GRAI sets 2025–2027 strategy to regulate Ireland’s gambling market

Summary

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has published a Statement of Strategy for 2025–2027 setting out how it will introduce a phased licensing regime, compliance inspections and enforcement under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The Authority, which became a statutory body in March 2025, will operate as an independent, self-financing regulator within three years and will fund public-protection work via a Social Impact Fund expected to reach at least €14 million annually.

The strategy identifies six focus areas: Licensing; Monitoring and Compliance; Enforcement; Consumer Protection and Awareness; People, Organisation and Governance; and Digital First. Key milestones include phased B2C, B2B and charitable licences, the start of systematic inspections from July 2026, and establishment of Investigations and Civil and Criminal Enforcement Units by Q3 2026. New consumer tools include a National Gambling Exclusion Register, while AML/CTF and sports-integrity frameworks will be implemented.

Key Points

GRAI’s Statement of Strategy covers 2025–2027 and implements the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
The Authority will be independent and aims to be self-financing within three years via licence fees and levies.
Licensing will be phased for B2C, B2B, charitable and philanthropic operators, with background checks and financial assessments.
Systematic monitoring and targeted inspections will begin in July 2026, supported by data analytics and published performance metrics.
An Investigations Unit and a Civil and Criminal Enforcement Unit are planned by Q3 2026 to handle sanctions and prosecutions.
Consumer protection measures include a National Gambling Exclusion Register and funding for treatment, education and research via a €14m Social Impact Fund.
The strategy mandates AML/CTF and sports integrity frameworks to reduce associated risks in the sector.

Why should I read this?

If you’ve got skin in the Irish gambling market — operator, supplier, consultant or compliance lead — this is basically the roadmap you need. It spells out who’ll need licences, when inspections and enforcement ramp up, and how funding for harm-prevention will work. Short version: expect stricter checks, new fees and tougher enforcement. We’ve cut through the legal-speak so you know what to prepare for.