Ireland’s New Gambling Laws: GRAI Strategy Explained

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  • Ireland’s New Gambling Laws: GRAI Strategy Explained
user Author: Rei
calendar Updated: 31 December, 2025
GRAI

At the start of 2026, Ireland enters a major new era of gambling regulation. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has officially rolled out its 2025-2027 Strategy Statement, a roadmap for reshaping the country's gambling laws and industry standards. This includes both land-based and online gambling operations such as online casinos, payment systems, and gambling apps.

We at Casinoble are closely following these changes to help players and operators navigate this new regulatory landscape with confidence. Whether you're a casual player, online casino operator, fintech startup, or consumer protection advocate, this article breaks down what to expect from GRAI's plan and what is changing first.

What Is the GRAI and Why Does It Matter?

What Is the GRAI

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is Ireland’s new independent regulator created under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. It officially began operating in 2025 and is set to become fully self-financing within three years.

Its mission? To regulate gambling in a way that protects consumers, supports safe play, and ensures transparency across both digital and physical platforms.

This includes the following major areas:

  1. Licensing for all forms of gambling (online and offline)
  2. Compliance monitoring
  3. Enforcement of laws
  4. Public awareness campaigns
  5. A central self-exclusion system
  6. Anti-money laundering (AML) controls
What Is the GRAI

What’s Changing First in 2026?

New Licensing Rules Are Priority #1

One of the most urgent items for GRAI in early 2026 is launching a phased licensing regime. The first wave will focus on:

Operators must now undergo thorough background checks, submit compliance plans, and agree to standardised licensing fees. Those without a valid license will face strict penalties, including bans and criminal prosecution.

Real-Time Self-Exclusion Register

A centralised National Gambling Exclusion Register will be introduced. This allows individuals to voluntarily block themselves from gambling activities across all licensed online casino platforms, using one digital portal.

Compliance Monitoring Starts Mid-Year

From July 2026, GRAI will launch its full compliance and monitoring system. This means that all licensed operators will be routinely checked for:

  • Adherence to advertising rules
  • Responsible gambling tools
  • Payment system transparency
  • KYC and anti-fraud measures

Large operators in the online gambling and payment services space should ensure their systems are audit-ready.

Strategic Goals of the GRAI (2025-2027)

Licensing (Goal 1)

  1. Phased rollout of licenses across all gambling sectors
  2. B2C, B2B, and nonprofit organisations included
  3. Transparent and fair fee structures

Monitoring & Compliance (Goal 2)

  1. Data-driven compliance inspections
  2. Use of AI and analytics tools to detect violations
  3. Public performance reports based on a reduction in gambling harm

Enforcement (Goal 3)

  1. Dedicated enforcement units
  2. Tools to prosecute illegal operators
  3. AML and Counter-Terrorism Financing protocols

Consumer Protection (Goal 4)

  1. National Gambling Exclusion Register
  2. Establishment of the €14M/year Social Impact Fund
  3. Education campaigns about gambling harm

Governance & Staffing (Goal 5)

  1. Strong internal systems and professional training
  2. Hiring domain experts across legal, tech, and compliance fields

Digital First (Goal 6)

  1. Fully digital licensing and exclusion systems
  2. Development of a new ICT strategy
  3. Seamless user experience for all platforms

Key Changes for Online Casino Platforms

New Licensing Obligations

Operators must now prove they meet ethical standards, data protection laws, and responsible gambling protocols. This will affect all services, including:

  • Slots and table games
  • Live dealer platforms
  • RNG and third-party software integrations

Payment Method Compliance

GRAI will monitor how deposits and withdrawals are processed. All online casinos must:

  • Support secure and verifiable payment options
  • Comply with anti-fraud protocols
  • Ensure payout transparency

Ad Restrictions and Safe Play Tools

Ads targeting vulnerable users or minors will be restricted. Online platforms must offer:

  • Spending limits
  • Reality checks
  • Cooling-off periods

Player Protection Through Tech

GRAI encourages the use of AI, machine learning, and behavioral analytics to detect at-risk gambling behavior.

GRAI Strategy Snapshot (2025–2027 Detailed Table)

Strategic Area2026 Focus PointsKey DeliverablesTimeline
LicensingStart of licensing regime for online operatorsPhased B2C/B2B licensing, compliance frameworks, public license registryQ1–Q2 2026
Monitoring & ComplianceInspections and compliance tools roll outReal-time monitoring, data analytics integration, enforcement KPIs, sector-specific reportsFrom July 2026
EnforcementOperational setup for enforcement armCivil/criminal units staffed, legal tools for sanctions and prosecutions activatedQ3 2026
Consumer ProtectionSelf-exclusion system & public awareness campaignsLaunch of National Gambling Exclusion Register, education programs, Social Impact Fund beginsQ2–Q3 2026
People & GovernanceStaff expansion and capability buildingRecruitment across regulatory, legal, IT functions, internal audits, risk & compliance systemsOngoing
Digital TransformationLaunch of digital-first platformsFully digital license application system, exclusion tools, ICT systems supporting transparencyQ2–Q4 2026

Conclusion

2026 marks a transformative year for Ireland’s gambling landscape. The GRAI’s new strategy brings more oversight, transparency, and protection for players—especially in the rapidly growing online casino and betting markets.

At Casinoble, we believe this shift is a positive one for both players and the industry. The new regulations promote fairness, responsibility, and trust—key values that we support as part of our mission to provide safe and reliable online gambling insights.

Whether you’re a player choosing an online slot site or an operator offering digital payment systems, it’s essential to understand and comply with the GRAI framework. The focus is no longer just on revenue—it’s on responsibility, safety, and trust.

Stay informed. Stay compliant. And most importantly—play safe.

Rei

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