Eve Luneborg
Licensing and regulation make sure that casino games are fair, payments are safe, and players are treated properly. As a player, you should always make sure that you know which authority has issued a casino its licence. This will tell you whether the site is trustworthy and legal.
In Ireland, licensing is a crucial aspect you need to consider when choosing where to play. The gambling laws are undergoing change, but most online casino operators available to Irish players are still licensed in other countries. This article explains who the main regulators are, what they do, and why proper licensing matters.
A gambling licence is official permission for a company to offer gambling services. The licence is issued by a gambling authority, and they ensure that the company follows all applicable gambling regulations. These rules cover fair play, money laundering checks, safer gambling tools, marketing, and much more.
There are two main types of gambling licences:
To get a licence, companies must prove they are financially stable, pass background checks, and set up proper procedures for verifying player identity (KYC) and preventing money laundering (AML). Games, such as live dealer games, must be tested to make sure they are fair.
Ireland has been using old gambling laws, like the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. These laws were made before online gambling became popular, so naturally, they don’t properly cover live casinos and other forms of digital gambling.
However, the gambling laws have just now caught up with the time we live in, and the new Gambling Regulation Bill came into effect in March 2025. It brings all gambling under one system and introduces licences for online casinos, live casinos, betting, and more. The new law is enforced by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).
Rolling out this new licensing system will happen in stages, and we’re not quite there yet. Until each stage is reached and GRAI is fully operational, the following applies:
When the new law fully comes into effect, online casinos — including those offering live games — will need to apply for an Irish licence to operate legally in the country.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is Ireland’s new gambling regulator. It was created by the Gambling Regulation Bill. Once fully active, the GRAI will issue licences, making sure gambling companies follow the rules and protect players.
These are some of the tasks GRAI will tackle:
The GRAI is being rolled out in stages. Online gaming licences are expected in early 2026, with a final deadline for live casino operators around 2027. For now, Irish players can still use foreign-licensed sites. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the gambling authorities that are currently licensing most online casino and game operators available to Irish players.
The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the most trusted regulators in the online gambling industry. Based in an EU member state, the MGA issues licences to both casino operators (B2C) and software providers (B2B).
It focuses on fairness, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering (AML), and the protection of player funds. All games on MGA-licensed sites must be independently tested for randomness and fairness. Operators are also required to offer responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion.
For Irish players, MGA licences offer high levels of consumer protection, transparent complaint processes, and compliance with EU data laws. The main benefit this licence offers that you know the site is held to high standards. The downside is that dispute resolution must go through arbitration, often located in Malta, which may be slower than local options.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is known for being one of the strictest regulators in the world. It licences gambling operators that serve the UK market, and is therefore not available to players in Ireland. However, international casinos with a UKGC licence show they meet high standards, which means they are often trustworthy operators.
The UKGC focuses on player safety, fairness, advertising standards, and responsible gambling. Operators must offer verified self-exclusion tools, conduct affordability checks, and have clearly displayed terms, which must also be transparent.
For Irish players, the UKGC licence is nothing but a signal of reliability and trust. Even if you play with a live casino operator that has this license, it will not be possible for you to play under its protection. Alongside the licence from UKGC, the casino should have another licence, which will be the one you’re playing under.
Curaçao has been issuing online gambling licences since the 1990s and is one of the oldest jurisdictions in the industry. It offers a single licence that covers multiple gambling activities, which makes it attractive for smaller or newer operators.
The application process is less strict, and costs are lower compared to European regulators. However, the downside has always been weaker enforcement. With limited procedures in place for handling player complaints or ensuring responsible gambling measures, the Curaçao licence has always been considered less safe than many other regulators. But, this is about to change, as this licence is undergoing change, to make it a more reputable option.
For Irish players, casinos licensed by the Curacao Gaming Control Board can offer broad access to casino operators and may provide more flexible bonuses or crypto payment options. But there are also risks. Curaçao does not have a strong track record of holding operators accountable.
The Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission regulates online casino operators, but mainly, it focuses on software developers. It requires high standards for security, game fairness, anti-money laundering (AML) procedures, and data protection.
All games must be tested by approved labs, and player funds must be held in dedicated accounts. Operators must also provide responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion options.
For Irish players, an Isle of Man licence is generally a good sign. It shows that the site is serious about compliance and player protection. The regulator also allows complaints to be reviewed if there are issues with withdrawals or bonuses. The main disadvantage is that few operators who accepts irish players use a gambling licence from this jurisdiction.
The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority has been a preferred licensing authority for many major online gambling brands. Its licences are popular among large-scale operators, especially those offering a sportsbook.
The GRA focuses heavily on financial stability, game testing, and responsible gambling. Both data security and AML requirements are subject to regular audits.
Before Brexit, many Irish-facing sites were licensed in Gibraltar, but they have since become fewer. However, there are some well-established brands that continue to use this licence. The main benefit is the regulator’s reputation, with its long track record of enforcement. A possible disadvantage is the potential loss of access to EU dispute resolution and consumer protections.
Live casino games are run by software or game providers, and these companies need their own licence, separate from the casino’s licence. They can hold licences for any number of jurisdictions, as well as some so-called international licences. The three most common licences are MGA, GRA, Isle of Man and Curaçao.
The rules and regulations a licensed game provider must comply with are many, and here are the main ones:
A provider’s licence is key to ensuring that live games are fair, transparent, and technically reliable. For Irish players, games from licensed studios mean a higher level of protection. Unlicensed providers carry a higher risk and may not meet the same standards.
Checking if a casino is properly licensed is one of the most important steps you can take before signing up or making a deposit. A licence shows that the casino meets legal standards and that they are safe to use. Licensed casinos are monitored by regulators who make sure games are fair, player funds are protected, rules are followed, and much more. If something goes wrong, you’ll have access to complaints procedures or independent dispute resolution.
To check a casino’s licence, have a look at the website’s footer. Most licensed operators display the logo of their regulator there, such as the MGA or CGCB. This should link to the regulator’s site where you can check its validity.
Next, read the terms and conditions. This section usually includes more detailed information about who holds the licence and in which country.
If you’re unsure, visit the regulator’s official website. Most have public lists where you’ll find all operators and website URLs they have licensed.
If the site doesn’t mention any regulator, shows broken or fake licence logos, or only gives vague statements like “fully licensed”, it could be an unlicensed operator. Playing at a site like that means there’s no guarantee the games are fair or that your money and data are safe.
Irish licensed casinos are legally required to protect players and promote safer gambling. They must offer tools such as deposit limits, time-outs, and session reminders (reality checks), helping you manage your time and spending. You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits, or take short breaks if needed. In cases where gambling becomes harmful, you can use self-exclusion tools. Under the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), a national self-exclusion register will allow players to block access across all licensed sites in the country.
Licensed casinos must also provide around-the-clock customer support for gambling-related concerns and have responsible gambling policies. Operators are required to protect your personal information by following GDPR rules, ensuring your data is not shared or misused. All transactions are monitored for fraud and money laundering through mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) checks, helping create a safer online gambling environment.
Online gambling in Ireland is currently going through legal changes. During the transition period, before the GRAI is fully operational, most of the casino sites available to Irish players are licensed in other countries. The most common ‘international’ licences are found in Malta and Curaçao.
This will change in the next year or two. The new gambling law will allow for a full licensing system for all forms of gambling, including online casinos, slots, and live dealer games. The new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will be responsible for issuing and enforcing these licences. The first licences were granted in June 2025, but only in 2026 or 2027 will they be fully up and running with all licence applications and requests. Until that time, casinos using other gambling licences can still legally accept Irish players.
Online gambling in Ireland is going through major legal changes. A new licensing system will soon be in place under the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), covering online casinos, live dealer games, and betting platforms. Once the new laws have fully taken effect, all operators offering services to Irish players will need to hold an Irish licence. This is meant to protect players, promote safer gambling, and bring all gambling activity under stricter oversight.
For now, Irish players can still legally access casinos that are licensed in other countries. However, it’s important to check that the site is regulated by a trusted authority such as the MGA, Curaçao, Gibraltar or the Isle of Man.
As the new laws are rolled out, keep an eye on regulatory updates to stay informed about which casinos obtain the new Irish gambling licence.
Eve Luneborg – Live Casino Specialist at LiveCasino.ie
Eve Luneborg has been part of the online casino industry since 2014, when she moved to the sunny shores of Malta to pursue her passion for gaming.