The Irish Gambling Regulation Act 2024: key changes to licences

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 introduced a comprehensive framework to regulate gambling activities in Ireland such as betting, gaming and lotteries.

The main purpose of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (the Gambling Act) is to modernise Irish gambling laws and ensure safe practices in the Irish gambling sector. The Gambling Act provides for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which serves as Ireland’s central gambling regulator.

In this article, Ogier’s Dispute Resolution team in Ireland provides a comprehensive overview of all licences issued under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and overseen by the GRAI, building on the team’s earlier insights into broad gambling regulation changes, as set out in their previous article on the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and its impacts.

Gambling licences

A gambling licence is a legal authorisation issued by the GRAI. It permits the licence holder to conduct gambling activities in Ireland. There are different types of gambling licences available depending on the nature and scope of the gambling activity.

In the Gambling Act, gambling licences are categorised as either business-to-business or business-to-consumer licences.

Business-to-consumer gambling licence

This licence allows the provision of relevant gambling activities directly to consumers. The activities may include betting, gaming or lotteries conducted in-person, remotely or both.

Business-to-business gambling licence

This licence permits the sale or supply of gambling products or services to other businesses, including licensees within and outside of Ireland.

In-person gambling licence

This variation of the business-to-consumer licence allows the licensee to provide gambling activities from physical premises in Ireland.

Remote gambling licence

This licence enables the provision of gambling activities solely by remote means, such as online platforms.

Betting licences

Betting licences are designed for businesses and individuals who provide betting services, such as bookmakers and betting shops in Ireland. Bookmakers’ licences are currently issued by the Revenue Commissioner. These licences cover activities like sports betting and other event wagering. The gambling authority will ultimately be responsible for issuing betting / bookmakers licences.

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 outlines different types of betting licences.

In-person betting licence

This licence allows the licensee to provide betting activities in-person at one or more premises in Ireland, including pool betting for an event, a series of events or a class of events.

Remote betting licence

This licence permits the licensee to conduct betting activities remotely, encompassing events done via electronic means such as the internet, phone or TV.

In-person and remote betting licence

This combined licence allows the licensee to offer betting both in-person at designated premises and through remote platforms.

Remote betting intermediary licence

This licence is designated for intermediaries who facilitate betting between other parties through remote means. However, it excludes the provision of pool betting.

Gaming licences

Gaming licences in Ireland are required for operations involving gaming machines and casino-style games, ensuring these activities are conducted in a regulated environment to minimise fraud risk and ensure fair play.

In-person gaming licence

This licence authorises the licensee to provide a relevant game or games from one or more premises in Ireland to a person who attends the premises to play the game.

Remote gaming licence

This licence authorises the licensee to provide a relevant game or games by remote means.

In-person and remote gaming licence

This licence authorises the licensee to provide a relevant game or games from one or more premises in Ireland to a person who attends the premises to play the games, and by remote means.

Lottery licences

Lottery licences are necessary for organisations conducting lotteries, including raffles and draws in Ireland, to ensure fair operation and legitimate use of proceeds, often for charitable purposes. Currently issued by local authorities or the District Court, depending on the lottery's scale, these licences are required for organising lottery activities where participants pay for a chance to win prizes.

In-person lottery licence

This authorises the licensee to provide a relevant lottery from one or more premises in Ireland to individuals who attend the premises to participate in the lottery.

Remote lottery licence

This authorises the licensee to provide a relevant lottery by remote means.

In-person and remote lottery licence

This authorises the licensee to provide a relevant lottery both from one or more premises in Ireland and by remote means.

A licence is not required if a competition involves a game of skill, including answering a question, and / or it is free to enter.

Continuation of previous licences

Licences and permits issued in Ireland in accordance with the previous legislation will remain in force for the remainder of the licence period and subject to the conditions of the previous legislation.

These licences might also need to be renewed under the current regime as the new regime might take some time to come into effect.

How Ogier can help

For more information on this regulation and gambling compliance in Ireland advice and legal services related to these topics, please contact a member of our Dispute Resolution team using their contact details below.

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Disclaimer

This client briefing has been prepared for clients and professional associates of Ogier. The information and expressions of opinion which it contains are not intended to be a comprehensive study or to provide legal advice and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.

Regulatory information can be found under Legal Notice