A busy week in Irish gambling regulation and industry news. Here is CraicBet's summary of the most important developments for Irish bettors and casino players for the week ending 2 November 2026.
GRAI Licence Register Continues to Grow
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has been adding operators to its remote betting licence register since July 2026 when the first licences were issued under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The public register, available on the GRAI website, now lists a growing number of licensed remote betting operators — a significant milestone in Ireland's shift away from the legacy licensing system that had been in place since the Betting Act 1931.
Operators who are actively marketing to Irish customers are required to hold a GRAI remote betting licence. Those in the process of transitioning are expected to submit applications promptly. Players are encouraged to check the GRAI register before signing up to any new operator. See our guide to GRAI licensed bookmakers in Ireland for a full breakdown of who is on the register.
It is worth repeating for clarity: GRAI has issued only remote betting licences so far. No casino gaming licences have been issued under GRAI — these are expected from 2027–2028 at the earliest. Any operator claiming to hold a GRAI casino licence is making a false claim.
Advertising Watershed: Three Months In
The GRAI advertising watershed rules — which prohibit gambling advertisements being broadcast before 9 pm — have now been in effect for several months. The rules apply to television, radio and on-demand services, and are among the most significant visible changes brought in under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
The watershed was a key demand from public health advocates and was cited repeatedly during the Oireachtas debates on the legislation. Enforcement is handled by GRAI in conjunction with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). Complaints about potential breaches can be submitted directly to GRAI. Industry observers note that compliance has been broadly high among the major operators, with some smaller or newer entrants still adjusting their advertising schedules.
The watershed does not apply to sponsorship of live sporting events where gambling advertising appears incidentally (for example, on pitch-side boards during a televised match), though GRAI has indicated this area is under ongoing review.
Gambling Regulation Act 2024: Implementation Update
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is being implemented in phases, with the most operationally complex elements — including the establishment of a national self-exclusion register — still in progress. A national self-exclusion system would allow a player to exclude themselves from all licensed operators in Ireland with a single registration, rather than contacting each operator separately as is currently required.
GRAI has not yet published a confirmed date for the national register's launch. In the meantime, players who wish to self-exclude should do so directly with each operator they use. Most GRAI-licensed and major international operators offer self-exclusion through their account settings. For more on responsible gambling tools available to Irish players, see our responsible gambling guide.
Betting Duty: What Irish Bettors Pay
A question that comes up regularly: how much tax do Irish bettors pay? The answer for the bettor is none directly — Irish punters do not pay betting duty themselves. Operators pay a 2% betting duty on gross gaming revenue from Irish customers (as set under the Finance Act). This cost is typically absorbed into the operator's margin, which is why comparing odds across different bookmakers using a tool like our margin calculator remains worthwhile. The duty rate has remained unchanged through recent Irish budgets.
Casino and Slots: Stable Week
No major regulatory changes affecting online casino players in Ireland this week. Casino games remain governed for Irish players primarily by the MGA and UKGC licence frameworks of their operators, pending the eventual introduction of GRAI casino licences. Players should note that casinos currently cannot hold or claim a GRAI licence for casino activity — that framework does not yet exist.
The most common question CraicBet receives from casino players this week: can you use Revolut at Irish casinos? The short answer is usually yes, provided gambling is enabled in your Revolut app settings. See our full Revolut casino guide for details.
Coming Up Next Week
- Weekend football preview — major matches and where to watch
- Updated GRAI licence register check
- Horse racing fixtures: Leopardstown November meeting
18+ only. Gambling can be addictive. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 | gamblingcare.ie. No guaranteed wins.