New Licensing Regime Begins for Remote Bookmakers in Ireland
New Start for Ireland's Betting Industry
From today (1st July), Ireland's new gambling regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), will start issuing new licenses to remote operators who have applied and met the requirements set out by the GRAI.
Both existing licensed bookmakers and operators entering the market for the first time require a new license from the GRAI, which has replaced the Revenue Commissioners as the licensing and regulatory authority for gambling and betting.
Once all licenses have been issued, the GRAI will publish a full list of operators licensed under the new regime.
New Regulations Causing Operators to Consider Options
One bookmaker who won't be featuring under the new regulations - at least not straight away - is Betfred.
The UK bookmaker has opted to pause operations in Ireland while it aligns itself with the new rules, with punters told they will be unable to access their accounts from June 30. However, it is believed that Betfred will return to the market at some stage.
Meanwhile, in light of the new regulations, Kwiff and Unibet have both discontinued promotional activity in Ireland.
This means both brands will no longer be featured on MyBettingSites.com/ie and other Irish affiliate sites, but will continue to operate their sportsbooks for existing customers in Ireland.
New Regulations Set To Get Strict on Advertising
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 will empower the GRAI to oversee and introduce several changes in the Irish gambling industry, most of which have already taken effect.
Among the most notable changes are:
- A watershed that prohibits gambling advertisements from being shown on TV, radio and on-demand services between 05:30 am and 9:00 pm (yet to be implemented)
- The formation of a Social Impact Fund to support research and awareness of problem gambling, which operators must pay into.
- The creation of a National Gambling Exclusion Register to allow bettors to ban themselves from online gambling, as the UK has with GamStop.
- An obligation for companies to ensure customers set spending limits
- A ban on bookmakers offering inducements (yet to be implemented)
- A ban on credit cards
