Since 1 July 2026, every bookmaker taking bets from Irish residents must hold a remote betting licence issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Operating without one is a criminal offence carrying fines of up to €20 million or 10% of annual turnover.
Yet dozens of international operators still accept Irish customers — either because they haven't applied, because their application was refused, or because they've decided the Irish market isn't worth the compliance cost. This page lists who they are, what their actual licence status is, and what consumer protections you give up when you bet offshore.
The GRAI Licence Register: Who Is On It?
As of November 2026, 40 operators hold active GRAI remote betting licences, including the major Irish-facing brands: Paddy Power, bet365, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Sky Bet, Coral, Betway, 888Sport, Unibet, BetVictor, Novibet, and TonyBet (GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001).
The brands below are not on the GRAI register as of November 2026. Some operate freely; others are fully blocked. Sources: official GRAI register (grai.ie), gamblingmaps.org capture 31 Oct 2026.
Offshore Bookmakers Currently Accepting Irish Players (No GRAI Licence)
| Brand | Status in Ireland | Actual Licence | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22Bet | Accepting Irish players | Curaçao eGaming (8048/JAZ) | ⚠️ High |
| 1xBet | Accepting Irish players | Curaçao (various entities) | ⚠️ High |
| LeoVegas | Accessible, no GRAI | MGA (Malta) + UKGC | ⚠️ Medium |
| Mr Green | Accessible, no GRAI | MGA (Malta) + UKGC | ⚠️ Medium |
| Casumo | Accessible, no GRAI | MGA (Malta) + UKGC | ⚠️ Medium |
| Betsson | Accessible, no GRAI | MGA (Malta) | ⚠️ Medium |
| Betsafe | Accessible, no GRAI | MGA (Malta) + UKGC | ⚠️ Medium |
| NordicBet | Accessible, no GRAI | MGA (Malta) | ⚠️ Medium |
| Pinnacle | Accessible, no GRAI | Curaçao | ⚠️ High |
| Winamax | Accessible, no GRAI | ARJEL (France) + MGA | ⚠️ Medium |
| Betfred | Paused since 30 Jun 2026 | UKGC (no GRAI applied) | 🚫 Unavailable |
| Stake | Geo-blocked Sep 2026 | Curaçao (no GRAI) | 🚫 Blocked |
| Polymarket | Geo-blocked Jul 2026 | No EU licence | 🚫 Blocked |
| Kalshi | Geo-blocked Jul 2026 | CFTC (US only) | 🚫 Blocked |
| HiperWin | Accepting Irish players | Curaçao Gaming Control Board | ⚠️ High |
What Consumer Protections Do You Lose?
This is the most important part. When you bet with an offshore operator without a GRAI licence, you lose the following protections that are legally required of Irish-licensed bookmakers from 1 July 2026:
- Prompt payment of winnings — GRAI licensees must pay out without unreasonable delay; offshore operators have no such obligation under Irish law.
- Account closure on request — Licensed operators must close your account when you ask. Offshore operators can delay or refuse.
- Credit card ban compliance — GRAI operators cannot accept credit cards. Some offshore sites still do, which can lead to gambling on borrowed money.
- Dispute resolution via GRAI — If an offshore site refuses to pay, GRAI cannot help you. You have no Irish legal recourse.
- Age verification standards — GRAI imposes strict age verification requirements; offshore sites vary widely.
- National Exclusion Register (NGEI) — Once live, self-exclusion through NGEI will only cover GRAI-licensed operators.
Why Don't These Brands Have a GRAI Licence?
Reasons vary by brand:
- Curaçao-licensed operators (22Bet, 1xBet, Pinnacle, Stake, HiperWin): The Curaçao licence does not authorise betting in Ireland under Irish law. Most have not applied for GRAI.
- MGA-licensed operators (LeoVegas, Mr Green, Casumo, Betsson, Betsafe, NordicBet): MGA is a respected EU licence, but an MGA licence alone does not authorise taking Irish bets post-July 2026. These operators may be in the process of applying.
- Betfred: Voluntarily paused Irish operations in June 2026 pending GRAI compliance. No confirmed return date.
- Stake, Polymarket, Kalshi: Geo-blocked following GRAI intervention. Stake was blocked after being identified as the world's largest online casino and sportsbook operating without an Irish licence.
Can You Use a VPN to Access Blocked Sites?
Technically some Irish users use VPNs to reach geo-blocked sites. This breaches the site's terms of service, voids any winnings at most operators, and provides zero legal protection. If the site refuses to pay out and you used a VPN, you have no recourse — with GRAI or anyone else. We do not recommend it.
What Happens if a Site You Use Gets Blocked?
If an offshore operator is blocked by GRAI after you've deposited funds:
- GRAI actively works with operators to ensure customers are refunded deposited balances (as happened with Stake in Sep 2026).
- File a complaint at grai.ie/complaints.
- Do not attempt VPN workarounds — this may void your right to a refund.
Our recommended operator holds GRAI licence GRAI-0191-RB-26-0001 (issued 16 Sep 2026, valid to 15 Sep 2029). Fully regulated under Irish law with all consumer protections in place.
For the full list of all 40 GRAI-licensed operators, see our GRAI licensed bookmakers Ireland page. For bookmakers specifically blocked by GRAI enforcement action, see our blocked bookmakers Ireland page.
Frequently Asked Questions
From 1 July 2026, only operators holding a GRAI remote betting licence are legally authorised to accept bets from Irish residents. There are currently 40 GRAI-licensed operators, including major brands. Using an offshore site is not illegal for the consumer, but you lose all Irish consumer protections — prompt payout obligations, GRAI dispute resolution, NGEI exclusion register, and credit card protections do not apply.
22Bet does not hold a GRAI remote betting licence. It operates under a Curaçao eGaming licence and currently accepts Irish players, but does so outside the Irish regulatory framework. If you have a dispute with 22Bet, GRAI cannot assist — you have no Irish legal recourse. The Curaçao Gaming Control Board handles complaints, but enforcement is limited.
1xBet currently accepts Irish players through its platform but does not appear on the official GRAI licence register. It operates under Curaçao licensing. Irish consumer law does not protect bets placed there, and GRAI cannot resolve disputes with unlicensed operators.
LeoVegas, Mr Green and Casumo are reputable operators with MGA (Malta) and UKGC licences — but neither licence authorises them to take bets from Irish residents under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. As of November 2026, none appear on the GRAI register. They may be in the process of applying. Until a GRAI licence is confirmed, Irish consumer protections do not apply.
Use a GRAI-licensed bookmaker. GRAI licence holders are legally required to: pay winnings promptly, verify your age, refuse credit card deposits, and submit to GRAI dispute resolution if a problem arises. Check the official GRAI register at grai.ie before depositing with any operator — the licence number should be in the site footer.