GRAI licence: what it means, how to check it, licensed casinos
Ireland's gambling regulator since 2025, taking over betting licensing from the Revenue Commissioners and later gaming and lotteries.
Casinos with a page
0
Hunts tracked there
0
Accept crypto
–
Founded
2025
About the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
Before 2025, Ireland had no dedicated gambling regulator. Betting licences, including remote bookmaker and remote betting intermediary licences, were issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, and no Irish licence existed for online casino gaming.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024, enacted on 23 October 2024, created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, which was established on 5 March 2025. The Act moves licensing to the GRAI in phases. From 5 February 2026 the GRAI became the licensing authority for all forms of betting and Revenue stopped issuing betting licences, though betting duty is still paid to Revenue. The first GRAI remote betting and betting intermediary licences took effect on 1 July 2026, and in-person betting shops move across on 1 December 2026, when their Revenue licences expire. Gaming, lottery, B2B and charitable licences are due to follow later.
The Act brings rules that did not exist before: a ban on credit card gambling, required deposit limit tools, limits on targeted bonuses, a daytime watershed for broadcast gambling ads and a future National Gambling Exclusion Register. The GRAI can fine licensees up to 20 million euro or 10% of turnover and ask courts to block illegal operators.
As of November 2026 the only online licences in Ireland are for betting. A site that claims an Irish online casino licence does not hold one, because gaming licences have not opened yet. To check an operator, look it up on the GRAI website, grai.ie.
Recent changes
5 March 2025: the GRAI was established. 5 February 2026: the GRAI became the licensing authority for all betting licences, and Revenue stopped issuing them. 1 July 2026: the first GRAI remote betting and betting intermediary licences took effect. 1 December 2026: in-person betting licences move to the GRAI as the last Revenue-issued licences expire. Gaming licences, including online casino, have no start date yet and are not expected before 2027.
GRAI licence facts
| Country | Ireland |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2025 |
| Law | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (enacted 23 October 2024), which also amends or repeals the Totalisator Act 1929 and the Betting Act 1931 |
| Licenses | online betting, betting intermediaries, in-person betting (from 1 December 2026), gaming and lotteries (licensing not yet open) |
| Licence types | Remote betting licence (B2C), Remote betting intermediary licence (B2C), In-person betting licence (from 1 December 2026), Gaming and lottery licences (B2C, planned), B2B licence (planned), Charitable and philanthropic licence (planned) |
| Market | Licences operators serving players in Ireland only |
| Self-exclusion | National Gambling Exclusion Register: required by section 45 of the 2024 Act to cover licensed remote gambling; not yet launched as of October 2026 |
| Player protection | Credit cards and credit facilities cannot be used to gamble. Licensees must give customers tools to set monetary limits on their accounts. Inducements such as free bets cannot be targeted at specific individuals or groups. Children may not gamble or be employed by licensees. TV and radio gambling advertising is restricted between 05:30 and 21:00 (advertising sections still being commenced as of October 2026). |
| Complaints | The GRAI's enforcement and complaints functions were commenced in February 2026. The GRAI supervises licensees and can fine them up to 20 million euro or 10% of turnover, whichever is greater. |
| Website | www.grai.ie |
GRAI licence FAQ
Who licenses gambling in Ireland now, Revenue or the GRAI?
The GRAI. It became the licensing authority for all betting on 5 February 2026, and Revenue no longer issues betting licences. In-person bookmakers keep their existing Revenue licences until they expire, and GRAI in-person licences start on 1 December 2026. Revenue still collects betting duty.
When was the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland set up?
The GRAI was established on 5 March 2025 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which was enacted on 23 October 2024.
Can an online casino hold an Irish licence?
Not yet. As of November 2026 the GRAI licenses remote betting and betting intermediaries only. Gaming licences, which would cover online casino, have no start date and are not expected before 2027.
How do I check if a betting site is licensed in Ireland?
Look the operator up on the GRAI website, grai.ie. Revenue's old list of remote bookmakers is out of date because Revenue stopped issuing those licences in February 2026.
Is there a national self-exclusion scheme in Ireland?
The 2024 Act requires the GRAI to set up a National Gambling Exclusion Register covering licensed remote gambling. As of October 2026 it had not launched.
Can I use a credit card to gamble in Ireland?
No. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 bans credit cards and other credit facilities as a way to pay for gambling with licensed operators.
Other gambling regulators
Researched by Konrad van Daath, checked 7 November 2026. Facts come from public sources (en.wikipedia.org, drugsandalcohol.ie, lawsociety.ie, arthurcox.com, con-telegraph.ie). Always confirm a licence in the regulator's own register. Gambling is for adults only and can be addictive; play responsibly.
Streaming at a licensed casino? Track the hunt
CasinoHub's free bonus hunt tracker works with every casino: bonuses, break-even and the multiplier you still need, live on stream.