As we prepare for the commencement of licensing in the coming months the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has published Licensing Application Guidance to assist operators and future licensees familiarise themselves with the licensing process and the various steps to successfully submit their licence application. Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, providers of gambling activities operating in Ireland or providing gambling products / gambling related services to consumers in Ireland will require a gambling licence granted by the GRAI. The initial focus is on opening for certain Business-to-Consumer licence applications. Applications for Business-to Business gambling licences and licences for charitable and philanthropic purposes will be accepted at a later stage. Please refer to the licensing section for details of those who require a licence and the phased opening for gambling licence applications.We intend to accept online applications for both in-person and remote Business-to Consumer Betting licences later this year. In the interim, existing and prospective gambling operators are encouraged to apply for and renew licensing under existing arrangements with the Revenue Commissioners, under the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. Lottery licence and permit applications will continue to be assessed by the District Courts and An Garda Síochána respectively until new licensing arrangements are in place.You can view the document in full here and familiarise yourself with the approach. The Gambling Regulator will be here to assist with the process and licensing queries can be addressed to: licensing@grai.ie

Dublin-June 25th. As part of the process to put in place information sharing agreements with other regulatory bodies, CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, Anne Marie Caulfield signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Commissioner Andrew Lynam representing the Gibraltarian Gambling Regulator. This agreement establishes a framework for cooperation and sets out the broad principles of collaboration between the Gambling Regulator and the Gibraltarian authorities. The shared aims of both regulators are to enable closer working relationships which will enhance each organisation's ability to discharge their respective duties and functions.The Gibraltarians have given their time generously in the set up phase of the GRAI and their support and advice has been greatly received.This is the third of a series of MOUs which the GRAI intends to put in place with other Gambling Regulators in other jurisdictions over the coming months as we move towards opening for our first phase of licensing On welcoming the agreement, CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, Anne Marie Caulfield said:'This Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Gibraltarian Gambling Commissioner Andrew Lynam, representing the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority is a significant step in formalising the working relationship between regulators in Ireland and Gibraltar. Given how many Gambling Operators are active in both jurisdictions this Memorandum of Understanding will be the first step in cementing what will be a positive and mutually beneficial working relationship between both organisations. This is another important  step in the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland series of MOUs with fellow regulators.We would also like to take the opportunity to welcome Andrew Lynam, CEO of the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority to Dublin and to thank him, and his team, for their ongoing support and assistance to GRAI. '

Gambling offers – such as free bets and moneyback guarantees – entice people to bet more, with those at risk of problem gambling especially susceptible, according to new research from the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit.A new study commissioned by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) /Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and undertaken by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) shows that betting and gambling companies offering special offers or inducements   encourages people to gamble more than they would otherwise, even when the odds offered are “bad”.Special offers or inducements, such as free bets and moneyback guarantees are regularly used by gambling companies in their marketing campaigns.  The study found that vulnerable people such as those at higher risk of becoming problem gamblers, were most at risk of gambling more, and losing more, as a result of being offered inducements.In a controlled experiment run with a sample of 622 men under 40, participants, were given money to place up to six realistic bets on the Euro 2024 football tournament.Half of the participants were randomly selected and shown offers of free bets and moneyback guarantees on some bets. which caused these participants to spend over 10% more than those who were not given inducements.  The inducements also reduced the number of participants opting not to bet by nearly half. Even inducement bets that were designed as "bad”, showing odds far below market rates, were undertaken by participants in this group, who were three times more likely to spend money on “bad” bets.These findings illustrate the harm inducements cause, particularly to those who are susceptible to gambling harm.Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the legislation which underpins the work of the GRAI, inducements or encouragement to gamble further will soon be an offence and licensed operators will no longer be allowed to offer free bets which are targeted at individuals and specific groups.  Multiple European countries have also begun to regulate inducements.Participants were surveyed after the study on their knowledge and understanding of inducements. Even amongst regular betters, most did not know that there were restrictions on free bets and that they would not receive their stake back if they won a free bet.Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI, said:“I very much welcome this research from the ESRI examining the impact of inducements to gamble on gambling behaviours.  Having a clear evidence base is critically important to the GRAI as we commence our work in regulating the gambling industry.  This latest research will help inform that work and in educating the public on this matter.  This study clearly indicates the damaging effect of certain practices around inducements.  It underlines the importance of the provisions of the Gambling Regulation Act in limiting a person’s exposure to inducements to gamble.  We look forward to working with Minister O'Callaghan in addressing the issue as we implement the new regulations.”  Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, said:“The ESRI’s findings confirm that not only is the general public not aware of the dangers associated with inducements to bet, but also that the impact of these inducements go beyond simple marketing by betting companies. It is our responsibility to ensure that gambling operators do not encourage excessive or compulsive gambling behaviour, and that we protect vulnerable people in our society, such as children and young people and those more likely to experience gambling harm.The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 sets out obligations for licensees in the way in which inducements can be offered, including a ban on targeted inducements, and the findings of this study affirm these measures.”Diarmaid Ó Ceallaigh, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Behavioural Research Unit, ESRI, said: "Our findings imply that gambling offers aren’t merely marketing tools, but pose a real risk of financial harm, particularly among vulnerable groups. The results support the case for stricter regulation of gambling offers in Ireland, following steps already taken in other European countries, such as banning sign-up bonuses, restricting offers to at-risk individuals, and capping their value."The full paper can be found here