Can GRAI block unlicensed gambling sites in Ireland?

Yes. Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, GRAI can apply to the High Court for orders requiring ISPs to block access to unlicensed gambling websites targeting Irish consumers. This is a civil process, not criminal.

Is it illegal to use an unlicensed gambling site in Ireland?

Using an unlicensed site is not a criminal offence for the player under Irish law. However, you have no consumer protections: no recourse if the site refuses to pay, no mandatory responsible gambling tools, and no GRAI complaints process.

How do I check if a gambling site is GRAI licensed?

Check the GRAI public register at grai.ie. As of November 2026, 32 operators hold remote betting licences. The register is updated when licences are issued, suspended or revoked.

What happens to operators who run gambling sites without a GRAI licence?

Unlicensed operators targeting Ireland face fines of up to €20 million or 10% of annual turnover. GRAI also has powers to pursue injunctions and can refer cases to An Garda Síochána for criminal investigation.

GRAI Blacklisted & Unlicensed Gambling Sites Ireland 2026

Updated 5 November 2026 · CraicBet Editorial

⚠️ No published blacklist yet. GRAI has the powers but has not publicly released a list of blocked domains as of November 2026. The authority has stated that unlicensed operators are under investigation. Using unlicensed sites leaves you with zero consumer protections.

GRAI's Power to Block Sites

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, GRAI can apply to the High Court for blocking orders requiring internet service providers (ISPs) to restrict access to unlicensed gambling websites targeting Irish consumers. This follows a model used in several EU countries and replaces the patchwork of voluntary arrangements that existed before July 2026.

The process works like this:

GRAI identifies a site operating without an Irish licence
GRAI applies to the High Court for a blocking injunction
If granted, major ISPs (Eir, Sky, Virgin, Vodafone) must block the domain
GRAI can also direct Google/Apple to remove app store listings

Operators Already Restricted (Without a Formal Blacklist)

Several operators restricted Irish access voluntarily or under GRAI pressure in 2026, before any formal blocking orders were published:

Operator	Status	Date
Stake.com	Geo-blocked Ireland voluntarily	September 2026
Betfred	Paused Irish operations	30 June 2026
Polymarket	Blocked Ireland under GRAI pressure	July 2026
Kalshi	No Irish access	July 2026
100+ unnamed operators	Under GRAI investigation (reported)	Ongoing 2026

Why There Is No Public Blacklist

GRAI has stated that publishing a blacklist can inadvertently advertise illegal sites to consumers. Instead, the authority is pursuing a "white list" approach: promote the licensed register and enforce against non-compliant operators through the courts without publicising individual domain names. This may change as enforcement matures in 2027.

Risks of Using Unlicensed Gambling Sites

Risk	Detail
No withdrawal guarantee	Unlicensed operators can freeze accounts without regulatory recourse
No responsible gambling tools	No mandatory deposit limits, self-exclusion or cooling-off periods
No complaints process	GRAI cannot act on complaints about unlicensed operators
No data protection	Irish GDPR complaints may be harder to pursue against offshore operators
Potential payment issues	Irish banks can refuse transactions to unlicensed gambling sites

How to Check if a Site Is GRAI Licensed

🔍 Visit grai.ie and use the public register. Enter the operator's name or look for the GRAI licence number displayed on their website footer. As of November 2026, 32 operators hold valid remote betting licences. No casino licences have been issued.

How GRAI Handles Unlicensed Sites

Action	Description	Authority
Blacklist publication	GRAI publishes list of unlicensed operators	GRAI (grai.ie)
ISP blocking	ComReg can direct ISPs to block unlicensed sites	ComReg + GRAI
Payment blocking	Financial institutions may be directed to block transactions	Central Bank + GRAI
Prosecution	Unlicensed operators offering services to Irish residents	GRAI / DPP
Consumer warning	Public notices about specific sites	GRAI

What This Means for Punters

Sites on GRAI's blacklist are blocked by Irish ISPs – accessing via VPN carries financial risk
Deposits to blacklisted sites are not protected; withdrawals may never arrive
GRAI does not pursue individual Irish punters for using unlicensed sites – enforcement targets operators
Switching to a GRAI-licensed bookmaker is the only safe option

Bet with a GRAI Licensed Operator →

🏛️ GRAI Enforcement Topics

🔞 18+ only. Gambling can be addictive — please play responsibly. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie

For the full picture: GRAI licence explained — Ireland's gambling regulator guide.