About the GRAI
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which passed into law in October 2024. The Authority has three key mandates:
- Licensing remote and land-based gambling operators in Ireland.
- Operating the National Gambling Exclusion Register (NGER) — a pan-operator self-exclusion system.
- Administering the Social Impact Fund, financed by a levy on operators.
The Act created three remote licence categories: B1 (casino-type games / games of chance), B2 (betting), and B3 (lottery). Operators need a separate licence for each activity type.
Transition Period
The GRAI opened its online licensing portal in 2024. Existing operators that were serving Irish players prior to the Act commenced a transition period — they are permitted to continue operating while their application is processed. The length of the transition period is determined by the GRAI board; enforcement actions against unlicensed operators are expected to phase in through 2025–2026.
Until the GRAI public register reaches full coverage, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence remains the most practical proxy for player-protection standards.
Operator Status Tracker
Last updated: May 2025. Status is based on public GRAI announcements and operator disclosures. This is an unofficial summary — always verify on the GRAI official website.
| Operator | Brand(s) | Existing Licence | GRAI Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flutter Entertainment | Paddy Power, Betfair | MGA, GRA | Licensed | Flutter holds an Irish bookmaker licence and has been a key contributor to the legislative process. |
| Leo Vegas Group (MGM) | LeoVegas, BetMGM IE | MGA, GRA | Transitional | Application filed; existing MGA licence covers player protection during transition. |
| Kindred Group | Unibet, 32Red | MGA | Transitional | Kindred has committed to GRAI compliance across all EU-facing brands. |
| 888 Holdings | 888 Casino, William Hill | GRA, MGA | Transitional | William Hill brand operates in Ireland under GRA licence; application pending. |
| Entain | Ladbrokes IE, Coral, PartyCasino | MGA, GRA | Transitional | Entain operates the Ladbrokes retail estate in Ireland and holds existing remote licences. |
| bet365 Group | bet365 | GRA, MGA | Transitional | Gibraltar-licensed with significant Irish player base; transition application expected. |
| PokerStars (Flutter) | PokerStars Casino | MGA | Transitional | Part of Flutter group; MGA licence provides player protection during GRAI transition. |
| Casumo Ltd | Casumo | MGA, GRA | Pending | No public confirmation of GRAI application at time of writing. |
| Mr Green Ltd (William Hill) | Mr Green | MGA | Pending | Owned by 888/William Hill; GRAI application status follows parent. |
| Betway Group | Betway Casino | MGA | Transitional | Betway was acquired by Super Group (Betway/Spin); MGA licence active. |
| DraftKings (SBTech) | DraftKings | MGA | Pending | US-headquartered; Irish operations via MGA subsidiary. |
| Betsson Group | Rizk, NordicBet | MGA | Pending | Betsson operates multiple brands under single MGA licence. |
Status Definitions
- Licensed — Operator holds or has been confirmed as holding a GRAI licence.
- Transitional — Operator was serving Irish players before the Act and is in the transition period; application filed or confirmed.
- Pending — Operator active in Ireland but no public confirmation of GRAI application at time of last update.
- Withdrawn — Operator has withdrawn from the Irish market or had application refused.
Player Rights Under the Act
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 gives Irish players the following protections once a licensed operator is in scope:
- NGER exclusion — a single registration excludes you from all licensed operators.
- Mandatory deposit limit setting — operators must prompt new customers to set deposit limits at sign-up.
- Advertising restrictions — the Act introduces watershed rules and restrictions on inducements (bonuses) in advertising.
- Dispute resolution — the GRAI operates or designates an approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) body for player complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the official GRAI licence register?
- The official register is published on the GRAI website at grai.ie. Our tracker summarises publicly available information; always verify directly with the GRAI for the authoritative status of any operator.
- What is the difference between a B1, B2, and B3 licence?
- B1 covers casino-type games (slots, table games, live dealer). B2 covers sports betting. B3 covers lottery-type products. An operator must hold each licence type for each activity they offer.
- Can I still play at sites that are in the transitional period?
- Yes. Operators in the transitional period are legally permitted to continue operating while their GRAI application is processed. They are typically covered by existing MGA, GRA, or similar licences which provide player protection.
- What is the NGER and when will it be live?
- The National Gambling Exclusion Register is Ireland's centralised self-exclusion database. The GRAI is responsible for building and operating it. It is expected to go live as GRAI licensing reaches operational scale, likely in 2025–2026.