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Irish justice minister activates GRAI licensing powers from 9 February

Licences & markets

Ireland’s justice minister Jim O’Callaghan signed a commencement order on 4 February 2026, enabling the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to receive and process betting licence applications. The GRAI said licensing for in-person and remote betting will begin on 9 February, with applications covering several licence types and subject to suitability and financial-capacity checks.

Operators seeking to offer betting in Ireland must apply under the new licensing regime and meet its eligibility requirements.

Earlier licence decisions by GRAI

DateCompanyAmountStoryAppeal status
Not namedEUR 20,000,000GRAI begins issuing operator licences in Ireland on 5 FebruaryNot stated
Not namedNot statedGRAI gains powers to license Irish online and land-based gamblingNot stated
Not namedNot statedIreland grants GRAI powers to process betting licence applicationsNot stated
Not namedNot statedIreland commences GRAI licensing powers for betting operatorsNot stated
Not namedNot statedGRAI opens Irish gambling licence applications from 9 FebruaryNot stated

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GRAI reports 54% of online gamblers have opened a second account

Ireland's Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) said an Economic and Social Research Institute study of 1,000 adult gamblers found that 54% of online players had opened a second account. The study also found 77% had gambled online in the previous 12 months, while 25% said they were actively reducing or planned to reduce their gambling.

A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) looked at 1,000 adult gamblers. Over half of online players, or 54%, have a second account. The research is among the most comprehensive studies GRAI has commissioned since its tenure began in March 2025.

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