Yes. Online gambling is legal in Ireland and is regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This guide sets out who regulates gambling in Ireland, the current licensing position, the penalties for breaches, how the tax treatment works for players, and how to check that a casino is properly licensed.
The short answer
Gambling is legal in Ireland. A dedicated statutory regulator, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), oversees gambling, gaming, betting and certain lottery activities under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Licensing is being introduced on a phased basis.
Who regulates gambling in Ireland?
Gambling in Ireland is regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), the State's statutory regulator for gambling, gaming, betting and certain lottery activities. The GRAI does not regulate the National Lottery, which sits outside its remit.
The GRAI's legal basis is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the legislation that establishes the Authority and sets out the framework for licensing and oversight of gambling in Ireland.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is built on three core principles:
- Gambling must be fair and safe.
- There must be safeguards to address problem gambling.
- Gambling must be prevented from being a source of, or a support to, crime.
Obligations under the Act apply to operators once they are licensed by the GRAI.
What licences are open now?
The GRAI is rolling out licensing on a phased basis. Following a Commencement Order signed by the Minister, the Authority opened betting licence applications on 9 February 2026 and issued the first remote (online) betting licences on 1 July 2026. Licensed betting categories include:
- In-person betting
- Remote (online) betting
- Remote betting intermediary
Important: casino and gaming licences
Because licensing is phased, remote (online) betting licences are already being issued, while remote gaming (online casino) licensing follows later — application windows for gaming, lotteries and B2B licences are scheduled across 2027 and 2028. Until GRAI gaming licences are available, Irish-facing casinos continue to operate under licences issued by other jurisdictions. See our Irish gambling licensing timeline for the full rollout.
Enforcement and penalties
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 gives the GRAI significant enforcement powers. Penalties for serious breaches can include:
- Financial penalties of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover.
- Criminal prosecution.
- Prison sentences of up to 8 years for serious breaches, including failure to protect children from gambling.
Do Irish players pay tax on gambling winnings?
No. Recreational players in Ireland do not pay tax on their gambling winnings; the tax burden falls on operators rather than on players. For a fuller explanation, see our guide on whether casino winnings are taxable in Ireland.
How to check if a casino is properly licensed
Before depositing, players can take a few practical steps to confirm a casino's licensing status:
- Verify the licence on the regulator's own website, rather than relying on logos or claims displayed on the casino's site.
- Identify which authority licenses the operator. Many Irish-facing casinos are currently licensed elsewhere — for example by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) or in Curaçao — until GRAI gaming licences are issued.
- Check that the licensing details shown on the casino match the public register held by the relevant regulator.
For more detail, read our guide on how to choose a safe online casino in Ireland.
Gamble responsibly
Whatever the licensing position, players should gamble within their means and make use of the safeguards available to them. See our responsible gambling guide for Irish players for tools and support.
Related guides
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) Explained
- Irish Gambling Licensing Timeline 2024–2028
- Are Casino Winnings Taxable in Ireland?
- How to Choose a Safe Online Casino in Ireland
- Responsible Gambling Guide for Irish Players
Last verified: June 2026 · Source: grai.ie (Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland).