The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will be very busy in the coming years as this new regulatory body takes on the role of overseer of the Irish gambling industry.
In the coming months, the new regulatory body's tasks include issuing licenses, establishing a regulatory framework with implementation restrictions, combating money laundering and terrorism, and creating a social impact fund capitalized by the industry.
The Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority was established under the Gambling Regulation Act of 2024 enacted last year. The agency is responsible for overseeing the establishment of the Irish gambling regulatory framework. It is also responsible for issuing licenses for all Irish gambling activities, with the national lottery being the only exception.
GRAI CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield, in an interview with iGB, stated that the "entire governance structure" of the regulatory body (such as financial and personnel allocation strategies) has been completed. However, since licenses have not yet been issued, the work has just begun.
Appointments to the Irish Regulatory Authority Board and Advisory Groups
GRAI officially took effect in March 2025 and appointed seven staff members to its board.
The regulatory body's board is led by Paul Quinn, former CEO of the Irish Government Procurement Office. Quinn also served as the procurement director of Ireland's national communications network Eircom.
Board members include former CEO and manager of the Irish Broadcasting Corporation, Celine Craig. Craig is also a former media commissioner.
The seven-member board includes two members with a background in health and safety. They include Rita Purcell, the current Deputy CEO for International and Legal Affairs at the Health Products Regulatory Authority, and Dr. Colin O'Driscoll, a senior psychologist and clinical head at the Midwest Addiction Services Center of the Irish Health Service Executive.
The group also includes Marion Kelly, the current CEO and board member of the Irish Banking Culture Board. Kelly is also a chartered director and certified banking director. Former chairman of the Irish Gaming and Leisure Association, David Hickson, and practicing barrister Michael McGrath have also been appointed.
The regulatory body will also establish multiple advisory groups to stay informed of best practices. This includes an industry advisory group to ensure industry participation in setting market standards.
Caulfield said: "Our goal is to involve the industry, to let them understand our position and the measures we will take."
Most regulatory standards will undergo public and industry consultation before being introduced in the coming years.
GRAI expects to establish several information groups to assist in its decision-making, including a "personal experience group." This advisory group will share narratives of individuals who have suffered gambling-related harm.
Issuing Licenses to Operators, Suppliers, and Charitable Organizations
GRAI CEO Caulfield stated that the regulatory body will prioritize its licensing program. She explained that "the vast majority of obligations" and enforcement will stem from this licensing.
"We expect to open up online and offline gambling licenses by the end of this year," Caulfield told iGB. "We will enter the online gambling sector at the beginning of 2026, and then complete other licensing phases in 2027. The final license types will be charitable and B2B."
In March, GRAI initiated the licensing application process, asking those interested in obtaining a gambling license to register their interest. The regulatory body plans to launch a licensing portal by the end of the year.
Caulfield noted that the regulatory body has designed its licensing structure around three main pillars: business inspection, financial inspection, and technical inspection. Each operator applying for a license must undergo scrutiny in these three areas.
Business inspection will involve scrutiny of the operator's executive layer and key decision-makers. The business plan and the financial viability of the organization itself will be examined. Finally, technical inspection will investigate the operator's systems, such as their ability to protect customer data.
Gambling Restrictions
The head of GRAI pointed out that the main legislation contains a series of measures focused on public health. Caulfield believes that the bill has two main objectives: to protect children and to protect individuals from the impact of gambling problems.
Caulfield noted: "There are a series of restrictions in advertising, and there is a watershed to protect children from the harm of concentrated advertising between 5:30 AM and 9 PM."
The regulatory body will also impose a series of restrictions on so-called incitement actions. Therefore, operators will no longer be able to offer promotions targeted at individuals or groups. These offers can be directed at the public, but operators will no longer be able to offer VIP treatment or bonuses to gamblers showing signs of excessive gambling.
Social media advertising will also be restricted, and adults must opt-in to receive marketing messages.
Further Restrictions
Looking ahead, the regulatory body emphasized that if there is evidence that stricter enforcement measures are needed, it will have a variety of discretionary powers.
However, initial regulations will be implemented in phases.
"As various license types are implemented, restrictions will follow, and we must meet public expectations," Caulfield said. "It will take several years to truly reach the same level as mature jurisdictions."
GRAI will authorize the launch of a national gambling exclusion register. This will allow individuals to exclude themselves from specific gambling activities or all operators.
The regulatory body told iGB that the register will be established within the next year and will be integrated with the systems of various licensed companies.
"Time limits will be set by the authorities," Caulfield noted. "I think we will allow people to have clear exemptions, and then for those who may want to temporarily quit gambling for economic reasons, we will also shorten their exemption time."
GRAI Funding and Social Impact Fund
Last October, during the final debate in Parliament, there were concerns about the funding sources for the regulatory body. The bill's proposer, MP James Browne, stated that the gambling regulatory body will "obtain funds through industry taxation" because "once established and operational, the impact on taxpayers should be zero."
Currently, the taxation of operators and suppliers has not been announced. The tax rate will be determined by government ministers, while the industry must also pay taxes to the regulatory body's social impact fund, which will also be determined by government ministers. Caulfield told iGB: "The social impact fund will levy all licensed companies."
The regulatory body is completing the regulatory work for the fund and will consult before approval.
Caulfield said: "Ultimately, ministers will decide what proportion will be used for the social impact fund." Revenue will be used for gambling education, awareness research, and treatment of gambling-related harm.
Ireland's Gambling Black Market
The regulatory body's CEO pointed out that operators have expressed concerns about the black market, but stated that the black market does not seem as large as industry stakeholders "depict."
GRAI aims to educate the public about the dangers of black market operators. It will launch a campaign to raise public awareness of illegal websites and warn the public not to disclose bank information.
Following the practices of other jurisdictions, the regulatory body will also attempt to block illegal websites and operators.
Caulfield said: "We have purchased the software and will begin deploying it in cooperation with other EU member states and other jurisdictions."
After the first batch of licenses takes effect, GRAI will begin working with banks to block payments. It will also seek cooperation with social media and search engine platforms to curb online searches and access.
Caulfield stated that the regulatory body is also considering stricter measures for B2B licenses.
"For example, some companies operate software on the black market, but actually purchase it from licensed businesses," she added. "They legally cooperate with other companies. I think these companies and other jurisdictions need to work hard to eliminate this phenomenon."
Despite these efforts, the newly established regulatory body does not believe that any single method can completely eradicate the illegal market.
"I think these solutions will not be effective, but we definitely do not want the Irish black market to thrive," Caulfield explained. "Therefore, we will take all possible measures, just as other jurisdictions have successfully done, to ensure that the black market does not take root."
