💡 Key Facts
- MarathonBet is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UKGC
- As of November 2026, MarathonBet does not appear to hold a GRAI remote betting licence for Ireland
- Since 1 July 2026, operators targeting Irish customers must hold a GRAI licence under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024
- Without a GRAI licence, Irish players receive no GRAI-mandated deposit limit enforcement, NGEI integration, or formal Irish complaints route
- Always verify the current position at grai.ie
- GRAI currently issues remote betting licences only — casino gaming licences expected 2027–2028
What Is MarathonBet?
MarathonBet is owned by Marathon Bet Ltd and has been operating since the mid-1990s. It holds licences from both the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), making it one of the more heavily regulated non-GRAI options. The bookmaker is particularly well regarded for its depth of football markets, including minor leagues and lower divisions that many competitors do not cover, as well as competitive odds on mainstream events.
MarathonBet is used widely in Eastern Europe, parts of Asia, and historically had a significant UK customer base before its UKGC withdrawal. It remains a legitimate, regulated operator in its current licensed markets.
MarathonBet’s GRAI Licence Status
As of November 2026, MarathonBet does not appear on the GRAI public register of licensed remote betting operators. Since 1 July 2026, any operator targeting Irish customers must hold a GRAI remote betting licence. Without this licence, Irish players using MarathonBet would not receive GRAI-mandated protections, including NGEI self-exclusion integration, mandatory deposit limit enforcement, or a formal Irish complaints route to the GRAI.
It is worth noting that MarathonBet holds reputable MGA and UKGC licences, which do provide substantial player protections — but these are not equivalent to or a substitute for GRAI authorisation when it comes to Irish-specific regulatory requirements.
⚠️ Verify This Yourself
Licence statuses change. CraicBet strongly recommends checking the official GRAI register at grai.ie before depositing with any operator. If MarathonBet has since obtained a GRAI licence, it will appear there with a reference number in the format GRAI-XXXX-RB-26-XXXX.
MarathonBet vs GRAI-Licensed Options
Irish players who value deep market coverage and competitive odds may find MarathonBet appealing, but they should weigh the absence of GRAI-specific protections. The five key Irish protections — deposit limit enforcement, NGEI integration, credit card ban compliance, withdrawal timelines, and complaints escalation — are only available through GRAI-licensed operators. We maintain a full comparison of GRAI-licensed bookmakers at betting-sites-ireland.
GRAI-Licensed Alternatives for Irish Players
Several operators hold GRAI remote betting licences and compete actively for Irish customers with competitive odds, wide sports markets, and responsible gambling tools. You can find a full comparison on our betting sites Ireland page.
Our recommended partner holds GRAI remote betting licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 (valid 16 September 2026 – 15 September 2029), verifiable at grai.ie.
18+ | Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie | Gamble responsibly.
T&Cs apply | GRAI licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001