14 OctTenders & awards
GRAI awards EUR200,000 framework for electronic signature services in Ireland
The award establishes a single-party framework for supplying electronic signature and related services to Ireland's gambling regulator.
Ireland
Regulation, licensing and business developments in Ireland. Open in the feed
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Licensing, commercial relationships and regulatory developments.
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Timeline
Newest first, grouped by month.
October 2026
13 OctRegulation
Ireland omits EU online gambling tax from proposed budget negotiating document
The proposed negotiating document excludes an EU-wide online gambling tax from the draft budget negotiations.
13 OctRegulation
GRAI sets out guidance for phased licence applications in Ireland
Existing Irish gaming licensees should keep renewing licences, while new applicants should continue with Revenue during GRAI’s transition.
12 OctRegulation
European horse racing stakeholders challenge potential EU-wide gambling tax
Horse racing stakeholders are engaging Irish ministers to oppose a potential EU-wide gambling tax.
12 OctRegulation
Ireland keeps betting tax at 2% and raises horse racing funding for 2027
Betting operators retain Ireland’s 2% tax rate, while horse racing receives increased state funding in 2027.
2 OctRegulation
GRAI funding constraints delay online gambling licensing in Ireland
GRAI’s funding constraints delay online operator licensing and limit enforcement against overseas operators serving Irish customers.
September 2026
14 SepEnforcement & compliance
Stake blocks access for Irish users after GRAI talks
Stake has blocked Irish users, while GRAI works with operators that restricted access to arrange customer deposit refunds.
14 SepLicences & markets
Stake reportedly blocks Irish access following regulator consultation
Stake’s reported Irish access block follows consultation with GRAI and the introduction of its licensing system.
11 SepRegulation
Donald Tusk urges EU to consider gambling tax for next budget
Operators face a proposed 3% EU net-turnover tax, but Malta’s pledged veto threatens the required unanimous approval.
1 SepDeals & M&A
Peter & Sons extends NetBet content agreement across four European markets
Peter & Sons’ expanded NetBet partnership distributes its games through brands in the UK, Greece, Ireland and Finland.
August 2026
31 AugRegulation
Bookmakers withdraw Irish pub betting services as enforcement tightens
Betting companies withdrew Irish pub account services amid enforcement requiring customer identification for qualifying collections and payments to account holders.
28 AugRegulation
GRAI provides guidance on gambling advertising obligations in Ireland
GRAI’s guidance explains licensees’ advertising restrictions under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
19 AugDeals & M&A
Kenneth Dart acquires 5.8% DraftKings stake through Candle Lake
Dart’s DraftKings investment adds to his gambling holdings alongside an almost 30% stake in FanDuel owner Flutter.
14 AugRegulation
Ireland plans crypto transaction due diligence rules for gambling firms
The planned rules would add due diligence obligations for crypto-related gambling transactions.
14 AugRegulation
Ireland introduces closed-loop gambling payment requirements
Gambling operators face tighter payment tracing and cryptocurrency scrutiny under the strategy.
12 AugRegulation
GRAI publishes first annual report
The report documents the groundwork for Ireland’s phased gambling licensing regime.
7 AugRegulation
GRAI opens consultation on Irish gambling regulations
The consultation gives stakeholders an opportunity to influence forthcoming gambling rules.
6 AugRegulation
GRAI opens consultation on three proposed gambling regulations
The consultation gives operators and the public an opportunity to comment on draft rules.
July 2026
31 JulRegulation
GRAI publishes its first annual report
The report documents the initial development of Ireland’s gambling regulatory system.
31 JulRegulation
GRAI publishes inaugural annual report
The report documents the regulator’s first year of work on Ireland’s gambling framework.
22 JulEnforcement & compliance
GRAI orders Polymarket geoblocking in Ireland
Polymarket faces an access restriction in Ireland.
22 JulRegulation
GRAI signs cooperation memorandum with Nevada regulator
The memorandum creates a channel for the two regulators to share regulatory experience.
21 JulEnforcement & compliance
Polymarket and Kalshi restrict Ireland following GRAI warning
The restrictions limit Irish users’ access following the regulator’s warning of court action.
20 JulRegulation
GRAI warns prediction market operator of possible court action
The warning raises the prospect of court proceedings against the operator.
20 JulEnforcement & compliance
GRAI considers court enforcement against unnamed prediction platform
The warning raises the prospect of court action against the unnamed platform.
20 JulRegulation
GRAI considers High Court proceedings against prediction market platform
The unnamed platform could face legal proceedings from Ireland’s gambling regulator.
June 2026
29 JunRegulation
GRAI prepares to oversee Ireland’s online betting market
Online betting will come under GRAI’s oversight.
19 JunRegulation
Ireland assesses gambling financial crime risks with exceptions for online bookmakers
Online bookmakers and members’ clubs fall outside the reported low-risk classification.
18 JunLicences & markets
Betfred temporarily pauses operations in Ireland
Betfred has temporarily paused its Irish operations.
Recent developments
Licences
- Stake reportedly blocks Irish access following regulator consultation
Stake’s reported Irish access block follows consultation with GRAI and the introduction of its licensing system.
- Betfred temporarily pauses operations in Ireland
Betfred has temporarily paused its Irish operations.
Enforcement & compliance
- Stake blocks access for Irish users after GRAI talks
Stake has blocked Irish users, while GRAI works with operators that restricted access to arrange customer deposit refunds.
- GRAI orders Polymarket geoblocking in Ireland
Polymarket faces an access restriction in Ireland.
- Polymarket and Kalshi restrict Ireland following GRAI warning
The restrictions limit Irish users’ access following the regulator’s warning of court action.
Deals
- Peter & Sons extends NetBet content agreement across four European markets
Peter & Sons’ expanded NetBet partnership distributes its games through brands in the UK, Greece, Ireland and Finland.
- Kenneth Dart acquires 5.8% DraftKings stake through Candle Lake
Dart’s DraftKings investment adds to his gambling holdings alongside an almost 30% stake in FanDuel owner Flutter.
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