How to Check an Online Casino Licence in Ireland in 5 Steps

Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Act 2024 created a national regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which began licensing online betting in July 2026. Licences for online casino games are still being phased in, so Irish players currently use casinos licensed by other reputable regulators, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UK Gambling Commission.

Ireland’s own GRAI register of licensed casino sites will become the standard reference once casino licensing is complete. Until then, checking a licence means checking the international regulator that issued it, and the steps below show you how.

Step 1: Find the Online Casino’s Licence Information

At most online casinos we’ve tested, licensing information is displayed in the website footer. You’ll usually see the regulator’s logo or written details naming the licence issuer and number.

For casinos serving Ireland today, that issuer is usually the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).

The licence info on the Betway website footer — Notice how Betway doesn’t bury this – the licence number, the regulator, and the actual company behind the brand are all right there in the footer. That’s exactly what you want to see. A legit casino names its licensing body and gives you a number you can look up.

Don’t see the licensing info in the footer? Don’t worry! Sometimes you’ll need to open the terms and conditions. You could also find licence details in the About Us section, the help pages, or the responsible gambling page.

Step 2: Copy the Licence Number

Next, note the licence number – it’s the most important piece of information you need to confirm a licence is valid. Every licensed casino must display its licence number, issued by its regulator, on its homepage or in its terms and conditions.

The same brand may show a UKGC number on its UK site and an MGA number on its international site – check the one displayed on the site where you’re playing.

Step 3: Find the Casino’s Gaming Regulator

Now you need the official register of the regulator that issued the licence. Many casinos link to their regulator from the footer, but we advise you not to use that link. Open the regulator’s official site directly instead.

Here’s where to look for the regulators you’ll meet most often:

Market	Gambling Regulator	Where to Check Licence
Ireland	Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)	GRAI Licensing (casino licences being phased in)
Malta	Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)	MGA Licensee Register
United Kingdom	UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)	UKGC Public Register
Gibraltar	Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (GGC)	Gibraltar Gambling Division Licence Holders

Step 4: Verify the Online Casino’s Licence Data

Now confirm the licence is active and valid. On the regulator’s site, find the list of licensed operators or the licence lookup, then search the Entity Name (usually the company name, not the casino name) or licence number. Most regulators publish a public register of every casino they license.

Licence verification results on the MGA's official website for the company behind Betway. — **In the Photo:** Here’s what verification actually looks like. Searching the operator on the MGA’s official register returns every licence they hold – and yes, some will say “Expired.” That’s normal, companies renew licences constantly, and old entries stay on record.

The wording varies by regulator. The MGA calls it ‘licence verification’; the UKGC maintains a public register of licensed businesses. If the casino appears on the list as active, the licence checks out. If it’s not there, walk away.

Step 5: Double-Check the Data on the Casino Website

Finally, open the casino website and check that the details listed by the regulator match. Not all sites show everything in the footer, so you may need to open the full terms and conditions to cross-check.

You can compare the following:

Parent company
Address
Licence number
Domain name
Trading names

Remember the quirk from Step 1: the “parent company” listed by the regulator may be a Malta- or Gibraltar-registered company, not the brand name you recognise. As long as the regulator’s record and the site’s footer line up, you’re good.

Requirements for Obtaining an Online Casino Licence

Each regulator (the GRAI, MGA, UKGC, and others) sets standards to keep gambling fair, crime-free, and to protect players. To get and keep a licence, an online casino must meet strict criteria.

Here are the main requirements behind an online casino licence:

Identity and age (18+) verification checks
Technical security certificates
Independent game fairness audits (e.g. GLI, iTech Labs)
Segregation of customer funds
Anti-money laundering measures
Transparent and fair terms
Responsible gambling tools and self-exclusion
Data protection policies
Customer complaint procedures

It’s worth noting that licensing requirements can vary, but differences are mostly procedural. There are also independent testing and standards bodies, such as eCOGRA, that help maintain these standards, promote responsible practices, and ensure that online casinos treat players fairly.

Angelina Vodenicharova Author and Casino Analyst

About the Author

With a background in marketing, Angelina has a keen eye for emerging trends and stays ahead of the curve on the latest game releases and payment innovations. Her expertise extends to the growing world of gambling apps, where her tech-savviness allows her to offer valuable insights on optimizing gameplay.

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