GRAI opens licensing - But is it fair for smaller operators?

This is, finally, one of the first tangible actions taken by the GRAI since its inception, and it’s a big one. 

The newly released guide outlines how gambling operators can get licensed under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

While this should be a moment for optimism, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow.

Not because licensing guidance isn’t important, it is, but because the GRAI had previously made a lot of noise about rewriting the rules to be fairer to small- and mid-sized operators. 

Now that the guidance is here, the industry is left wondering whether those promises made it past the editing room.

What operators need to do: a 7-step licensing gauntlet

The GRAI’s application process is now clearly mapped out, at least for B2C operators. Whether you’re a bookmaker with a shop in Ennis or an online casino eyeing the Irish market, here’s the regulatory obstacle course:

Step	What it actually means
1.	Notice of Intention – Let the GRAI know you’re coming 28 days in advance
2.	Paperwork galore – Disclose ownership, company structure, key personnel
3.	Hit submit – File your online application
4.	Get scrutinised – Risk-based review by the regulator
5.	Prove you’re real – Physical premises and operational checks
6.	Wait for the verdict – Decision notice issued
7.	Keep them posted – Post-licence obligations kick in immediately

For now, the licensing portal only opens for Business-to-Consumer (B2C) betting licences, both in-person and online. 

So if you’re a software supplier, a white-label platform, or a charitable bingo hall, you’re stuck in regulatory limbo for now.

What this means for players (and why you should care)

Yes, most of the headlines today are for operators. But for players, this shift is just as important, especially in a digital landscape that has seen more than its fair share of shady operators and data breaches.

Here’s how players can protect themselves during the transition:

• Stick to licensed or soon-to-be-licensed sites: If an operator has published a Notice of Intention, it’s a good sign.

• Watch for certified labs: GRAI has promised to publish guidance for testing labs soon. These will ensure games meet fairness and integrity standards.

• Know the deadlines: The full regulatory market is expected to launch in 2026. Until then, legacy laws from 1931 and 1956 still apply (yes, really).

Promises of fairness: honoured or conveniently forgotten?

Remember the GRAI’s public consultation back in April 2025? 

That’s when they claimed they’d go back to the drawing board after feedback from 27 respondents, most of them industry stakeholders.

Some of the concerns raised included:

• The cost of the licence fee (spoiler: too high)

• The duration of the licence (spoiler: too short)

• Whether foreign and EU-based operators could realistically qualify

To their credit, the GRAI didn't just politely nod.

They said they’d consider longer licence terms (possibly five years) for operators with strong compliance track records. 

As for fees? A tiered structure was floated, but the final verdict isn’t yet clear.

While the application process is now live, the real test is whether those post-consultation changes have been fully baked in. Right now, it’s hard to say.

The first move, now let’s see the follow-through

There’s no denying this is a significant moment. 

The GRAI, backed by CEO Anne Marie Caulfield and Chair Paul Quinn, is laying the groundwork for what should be a centralised, modern gambling ecosystem in Ireland. 

With smaller operators watching nervously, the spotlight is now on whether those promises will be kept.

Will the GRAI be the fair and transparent regulator it claims to be, or just another well-branded bureaucracy with a shiny portal?

Time, along with the second phase of licensing, will tell.