The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has announced a new set of licensing guidelines in preparation for the upcoming national gambling licensing system, with the application process expected to officially open later this year.
The newly released guidelines are now available on the GRAI official website, detailing the list of documents required for business applications, related fees, and the application process. A key arrangement is that all operators interested in applying must submit a "Notice of Intent" to the regulatory body 28 days before submitting a complete application, to allow the authorities to assess potential application volumes and make preliminary preparations.
GRAI confirms that the first phase will focus on B2C gambling business licensing applications, including physical locations and online platforms; B2B service providers and units conducting gambling under the name of charity or public welfare will be handled in subsequent phases.
Before the new system is officially operational, GRAI advises existing operators to continue following the current system, applying and renewing existing licenses according to the Gambling Act of 1931 and the Betting and Lotteries Act of 1956 through the Commissioner of Taxes. Meanwhile, traditional lotteries are still managed by the district courts and the Irish Police Administration.
Additionally, GRAI also stated that it will "soon" issue guidelines to product certification laboratories to initiate testing and certification processes, preparing technically for the subsequent market opening.
Currently, GRAI is actively cooperating with other judicial jurisdictions in Europe, having signed the third regulatory memorandum of understanding this summer, enhancing information sharing and cross-border law enforcement cooperation, laying the foundation for a more unified and transparent gambling regulatory environment.
