Start full regulation via GRAI

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1) In short: a new era of regulation

Ireland is moving to a single gambling regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The legislative framework is enshrined in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (signed on October 23, 2024), after which the phased introduction of norms and the launch of the regulator itself began.

2) Timeline: How GRAI got on the rails

23. 10. 2024 - The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is signed by the president; legal basis for reform.

04–05. 03. 2025 - the first order to enact certain provisions of the law and the official "founding day" of GRAI; approved the composition of the board and chairman Paul Quinn, CEO - Ann Mary Caulfield.

10. 2025 - published a three-year GRAI Strategy 2025-2027 with priorities: licensing, monitoring and compliance, law enforcement, consumer protection, organizational development, digital-first.

💡 Important: the launch is in stages (commencement orders). Certain provisions and licenses are introduced in series, which is reflected in the materials of the regulator and consultants.

3) What exactly is changing (the essence of the reform)

Unified licensing system: all B2C operators targeting customers in Ireland are subject to licensing under the new regime; B2B providers are also in the perimeter.

Centralized Oversight: Licensing, Monitoring, Investigations, and Sanctions - at GRAI.

Consumer protection: focus on responsible play, education, control of marketing and self-control tools.

Enforcement and fines: GRAI is empowered to investigate and punish violations (fines/suspension/revocation of license).

4) Advertising and sponsorships: tightening rules

The law and by-laws provide for advertising restrictions (including a "watershed" in time), stricter content and targeting requirements, and incentive control (inducements). Specific parameters are fixed in stages in acts on the introduction of norms and explanations of the regulator.

5) Responsible game: what the user will see

Deposit/expense/time limits, reality check, timeout and self-exclusion, transparent reports and age verification - became the standard before the reform, but now they are moving to a mandatory format checked by the regulator.

18 + communications and complaint mechanisms - with unified requirements and supervision.

6) Licensing: outlines and roles

B2C (bookmakers, casinos, bingo, lots, online operators): registration/license, RG, KYC/AML compliance, reporting, technical and payment standards.

B2B (software/content/payment providers): registry/licensing entry, technical audits, data security responsibilities.

Nat. the lottery remains under a special law, but interacts with the general framework of consumer protection.

7) Supervision and sanctions

GRAI declares six functional blocks, where three are monitoring and compliance, law enforcement, consumer protection. This means regular checks, mandatory reports, public responses and digital-first channels of interaction.

8) "Social Fund" and research

The new framework provides for targeted mechanisms for financing research, education and assistance in the field of gambling harm (specifics - in by-laws and guidelines, as they are published).

9) Roadmap 2025-2027 (by GRAI Strategy)

2025: establishment of a body, launch of processes and services, the first licensing/supervision packages, explanatory guides.

2026: scaling licenses and inspections, expanding digital services, consumer protection metrics.

2027: full operational maturity: end-to-end oversight, market reporting, established enforcement practices.

💡 Note: media and consulting sometimes interpret the pace of "actual operationality" differently (for example, that "the regulator is formally established, but some of the functions are in the launch phase"). Official guidelines are on the GRAI website and in clarifications on the Commencement Orders.

10) What it means for business (checklist)

1. Plan for the transition to a new license mode (B2C/B2B), audit of advertising layouts and client offers.

2. RG by design: limits/timeouts/self-exclusion by default, logging and reporting in "one click."

3. KYC/AML and affordability approaches: escalation scenarios and support training.

4. Technical security: encryption, log storage, incident telemetry, readiness for inspections.

5. Readiness for law enforcement: incident policy, contact with the regulator, compliance public page.

11) What it means for players

More transparency and protection: visible self-monitoring tools, understandable bonus rules, faster and clearer complaint procedures.

Uniform standards in online and retail, enhanced control of advertising and minors.

12) Editorial templates (to substitute facts)

Table A - Key Dates

Event	Date	Source
Gambling Regulation Act 2024 signing	23. 10. 2024
Commencement Order (first phase)	04. 03. 2025
GRAI's "Foundation Day" (institution)	05. 03. 2025
Strategy Publication 2025-2027	15. 10. 2025

Table B - GRAI Strategy Blocks (2025-2027)

Direction	Essence
Licensing	Full perimeter B2C/B2B
Monitoring and compliance	Scheduled/sudden inspections
Law enforcement	Sanctions and investigations
Consumer protection	RG, education, complaints
People & Governance	Staff, processes, management
Digital First	Portals, reporting, analytics

Table C - What to check for business

Point	Status	Comment
License Matrix	[ ]	B2C/B2B
RG Policies	[ ]	Limits/Timeouts/SE
KYC/AML scripts	[ ]	Triggers/Escalations
Advertising/offers	[ ]	Watershed/restrictions
Technical audit/logging	[ ]	Readiness for inspection

TL; DR

Ireland launches a full-fledged regulatory system through GRAI: the 2024 law, the establishment of a regulator in March 2025 and a three-year strategy with a focus on licensing, compliance and consumer protection. Business - prepare for new licensing, RG-default and strict advertising frameworks; players - wait for more transparent rules and understandable protective tools.