Ireland’s plan to regulate its lucrative gambling industry under new, strict rules has been pushed back to mid-2026, more than a year after the appointment of the Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland (GRAI). This delay means that the industry remains largely unregulated for the time being and key initiatives like the Social Impact Fund aimed at helping people with gambling problems will also not start until then.
The GRAI, responsible for issuing gambling licenses and collecting funds for the Social Impact Fund, was established earlier this year, with senior civil servant Paul Quinn appointed as chair. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that despite the authority’s formation, the licensing regime will only become operational from mid-2026. Consequently, the Social Impact Fund, which will support services for those affected by problem gambling, will also not be funded until licensed companies begin operations.
Social Impact Fund and Industry Concerns
The Social Impact Fund is intended to finance research, educational campaigns, awareness initiatives, and treatment programs for gambling addiction, supported by contributions from license holders calculated as a percentage of their annual turnover. O’Callaghan described its rollout as a “key priority” for the GRAI, which aims to have 35 staff in place by the end of 2025, with plans to increase staffing through 2026 and 2027.
Labour TD Mark Wall stressed the urgency of launching the fund, highlighting recent research showing over 20% of Irish 16-year-olds have gambled in the past year, emphasizing the growing crisis among youth. He called for the fund’s establishment “as soon as possible” to better address gambling-related harm.
Public and private organizations involved in supporting people with gambling-related issues will be among the beneficiaries of the fund.
Upcoming Regulatory Measures and Staffing Plans
Alongside licensing and funding, new laws introduced in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 include several significant changes. These measures prohibit free bets targeted at individual users, ban credit card payments for gambling deposits, and enforce stricter advertising regulations. The law also mandates identity verification through photo identification and makes it illegal for under-18s to create gambling accounts.
The GRAI is currently growing its team, with plans for increased staffing over the next two years to fully implement these regulations as the licensing system becomes active.
Current Industry Status
Although the regulatory body is established, no operational requirements or regulatory changes apply to Ireland’s gambling industry yet. The law activating the GRAI is the only section currently in force, meaning operators continue their business without the new licensing obligations for now.
Source:
Ireland’s new gambling watchdog is up and running, but its strict laws won’t apply until 2026, TheJournal.ie, May 24, 2025.
