License Name
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland License
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Issuing Country/Region
Ireland
Regulatory Body
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) / Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann
Types of Regulated Games
Casino games, betting, lotteries, gaming machines, online gambling
Market Coverage
Local (Ireland)
Regulator's Reputation
Establishing (recently introduced authority, designed for modern and robust regulation)
Legal Entity Requirements
Company registration in Ireland or the EEA required for most licenses
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Background checks for key personnel and directors; suitability and integrity required
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Compliance with national and EU AML directives, stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) policies required
Data Protection Requirements
GDPR compliance mandatory
Reporting Requirements
Regular compliance and financial reports to GRAI
Audit Requirements
Annual independent audits required for operators
Software Certification Requirements
Certification of gaming software by approved laboratories
RNG Certification
RNGs must be certified for fairness by approved test labs
Payment System Requirements
Only approved/certified payment service providers allowed
Server Location Requirements
Pending final implementation, server location is expected to comply with EU data protection laws
Domain Name Requirements
No specific restrictions, but compliance with Irish advertising and gaming standards necessary
Language Support Requirements
English mandatory, Irish recommended for consumer-facing activities
Currency Support Requirements
EUR required, other currencies may be permitted
Background Checks
Mandatory for board members, directors, significant shareholders, and key management
License Scope Restrictions
Excludes National Lottery, restrictions on underage gambling and illegal betting
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Must comply with Irish gambling taxes and corporate taxation
Player Data Storage Requirements
GDPR and local data residency for player data
Cross-Border Operations
Permitted within EEA; restricted for non-EEA unless special approval
License Application Transparency
High, subject to regulatory public scrutiny and anti-criminality reviews
Regulatory Contact Point
GRAI Licensing Department
Compliance Officer Requirement
Designated compliance officer typically required for medium/large operators
Legal Dispute Resolution
Irish courts have jurisdiction; alternative dispute resolution mechanisms possible
License Transferability
Non-transferable without GRAI approval
Sub-Licensing Rules
Explicit sub-licensing not permitted under current rules
License Cost
Baseline application fee €20,000 for remote licenses (subject to further tiering by gross gambling yield)
Annual Fees
Subject to final GRAI schedule, fees to scale with business size and type
Financial Reporting Requirements
Regular audited financial statement submissions required
Application Processing Time
Processing times vary; full implementation expected second half of 2025
Required Documents
Company registration documents, business plan, AML policy, technical specifications, director/shareholder details
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business plan submission required
Internal Policy Requirements
AML, KYC, responsible gaming, privacy policies mandatory
Testing Requirements
Technical testing of platforms and games via approved labs
Certification Requirements
Software and RNG certification by independent accredited labs
Staff Qualifications
Key employees subject to suitability assessment
Physical Office Requirements
Registered office in Ireland or EEA typically required for consumer-facing operators
Local Representative Requirements
Appointment of local agent or representative generally required
Marketing Restrictions
Advertising ban on TV/radio/on-demand media 5:30 AM–9:00 PM; additional restrictions on social media, minors
Responsible Gaming Measures
Mandatory self-exclusion system, player protection tools, Social Impact Fund levy
Self-Exclusion System
National Gambling Exclusion Register participation mandatory
Age Verification Procedures
Robust age verification (minimum legal age 18) required before participation
KYC Procedures
Enhanced due diligence and customer identification required
Player Funds Protection
Segregation of player funds required
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Stricter controls on free bets, bonuses, and player incentivization, with responsible gaming warnings
Permitted Games List
Casinos, betting, bingo, lotteries, subject to approval and further regulation
RTP Requirements
Pending further technical guidelines
Live Game Requirements
Certified live gaming permitted with GRAI-approved providers
Affiliate Program Rules
Subject to compliance with advertising and consumer protection standards
Security Standards
EU/ISO cybersecurity and data protection standards apply
Encryption Requirements
SSL/TLS encryption mandatory for player and financial data
Operation Logging
Comprehensive audit trails and logging required
Anti-Fraud Systems
Operators must implement advanced fraud detection and prevention measures
License Duration
Five years, with proposed renewal options
Renewal Procedure
Renewal application submitted before expiration, subject to continued compliance and fee payment
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines up to €20 million or 10% of turnover; license suspension/revocation for serious breaches
Ownership Change Rules
Material changes in ownership/control require GRAI notification and approval
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Regulatory approval required for M&A impacting license control
Branding Requirements
Use of GRAI logo and responsible gaming messages as prescribed by regulations
Intellectual Property Protection
Software/barriers must be properly licensed
Dispute Arbitration
ADR mechanisms available, with escalation to Irish courts if unresolved
Official Address
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, c/o Department of Justice, 51 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 HK52, Ireland
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00
Facebook URL
https://www.facebook.com/grai.ie
Twitter/X URL
https://twitter.com/GRAI_Ireland
Departments
Licensing, Enforcement, Compliance, Corporate Services, ICT, Policy Development
FAQ Question 1
What is Gaming Regulation by IAUI?
FAQ Answer 1
The IAUI oversees standards and audits related to gaming operations in Ireland, ensuring regulatory compliance, fairness, and integrity within the gaming sector. Its role includes monitoring licensed operators and supporting the implementation of uniform gaming regulations across jurisdictions.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues Gaming Regulation under IAUI?
FAQ Answer 2
Gaming regulation under the IAUI operates within the Republic of Ireland’s jurisdiction, coordinated with the Department of Justice and other Irish regulatory bodies responsible for gambling control.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining Gaming Regulation compliance under IAUI?
FAQ Answer 3
Specific costs associated with IAUI compliance vary depending on the scope of auditing and regulatory services required. There is no fixed licensing fee, but operators typically incur expenses for audits, compliance assessments, and regulatory reporting.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements under Gaming Regulation by IAUI?
FAQ Answer 4
Main requirements include adhering to standardized gaming operation procedures, undergoing periodic audits, maintaining transparent financial and operational records, and cooperating with regulatory investigations. Operators must implement controls to prevent fraud, ensure fair play, and comply with Irish gaming laws and guidelines.