The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has marked a new beginning for the Irish gambling industry. With the relevant legislation, Gambling Regulation Act 2024, now in place, a modern and organized framework for consumers has been set into motion. This change has come into effect with one of its centers being the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which has now published its first Strategy Statement for 2025-2027.
The plan describes what the regulatory authority intends to do to establish a strong licensing regime, while at the same time ensuring that consumer protection, transparency, and sustainable outcomes are taken into account.
The Role of The GRAI
Founded on the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the GRAI is responsible for monitoring gambling operations within the state. These areas include licensing, compliance, enforcement, consumer protection, and the overall regulation of gambling services.
Under the previous law, the regulation framework in Ireland remained disparate and outdated with minimal consumer protection. However, the GRAI marks a significant transition towards having a unified regulator with well-defined legal roles.
The Strategy Statement for 2025-2027 is statutory (section 30 of the Act) and constitutes a comprehensive map marking the first step for each authority.
Six strategic pillars of regulation
The GRAI has also identified six priority fields which will help to guide its activities in the coming three years. These pillars are collectively designed to improve regulation and maintain a fair and transparent gambling environment.
1) Licensing
The plan involves establishing a comprehensive licensing framework. This encompasses permits for B2C operators, B2B suppliers, and charitable gaming activities. This creates a clear boundary for the market: any entity providing betting services or digital gaming products, such as free spins in Ireland, must now hold a valid permit to operate. The licensing authority also aims to become self-funded within three years by establishing a standard charging regime for these operators.
2) Monitoring and Compliance
By July 2026, the GRAI is set to implement annual risk-based compliance schemes through inspections and monitoring. This is intended to transform the regulatory environment from being reactive to proactively regulatory, as the GRAI will be able to carry out extensive inquiries and investigations as necessary.
3) Enforcement
Enforcement strength will improve through the establishment of an Investigations and Civil and Criminal Enforcement Unit by Q3 of 2026. There will be established processes of enforcement to provide certainty to the operator while requiring genuine penalties in the event of failure to comply. There will be a Sports Integrity Framework established to safeguard the betting market against any form of manipulation.
4) Consumer Protection & Awareness
The GRAI aims to provide a high-quality resource of gambling research that is evidence-based, as well as a national education programme on awareness set for 2026. This will assist in raising public awareness regarding how gambling operates, the potential dangers associated with it, and the behavioural factors that drive participation. The Social Impact Fund will also be launched, alongside a new system for assessing trends in problem gambling.
5) People, Organisation, and Governance
Good governance provides the foundation for good regulation. The approach places emphasis on proper internal controls, independence, and accountability to ensure that the regulator acts transparently and efficiently while expanding.
6) Digital First Approach
Digital infrastructure will play an important role in enforcement and accessibility too. The GRAI intends to use secure and dedicated regulatory platforms, such as the online launch of the National Gambling Exclusion Register, facilitating self-exclusion across licensed operators.
Evaluating progress and accountability
Progress would be monitored through annual work programs with timelines and performance indicators. Annual reports would be submitted by the GRAI to the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs & Migration. This would ensure political oversight. Annual accounts would also be submitted.
Engagement with stakeholders is embedded in this strategy and reflects an understanding of how successful regulation requires collaboration between regulators, those running infrastructure projects, and those representing public interests.
What it means for Ireland’s gaming market
The Strategy Statement provides clarity during a time of fundamental regulatory reform. It indicates a degree of license predictability and enforcement for operators, while for consumers, it offers improved levels of protection, information, and assurance against gambling harm.
Most importantly, the GRAI’s plan for the future brings Ireland in line with global best practice while at the same time taking into account social and economic factors on the ground. The GRAI plan aims to provide Ireland with a well-regulated and socially responsible gambling market by combining regulatory, educational, and innovation aspects of online gaming.
With the roll-out of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the strategic objectives of the GRAI outlined in its approach will set a direction for gambling in Ireland for years to come.