GRAI Strategy Statement 2025-27 launch. Speech by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD

15 October 2025

Introductory remarks

A chaired go léir, ar dtús bam haith liom failte a chuir chuig gach duine anseo agus caitfidh mé rá is mor an honór dom bheith anseo ag an céad ráitéas stráitéas.

Ladies and Gentlemen I want to say that it’s a great honour for me to be here this morning with the gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to launch its first strategy statement.

I want to particularly thank Chairperson Paul Quinn and Chief Executive Anne Marie Caulfield and everyone on the authority including the staff for the excellent work that they are doing in this area.

Anyone who has been involved before in authorities or regulators will know that it’s a tough job of work to set up a regulator and I think the first impressions are very important when it comes to identifying to the public the strength of that regulator. And I just wanted to say to Paul and Anne Marie that I’m very pleased with the first steps taken by the GRAI.

I think it signifies that there is a new regulator in town when it comes to the Gambling industry, and for years there’s been a recognition in the Oireachtas that this is an area that does require regulation, and I think a message has gone out to the public that it is now being regulated. I think the publication and launch of this first strategy statement is extremely important.

And I want to just also acknowledge the fact that as well as the people being here from the GRAI, there’s also very many stakeholders in the room today. I think your presence here reflects the interest we share in effective regulation system. And we want to really have a body that works with the industry but also regulates the industry.

You’ll be aware from The Gambling Regulation Act that there’s a whole purpose behind that legislation, and I suppose that the whole purpose of it was to introduce and strengthen and indeed modernise the regulation of gambling in Ireland.

For too many years Ireland was a bit of an outlier, certainly within Europe, in that we didn’t have an independent statutory scheme for the regulation of gambling and I think that has now changed.

As you’ll be aware the act itself provides for a strong regulatory and licensing regime to regulate gambling in-person and online in parallel with the regulation of gambling advertising, websites and apps.

The Act was drafted from a public health perspective. And I remember being in the Oireachtas at the time it was going through and getting very detailed descriptions from individuals whose lives had been very much destroyed by gambling. I’m conscious as well that there are very many people that will enjoy gambling and to who’s lives it isn’t a threat. But certainly, as members of the Oireachtas we had to look at it from a public health perspective.

And I want to commend the work done by the Gaelic Players Association, I’m very pleased to see Tom Parson here today. But I think it does send a very strong message that people who have gambling addiction are not on their own and the state is there to protect them.

I think it does send a very strong message that people who have gambling addiction are not on their own and the state is there to protect them, and specifically the authority is there to protect them.

The Act as I said to you, will seek to protect the most vulnerable in our communities, including children, younger people, and those susceptible to problem gambling.

It also provides regulatory clarity for operators and the public.

In my view the Act takes a responsible and fair approach to achieving its public health mandate while balancing the rights of our citizens to gamble, and the rights of legitimate operators to conduct lawful business.

The GRAI’s Strategy Statement I think is an important next step. It sets out a strong direction of travel for a new licensing system for the gambling sector, alongside significant consumer protection measures over the next three years up to 2027.

The Statement of Strategy

When you look at the Strategy, it lays the foundation for a regulatory system that reflects the nature of modern gambling. It sets out clear goals and objectives for the Authority.

It’s clear that delivery will be underpinned by its annual business plans and performance indicators.

Appropriate licensing will be phased in as quickly as possible over the lifetime of the strategy. And I’m very conscious that from the authorities point of view, they’re also dependent upon me and the Oireachtas in terms of bringing forward legislation and commencing legislation and indeed signing consent to regulations that they themselves have been drafting.

I want Anne-Marie and Paul to know that is a priority for me, and I appreciate the urgency of which they wish to ensure that we can start the licensing process.

When you look at the strategy is draws on international expertise, it also provides a blueprint for the establishment of:

• a new National Exclusion Register for those wishing to exclude themselves from online gambling; and
• a Social Impact Fund to invest in gambling intervention initiatives and public awareness campaigns - financed by mandatory contributions from gambling providers.

Both the Exclusion Register and the Social Impact Fund are aimed at protecting the public from harm associated with problem gambling while public awareness campaigns will ensure people make informed

Gambling advertising

I also want to say a few words about gambling advertising.

Research commissioned by the GRAI and undertaken in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Institute, shows the extent of problem gambling in Ireland is more prevalent than we thought.

As the culture of safer gambling is progressed by the Authority it is also preparing to regulate gambling advertising in a fair though more restrictive manner.

As provided for in the Act, the GRAI will have wide-ranging powers to prescribe the times, places, duration, and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published.

Future of the GRAI

I also think it’s important to look at what the future holds in terms of the GRAI I want them to know that in the in coming years, I look forward to seeing the Authority fulfil its mandate by continuing to put in place the people, the technology and the structures to deliver on its task of reducing harm through effective and fair regulation of the sector.

The excellent GRAI team, with support from my Department, have already delivered critical groundwork, particularly around technology and licensing.

The Authority will be self-financing, in time, funded by the gambling industry, and that is something that I think is correct and appropriate.

In the meantime, funding from the Exchequer is being provided. In Budget 2026 I secured a 50% increase for the Authority next June bringing the total allocation to just under €10 million next year.

I’m also conscious of the obligations that are imposed upon the Authority and the requirement that more staff will be needed in order that they can fulfil its statutory function.

The incoming system of regulation of gambling, both in-person and online, is unquestionably a major milestone, not just for the authority but indeed for Ireland and certainly for me as Minister for Justice.

There will be significant public and media expectation on the Authority to quickly establish, monitor and enforce the new obligations on operators as set out in the Act.

I am confident the Authority will meet this expectation.

And while the Authority is independent in the performance of its functions, my Department will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure it fulfils its important role. I’m very pleased that there are many department of justice officials here today that share that enthusiasm that I have just expressed.

Closing remarks

I would like to again extend my thanks to Paul, Anne Marie and your colleagues for your work to date building a firm foundation for an effective regulatory system. A system that will serve and protect the Irish public.

The various gambling providers, stakeholder bodies, advocates and those with an active interest in gambling regulation that are all here today have a constructive role to play as well.

I look forward to the GRAI setting a high standard of protection for consumers, while also ensuring the integrity and fairness of legitimate gambling operations in Ireland is maintained.

Go raibh maith agaibh.