Betting Sites Blocked in Ireland 2026: What Happened

Several major international betting and gambling platforms chose to block Irish users rather than apply for a GRAI licence when Ireland's new licensing regime took effect on 1 July 2026. If you are searching for one of these sites and finding yourself blocked, here is what happened and what your alternatives are.

Which Bookmakers and Betting Sites Left Ireland?

What Happened: the Full Story

When GRAI's remote betting licensing regime took effect on 1 July 2026, every operator providing online betting services to Irish users was legally required to hold a GRAI licence. Operators that did not apply faced enforcement action.

Polymarket and Kalshi — two large US-based prediction market platforms — geo-blocked Irish users on 21 July 2026 after GRAI threatened High Court proceedings. Both had argued their services were financial exchanges rather than gambling, but GRAI chief executive Anne Marie Caulfield stated the regulator viewed them as gambling products requiring a licence.

Stake, which describes itself as the world's largest online casino and sportsbook with over 44 million customers, blocked Irish users in September 2026 following direct engagement with GRAI. At the time, 33 GRAI remote betting licences had been issued — Stake held none of them.

Can You Use a VPN to Access These Sites?

Technically possible, but not recommended. Operators that have geo-blocked Ireland have done so under pressure from GRAI. Using a VPN to circumvent this means:

• You are lying about your location to the operator — a breach of their terms that can result in account closure and forfeiture of funds
• You have no consumer protection if something goes wrong — GRAI cannot help you with an unlicensed operator
• GRAI is actively pursuing refunds for Irish customers who had money deposited with Stake — but only for those who were already customers, not new VPN sign-ups

The honest answer: it is not worth the risk.

GRAI Is Pursuing Refunds for Existing Customers

If you had money deposited with Stake, Polymarket or Kalshi when they geo-blocked Ireland, GRAI has stated it is working to ensure Irish customers are refunded. Contact GRAI at grai.ie/complaints if you have not received your funds.

GRAI-Licensed Alternatives

If you were using one of the blocked platforms for sports betting, the following operators hold current GRAI remote betting licences and are legally authorised to serve Irish customers:

Other GRAI licence holders include Betway (GRAI-0524-RB-26-0001), Boylesports (GRAI-0852-RB-26-0001), Kwiff (GRAI-1125-RB-26-0001) and QuinnBet (GRAI-0633-RB-26-0001). See the full list of GRAI licensed bookmakers.

18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie. No guaranteed wins.

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