GRAI Casino Licence Ireland 2027 — When Will Online Casinos Be Licensed?

Short answer: Not yet, and not in 2026. The GRAI has issued zero remote casino licences as of November 2026. The authority currently only licences remote betting operators (sports betting, horse racing). Casino licensing is expected to begin in 2027 at the earliest.

What GRAI Licences Exist Right Now?

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the GRAI began issuing licences in phases:

• Phase 1 (from 1 July 2026): Remote betting licences — sports betting, horse racing, greyhound racing, fixed-odds wagering. 39 companies licensed as of November 2026.
• Phase 2 (expected 2027–2028): Remote gaming licences — online casino games such as slots, roulette, blackjack, live dealer games.
• Phase 3 (expected 2027–2028): In-person (retail) gaming licences for land-based operators.

Why Are Casino Licences Taking So Long?

The GRAI is a new authority, established in March 2025. It prioritised remote betting licences first, as the existing framework for sports betting was more established. Casino-style gaming requires a separate regulatory framework covering game integrity, software certification, return-to-player (RTP) verification, and enhanced responsible gambling controls.

The regulator has also flagged a funding shortfall that could slow the rollout of casino-specific regulation and monitoring.

What This Means for Irish Casino Players in 2026

Irish law does not criminalise individual players for using online casino sites. However, all online casinos serving Irish customers in 2026 are unlicensed under GRAI, which means:

• No GRAI consumer protection for casino gameplay disputes
• No Irish responsible gambling requirements enforced on casino operators
• GRAI cannot enforce refunds for Irish casino players if an operator closes
• Some offshore casinos have already been blocked or warned by GRAI

What Changes When Casino Licences Arrive (2027+)?

Once GRAI begins issuing remote gaming licences, licensed casino operators will be required to:

• Contribute to Ireland's Social Impact Fund for gambling harm services
• Provide mandatory deposit limits and loss limits for all Irish accounts
• Participate in the national self-exclusion register
• Have their Random Number Generators (RNGs) independently certified
• Publish verified Return-to-Player (RTP) percentages for all games
• Accept oversight and audit by the GRAI

What Should Irish Casino Players Do Right Now?

Until casino licences are issued, Irish players who use online casino sites should:

• Only use operators licensed in reputable EU jurisdictions (Malta MGA, UK Gambling Commission)
• Set their own deposit and loss limits regardless of operator requirements
• Avoid operators with no traceable regulatory oversight
• Use Ireland's national self-exclusion scheme if gambling is causing harm

📋 See also: Full guide to GRAI licensed bookmakers in Ireland →

⚠️ Important: GRAI has not issued any casino licences — find out what this means for Irish players →

18+ only. If gambling is affecting you, contact the Gambling Awareness Trust on 1800 753 753 or visit gamblingcare.ie.

GRAI Casino Licence: What We Know for 2027

• GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 is a remote betting licence, not a casino licence
• Casino gaming requires a separate GRAI casino licence
• No GRAI casino licences exist yet — any claim to hold one is false
• 18+ | Gambling Awareness Trust | 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie

GRAI Casino Licence: What We Know So Far

What Happens to Online Casinos Without a GRAI Licence?

Until GRAI issues casino (remote gaming) licences, online casinos serving Ireland typically hold:

• Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence — the most common for EU-facing operators
• UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence — required for UK players; some Irish-facing operators hold both
• The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 introduced a transitional period — enforcement phasing is not yet finalised
• Always check the licence logo in the footer of any casino site before depositing

18+ only. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie

Which Betting Sites Have a GRAI Licence in 2026

GRAI began issuing remote betting licences on 1 July 2026 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The public register of GRAI-licensed operators is available at grai.ie. As of late 2026, GRAI has issued a limited number of remote betting licences — many operators are still operating under transitional Revenue remote bookmaker permissions while their GRAI applications are processed. To check if a site is licensed: look for the GRAI licence number in the site footer (format: GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-XXXX).

GRAI Licence Number: How to Check Ireland

Every GRAI remote betting licensee must display their licence number prominently on their website, typically in the footer. To verify: copy the licence number, go to grai.ie, and use the licence checker tool. Valid format example: GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001. If a site claims to be GRAI-licensed but no number is visible, or the number does not appear on the GRAI register, the site is unlicensed — do not deposit.

Can I Bet on Unlicensed Sites from Ireland Legally

It is not illegal for an Irish individual to place a bet on an unlicensed site. However, unlicensed sites offer zero consumer protection: no GRAI complaints process, no segregated funds requirement, no KYC guarantees, and no recourse if the site refuses to pay. The legal risk is the site's, not yours — but the financial risk is entirely yours. GRAI strongly advises using only GRAI-licensed operators.

GRAI Licence Number: How to Check Ireland

To check if a site holds a valid GRAI licence, visit the GRAI public register at grai.ie. The register lists all current remote betting licence holders, their licence number, issue date, and expiry date. A legitimate GRAI-licensed bookmaker will also display their licence number in the footer. The format is: GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-XXXX (RB = Remote Betting). Casino licences do not yet exist -- GRAI has issued zero gaming licences as of November 2026.

Which Betting Sites Have GRAI Licence 2026

As of late 2026, the GRAI has issued a growing number of remote betting licences to operators accepting Irish customers. The first batch was issued from 1 July 2026 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The full current list is published on the GRAI public register at grai.ie -- always check there for the most up-to-date list as new licences are issued regularly.

GRAI vs Revenue Remote Bookmaker Licence: Difference

Before July 2026, Irish betting sites operated under Revenue remote bookmaker permissions. From 1 July 2026, the new GRAI took over licensing under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Key differences: GRAI licences carry stricter player protection requirements (mandatory self-exclusion integration, bonus restrictions, advertising watershed rules), cost more to obtain, require annual compliance reporting, and are publicly searchable. The Revenue permissions are being phased out.

Gambling Regulation Act 2024 Ireland: Summary for Punters

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 created GRAI and overhauled Irish gambling rules. For punters: (1) All legal betting sites must hold a GRAI licence. (2) Gambling advertising is banned on TV and radio before 9pm. (3) Inducements targeting existing customers are restricted. (4) A national self-exclusion register lets you exclude from all licensed operators at once. (5) Casino licences will be issued separately -- expected 2027-2028.

Can I Bet on Unlicensed Site from Ireland Legally

Placing a bet on an unlicensed site from Ireland is not a criminal offence for the individual punter -- the law targets operators, not customers. However, there are significant practical risks: unlicensed sites offer no consumer protection, your funds are not protected if the site closes, you cannot escalate disputes to the GRAI, and bonus terms are unenforceable. For meaningful protection, only use GRAI-licensed operators.

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