How to Check a Bookmaker's GRAI Licence in Ireland

Q: Where do I check if a betting site is GRAI licensed?

Go to grai.ie and search the public register by the operator's legal company name. All valid GRAI remote betting licences are listed there.

Q: What does a GRAI licence number look like?

Format: GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-ZZZZ. For example, GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001. The RB indicates Remote Betting, 26 indicates 2026.

Q: Can a site have a GRAI casino licence?

No. GRAI casino licences don't exist yet — they are expected in 2027-2028. Any site claiming a GRAI casino licence is making a false claim.

Q: What if the site's licence doesn't appear on the GRAI register?

Either they hold a Revenue Commissioners permission (check revenue.ie) or they are not licensed for Ireland. If neither register shows them, they are operating without a valid Irish licence.

Q: Is a Revenue remote bookmaker permission the same as a GRAI licence?

No, but both are legally valid during the transition period. Revenue permissions were issued under the old Betting Acts. GRAI licences are issued under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. All operators should eventually migrate to GRAI licences.

Last updated: November 2026 — 18+ | Gambling Awareness Trust | 1800 753 753

Since 1 July 2026, all bookmakers targeting Irish customers must hold a GRAI remote betting licence. Here's how to verify any site in under 2 minutes using the GRAI public register.

Step 1: Find the legal company name

Brand names and legal company names differ. '888sport' may be operated by '888 IE Limited'. The GRAI register is organised by company name, not brand. Find the legal name in the site's footer — typically something like 'Operated by [Company] Ltd' or in the Terms & Conditions under 'Licensing'.

Step 2: Search the GRAI register

Go to grai.ie and find the public register section. Search by the company name you found in Step 1. The register shows: licence number, company name, licence type (Remote Betting), issue date, and expiry date.

Step 3: Read the licence number format

GRAI licence numbers follow the format: GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-ZZZZ where RB = Remote Betting, YY = year (26 = 2026). Our partner holds licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001. If a site displays a licence number that doesn't match this format, treat it with caution.

What about Revenue Commissioners permissions?

During the transition period from the old Betting Acts, some operators hold Revenue remote bookmaker permissions rather than a GRAI licence. These are valid while they remain unexpired. Revenue publishes the list at revenue.ie. GRAI and Revenue permissions are both legitimate during transition.

Spotting fake licence claims

Warning signs: a licence number displayed on a website that doesn't appear on the actual GRAI register; claims of a 'GRAI casino licence' (casino licences don't exist yet, expected 2027-2028); no licence number at all, only a vague 'licensed and regulated' claim. When in doubt, check the register directly — don't take the site's word for it.

🆕 Bet with Ireland's licensed operator — GRAI licence GRAI‑0191‑RB‑26‑0001

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Check If a Betting Site Has a GRAI Licence

Visit grai.ie and navigate to the licensed operators register.
Search by the company name or site domain.
Confirm the licence type — only Remote Betting Licences have been issued since 1 July 2026. Casino (gaming) licences have not yet been issued.
Check the licence number matches what's shown in the site's footer (look for a number in the format GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-XXXX).
Verify the licence is current and not suspended or revoked.

What GRAI Licences Mean for You

Licence Type	What it covers	What it doesn't cover
Remote Betting (RB)	Sports betting, horse racing, outright markets	Casino games, slots, live dealer
In-Person Betting	Licensed betting shops in Ireland	Online betting
Casino Gaming (not yet issued)	Slots, table games, live casino online	Not available until 2027–2028

Red Flags: Signs a Site May Not Be Properly Licensed

No licence number visible in the footer or 'About' page.
Licence number doesn't appear in the GRAI public register at grai.ie.
Site claims to hold a 'GRAI casino licence' — no such licence exists yet (expected 2027–2028).
No Irish responsible gambling information or helpline details.
Domain is blocked by Irish ISPs and requires a VPN to access.

How to Verify a Bookmaker's GRAI Licence

Go to grai.ie and navigate to the licensee register section
Download the official PDF register of GRAI remote betting licensees
Search for the operator name or licence number
Alternatively: click the licence logo in the bookmaker's footer — it links to the official GRAI page
If you can't verify a licence, don't deposit — contact GRAI at grai.ie if unsure

Licence type	Regulated by	Covers
GRAI remote betting	GRAI (Ireland)	Sports betting by Irish residents
MGA (Malta)	Malta Gaming Authority	Most online casinos and some sportsbooks
UKGC	UK Gambling Commission	UK-licensed operators (also serve Ireland)
Curacao	Curaçao eGaming	Offshore; least consumer protection

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

Where do I check if a betting site is GRAI licensed?

What does a GRAI licence number look like?

Can a site have a GRAI casino licence?

What if the site's licence doesn't appear on the GRAI register?

Is a Revenue remote bookmaker permission the same as a GRAI licence?