There are no full-fledged casinos, but private gaming clubs work

1) Legal logic: why there are no "regular" casinos

Historically, Irish regulation made betting and lotteries clear, but did not create a full-fledged license for commercial casinos. As a result, public casinos are not allowed as a type of business. At the same time, the law does not prohibit private associations of interests - therefore, the format of private members" clubs (private gaming clubs) arose, which are positioned as closed societies, and not as "casinos for the general public."

The key idea: the club is not a "casino operator," but a private association, where they enter upon application and with an age/identity check. This removes a number of requirements from it that public casinos would obey, but at the same time imposes restrictions on access and advertising.

2) How a private gaming club works

Membership. At the entrance, a questionnaire is filled out, age (18 +) and personality are confirmed. A membership card is often issued; sometimes a "waiting period" is provided between the submission of the questionnaire and the first visit.

Access. Entrance for guests without membership is generally not possible. Advertising activity is limited: clubs do not position themselves as open "casino."

Mode of operation. Usually daytime and evening, with increased attention to internal rules and dress-code (depending on the club).

Responsible play. Clubs adhere to basic practices: refusing entry to persons under the age of 18, the possibility of self-exclusion, risk communication, checking behavior for "red flags."

3) What games are available

Board games: roulette, blackjack, baccarat (variably) - at tables with dealers.

Poker: cash games and tournaments; the schedule is posted within the club's community.

Slot machines: some clubs place slot machines/EGM; their set and limits depend on internal rules and local practice.

Services: bar/snack zone, safes, wardrobe, VIP-tables - at the discretion of the club.

4) How the club differs from a licensed casino

There is no public casino license. Clubs act as private societies rather than commercial "casinos" with open entrances.

Limited marketing. No "yachts and billboards": the promotion is neat, often pointwise in its base of members.

Access rules. Formal membership procedure and verification are required.

Gray outline. Despite the observance of age, verification and internal rules, this is not a full-fledged licensed casino regime: supervision and standards are not as strict as in countries with licenses for B2C casinos.

5) Risks and what to pay attention to the player

Transparency of rules. Read the club's regulations: betting limits, poker tournament commissions, cashout rules, cameras and disputes.

Payouts. Specify limits on cash payments and cashless transfer procedures; ask how disputes are resolved (up to the involvement of an independent mediator).

Responsible play. Check for self-exclusion/break, time and expense options.

Security. Pay attention to the control of entry, video surveillance, storage of personal data of members.

6) Perspective: What changes with GRAI

• a national register of self-exclusion will appear, applicable to all online operators and probably integrated with offline;
• payment rules will be strengthened (including bans on credit cards and other forms of lending to the game);
• the status of playgrounds is expected to be formalized: private clubs will be brought to understandable licensing requirements or transformed into appropriate categories.
• Practical conclusion: the "gray" club format will gradually go towards a transparent, unified license with clear supervision and consumer protection standards.

7) Mini-FAQ

Is it possible to just come "from the street" and play? No, it isn't. You need to apply for membership and pass an age/identity check.

Are such clubs legal? They are permissible as members-only, but are not "licensed casinos" in the public sense.

Is there an online alternative? Online bookmakers operate under national rules, and online casinos have historically used offshore licenses; further licensing is in the contour of a new reform.

Who protects player rights? Internal regulations of the club, general requirements for responsible play and civil mechanisms for the protection of rights; with the launch of GRAI, centralized oversight and more formal procedures are expected.

8) Checklist before club visit

1. Take ID (passport/ID card/driver's card).

2. Check the club's rule members: commissions, limits, hours.

3. Predefine bankroll and personal time/amount limits.

4. Clarify payment procedures and dispute resolution.

5. Learn about the options for self-exclusion and "breaks."

Bottom line. There are no regular licensed open-entry casinos in Ireland - instead, private members-only gaming clubs operate. This is a compromise of historical law and market demand. The closest trajectory is the transition to a more transparent system under a single regulator (GRAI), where offline play, online services and player protection will live by equally understandable, modern and verifiable rules.