Key Moments:
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has introduced a three-year strategic plan running from 2025 to 2027
- Phased licensing will cover betting, gaming, and lotteries, with a strict focus on operator transparency and compliance
- A Social Impact Fund, supported by operator levies, will allocate at least €14 million annually toward addressing gambling-related harm
Strategic Framework and Licensing Reforms
The GRAI has outlined a structured strategy that will shape the future of Ireland’s gambling landscape over the next three years. Established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the regulator’s new plan identifies six primary objectives designed to create a responsible, accountable, and modernized market. Central to these efforts will be a phased licensing regime governing both online and land-based gambling operations, ensuring that only rigorously vetted companies can offer services in Ireland.
Early initiatives include building data-driven compliance frameworks and increasing collaboration with other state bodies to mitigate risks and curb potential harms associated with gambling.
Enforcement, Accountability, and Integrity
Enforcement sits at the core of the GRAI’s strategy. Clear processes will be established to investigate, prosecute, and penalize any infringements of the Gambling Regulation Act. Specialized enforcement units will specifically address illegal gambling activities and promote consistent compliance across all licensed operators.
Additional priorities include robust measures targeting anti-money laundering, counter-terrorism, and the safeguarding of sports betting integrity.
Elevating Consumer Protection and Awareness
The authority underscores consumer protection as a foundational value. One of the major initiatives is the introduction of a National Gambling Exclusion Register, empowering individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed online gambling platforms.
A Social Impact Fund, with annual funding of no less than €14 million sourced from operator levies, will provide significant resources for education, research, and treatment connected to gambling harm. Complementing this, wide-reaching awareness initiatives will aim to educate the public and foster responsible gaming behaviors.
Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said:
“As a newly established independent regulator, we have been entrusted with a vital public mandate: to ensure that gambling in Ireland is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner, with the interests of individuals, families, and the wider community at its heart.”
Pursuing Digital Modernization and Governance
With a “Digital First” philosophy, the GRAI will deliver modern, secure systems for licensing, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Plans include launching a streamlined digital portal and accessible website to provide resources and tools for both operators and consumers.
The authority is also committed to strong internal governance and financial transparency. By 2027, the GRAI intends to become fully self-financed through licensing and regulatory fees, aiming to serve as a benchmark for regulatory bodies throughout Ireland.
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, described the strategy as:
“An important milestone for the Authority, the gambling sector in Ireland, and for the wider public. This strategy is not just about regulation; it is about educating the public, protecting those vulnerable to gambling harm, and ensuring that the industry operates to the highest standards of integrity and social responsibility.”
Strategic Overview Table
| Area | Key Initiative | Target Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing | Phased system for online and land-based operators | Transparent, vetted market entry |
| Compliance | Data-driven monitoring and collaboration | Risk identification, harm reduction |
| Consumer Protection | Introduction of Exclusion Register | Empowered self-exclusion, safer environment |
| Social Support | €14 million+ Social Impact Fund | Education, research, treatment funding |
| Governance | Digital transformation and self-funding | Efficient, transparent authority |
- Author
Daniel Williams
