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The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published its first Statement of Strategy, setting the direction for the newly established regulator over the period 2025–2027. The document defines six key priorities aimed at ensuring that gambling in Ireland is conducted safely, transparently, and in the public interest.
Formed under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the GRAI will implement a phased licensing framework covering online and land-based gambling, including betting, gaming, and lotteries.
The system is designed to ensure that only qualified and reputable operators can obtain approval, following strict due diligence checks. Early stages of the rollout will prioritise compliance monitoring and risk assessment to identify potential harms before they escalate.
Through cooperation with national agencies and the use of data analytics, the Authority intends to strengthen accountability across the sector and reduce gambling-related harm.
Enforcement is a central pillar of the GRAI’s mission. Dedicated units within the Authority will be responsible for investigating and sanctioning breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act, ensuring that all licensees meet their legal and ethical obligations.
Measures will also target illegal gambling operations, anti-money laundering, terrorist financing, and sports integrity, in line with Ireland’s broader regulatory standards.
Protecting consumers remains at the heart of the new regime. The GRAI will launch a National Gambling Exclusion Register, allowing individuals to self-exclude from all licensed online gambling services in a single step.
A Social Impact Fund, financed by industry levies and expected to generate at least €14 million annually, will be used to support research, treatment, and public education programs related to gambling harm.
Chairperson Paul Quinn described the regulator’s role as “a vital public mandate to ensure gambling is conducted safely, fairly, and transparently, with the welfare of individuals and communities at its core.”
The Authority will operate on a “Digital First” model, developing data-driven systems for licence management, compliance tracking, and public information. Operators and consumers will be able to access regulatory services and guidance through a dedicated online portal.
Internally, GRAI aims to model strong governance and transparency in financial management. By 2027, it intends to be fully self-financing through licence fees and regulatory charges, establishing itself as a permanent institution within Ireland’s public sector framework.
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, called the publication of the Strategy “an important milestone for both the Authority and the Irish gambling sector,” noting that the plan represents “a commitment to education, protection of vulnerable players, and the highest standards of social responsibility.”
The GRAI’s three-year plan marks the first structured roadmap for Ireland’s new gambling regulator and will play a central role in shaping how the industry operates under the upcoming licensing regime.
