Ireland’s gambling regulator unveils three-year strategy to 2027

• The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) launches its first Statement of Strategy covering 2025 to 2027.
• The strategy focuses on licensing, enforcement, consumer protection, and developing a digital-first regulatory approach.
• GRAI aims to create a safe, transparent gambling environment supporting public protection and industry integrity.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), established in March 2025, has published its inaugural three-year strategy outlining plans through 2027.

The strategy sets out GRAI’s core priorities and initiatives to build a robust licensing and regulatory framework that protects consumers and ensures a fair gambling market across both online and land-based operators.

Six strategic priorities

GRAI’s Statement of Strategy highlights six key functional areas driving its work: licensing, monitoring and compliance, enforcement, consumer protection and awareness, people and governance, and a digital-first approach.

The regulator will implement a phased licensing system covering sports betting, gaming, and lotteries. It aims to licence only reputable operators vetted through thorough risk assessments to reduce potential harms.​

Enforcement will focus on investigating breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, prosecuting illegal operators, and sanctioning non-compliance. The Authority will also tackle money laundering, combat terrorist financing, and preserve sports integrity.

Consumer protection is central, featuring a National Gambling Exclusion Register allowing self-exclusion from licensed platforms and a Social Impact Fund with at least €14 million annually to support education and treatment services addressing gambling-related harm.

Regulatory independence and governance

Established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, GRAI operates as an independent, self-financing regulator under the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.

It is led by Chairperson Paul Quinn and CEO Anne Marie Caulfield, who emphasise a commitment to evidence-based regulation that balances industry development with public health concerns.

“As a newly established independent regulator, we have been entrusted with a vital public mandate: to ensure that gambling in Ireland is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner, with the interests of individuals, families, and the wider community at its heart,” said Paul Quinn, Chairperson of the GRAI.

The strategy also includes plans to enhance organisational capabilities and digital infrastructure to keep pace with evolving market dynamics and enforcement needs.​

Future implications for the market

Ireland’s new gambling legislation replaces decades-old laws with a modern regulatory regime. It introduces stronger advertising restrictions, bans on gambling-related credit and debit card transactions, and robust compliance measures backed by significant penalties.

As Ireland implements this framework through 2027, it positions itself as a leader in gambling regulation, enhancing public confidence and aligning with EU standards. The focus on technology-driven solutions and public health interventions also provides a blueprint for balancing market growth with harm reduction efforts.​

This strategy lays the groundwork for a safer and more accountable gambling industry in Ireland, benefitting consumers, operators, and regulators alike.