The Short Answer
Not yet. As of 31 October 2026, the GRAI has not issued a single online casino (remote gaming) licence — the category has not opened for applications. Every casino available to Irish players today operates on an offshore licence, most commonly Malta (MGA), Gibraltar or Curaçao.
Why Betting Came First
The GRAI is rolling out licensing in phases. Remote betting opened first (applications from 9 February 2026, first licences 1 July 2026) because Ireland already had a betting licence regime under the Revenue Commissioners to transition from. Online casino games were never licensed in Ireland before, so the gaming category requires the GRAI to build its framework from scratch — technical standards, game approval, player fund protections.
When Will Gaming Licences Open?
Honest answer: published timelines disagree. Industry briefings have pointed at everything from late 2026 to 2028 for remote gaming applications. The GRAI itself asks interested operators to register interest and has not committed to a public date. We track every development on our GRAI register tracker, which we update as announcements land.
What It Will Mean for Players
- The exclusion register starts covering casinos — one request will block every licensed casino, which is impossible today (how it works)
- Irish dispute resolution — complaints go to a domestic regulator rather than Malta or Curaçao
- Advertising and inducement limits — the Act restricts bonuses and ads in ways offshore operators currently ignore
- A shakeout — operators unwilling to meet Irish standards will geo-block, as several already have under GRAI pressure
What to Do Until Then
Playing at offshore-licensed casinos is not an offence for Irish players — the obligations fall on operators. Protect yourself the same way we do in every review: verify the offshore licence at its source (2-minute guide), prefer operators with a track record of paying out, and never keep a large balance on any site.