Ireland Gambling Laws Explained
The gambling laws in Ireland can be confusing simply because of the changes that have taken place over the last ten years within the regulatory structure of the Irish gambling industry.
While all of these changes may be hard to keep up with, they demonstrate Ireland’s commitment to staying relevant and keeping pace in a thriving, technology-driven industry that cannot withstand outdated statutes or laws.
This page was developed by experienced gambling industry professionals with an insightful, thorough understanding of legal online gambling in Ireland. They are not lawyers, however, and do not provide legal advice or professional legal services of any kind. If you are seeking legal advice concerning gambling in Ireland, we suggest you contact an attorney who specializes in gambling laws.
Gambling Laws in Ireland 2026 Version
Regulated gambling in Ireland began to take shape in the mid-1800s with the Betting Act of 1854, and has evolved very slowly into the modern regulatory structure you see now. Ireland’s lawmakers have worked hard to bring their legal status up to par with the current gambling industry environment worldwide.
It may have taken some time for this to happen, and it may not yet be perfect, but it is certainly getting better, with the changes clearly resonating with the nation’s interest in establishing itself as a significant presence in the global gambling market. This page will examine relevant gambling laws, broken down by betting venue.
Gambling Regulation Act 2024
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is the primary legislation governing the modernization of Ireland’s gambling industry. Signed into law on October 23, 2024, the Act created a unified framework for regulating betting, gaming, certain lotteries and gambling-related products and services. It also established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, or GRAI, as the country’s independent gambling regulator.
The Act is being introduced in phases rather than taking effect in its entirety on a single date. The GRAI was formally established in March 2025, while key licensing provisions commenced on February 5, 2026, allowing the regulator to begin issuing remote and in-person betting licenses. Ireland’s first remote betting licenses subsequently became active on July 1, 2026.
Under the new system, businesses offering regulated gambling services to people in Ireland must obtain the appropriate GRAI licence. The framework includes business-to-consumer licenses for operators that provide betting, gaming or lottery products, as well as separate licenses for businesses that supply gambling-related products and services to other companies.
The legislation gives the GRAI broad powers to:
- Issue, renew, suspend and revoke gambling licenses
- Maintain a public register of approved operators
- Investigate suspected violations
- Inspect licenced premises and request company records
- Impose administrative sanctions and financial penalties
- Establish standards for gambling advertising and promotions
- Create safer gambling requirements for licenced operators
- Prevent gambling from being used to support crime or money laundering
Player protection is a central part of the Act. Licensed operators are prohibited from offering gambling on credit or accepting credit card payments. They must also introduce appropriate age-verification procedures, protect customer funds and provide clear information about gambling risks.
The Act provides for a National Gambling Exclusion Register, which is intended to allow individuals to exclude themselves from gambling with all participating Irish-licensced operators through a single registration. It also establishes a Social Impact Fund financed by contributions from commercial licence holders. Money collected through the fund will support research, education, treatment and initiatives designed to reduce gambling-related harm.
Advertising is also subject to tighter controls. The legislation restricts when gambling advertisements can be shown on television, radio and on-demand audiovisual services. It also gives the regulator authority to control the content, placement and targeting of promotions, particularly where children and vulnerable people may be exposed.
Although the Act has become law, some sections are still awaiting commencement or further regulations. Existing gambling laws may therefore continue to apply to certain activities while the new licensing categories and regulatory requirements are introduced.
Gambling Regulation Bill of 2022
The Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 was introduced to modernize Ireland’s outdated gambling laws and create a single regulatory framework for online and in-person gambling. After passing through the Oireachtas, it was enacted as the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 on October 23, 2024.
The Bill proposed establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) as an independent regulator responsible for licensing and supervising gambling operators. It introduced licenses for consumer-facing gambling businesses, business-to-business suppliers, and certain charitable or philanthropic gambling activities.
A major focus was consumer protection and safer gambling. The Bill proposed restrictions on gambling on credit and credit-card payments, stronger protections for minors, controls on promotions and inducements, and a National Gambling Exclusion Register allowing individuals to exclude themselves from licensed gambling services. It also proposed a Social Impact Fund, financed by commercial gambling operators, to support research, education and treatment relating to gambling-related harm.
Ultimately, the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 became the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, meaning the final Act, its commencement provisions, and GRAI regulations now determine Ireland’s current gambling regulatory requirements.
Timeline of Ireland’s Gambling Laws
| Year | Legislation | Short overview |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Totalisator Act 1929 | Established the legal framework for operating totalisators (pool betting) in Ireland, particularly in connection with horse racing. It formed part of Ireland’s early statutory regulation of betting. The Act is among the legislation being replaced under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. |
| 1931 | Betting Act 1931 | Became the principal legislation governing bookmakers and betting in Ireland. It established licensing requirements for bookmakers and betting premises and regulated how bookmaking could legally be conducted. |
| 1956 | Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 | Established the main framework governing gaming and lotteries, including rules concerning gaming activities, gaming machines, lotteries and permits. It remained a central part of Irish gambling law for decades. |
| 1975 | Finance Act 1975 | Introduced and amended taxation and licensing provisions relevant to gaming machines and gambling-related activities. The definition of a gaming machine under this legislation was subsequently incorporated into gambling legislation. |
| 1994 | Irish Horseracing Industry Act 1994 | Reformed the administration and development of the Irish horse-racing industry and established structures for its governance and funding. It is relevant to gambling law because of the close relationship between horse racing and betting. |
| 2001 | Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 | Introduced further provisions concerning the governance, administration and financing of horse and greyhound racing in Ireland, sectors closely connected with the betting industry. |
| 2010 | Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 | Established Ireland’s principal anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework. Its requirements extend to relevant gambling activities and operators, and it was subsequently amended by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. |
| 2013 | National Lottery Act 2013 | Established the modern statutory framework for the Irish National Lottery, including arrangements for its operation and regulation. The National Lottery continues to have a distinct legislative framework from ordinary commercial gambling. |
| 2015 | Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 | Modernized the Betting Act 1931, most importantly by extending Ireland’s licensing system to remote bookmakers and remote betting intermediaries, including operators providing betting services electronically. |
| 2019 | Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 | Modernized the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. It revised the permit and licensing systems for gaming and lotteries, introduced updated requirements and offenses, and amended aspects of the Betting Act 1931. |
| 2022 | Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 | Proposed a comprehensive overhaul of Ireland’s gambling laws, including a single regulator, modern licensing system, stronger advertising controls, player protections, a National Gambling Exclusion Register and Social Impact Fund. After amendments and passage through the Oireachtas, the Bill became the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. |
| 2024 | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 | Introduced Ireland’s new comprehensive gambling regulatory framework and established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). It covers licensing, advertising, enforcement, consumer protection, gambling exclusion and gambling-related harm, while providing for the replacement of major older gambling laws. |
| 2026 | Gambling (Licensing of Gambling Activities) Regulations 2026 | Secondary legislation supporting implementation of the 2024 Act. It provides detailed rules for aspects of the new GRAI licensing framework. Unlike the entries above, these are regulations rather than an Act or Bill. |
Casino Gambling Laws in Ireland
Before 1956, there was little regulatory oversight of most forms of gambling in Ireland. Casino gambling was finally addressed through the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. The law prohibits commercial casinos from operating in Ireland.
A loophole in the law has driven innovative business owners to establish members-only gambling clubs, which are not prohibited in Ireland. These clubs are essentially mini-casinos that offer a variety of casino games, including slots, video poker, poker, and blackjack.
There are approximately 14 of these destinations in Ireland at the time of this writing, and they require a membership in order to participate. Most of them are known as clubs, but a few are actually called casinos. Playing casino games for real money at these clubs does not violate the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956.
An effort was recently made to legalize casino gambling in Ireland and provide a regulatory infrastructure for playing casino games for real money on a large scale. The Gambling Control Bill of 2013, authored by Alan Shatter, has not yet been passed by Parliament. If passed, the bill will allow up to 40 legal land-based casinos, each with up to 15 tables.
The bill also included provisions to regulate and expand the casino, poker, and bingo industries, both online and offline. There is no estimate of when this bill may be passed.
Online Casino Gambling Laws in Ireland
Online casino gambling is also legal in Ireland. Ireland’s gambling laws have specifically made it legal for citizens to engage in licenced and regulated offshore gambling as well as licenced domestic online gambling.
Online casino gambling emerged in 2001, but it wasn’t until 2003 that Ireland fully embraced the concept and began integrating locally licenced interactive betting into its gambling market. Currently, both locally licenced and licenced offshore online casino gambling is legal for Irish citizens to enjoy.
You can visit our page covering Ireland’s online casinos to learn more about the leading online casino destinations that welcome Irish players.
Poker Laws In Ireland
Live poker is legally available at several gambling clubs in Ireland. Since most forms of gambling are prohibited through the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, including commercial casinos and poker rooms, punters are limited to one of the 14 gambling clubs located in Ireland if they are seeking live poker action.
These destinations offer live poker games, just not on a very large scale in most cases. Due to the limitations of land-based poker in Ireland, many players have chosen to play the more widespread legal online poker options available to Irish players.
The Irish Open Poker Tournament is Europe’s largest poker tournament and the second-longest-running No Limit Texas Hold ’em tournament in the world. This is a strong indication of the following poker holds in the gambling industry in Ireland. Poker is undeniably a significant presence in the fabric of Irish gambling entertainment.
Laws About Playing Online Poker In Ireland
Like the casino niche, poker is legally available online through both domestically licenced and offshore licenced online poker rooms. You will find a listing of the online poker sites that our analysts have vetted and approved as premium Irish online poker rooms.
Each of them is legally licenced and regulated by either the Republic of Ireland or a respected offshore governing jurisdiction.
Sports Betting Laws in Ireland
Bookmaking and pari-mutuel wagering have the longest-standing history in Ireland. This being the case, the nation’s earliest gambling laws were focused on these venues. The Betting Act of 1931 regulated all sports betting activities until 2015. Bookmaking has been and continues to be the most popular form of gambling among Irish citizens.
This 1931 law has finally been updated by the Betting (Amendment) Act of 2015, which is more relevant to modern bookmaking and entertainment. This Act was signed into law in 2015 and was enacted to establish a means for offshore sportsbooks and betting exchanges to become integrated into Irish licensing policies and taxation requirements.
The law effectively alters standard bookmaking licensing to also include limited remote betting with revenue restrictions. This bill made it illegal for online betting businesses to offer their services to Irish citizens without first acquiring a remote bookmaker or betting intermediary licence. Specific licensing requirements and procedures are established in the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015.
Learn more in our Ireland sports betting section.
Pari-Mutuel Wagering Laws
Pari-mutuel wagering has long been a part of Ireland’s gambling culture, well before regulated gambling took shape in the nation. The most current legislation related to racing is the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001. This law created Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) to oversee the administration, development, and regulation of the industry.
The law also dissolved the Irish Horse Racing Authority while effectively amending and extending the Horseracing Industry Act of 1994, the Greyhound Industry Act of 1958, and the Betting Act of 1931. Irish citizens can bet on horse races both online and offline from domestically licenced racetracks and bookmakers, as well as online at legally licenced offshore sportsbooks.
Bingo Laws And Regulations In Ireland
The Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 prohibits commercial bingo halls and bingo games for real money outside of licenced charitable gambling events. That being said, bingo proprietors simply use the same loophole as the casino and poker gambling venues and have gone on to establish multiple bingo clubs.
These clubs offer a bingo hall environment and the opportunity to play bingo for real money.
As an alternative, there are a number of legally sanctioned, high-quality online bingo opportunities available to Irish punters offered through both domestically based and international bingo sites.
The bingo sites you see mentioned in our guide to understanding Legal Bingo Gambling Options in Ireland will provide you with a refined listing of the industry’s leading online bingo sites that are legally licenced and regulated and that accept players from Ireland.
Lottery Laws In IE
The nation’s lottery industry was created by the National Lottery Act of 1986 and established to raise funds for good causes. Operations for the National Lottery began in 1987 with scratchcard games, followed by the Lotto game in 1988.
You can play three types of drawing games in Ireland, including Lotto, EuroMillions, and Daily Million. The National Lottery also funds televised bingo and games shows, sells scratchcards, and operates Millionaire Raffles.
Fast-forward to today’s technological age, and we see Ireland’s legal lottery industry enacting the National Lottery Act of 2013. This law was established to facilitate the sale of the National Lottery Licence to a third party. This was driven by the Republic of Ireland’s financial hardships and provided swift financial relief.
In addition, the law eliminated restrictions on interactive gambling in order to foster the online sale of lottery tickets. A portion of the sale from the national lottery licence was used to assist in the building of a national children’s hospital.
Recent Gambling Legislation In Ireland
The gambling markets in Ireland and around the world are consistently evolving, particularly with the integration of online betting into the gambling entertainment industry. Here, we will take a look at recent or pending legislation that is becoming a part of the regulatory framework of Irish gambling laws.
Courts & Civil Liabilities (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2017
The Irish Cabinet recently approved new legislation to amend a few aspects of the current gambling law. The Courts and Civil Liabilities (Miscellaneous Provisions) bill is modernizing the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. The bill raises the legal gambling age from 16 to 18.
The current legislation permits 16-year-olds to enter establishments such as carnivals, amusement halls with slot machines, funfairs, or sports betting events. The new bill also raises the stakes and prize-pot limits for local lotteries.
The standing legislation requires lotteries of up to €5,000 to obtain a permit from a Garda superintendent and lotteries with prizes up to €30,000 to get a licence from the District Court. As things stand, Parliament aims to have this legislation voted on and approved by the end of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is gambling legal in Ireland?
Yes, gambling is legal in Ireland, but it is strictly regulated. Both in-person and online gambling are subject to licensing and oversight by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).
What is the minimum legal age for gambling in Ireland?
The minimum legal age for all forms of gambling in Ireland is 18.
Who regulates gambling in Ireland?
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, is responsible for licensing, regulating, and overseeing most gambling activities in Ireland.
Are online casinos and betting sites legal for Irish players?
Yes, both domestically licenced and regulated offshore online gambling sites are legal for Irish citizens, provided the operator holds the appropriate licence.
Are there any restrictions on gambling advertising?
Yes, there are significant restrictions. Gambling ads are banned on television, radio, and on-demand media between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm. There are also strict rules for social media and sponsorship, especially regarding children and sporting organisations.
Can I use a credit card to gamble in Ireland?
Gambling with funds sourced from credit cards is prohibited at domestic Irish gambling venues, but they are accepted at every offshore betting site that we recommend.
What is the National Gambling Exclusion Register?
This is a register maintained by the GRAI that allows individuals to self-exclude from gambling activities with all licenced operators in Ireland.
Are commercial casinos allowed in Ireland?
No, commercial casinos are not permitted. However, private members-only gambling clubs (sometimes called mini-casinos) operate legally.
Are lotteries and raffles legal in Ireland?
Yes, but they are regulated. Most lotteries require a licence, except for the National Lottery, which is controlled separately. There are also specific rules for one-off lotteries and charitable fundraising.
What happens if a gambling operator breaches the law?
The GRAI can investigate complaints, enforce penalties, and revoke licences if operators breach their obligations under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
How does the law protect children and vulnerable individuals?
There are strict measures to prevent children from accessing gambling, including advertising restrictions and mandatory age verification. The Social Impact Fund supports research and initiatives aimed at reducing problem gambling.
What is the Social Impact Fund?
Licenced commercial gambling operators must contribute annually to this fund, which finances research, training, and education on gambling addiction. Charitable gambling operators are exempt.
Do I need a licence for a charity raffle or bingo night?
Yes, most charity gambling activities require a specific licence from the GRAI, except for certain small-scale or once-off events.
Where can I find more information about licenced operators?
The GRAI maintains a public register of all licenced gambling operators in Ireland.