Ireland’s Legal Licensed Gambling Regime to Launch in 2026
The GRAI should have its licensed regime in place by mid-2026.
Ireland’s licensed gambling regime to launch in 2026. © seanegriffin, Pixabay
Key Facts:
- The GRAI is carrying out preparatory work for its upcoming licensed gambling regime
- The regime is expected to be in full operation by the middle of 2026
- Various new policies will come into effect soon as well
In March, the GRAI (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) formally invited operators looking to offer their services in Ireland to submit expressions of interest. It’s now been confirmed by the GRAI that it will start accepting licence applications later this year.
However, the exact time when the application window will open and close hasn’t been specified. While the organisation will accept and start processing applications this year, Ireland’s new licensed gambling regime won’t properly begin until 2026.
The Social Impact Fund
Jim O’Callaghan, the Justice Minister, has narrowed down the launch date to mid-2026. As a result of this, the social impact fund won’t start until the middle of 2026 either. This fund will be derived from gambling providers’ turnover and will go to charities and other good causes.
Kildair South Labour TD Mark Wall, who confirmed the expected mid-2026 launch date, said the social impact fund will be up and running as soon as possible. O’Callaghan has labelled the fund a ‘key priority’ because of its contributions to gambling awareness and education and treatment for problems.
When the fund starts, the amount of money each operator contributes will be a percentage of its annual turnover. This percentage hasn’t been confirmed yet. It’s not certain whether there will be a single rate for all operators or whether there will be different rates in place.
Once it’s in operation, the fund should help many public and private organisations with their projects, initiatives and policies. People who are experiencing gambling-related problems or have done so in the past, should also benefit greatly from the fund.
The Growth of the GRAI
It’s currently expected that the GRAI will have 35 staff members by the end of the year. As the new measures outlined in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 come into effect, the number of GRAI employees should rise. This applies to both 2026 and 2027.
The measures include a range of new rules and restrictions designed to protect players better. Among them are a ban on credit card payments, a ban on free bets and a watershed for TV gambling adverts. Also, operators must ask customers for their photo IDs during verification.
