Ireland’s gambling regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), has officially begun accepting applications for betting licences following the commencement of key provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
On 3 February 2026, Jim O’Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, signed a commencement order enabling the new regulatory framework to take effect from Thursday, 5 February 2026, according to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
What changes from 5 February
With the order now in force, GRAI is authorised to:
- Accept and process applications for both remote and land-based betting licences
- Issue licences under the new national framework
- Activate enforcement, oversight, and complaints mechanisms
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Begin the repeal of legacy gambling legislation, including:
- the Totalisator Act 1929
- the Betting Act 1931
These steps mark Ireland’s formal transition away from its decades-old gambling laws toward a consolidated regulatory regime.
Licensing timeline
According to Minister O’Callaghan:
- New market entrants may be licensed as soon as practicable
- Remote (online) betting operators can be licensed from 1 July 2026
- In-person betting operators can be licensed from 1 December 2026, when existing licences issued by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners expire
Stronger enforcement powers
The Act grants GRAI robust enforcement authority, allowing it to:
- Take action against non-compliant licensees
- Target unlicensed operators
- Address breaches of licence conditions or regulatory requirements
Minister O’Callaghan said the reform reflects “the nature of modern gambling” while introducing safeguards designed to reduce gambling-related harm, with a particular focus on protecting children and vulnerable players.
