Ireland gambling licence tracker: when GRAI online casino licences arrive and who has one
The short version: betting sites are licensed by the Irish regulator since July 2026, online casinos are not yet. The long version is the timeline below, kept current as the regulator publishes.
The licensing rollout, phase by phase
- 012024-10 · in force
Gambling Regulation Act 2024 signed into law
Replaces the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 with one framework and one regulator.
- 022025-03-05 · in force
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland established
The regulator takes over from the Revenue Commissioners' licensing regime in stages.
- 032026-02-05 · in force
Applications open for remote betting and betting intermediary licences
First licence category. Casino games, slots and lotteries are not betting services and are not in this round.
- 042026-07-01 · in force
Remote betting licences take effect
Bookmakers serving Ireland online now operate under GRAI licences. Fines up to €20 million or 10 percent of turnover apply to unlicensed operators.
- 052026-12-01 · next
In-person betting licences
Existing Revenue licences for shops and tracks expire and GRAI licences replace them.
- 062027 · planned
Remote gaming licences: online casino applications expected
The category that covers online slots and table games. Until it commences, casinos serving Ireland hold MGA or UKGC licences and operate under transitional arrangements.
- 072027-2028 · planned
B2B, lottery and charity licences; National Gambling Exclusion Register
The register will let a player self-exclude from every licensed operator at once. Launch date to be confirmed by the regulator.
Online casino operators and their Irish licence status
The remote gaming category has not opened. No online casino can hold a GRAI casino licence in 2026, and no application can have been lodged. This table starts filling when the regulator opens the category and publishes applications, grants, refusals and withdrawals.
Until then the useful question is which non-Irish licence a casino holds, and whether it checks out at that regulator's register. Every review on this site answers that, and the licence check tool gives the answer in one lookup.
Rules from the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 that change how Irish players play
| Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Credit-card deposits banned | Debit cards, bank transfer, Revolut and e-wallets remain. Every casino ranked on this site accepts debit cards. |
| €10 maximum stake and €3,000 maximum win on certain casino-style games | Applies as operators become licensed. Expect changes to jackpot slots and high-limit tables for Irish accounts. |
| Inducements prohibited | Complimentary bets, bonus credit, VIP programmes and complimentary hospitality are not allowed for licensed operators. Welcome bonuses as offered today will change. |
| Mandatory deposit and spending limits | Every licensed operator must let players set limits; lowering a limit applies at once. |
| Advertising watershed 21:00 to 05:30 | No gambling adverts on television or radio outside the window. |
| KYC and anti-money-laundering checks | Identity verification before withdrawal is a legal requirement, not a stalling tactic, although slow verification remains the most common complaint. |
Questions about Irish gambling licences
8 questionsDoes any online casino hold an Irish gambling licence today?
01
Is it legal to play at an online casino in Ireland before the licences arrive?
02
What is GRAI?
03
Which licence should I look for right now?
04
Will my welcome bonus disappear under the new rules?
05
What happens to a casino that keeps serving Ireland without a licence after the category opens?
06
Where can I read the Act?
07
How often is this tracker updated?
08
18+. Please gamble responsibly. Gambling involves risk. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.
National Gambling Helpline (GamblingCare.ie): 1800 936 725, 24 hours, free and confidential ·Extern Problem Gambling: 089 241 5401 ·Gamblers Anonymous Ireland: 01 872 1133