New regulatory body for gambling in Ireland, GRAI, commences operations

Welcome aboard to the new Irish Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI)! Established on March 5, 2025, this authority will steer the ship of all gambling activities and sports betting in Ireland.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority, or GRAI, will take on a multitude of responsibilities. Its mission includes licensing operators, ensuring fair gambling practices, and combating problem gambling. The authority's birth was the result of the Irish government passing a new gambling regulation law last year, effectively repealing the old ones from the 1930s.

In his quest for responsible gambling in the 21st century, Ireland's Minister of Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, stressed the need for clarity, balance, and responsibility in the gambling sector:

To achieve this objective, the authority has brought together leaders from various sectors, such as finance, addiction treatment, and media, to guide its operations.

The GRAI will monitor all types of gambling, including online and land-based gambling, sports betting, gaming, and lotteries, with the exception of the National Lottery, which will remain outside its jurisdiction.

Striking the Balance

One of GRAI's primary goals is to minimize the risk of problem gambling. To achieve this, GRAI will introduce a national self-exclusion register, modeled after successful initiatives in countries like Germany, Australia, and the UK. In the UK, for example, the Gambling Self-Exclusion Scheme Gamstop has shown effectiveness.

Another measure GRAI is planning is a Social Impact Fund, which will involve gambling operators contributing a portion of their revenue to research, education, and training aimed at preventing gambling-related harm.

In addition, there will be new advertising regulations for gambling and sports betting. During specified hours, gambling ads will be banned on television, radio, and streaming platforms to protect young and vulnerable viewers.

These measures aim to strike a balance between consumer protection and player freedom.

Budget and Outlook

The establishment and operation of the GRAI will cost the Irish government a significant sum. The government has earmarked 9.1 million euros for the authority in 2025 alone, with 4 million euros dedicated to the technical setup.

Health experts, gambling industry representatives, and politicians will pay close attention to the effects of GRAI's initial measures on the Irish gambling market in the coming months, as its impact on the industry remains unclear.

Enrichment Data

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is implementing a comprehensive regulatory framework with several specific measures to improve gambling oversight and promote responsible gaming:

Licensing and Regulatory Structure

Phased Licensing: Introducing a tiered licensing system starting with Business-to-Consumer (B2C) betting (online and in-person) in December 2025, followed by remote gaming operators in early 2026, and concluding with charity/B2B licenses by 2027 [1][3].
Corporate Scrutiny: Mandating stringent checks on applicants’ financial stability, corporate governance, and technical capabilities before licensing [3].

Advertising and Marketing Restrictions

Watershed Hours: Banning gambling ads between 5:30 AM and 9 PM to reduce children’s exposure [2][3].
Incitement Prohibitions: Barring targeted offers (e.g., VIP bonuses) to individuals displaying problematic gambling behavior [2].
Opt-In Marketing: Requiring explicit consent from adults to receive promotional communications, with social media advertising restrictions [2][3].

Protection Initiatives

National Self-Exclusion Register: Launching a centralized system allowing users to exclude themselves from specific operators or all gambling activities, with customizable timeframes [2].
Social Impact Fund: Mandating licensed operators to contribute a percentage of revenues (yet to be finalized) to fund gambling harm research, education, and treatment programs [3][5].

International Collaboration

Regulatory Alignment: Strengthening cooperation with the UK Gambling Commission to enhance cross-border regulatory practices [4].

Future Plans

Discretionary Enforcement: Retaining authority to introduce stricter measures if evidence indicates systemic risks [2].
Phased Implementation: Gradually rolling out restrictions alongside licensing phases to ensure industry compliance [2][3].

These measures aim to balance industry modernization with robust consumer protections, particularly for vulnerable groups [2][3][5].

What about the plans for implementing a Social Impact Fund in Ireland, Minister O'Callaghan? Will gambling operators be mandated to contribute a portion of their revenue to research, education, and training aimed at preventing gambling-related harm?
As the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) begins its operations, it will oversee legal gambling activities and sports betting across various platforms, with the exception of the National Lottery. How will GRAI ensure a balance between consumer protection and player freedom?
In addition to adopting a national self-exclusion register and introducing a Social Impact Fund, GRAI is planning new advertising regulations for gambling and sports betting. Will gambling ads be banned on television, radio, and streaming platforms during specified hours to protect young and vulnerable viewers?
The GRAI's success will require close collaboration with industry representatives, health experts, and politicians. How will these stakeholders monitor the effects of GRAI's initial measures on the Irish gambling market in the coming months and evaluate its impact on the industry?