WITH THE GRAI NOW OPERATIONAL, IRELAND INTRODUCES STRICTER OVERSIGHT ON GAMBLING PRACTICES.
Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) officially began operations on March 5. Created under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, it now oversees licensing for both online and land-based gambling, focusing on consumer protection and industry accountability. The act replaces outdated laws with a single framework aimed at addressing modern challenges. It also introduces stricter regulations on advertising, payments and player protections, marking a significant overhaul of Ireland’s gambling laws.
The Gambling Regulation Act brings sweeping reforms, restructuring the industry and tightening oversight.
Operators can no longer accept credit card payments and ATMs are banned from gambling venues to prevent impulsive spending. Promotional incentives such as free bets, VIP perks and free hospitality have been outlawed. A national self-exclusion register will allow people to block themselves from gambling services across all operators. New advertising restrictions are also in place, with gambling ads banned on TV and radio between 5:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. to reduce exposure to minors. On social media, companies can only target users who opt in to receive gambling-related content.
The GRAI is led by professionals from a range of fields, reflecting the broad approach Ireland is taking to gambling regulation.
Former government procurement chief Paul Quinn serves as chair, bringing experience in overseeing large-scale public projects. Celine Craig, a former media regulator, and Rita Purcell, an executive in health product regulation, add expertise in enforcement and consumer protection, both crucial in an industry where advertising and compliance are key concerns. Clinical psychologist Dr. Colin O’Driscoll specializes in addiction services, signaling a clear focus on tackling gambling-related harm. Anne-Marie Caulfield, appointed in 2022 to set up the GRAI, remains as CEO, ensuring continuity as the regulator moves from planning to enforcement.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has called the changes a “new era” for gambling regulation, saying the reforms balance individual choice with necessary consumer protections, and the government sees this as long-overdue modernization, bringing Ireland’s gambling laws in line with international standards.
Given Ireland’s approach so far, the GRAI is likely to follow the UKCG, which has become increasingly strict in recent years. Firm enforcement of advertising restrictions, a focus on consumer protection and crackdowns on non-compliant operators can be expected. The government has made gambling harm prevention a priority, meaning the self-exclusion register and bans on VIP perks and free bets will likely be early focal points. Companies that push the limits of these new rules could face heavy fines much like in the UK.
A key question is whether the GRAI will introduce affordability checks, a measure the UK is pushing forward. If implemented, such checks could have a major impact on high-spending players and the industry as a whole. In the coming months, all eyes will be on whether the GRAI enforces these new rules with real authority or if loopholes weaken its oversight. Early signs will set the tone—whether that means an immediate crackdown or a more measured approach will determine the regulator’s long-term impact.
