Powers of the Gambling Regulatory Authority

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland's statutory powers are provided for in the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 and include provision for administrative sanctions and the prosecution of offences.

The Authority will also have the power to:

license, monitor and control gambling activities in Ireland
monitor and enforce compliance by licensees
establish standards for gambling products and services
impose obligations on licensees in relation to the protection of children, the promotion and sponsorship of relevant gambling activities, the training of staff, the notification of suspicious gambling patterns and the maintenance of appropriate and accurate accounts and records;
take appropriate enforcement measures against licensees who breach these obligations
establish and administer a social impact fund to support education and awareness of problem gambling
establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register – to allow persons to register with the Authority to exclude themselves from gambling online with licensees.

Enforcement Powers

The GRAI will have a number of powers available to it to compel compliance, including the ability to issue non-compliance notices, suspend or revoke licences and seek numerous High Court orders.

The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 sets out substantial penalties (up to €20 million or 10 per cent of turnover) for companies that breach the law. In extremis, there will be prison sentences of up to eight years for serious breaches, including failure to protect children from gambling.