Europe · GRAI · New regime (2026) · EU market
Ireland Gaming Licence
Ireland just switched on a brand-new regulator — and betting operators can get in first. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) began issuing remote betting licences on 1 July 2026 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Remote casino gaming and B2B licences follow in 2027–2028. For a sportsbook targeting Ireland, this is early-mover territory; we'll be straight about what is available now and what isn't. Vantegris runs the GRAI application.
overview
What is the Ireland gaming licence?
Ireland has replaced a patchwork of century-old betting law with a single modern regulator. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), and on 1 July 2026 the GRAI began issuing its first licences — remote betting and betting-intermediary licences. For a sportsbook or betting-exchange operator targeting Irish customers, that makes right now genuine early-mover territory in a well-regulated EU market.
We'll be straight about scope, because it matters. The GRAI is rolling out in phases: remote betting is live now, but remote gaming (online casino), lotteries, and business-to-business licences are scheduled across 2027 and 2028 — they are not yet available. So if your product is a sportsbook, we can license it in Ireland today; if it is an online casino, we structure you now and file the moment the gaming licence opens. The regime has real teeth: the GRAI can impose fines up to €20 million or 10% of turnover, and licensees must meet strict age-verification, safer-gambling and payout obligations, including a ban on credit-card gambling. In-person operators transition from their existing Revenue permissions by 1 December 2026. We manage the GRAI application and the compliance build, and tell you honestly which licence your product can hold today.
advantages
Why operators pick Ireland
Get a sportsbook licensed in a fresh, well-run EU regime before the field fills out.
A single statutory authority replaces outdated law — a credible licence for banks and partners.
A familiar common-law, English-speaking EU jurisdiction.
We tell you exactly what your product can hold now, and structure for what's coming.
Structured so a remote-gaming application is ready the day that licence opens.
head to head
Ireland (GRAI) — betting now vs. gaming later
| Criteria | Remote betting | Remote gaming |
|---|---|---|
| Available | Now (from 1 Jul 2026) | Phased 2027–2028 |
| Product | Sportsbook / betting exchange | Online casino / slots |
| Regulator | GRAI | GRAI |
| Route today | Apply for the licence | Structure now, file when open |
| Enforcement | Up to €20M / 10% turnover | Up to €20M / 10% turnover |
| Best suited to | Betting operators targeting Ireland | Casino operators planning ahead |
who it's for
Who the Ireland gaming licence suits
requirements
Ireland gaming licence requirements
step by step
How to get a Ireland gaming licence
- Scope & product Confirm whether your product fits the live betting licence or the forthcoming gaming licence. 1–2 weeks
- Company & systems Establish the entity and align systems to the GRAI's standards. 3–5 weeks
- Build the file Prepare the AML, safer-gambling, age-verification and technical documentation. 4–8 weeks
- GRAI application File the remote-betting application (or prepare the gaming filing) and manage the review. Months
- Launch Go live under the GRAI's conditions and ongoing compliance monitoring. On approval
Not sure Ireland is the right fit?
Tell us your product and target markets — we'll confirm whether Ireland or another jurisdiction gets you live fastest, at the lowest all-in cost.
pricing
How much does a Ireland gaming licence cost?
- Entity & product scoping
- GRAI remote-betting application
- AML & safer-gambling policies
- Regulator liaison to licence
- Everything in Licence
- Full compliance & age-verification build
- Technical documentation support
- Gaming-licence readiness (for 2027–28)
- Everything in Turnkey
- Banking & PSP introductions
- Ongoing compliance & reporting
- Remote-gaming filing when the licence opens
The GRAI is a brand-new regulator and its fee schedule is settling in; we confirm the current licence fees for your product at scoping. Budget the compliance and safer-gambling build, technical documentation and banking. If your product is a casino, factor that gaming licences arrive in 2027–2028 — we structure you to be first to file. We give you the honest, current picture.
obligations
Compliance obligations in Ireland
technical standards
Technical & IT standards in Ireland
after launch
After you go live in Ireland
market access
Which markets a Ireland licence reaches
A GRAI licence authorises the licensed activity for customers in Ireland. It is a domestic EU licence, not a passport — you license separately for other markets and geoblock jurisdictions you are not authorised in, plus sanctioned and FATF-listed territories.
Operators must use GEO-IP blocking for restricted countries and any FATF-blacklisted nation. Non-compliance can lead to licence suspension or revocation.
Ireland gaming licence FAQ
Can I get an Irish gambling licence now?
For betting, yes. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) began issuing remote betting and betting-intermediary licences on 1 July 2026 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. For online casino gaming, not yet — remote gaming, lotteries and B2B licences are phased across 2027–2028.
I run an online casino — what should I do?
The remote-gaming licence isn't open yet, so we won't pretend it is. We structure your Irish entity and compliance now so a gaming application is ready to file the moment the GRAI opens that licence type in 2027–2028. If you need to be live sooner, we'll pair Ireland with a market that licenses casino today.
Who is the regulator?
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a single statutory authority created by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which replaced Ireland's fragmented, century-old betting and gaming law.
What are the obligations?
Strict: age verification, safer-gambling measures, an obligation to pay out winnings, a ban on credit-card gambling, AML controls and ongoing compliance monitoring. The GRAI can fine operators up to €20 million or 10% of turnover.
Is it an EU passport?
No. A GRAI licence authorises the licensed activity for customers in Ireland only. Other markets require their own licences, and you geoblock jurisdictions you are not authorised in.
Reviewed by the Vantegris licensing team · Last updated July 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction and change over time.
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