pm) take effect.
Operators can begin filing a Notice of Intention — a mandatory 28-day public notice ahead of any licence application.
Covers online and phone betting. Remote gaming (online casino specifically) is transitioning separately through 2026–2027 — sources currently disagree on the exact cut-over, which we're tracking below.
Land-based betting shops and venues move onto the same GRAI framework.
The 1 July licences are for remote betting and betting intermediaries. Remote gaming — the online casino category — follows a separate, later timeline.
Player questionYes, for now. Malta, Gibraltar and UKGC licences remain legally accessible to Irish players during the phased transition.
ComparisonThree regulators, three enforcement styles. Here's what each one actually requires of an operator, side by side.
Player protectionBanned since 5 February 2026, regardless of which regulator licenses the casino. Here's exactly what's covered.
Player protectionNo gambling ads on Irish TV or radio between 5:30am and 9pm — what's covered and what isn't.
Player protectionOne self-exclusion request, every GRAI-licensed operator. How it works and when it launches.
Player protectionOnly partially — GAMSTOP covers UK-licensed sites, not most operators serving Ireland. Here's the actual gap.
Published by GRAI Ledger Team — independent, no payments from any tracked operator. Read our methodology →
This page tracks regulatory status, not fairness or safety. If gambling stops being fun, GamblingCare.ie offers free, confidential support.