Online Gambling Regulation in Ireland

Ireland is introducing a new system for regulating gambling under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).

A major implementation step took place in February 2026, when substantial parts of the new regulatory framework came into operation and GRAI opened its licensing system for certain betting licences.

However, the transition is being introduced in phases. This is particularly important for online casinos: the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides for a Remote Gaming Licence, but the relevant gaming licensing provisions have not yet been commenced.

This means that an online casino being available to players in Ireland does not automatically mean that it currently holds a GRAI Remote Gaming Licence.

Last reviewed: September 2026

2026 Regulatory Update

On 5 February 2026, additional provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 came into operation under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2026.

GRAI subsequently opened its licensing application system on 9 February 2026 for:

This was a major step in Ireland’s transition to the new regulatory framework, but it did not mean that every licence category established by the Gambling Regulation Act became available at the same time.

Gaming licensing is particularly relevant to online casino players. The Act establishes a Remote Gaming Licence, but the provisions governing these licences are part of the legislation’s phased implementation.

Official information: GRAI – Licensing Application System Opens - News applications for licensing now open

Who Is the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland?

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is Ireland’s independent statutory gambling regulator. It was formally established on 5 March 2025 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

Its role includes regulating and licensing gambling activities as the relevant provisions of the new framework are commenced. Its responsibilities also extend to areas including compliance, enforcement, consumer protection and measures intended to reduce gambling-related harm.

The new framework is designed to cover both in-person and remote gambling activities, including betting, gaming and most lotteries. The National Lottery operates under a separate regulatory framework.

Official information: Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland - Link

What Is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024?

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides the legislative basis for Ireland’s new gambling regulatory framework.

Rather than treating all gambling as a single activity, the legislation establishes different categories of licences covering betting, gaming, lotteries and other gambling-related activities.

It also distinguishes between gambling provided at physical premises and gambling provided remotely.

Under the Act, “remote means” includes participation through the internet, telephone or television. Online gambling therefore falls within the remote gambling framework established by the legislation.

Official legislation: Gambling Regulation Act 2024 – Irish Statute Book - Eli 2024 act 35 enacted en html

Betting and Online Casino Gaming Are Not the Same Licence

One of the most important distinctions for players to understand is the difference between betting and gaming.

The Gambling Regulation Act provides separate licence categories for these activities.

A Remote Betting Licence relates to betting activities provided remotely. This is particularly relevant to online bookmakers and sportsbooks.

Online casino games fall under the separate gaming framework. Section 86 of the Gambling Regulation Act provides for three gaming licence types:

A Remote Gaming Licence is therefore the licence category of particular relevance to online casino gaming under the new GRAI framework.

Official legislation: Section 86 – Gaming Licences - Eli 2024 act 35 section 86 enacted en html

Are Online Casinos GRAI Licensed in 2026?

This requires an important distinction.

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 establishes the legal framework for GRAI to issue Remote Gaming Licences. However, Ireland is implementing the new licensing regime in phases.

As of our latest review, the official commencement record for the Gambling Regulation Act lists Sections 86–89 as not yet commenced. Section 86 is the provision establishing the gaming licence categories, including the Remote Gaming Licence.

By contrast, GRAI began accepting applications for Remote Betting, Remote Betting Intermediary and In-Person Betting licences on 9 February 2026.

For this reason, CasinosOnlineIreland.ie does not automatically describe an online casino as:

unless the relevant licensing status can be verified under the framework applying at the time.

Availability to players in the Republic of Ireland and possession of a GRAI Remote Gaming Licence are not currently interchangeable concepts.

Current commencement status: Irish Statute Book – Gambling Regulation Act 2024 Commencement - Eli isbc 2024_35.html

What Changed in February 2026?

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2026 brought additional parts of the Act into operation on 5 February 2026.

This enabled GRAI to move into the first operational phase of its new licensing system. On 9 February, the regulator formally opened applications for the first three betting licence categories.

GRAI’s Operator Portal currently supports applications for in-person betting, remote betting and remote betting intermediary licences.

The February 2026 changes should therefore be understood as the beginning of a major operational licensing phase rather than the simultaneous implementation of every gambling licence contained in the Act.

Official sources:

How We Check Online Casino Licensing

Because Ireland is currently transitioning between regulatory arrangements, licensing claims require particular care.

When researching an online casino for CasinosOnlineIreland.ie, we consider factors including:

We do not consider the presence of a regulator’s logo in a casino footer to be sufficient evidence of a current licence by itself.

Our wider assessment process is explained in How We Review Online Casinos - How we review casinos:

What Does the New Framework Mean for Players?

The Gambling Regulation Act is intended to replace Ireland’s fragmented historical gambling framework with a more centralised regulatory system.

As different provisions and licence categories come into operation, regulated operators will be subject to requirements covering areas such as licensing, consumer protection, account management, compliance and responsible gambling.

For players, however, the phased implementation means it is important to distinguish between requirements already in operation and provisions contained in the Act that have not yet commenced.

This is why CasinosOnlineIreland.ie checks the current regulatory position rather than assuming that every provision contained in the 2024 Act is already fully operational.

Age & Identity Verification

The new framework contains specific provisions governing remote gambling accounts, including age and identity verification.

Under the remote gambling account provisions, applicants must be at least 18 years old, and relevant licensees must verify identity and age.

Identity verification can also be relevant when withdrawing money from an online casino. Operators may request documentation to confirm a player’s identity, address or payment details in accordance with the rules and procedures applying to that operator.

CasinosOnlineIreland.ie is intended exclusively for adults aged 18 and over.

Responsible Gambling & Player Protection

Reducing gambling-related harm and protecting consumers are central objectives of Ireland’s new regulatory framework.

The Gambling Regulation Act contains extensive provisions concerning gambling safety, account controls, advertising, inducements and exclusion mechanisms, although individual provisions take effect according to the commencement and licensing framework that applies to them.

Players should use appropriate tools offered by their casino where necessary, including deposit controls, time-outs, and self-exclusion.

If gambling is causing financial, personal or emotional problems, independent help is available. See our Responsible Gambling in Ireland - Responsible gambling guide for support options and safer gambling information:

Official information: GRAI Gambling Safety - Gambling safety

National Gambling Exclusion Register

The Gambling Regulation Act provides for a National Gambling Exclusion Register, intended to form an important part of Ireland’s new player-protection framework.

However, players should not confuse the register’s existence in legislation with confirmation that the national system is already fully operational.

GRAI has stated that it is working on the design, development and technical arrangements required for the register. We therefore do not currently advise readers that they can already use the National Gambling Exclusion Register unless GRAI confirms that the service has become operational.

Players who need to stop gambling should use self-exclusion tools currently available through operators and seek appropriate independent support rather than waiting for the national register.

Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland Are Different Jurisdictions

CasinosOnlineIreland.ie focuses on the Republic of Ireland.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and operates under a different legal framework. GRAI and the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 relate to the Republic of Ireland and should not automatically be applied to gambling in Northern Ireland.

This distinction can also affect casino availability and promotions. Operators may use terms such as Ireland, ROI, Northern Ireland or UK differently in their eligibility conditions.

Players should therefore check whether an offer or casino specifically accepts customers from their jurisdiction.

How to Check an Online Casino Before Registering

Before registering with an online casino, players in Ireland should check:

We consider these and other factors when compiling our Best Online Casinos in Ireland - Best online casinos comparison:

Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Is Still Changing

2026 represents an important transition year for gambling regulation in Ireland.

GRAI is operational, and the first phase of its new licensing system has opened, but not every licence category and provision contained in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 has commenced.

For online casino players, the distinction between Remote Betting and Remote Gaming is particularly important. The existence of the Remote Gaming Licence in the legislation should not be presented as evidence that GRAI is already issuing that licence category.

We periodically review this page against official information from GRAI and the Irish Statute Book and update it when material regulatory changes take place.

For the latest official information, visit the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland - Link:

and the current commencement record for the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 - Eli isbc 2024_35.html:

Last reviewed: September 2026

This page is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.