Irish Regulator Gains Power to Issue Licence

James O'Kelly, Head of Corporate Development

The Irish Government has taken a decisive step in the implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, with the signing of a commencement order that formally empowers the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to begin issuing gambling licences.

The order, signed by Jim O’Callaghan, marks the point at which Ireland’s long-planned regulatory reform moves from legislative architecture into operational reality. While the Authority has been established for some time and has already published substantive guidance, this development confirms that the licensing regime is now legally live and capable of being activated in practice.

From 5 February 2026, the GRAI is authorised to accept and process licence applications for both remote and land-based betting activities under the new statutory framework. This confirms the GRAI's position as a fully empowered licensing authority.

The commencement order also completes a symbolic and practical break from Ireland’s historic gambling legislation. With its signing, the long-standing Totalisator Act 1929 and Betting Act 1931 are formally repealed, closing a chapter that had become increasingly disconnected from the realities of modern, technology-led gambling markets. In their place sits a consolidated framework designed to regulate gambling as a contemporary consumer and digital activity, with explicit emphasis on governance, accountability and consumer protection.

Importantly, the order does not suggest a sudden or unstructured opening of the market. The Government has reiterated that licensing will be introduced on a phased basis. Current indications remain that remote betting licences will be issued from July 2026, with land-based betting licences following from December 2026, aligned to the expiry of existing Revenue-issued licences. Transitional arrangements will continue to apply during this period, allowing operators time to adapt to the new regime while ensuring regulatory continuity.

Alongside licensing powers, the commencement order activates key enforcement provisions of the Act. These include administrative sanctioning powers of up to €20 million or 10 per cent of annual turnover, alongside criminal enforcement mechanisms and the ability for the Authority to seek court orders against unlicensed or non-compliant operators. The combination of these powers signals a regulator designed not merely to license, but to supervise actively and intervene where standards are not met.

The measures now in force also reflect the broader policy objectives underpinning the Act. These include restrictions on the use of credit cards for gambling, enhanced protections for children and vulnerable persons, and requirements for licence holders to demonstrate effective account-level controls and risk management. The emphasis throughout the legislative and regulatory framework is on outcomes in practice rather than formal compliance alone.

For operators, this development materially changes the risk and planning landscape. The question is no longer when Ireland will regulate, but how quickly operators can demonstrate readiness once applications formally open. The Authority has been consistent in encouraging continued preparation, and there is no indication that application requirements or evidential standards will be diluted as a result of phased implementation.

Experience from other jurisdictions suggests that early applicants who can present coherent governance structures, clearly defined accountability, robust technical documentation and well-evidenced control frameworks are likely to progress more efficiently through the licensing process. Conversely, those treating the current period as a pause rather than a preparation window may find themselves competing for regulatory attention once application volumes increase.

Ireland’s regulatory reset is therefore entering its most consequential phase. With licensing powers now formally in place, attention will inevitably turn from legislative intent to regulatory practice, enforcement posture and supervisory expectations. For the industry, this marks the beginning of a new compliance reality rather than the end of a reform process.