GRAI Licensed Betting Sites Ireland 2026
From 1 July 2026, only operators holding a GRAI remote betting licence may legally accept bets from Irish customers online. As of October 2026, 41 remote betting licences have been issued. This page explains what a GRAI licence means, how to verify any site's status, and what protections come with it.
41 remote betting licences issued · 100+ operators under investigation · 0 casino licences issued
What Is a GRAI Remote Betting Licence?
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, with remote betting licences commencing on 1 July 2026. Any operator that takes bets online from Irish customers — sports betting, exchange betting, spread betting — must hold a GRAI remote betting licence. This is a criminal offence if they don't.
To obtain a licence, operators must demonstrate:
- Age and identity verification — robust KYC processes to prevent underage gambling
- Responsible gambling tools — deposit limits, cooling-off periods, self-exclusion
- Anti-money laundering compliance — customer due diligence and transaction monitoring
- Credit card ban compliance — no credit card deposits accepted from Irish customers (in force since 5 February 2026)
- Financial stability — sufficient funds to pay out winnings and return player balances
GRAI Licence Number Format Explained
Every GRAI licence has a standardised number you can read like a code. The format is GRAI-XXXX-TT-YY-NNNN:
- GRAI — identifies the issuing authority (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland)
- XXXX — a four-digit operator identifier unique to that company
- TT — licence type: RB = Remote Betting (bookmaker), RI = Remote Intermediary (betting exchange)
- YY — two-digit year the licence was first issued (e.g. 26 = 2026)
- NNNN — sequential licence number within that operator's series
So GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 — held by our recommended partner — means: operator 191, remote betting licence, issued in 2026, first licence in that series. Licences are issued for a three-year term and must be renewed. Always confirm the status is Active in the GRAI register.
- 1 July 2026 — Remote betting licences begin. All previous Revenue Commissioners permissions expire. Betting without a GRAI licence is now a criminal offence.
- December 2026 — In-person (retail) betting licence applications open. High-street bookmakers must hold a GRAI licence, not the old Revenue certificate.
- 2027–2028 (expected) — Remote casino / gaming licence applications expected to open. As of November 2026, zero casino licences have been issued.
- TBC — National self-exclusion register expected to become fully operational once casino licensing begins.
How to Check a Site's GRAI Licence
There are two ways to verify a site holds a valid GRAI remote betting licence:
- Check grai.ie — the GRAI maintains a public licence register on its website. Search for the operator by name.
- Check the footer — GRAI-licensed operators must display their licence number in the site footer. It follows the format
GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-NNNN. For example, our partner holds licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001.
If you cannot find a licence number on a site and it does not appear in the GRAI register, it is not licensed to take bets from Irish customers.
How Many Sites Are Licensed?
As of October 2026, the GRAI has issued 41 remote betting licences. This covers remote betting only — there are zero online casino licences issued (casino licensing is expected to begin in 2027–2028). The GRAI has also opened investigations into more than 100 operators that it believes have been serving Irish customers without a licence.
The investigations resulted in several significant developments:
- One major operator group had 145 of its websites placed under review
- At least two sites announced closure following the investigation
- Prediction market platforms restricted Ireland after GRAI ruled they require a remote betting intermediary licence
What Protections Does a GRAI Licence Give You?
Betting with a GRAI-licensed operator gives you real, enforceable consumer protections:
- Dispute resolution — you can escalate unresolved disputes to the GRAI
- Player fund protection — licensed operators must hold player funds separately from business funds
- Self-exclusion — operators must offer self-exclusion and must check the national self-exclusion register (once operational)
- Advertising standards — operators are subject to strict rules on how bonuses and promotions are advertised
- Transparency — operators must display licence numbers, terms of service, and responsible gambling information clearly
Bet With a GRAI-Licensed Operator
Our recommended partner holds GRAI remote betting licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001, issued 16 September 2026 and valid until 15 September 2029. All the protections above apply.
18+ | Licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 | Bet responsibly
Frequently Asked Questions
How many GRAI remote betting licences have been issued?▾
As of October 2026, the GRAI has issued 41 remote betting licences. The number is expected to grow as more applications are processed. The GRAI also has over 100 operators under investigation for operating without a licence.
How do I check if a betting site has a GRAI licence?▾
Visit grai.ie and check the public licence register. GRAI-licensed operators must also display their licence number prominently in their website footer, in the format GRAI-XXXX-RB-YY-ZZZZ.
What does a GRAI remote betting licence mean?▾
It means the operator has met GRAI standards for player protection, anti-money laundering, age verification, and responsible gambling. Licensed operators must offer deposit limits, self-exclusion, and cannot accept credit card payments from Irish customers.
Are all GRAI-licensed sites safe?▾
A GRAI licence means regulatory oversight and consumer protections apply. It does not guarantee you will win. Always check bonus terms, use deposit limits, and gamble responsibly.
What happens to sites without a GRAI licence?▾
The GRAI can apply to the High Court for blocking orders. Operators that continue to serve Irish players without a licence face prosecution. Irish players have no consumer protection when using unlicensed sites.
What does RB mean in a GRAI licence number?▾
RB stands for Remote Betting — meaning the operator is licensed to accept bets online from Irish customers. RI stands for Remote Intermediary (a betting exchange). Both are distinct from in-person (retail) licences, which the GRAI will begin issuing from December 2026. Casino / gaming licences will have a different prefix when issued in 2027–2028.
When will GRAI issue casino licences?▾
The GRAI has not issued any remote casino or gaming licences as of November 2026. The authority has indicated applications are expected to open in 2027–2028, following the full bedding-in of the remote betting licensing regime. Until then, all online casino sites operating in Ireland hold international licences (MGA, Estonian, Curaçao) and are outside the GRAI's current remit. Full casino licensing timeline here.
Can I complain to the GRAI about a bookmaker?▾
Yes — if your bookmaker holds a GRAI licence and has not resolved your complaint internally within a reasonable period, you can escalate to the GRAI as a formal complaint. The GRAI has the power to investigate, fine operators and revoke licences. Complaints about unlicensed operators are also accepted but the GRAI's enforcement options differ. See our GRAI complaints guide for step-by-step instructions.
18+ | Gambling can be addictive. Play responsibly. If gambling is causing problems, call the Gambling Awareness Trust helpline: 1800 753 753 or visit gamblingcare.ie. No predictions on this page are guaranteed.
📋 See also: Full guide to GRAI licensed bookmakers in Ireland →