The Irish Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was signed into law in October 2024 and is now in effect in Ireland as of March 2025. This new regulation has been introduced to supervise and regulate all gambling activity in Ireland with its main aim to protect consumers from gambling harm. According to the 2025 Budget, €9.1 million will be funded to the GRAI in its first year which includes an ICT Capital Investment of €4 million.
It will affect all Irish bookmakers as well as UK bookmakers who allow Irish customers by operating in Ireland. A quick look at sites like Scs that list betting sites operating show in Ireland show that roughly 70% of these websites are actually UK bookmakers. Not only does the regulation cover in person betting shops, it also covers online betting to provide more control over gambling operators.
The new Irish Gambling Act will implement major changes that will affect how bookmakers will operate in Ireland. Many UK bookmakers are concerned about this change in regulation as it may affect their customer base in Ireland and the service they provide.
In Ireland, 1 in 30 adults have a gambling problem and the GRAI aims to help improve customer protection and reduce gambling harm.
What Does the New Regulation Change?
The introduction of the GRAI to improve the safety of consumers when gambling means that UK bookmakers will have to change some of their operations to meet the terms provided by the GRAI in order to continue providing a service for Irish customers.
New Betting License
One of the most significant changes in the regulation is that UK bookmakers will need to acquire a new special betting license with the GRAI which suits the Irish Gambling Act’s operating standards. This will include specific licenses for gambling, betting, gaming and the lottery.
If gambling businesses fail to comply with the GRAI regulations, the company may receive a significant financial penalty which could include up €20 million or 10 per cent of turnover as well as a license suspension or even revocation if rules are breached.
Gambling Adverts
Another big hit for betting companies is the new restrictions made on gambling advertisements. The GRAI has ruled that bookmaker adverts can only be shown from the hours between 9pm and 5:30am. This is meant to prevent the exposure of betting adverts to children and young people but it will also affect the amount of new customers that bookmakers will be able to reach during these times. Also, if no betting adverts are allowed to be broadcast outside of these hours, it will also affect the ability for UK live sports events to be broadcast in Ireland due to the potential to see betting adverts.
The GRAI have full control over betting adverts now and can decide when and how often adverts are shown and decide on the location and which specific events can show betting adverts. This not only affects betting companies but will also affect the sports industry, gaming companies and the reach to consumers.
Gaming and Promotion Limits
One of the biggest changes for bookmakers is the new limits being added to the gaming sector. The GRAI have not only enforced a €10 stake limit on all games but also capped the game win limit at €3000. This will affect both Ireland and UK based betting and casino sites and the Irish customers who prefer the gaming aspect over sports betting.
The GRAI are also imposing restrictions on promotions. The Gambling Act allows certain benefits to be offered to the general public consumers but there is a restriction on offering inducements to one person or a group of people which encourages excessive gambling or an increase in participation. All promotions must be passed and regulated by the GRAI to ensure the public receive appropriate promotions.
Improved Customer Protection
All bookmakers must now perform mandatory affordability checks for online sports betting to ensure customers are protected. The ‘Know Your Customer’ procedure requires bookmakers to check the financial capabilities of all customers prior to any bets being placed.
The GRAI has also made sure that the responsible gambling tool for self exclusion has been improved. Customers are able to choose to close their betting account for a set amount of time. At risk gamblers are also further protected by the GRAI with the enforcement of operator interventions if betting patterns are showing signs of problem behaviour.
Other important changes include the creation of the Social Impact Fund (SIF) which betting operators must contribute to. This supports initiatives and assists research and training with an aim to reduce excessive gambling. Credit cards will also be a prohibited type of payment on betting sites.
In conclusion, UK bookmakers can survive the new Irish Gambling Regulation, they will just need to adapt their operations to maintain the standards and ensure compliance of the GRAI. Some overseas bookmakers have already withdrawn from the Irish market but the ones that remain will help to improve responsible and safer gambling in Ireland.
