Ireland Introduces New Gaming Regulation Authority (GRAI) to Oversee Gambling Sector Operations
Hitting the Jackpot: Ireland's New Gambling Regulatory Authority Takes the Reins
By Miriam Prellwitz, Edited by Angela Burke, Published on: 07.03.2025, Updated on: 30.04.2025.
Following the immense transformation in Ireland's gambling landscape last year, the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) made its grand entrance on March 5, 2025. This ambitious organization plans to oversee all forms of gambling and sports betting in the nation.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority, affectionately known as GRAI (Link in English) is no small player—it's charged with various critical tasks, including licensing and overseeing gambling across the country.
Fueled by last year's decision to pass a new gambling regulation law that repealed decades-old legislation, GRAI is expected to usher in a new era of fair, responsible, and safe gambling in Ireland. Minister of Justice Jim O'Callaghan, 57, recognizes the fine line between freedom and protection:
"The control imposed by this regulatory agency must strike the balance between allowing gambling and safeguarding individuals from developing addictions in this digital age." - Jim O'Callaghan, Ireland's Minister of Justice, gov.ie
To ensure this delicate balance, seven leaders hailing from sectors such as finance, addiction treatment, and media have been handpicked to head the GRAI.
The authority will monitor all types of gambling, from online and land-based casinos to sports betting, gaming, and lotteries (except the national lottery).
One of GRAI's primary objectives is to minimize the risk of reckless gambling. To that end, the authority plans to introduce a national self-exclusion register, similar to the popular OASIS player lockout in Germany (implemented on July 1, 2021) and the Gamstop scheme in the UK. In Australia, over 30,000 individuals have registered with the self-exclusion register within a year.
Additionally, GRAI will establish a Social Impact Fund. Gambling companies will be mandated to contribute to this fund, the proceeds of which will be invested in research, education, and training to minimize future gambling-related harm.
Furthermore, gamblers can expect new regulations regarding advertising. In Ireland, gambling ads will no longer air between 5:30 AM and 9 PM on television, radio, or streaming platforms to protect young and vulnerable viewers. A European study published in 2023 found that approximately 30% of 16-year-olds in Ireland had participated in gambling activities in the previous year.
The GRAI's ambitious plans come with high costs for the Irish government, with an expected annual budget of €9.1 million in 2025 alone. A significant portion of this sum, €4 million, will be invested in the authority's technical infrastructure. The funds will enable GRAI to implement upcoming regulations, process license applications, and monitor compliance by all providers with the new laws.
As GRAI moves forward, closely scrutinizing the gambling industry, only time will tell if these measures set the stage for a safer, more responsible gambling landscape in Ireland.
Insights:
- Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI): The GRAI aims to facilitate a controlled gambling market in Ireland, with a phased rollout of licensing—online betting by late 2025, online gaming in early 2026, and B2B operators by 2027. Applicants face rigorous checks on corporate governance, finances, and technical capabilities.
- Responsible Gambling Measures: The GRAI plans to introduce a Social Impact Fund, requiring gambling companies to contribute a percentage of their turnover to support education, addiction treatment, and gambling harm research. The GRAI will also establish advertising restrictions, limiting when gambling ads can be shown on Irish media platforms.
- Self-Exclusion and Future Protections: GRAI is expected to introduce standardized self-exclusion tools, aiming to protect vulnerable individuals. The CEO, Anne-Marie Caulfield, has emphasized restrictions in terms of advertising and protecting young people and those at risk.
- Market Impact: The licensing timeline enables a gradual adaptation for businesses, minimizing market disruption. The GRAI is also committed to maintaining industry viability while prioritizing robust consumer protection efforts, marking a significant shift in Ireland’s gambling landscape.
- "What about the financial aspect of the new gambling regulations in Ireland? The Irish government will be investing €9.1 million in 2025 alone, with a significant portion going towards GRAI's technical infrastructure."
- "The Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) has adopted a proactive approach to ensure responsible gambling, planning to introduce a Social Impact Fund where gambling companies will contribute to fund research, education, and training."
- "Following the establishment of the Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI), there will be new advertising regulations, prohibiting gambling ads from airing between 5:30 AM and 9 PM on television, radio, or streaming platforms."
- "As Irelands's Galming Regulatory Authority (GRAI) begins its mission, it aims to minimize the risk of reckless gambling by implementing a national self-exclusion register, similar to ones already in operation in countries like Germany, the UK, and Australia."
