The Short Answer
Not yet. As of November 2026, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has issued remote betting licences only (since 1 July 2026). Online gaming — casino, slots, live dealer — is the next phase, with applications expected to open between late 2026 and 2028. No Irish online casino licence exists today, whatever any marketing implies.
The Phased Timeline
| Phase | What happens | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 5 March 2025 | GRAI formally established | ✅ Done |
| 5 February 2026 | Core Act provisions commenced (S.I. 31/2026), fees set (S.I. 37/2026) | ✅ Done — details |
| 1 July 2026 | B2C remote betting licences | ✅ Being issued — live tracker |
| 1 December 2026 | B2C in-person betting licences | ⏳ Scheduled |
| Late 2026 – 2028 | Remote gaming (online casino), lotteries, B2B | ⏳ Expected next |
Why Casino Licences Come Last
The GRAI chose to license the biggest existing market first. Betting already operated under Revenue excise licences, so migrating bookmakers was the fastest way to bring regulated operators under the new rules. Online gaming has never been licensed in Ireland — the GRAI is building that framework from scratch, which is why it takes longer.
What It Means for Players Right Now
Every online casino accepting Irish players today operates under a foreign licence — typically MGA (Malta), Curacao or Anjouan. That is not illegal for you as a player, but protections vary enormously by licence. Our licence comparison and 2-minute licence check show how to tell them apart.
How You Will Know the Moment It Happens
We update our GRAI licence register tracker daily. The day the first Irish online casino licence appears on the official register, it appears there — with the operator name and licence number.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The GRAI has issued remote betting licences only since 1 July 2026. Online casino licences are expected between late 2026 and 2028. Any casino claiming a GRAI casino licence today is misleading you.
Playing is not a criminal offence for the player — the licensing obligation falls on operators. Protections depend on the foreign licence, so check it before depositing.
The GRAI publishes an official register, and we mirror it with daily updates on our tracker page.