An article published by The Journal claimed that licensing under Ireland’s new gambling regulatory framework would not begin until mid-2026 — over a year after the establishment of the new authority.
The article cited a parliamentary response from Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to Labour TD Mark Wall, indicating that the new licensing regime would be implemented in the middle of 2026.
However, in a statement provided to NEXT.io, the GRAI disputed the implication of a lengthy delay. “The GRAI is preparing to open for licensing in late 2025. We are making steady progress toward this goal and plan to implement a phased approach to the licensing process,” it said.
“As outlined in the Gambling Regulation Act, obligations that will be regulated by the GRAI are applied to licensees. Therefore, in order for the GRAI to be a fully functioning regulator, our priority is to commence licensing as soon as possible, which will be contingent upon the cooperation and transition from the existing licensing regime,” the statement added.
The GRAI was formally established on 5 March 2025, following the enactment of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 last October.
The appointment of the seven-member authority marked a significant milestone in the government’s effort to overhaul Ireland’s gambling legislation.
Among those appointed was senior civil servant Paul Quinn, who was named chair of the authority by Justice Minister O’Callaghan.Not on the same page
The apparent discrepancy in projected timelines stems from differing interpretations of what constitutes the beginning of the licensing process.
Minister O’Callaghan acknowledged in his parliamentary response that full implementation of the licensing regime may not occur until mid-2026.
However, the GRAI has clarified that it intends to begin accepting licence applications in a phased rollout starting in late 2025, as it had intended.
This approach could mean that certain categories of operators — such as online betting companies or retail bookmakers — may begin applying for licences before others.
A phased model would allow the authority to gradually introduce new compliance requirements and oversight mechanisms without overwhelming the regulatory infrastructure in its first months of operation.
The GRAI’s creation is the first step in what is expected to be a wide-ranging reform of Ireland’s gambling industry, which until now has been regulated under a patchwork of outdated laws.
Once fully operational, the authority will oversee licensing, compliance, enforcement, and public awareness initiatives across all gambling sectors, including online and in-person operations.
For now, the authority maintains that it is on track to begin its work as scheduled, despite conflicting signals from other parts of government.
