Ireland Bookmakers – Responsible Gambling & Licensing Guide 2026

Online gambling can be safe when you use licensed operators that follow strict safety and security measures. In Ireland, it is the GRAI (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland) which regulates gambling sites for fair play, financial protection and responsible gambling policies under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The Authority issues licences to operators it deems safe and ensures they follow its stringent regulations to protect users.

We recommend that you always check if a betting site is safe by looking for a valid GRAI licence or a transitional licence recognised by the Revenue Commissioners at the bottom of their homepage before betting.

To find out more about how you can keep yourself safe under the rules and regulations of the GRAI and what responsible gambling tools are available to you, read our full guide below.

What is the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)?

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is an independent statutory body established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, responsible for regulating gambling in Ireland and overseeing the licensing and compliance of all gambling operators.

The main aims of the GRAI are to minimise crime within gambling, protect vulnerable individuals from harm, and ensure the integrity of gambling activities. The GRAI issues licences, enforces compliance, and advises the government on gambling-related matters. It works alongside An Garda Síochána where illegal gambling activity is suspected.

Licensing is central to the regulatory process, requiring all operators to obtain the appropriate licence before legally offering gambling services in Ireland. The GRAI became operational in March 2025. During a transitional period running through 2025, the Revenue Commissioners continue to issue betting licences while GRAI’s phased licensing regime begins at the end of 2025.

Operators found to be acting outside the regulations face serious consequences. The GRAI has authority to issue warnings, impose financial penalties of up to €20 million or 10% of annual turnover, suspend gambling activities, or revoke licences entirely. Criminal penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment may also apply under GRAI enforcement powers.

How GRAI Licensing Works

For an operator to receive a licence from the GRAI, they must comply with the requirements set out in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and GRAI licensing conditions. These cover responsible gambling safeguards, advertising restrictions, anti-money laundering obligations, and the resolution of complaints and disputes.

The licensing regime covers both remote (online) and non-remote (physical premises) operators. During the transitional period, operators holding valid Revenue Commissioners betting licences may continue to operate while GRAI’s full licensing structure is phased in.

Licences will only be awarded to operators who meet all licensing standards and conditions set in place by the GRAI.

Once licensed, operators remain subject to ongoing compliance mechanisms and periodic audits. Crucially, licensed operators bear full liability for all activities carried out by their affiliates — operators must immediately terminate any partnership with a non-compliant affiliate to avoid sanctions, including licence revocation.

Types of Irish Gambling Licences

Remote (Online) Licences

Remote licences permit operators to provide online gambling services to customers in Ireland. Any operator advertising or offering services to Irish consumers must hold a valid GRAI remote licence or a recognised transitional licence. ToffeeWeb only promotes operators holding a valid Irish licence or a transitional licence recognised by the GRAI.

Non-Remote (Premises) Licences

Non-remote licences apply to physical betting shops, arcades, bingo halls, and other brick-and-mortar venues. These operators must comply with GRAI regulations and hold appropriate premises licences.

Transitional Licences

During the GRAI’s phased rollout, operators previously licensed by the Revenue Commissioners hold transitional licences that are recognised as valid. All operators are expected to transition to full GRAI licensing by the end of 2025.

Key Objectives of GRAI Licensing

1. Prevention of Crime and Money Laundering – The GRAI’s licensing, compliance and enforcement processes are designed to prevent gambling from being a source of crime. Only suitable applicants will be granted licences.
2. Fair & Open Operations – Gambling must be conducted fairly and transparently, with clear rules readily available to players. The GRAI enforces stringent advertising codes to prevent consumers from being misled.
3. Protection of Vulnerable Groups – The GRAI requires that gambling services cannot be accessed by children or other vulnerable groups. Operators must follow responsible gambling guidelines to protect those at risk. Any content appealing to under-18s, or gambling products violating the €10 stake/€3,000 winnings gaming limits, carries criminal penalties and risk of immediate licence revocation.

Gambling Advertising Rules in Ireland

Ireland operates one of Europe’s strictest gambling advertising regimes under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

• Watershed Restriction: Gambling advertising is completely prohibited on TV, radio, and on-demand media between 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM. Advertising is only permitted in the 9:00 PM – 5:30 AM window.
• Social Media Ban: Gambling advertising on social media is banned by default. It is only permissible where a user actively opts in to an operator’s account.
• Licensed Operators Only: All advertising must relate exclusively to GRAI-licensed or transitionally licensed operators.
• Mandatory Helpline: All gambling advertising must include the National Gambling Helpline: 1800 936 725.
• Child Protection – Zero Tolerance: Any advertising content that could appeal to under-18s is strictly prohibited and carries criminal liability.

Safer Gambling & Responsible Play

Responsible gambling safeguards are a mandatory requirement under Irish law for all licensed operators. These include:

• Self-Assessment Tests – Tools that give players insight into their gambling behaviour and whether they may be at risk of harm.
• Deposit Limits – Restrictions on how much can be deposited into a betting account within a given time period (daily, weekly, or monthly).
• Time Reminders – On-screen alerts that notify players when they have been logged in for a specified duration.
• Self-Exclusion – Allows players to suspend their account for a defined period. The National Gambling Exclusion Register, administered by the GRAI, will allow individuals to self-exclude from all licensed operators in Ireland. Registration is available via the GRAI website once fully operational.
• Activity Statements – Periodic summaries providing a clear overview of a player’s gambling expenditure, wins, and losses.

Operator Responsibilities

Operators are required to monitor accounts and identify signs of problematic gambling or risky behaviour. Where concerns are identified, they must contact the customer and provide support resources, and may impose restrictions or account bans as appropriate.

Licensed operators in Ireland are expected to direct customers towards recognised support organisations, including:

• GamblingCare.ie – Ireland’s primary gambling support service, available 24/7
• Problem Gambling Ireland (Extern) – Specialist support for those affected by gambling harm
• Citizens Information – Information on Irish gambling law and rights

Operators bear full responsibility for affiliate compliance. If an affiliate breaches Irish advertising or responsible gambling rules, the licensed operator is liable and must act immediately to terminate that relationship.

What Players Can Do

Players can access a range of responsible gambling tools through GRAI-licensed operators, including deposit and loss limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and reality checks.

If you feel you may be at risk of developing a gambling problem, or are already experiencing compulsive urges to gamble, we strongly encourage you to seek help:

• National Gambling Helpline: 1800 936 725 (free to call)
• GamblingCare.ie: Visit gamblingcare.ie for 24/7 support
• Problem Gambling Ireland: Visit problemgambling.ie for specialist assistance

Helpful tips to keep gambling safe:

1. Set a budget – Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose. Set a fixed bankroll and stick to it.
2. Take breaks – Regular breaks reduce the risk of chasing losses and help you maintain perspective.
3. Use platform tools – Activate deposit limits, time reminders, and reality checks available through your operator.
4. Self-exclude if needed – Register with the GRAI’s National Gambling Exclusion Register to block access to all licensed Irish gambling sites.

ToffeeWeb Betting – Our Responsible Gambling Content Process

ToffeeWeb Betting provides readers with accurate, up-to-date information on responsible gambling under Irish law, ensuring everything they need is in one place.

Our Betting Vision

Our goal is to empower our readers with the information they need to make well-informed decisions about betting and gambling in Ireland. This is done through educational reviews and articles drawing on our years of experience in the industry.

Our Betting Values

All of our content is produced with accuracy, objectivity, transparency and legal compliance at its core. We fact-check all writing and regularly revise content to stay current with Irish regulatory developments.

We maintain an unbiased perspective across all operator coverage and ensure that all betting brands featured on our site hold a valid GRAI licence or recognised transitional licence.

Our Editorial Process

1. We consult relevant Irish regulatory authorities and operators to gather accurate, first-hand information.
2. Our team performs a secondary review, fact-checking and confirming accuracy against current GRAI guidance.
3. After publication, our editorial staff monitors regulatory developments and updates content accordingly.

18+ | ToffeeWeb promotes only gambling operators holding valid Irish licences or transitional licences recognised by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Gambling is strictly limited to individuals aged 18 and over. Gambling can be addictive and harmful to you and your family. If you’re concerned about your gambling or someone else’s, help is available 24/7 — visit gamblingcare.ie or call the National Gambling Helpline: 1800 936 725.