Gambling has long been part of Ireland’s culture. In ancient times, dice would be carved from bones, wood, and stone and used in ceremonies to understand the whims of the gods and uncover the destinies of those who engaged in it. As the years have passed, the industry has evolved to become more customer-focused.
One major revolution was the introduction of online platforms in the late 20th century. Because of their continued popularity, you can now conveniently access gambling experiences from anywhere, which explains why the industry has become popular in Ireland.
Operators are also taking advantage of features like free spins to keep players connected on their platforms. These bonuses improve gameplay by encouraging risk-free exploration, which may lead to increased retention rates and thus, further industry growth. This is part of why igamingexpress.com values the total Irish gambling revenue in 2025 to be about €6 billion. But with this growth comes the prevailing need to regulate the industry.
The beginning of a new regulatory era
A new authority, the Gambling Regulator Authority of Ireland (GRAI), came into force in March 2025 following the passage of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This regulator has a 21st-century improved system of control to enhance consumer protection. Well, for years, Ireland has operated under gambling laws that date back to the 1930s and 1950s.
The problem with the laws is that they are designed for betting shops and racetracks, not smartphones and this century’s 24/7 online casinos. Mark you: As online platforms became popular, risks like online scams and limited safeguards for vulnerable players emerged. These are part of the many challenges that have made GRAI necessary.
In an interview with Focus Gaming News, GRAI’s spokesperson highlighted the rollout of the National Gambling Exclusion Register as one measure of improving players’ safety. With this tool, anyone at risk of problem gambling can voluntarily exclude themselves from all licensed operators in one go, instead of having to contact each one individually.
On top of that, the authority has reached out to blocking software providers to provide complementary solutions to the self-exclusion register. Do you know that a significant number of Irish people actually suffer from problem gambling? The Economic and Social Research Institute place this number at 1 in 30 adults. With numbers like these, the GRAI’s efforts couldn’t come at a better time.
What are the GRAI’s immediate goals?
After the launch, the authority swung into action by inviting expressions of interest from potential gambling licence applicants. The purpose of this survey was to approximate the number of potential applicants they could receive per licence type and to create a mailing list that would keep these applicants updated about licensing rollout developments.
They also published their public consultation on their website in early April. Once it has assessed information received from all stakeholders, the authority will make the final decision regarding regulations. GRAI is also expected to give clear guidelines about the licence application process, although rumours have it that it will include vetting executives as part of the process.
A social impact fund will be set up to support various services that help reduce and address gambling harms. This is a key priority area that GRAI expects to use to invest in educational initiatives and research.
The fund will also benefit public and private bodies that support people affected by problem gambling. To ensure sustainability, every gambling provider will contribute to the fund annually based on their turnover and at the discretion of the Minister for Justice.
Other priority areas for this year include:
- Developing Codes of Practice to help licensees meet their responsibilities under the Act
- Crafting Draft Technical Standards for b2b products
- Fine-tuning the governance structures to support the work of the new authority
- Conducting additional research on the impact of inducements and the gambling consumption habits of Irish players
What does this mean for Ireland?
Surprisingly, studies show that illegal betting accounts for about 20-25% of Ireland’s betting volume. As if that’s not enough, the country might be losing over €50 million every year to illegal betting. If well captured, this amount can help the country address many developmental needs. And that’s why regulation is needed in the broader gambling industry.
And if all goes well, the number of problem gamblers could actually reduce. Remember, operators have been using features like VIP schemes and credit-based gambling to encourage players to engage. But with the launch of this authority, this might no longer be allowed. You also don’t expect to see gambling advertisements on TV or radio during peak hours (from 5:30 am to 9 pm).
Trust in the system will also increase, both among Irish citizens and international investors. Of course, no one wants to engage in an environment that could expose them to cyberattacks. And now that these regulations will make the gambling industry safer, user confidence could increase, encouraging more players to join. Operators who play by the rules will benefit from a clearer, more stable legal environment, while those who exploit consumers will face serious consequences.
With other countries in Europe and beyond also looking to reform their gambling laws, Ireland’s approach could well serve as a model. By focusing on accountability and harm prevention, Ireland could actually become a benchmark for regulating gambling in other nations.
