Step 1 – Confirm Your Licence Type & Business Model

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Before you begin, you’ll need to determine which licence (or licences) you require. For most early applicants this will be one of the Business-to-Consumer betting licences:

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• In-person betting licence – betting from one or more physical premises in Ireland.

• Remote betting licence – online/remote betting.

• Remote betting intermediary licence – facilitating betting between customers (exchange/marketplace model).

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Additional categories such as remote gaming, lottery and B2B supplier licences will open in later phases. Your chosen licence type will drive the information you must provide and the fee tier that applies.

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Step 2 – Publish a Notice of Intention

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At least 28 days before submitting your application, you must publish a Notice of Intention to apply for a gambling licence.

 

You then provide GRAI with:

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• A copy of the Notice; and

• Proof of publication.

 

GRAI will specify the appropriate mailing or upload channel and may issue additional instructions on how and where the Notice should be published.

 

Step 3 – Prepare Your Documentation

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Ahead of submission, applicants must collate a comprehensive set of documents to demonstrate financial soundness, good governance and regulatory suitability. This typically includes:

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Business registration & corporate documents

• Trading name and registered address

• Tax clearance information

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Constitution documents

• Shareholder register

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Policies & procedures

• AML/CFT policy

• Know Your Customer procedures

• Responsible gambling policy

• Risk management framework

• Whistleblower policy

• Business continuity and disaster recovery plans

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Financial information​

• Recent financial statements

• Bank statements and loan agreements

• A business plan with financial projections

 

You must also disclose:

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• Any other gambling or non-gambling licences held (Ireland or overseas)

• Details of beneficial owners and relevant officers

• Any criminal convictions, proceedings or regulatory actions relating to the applicant, officers or beneficial owners

 

Accuracy and completeness are critical. Material omissions or errors can delay or jeopardise the application.

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Step 4 – Register Officers & Owners

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All Relevant Officers and Beneficial Owners linked to the business must complete their own personal submissions. Each individual is asked to provide:

 

• Proof of identity and residential address

• Details of gambling or certain non-gambling licences held (current or historic)

• Any criminal convictions, proceedings or sanctions for relevant offences

• Tax clearance information

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GRAI uses this information to assess personal suitability and integrity.

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Step 5 – Complete the Online Application & Pay the Fee

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The core application is completed online via GRAI’s portal. At this stage you will:

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• Confirm the exact licence type(s) you are applying for

• Provide any licence-specific details (e.g. premises information, technical setup, event types)

• Upload supporting documentation

• Pay the application fee in full

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Fees are tiered based on turnover:

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• Existing operators – based on turnover in the previous year

• New operators – based on projected turnover for the first year

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All application fees are non-refundable, and a variation application may be required if your turnover later exceeds the original fee category.

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Step 6 – GRAI Review & Due Diligence

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Once submitted, GRAI conducts a risk-based review of your application. This may include:

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• Assessing your business model, governance and financial position

• Reviewing policies, procedures and control frameworks

• Requesting clarification or additional documents

• Seeking or exchanging information with other regulators, law-enforcement bodies or authorities

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Processing times can vary depending on the complexity of the business and the completeness of the application.

 

Step 7 – Premises Assessment (for On-Site Licences)

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If you are applying for an in-person betting licence, GRAI will arrange a physical assessment of your premises. You will be asked to provide:

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• Maps and floor plans

• Details of use (e.g. whether children are permitted, whether ATMs are present)

• Planning permission documentation

• Opinions/certificates of compliance with building regulations, planning and fire safety

 

The site visit is used to confirm that the premises is suitable for gambling activities and that it aligns with regulatory expectations.

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Step 8 – Licensing Decision

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After reviewing all information and completing any necessary checks, GRAI will decide whether to grant the licence. You will receive a formal written decision confirming:

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• Whether the licence is granted or refused

• Any conditions or limitations attached to the licence

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If successful, you can then operate within the terms of the granted licence and must continue to satisfy all licensing principles for the duration of the licence.

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Step 9 – Post-Licence Obligations & Ongoing Notifications

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After approval, licensees must keep GRAI informed of material changes, including:

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• Changes in ownership or control

• Significant changes in financial circumstances (especially where turnover may move you into a different fee category)

• Any conviction of a relevant offence by the licensee, a relevant officer or a beneficial owner

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Failure to notify or to maintain ongoing compliance can lead to enforcement action, including suspension or revocation of the licence.