Betmaster and Sportsbet.io are both online sports betting brands. For Irish punters the main difference is licensing: Betmaster’s operating company holds a GRAI remote betting licence, while Sportsbet.io is not in our list of GRAI licences.
Licensing: The Key Difference
| Brand | Licensed company | GRAI licence | Valid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betmaster | BM Solutions Limited | GRAI-0735-RB-26-0001 | 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2029 |
| Sportsbet.io | — | Not in our list of GRAI licences | — |
We checked the Betmaster entry on the official GRAI register on 11 November 2026. Sportsbet.io does not appear in our list of GRAI-licensed bookmakers, which we maintain from that register. Statuses change, so check the register yourself before depositing.
What a GRAI Licence Means in Practice
Since 1 July 2026, an operator offering betting to Irish customers needs a GRAI licence under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. With a licensed bookmaker these Irish rules apply:
- Deposit limits: GRAI licensees must apply the deposit-limit rules set under Irish regulations.
- National self-exclusion: licensees must integrate with the National Gambling Exclusion register.
- Complaints: a dispute that cannot be resolved with the operator can be escalated to the GRAI.
- Credit card ban: licensees may not accept credit cards for gambling.
With an operator that holds no GRAI licence, none of these Irish protections apply to your account.
Payment Methods and Crypto
We have not verified which payment methods either brand accepts from Irish customers, so we do not compare them here. Check the cashier of the operator itself, and remember that a payment method being available says nothing about whether the operator is licensed in Ireland.
What the Licence Does Not Cover
The licence held by BM Solutions Limited covers remote betting only. The GRAI has not issued any gaming (casino) licences yet; they are expected in 2027–2028.
18+ | Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie | Gamble responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Betmaster is operated by BM Solutions Limited, which holds GRAI remote betting licence GRAI-0735-RB-26-0001, issued 1 July 2026 and valid until 30 June 2029.
Sportsbet.io does not appear in our list of GRAI licences, which we maintain from the official register. Check the register at grai.ie for the current position.
The Irish rules on deposit limits, national self-exclusion, complaints escalation to the GRAI and the credit card ban apply only to GRAI licensees.