Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to begin issuing licences

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will begin issuing remote and in-person betting licences.

The signing of the commencement order, which comes into effect on Thursday, 5 February 2026, enables the Authority to start accepting and processing applications, and issuing licenses for remote and in-person betting operators. It also commences the necessary enforcement and oversight and complaints mechanisms that underpin the new licensing framework. In addition, the order commences those sections of the Act that amend and repeal existing legislation on the statute book. In particular, it will repeal the Totalisator Act 1929 and the Betting Act 1931.

The order also provides for the commencement of several other key measures including:

• prohibiting the use of credit cards as a means of payment for gambling;
• prohibitions on allowing a child to gamble or to be employed by licensees;
• enabling customers to set monetary limits on how much they can gamble on-line or remotely;
• obligations on licensees to notify the Authority of suspicious gambling activity;
• obligations on remote gambling providers to protect children online;
• regulating the operation of online gambling accounts;
• safeguards for account holders such as the ability of the Authority to limit the amount of money that may be lodged with a licensee; and
• obligations concerning the closure of accounts and refunds of monies.