Gambling Laws Ireland 2026 – Is Online Gambling Legal?

Gambling is legal in Ireland, but the rules depend on the type of gambling and the operator providing it. Ireland is currently moving from its older betting, gaming and lottery laws to the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The transition is happening in stages, so not every casino, betting site or lottery is already regulated under exactly the same system.

For Irish players, the practical question is not simply whether an online casino has an “Irish licence”. In 2026, betting licensing has already moved to GRAI, while parts of the gaming and lottery framework are still operating under transitional arrangements.

Updated: October 2026

Ireland’s gambling regulation is still being introduced in phases. GRAI began accepting applications for in-person betting, remote betting and remote betting intermediary licences in February 2026. Gaming and lottery licensing are moving to the new system separately.

Is gambling legal in Ireland in 2026?

Yes. Irish adults can legally take part in regulated gambling activities, including betting, casino gaming, lotteries and other permitted forms of gambling.

However, the legal framework varies by activity. Ireland does not yet have a situation where every form of gambling is controlled through one fully implemented GRAI licensing system.

This distinction matters particularly when comparing online casinos available to Irish players. A casino may be reviewed on IrishCasinoHEX and licensed by a regulator outside Ireland without currently holding a GRAI remote gaming licence. That should not be confused with being licensed by GRAI.

What changed under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024?

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 created a new national framework intended to replace Ireland’s fragmented gambling legislation with a more centralised regulatory system.

The Act established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. GRAI formally became Ireland’s new gambling regulator in March 2025, but the different parts of the Act have not all taken effect at the same time.

A major step occurred in February 2026. Key provisions were commenced to allow GRAI to begin accepting and processing applications for:

• in-person betting licences,
• remote betting licences,
• remote betting intermediary licences.

The licensing application system opened on 9 February 2026.

At the same time, regulatory powers relating to enforcement and complaints were also brought into operation for the parts of the new system that had commenced.

Who regulates gambling in Ireland?

Several authorities can still be relevant in 2026, depending on the gambling product.

Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland – GRAI

GRAI is Ireland’s new central gambling regulator. Its long-term role covers betting, gaming and certain lottery activities offered both online and in person.

Its responsibilities include:

• issuing gambling licences as the new regime is commenced,
• monitoring licensed operators,
• setting regulatory standards,
• protecting children and vulnerable people,
• regulating gambling advertising and marketing,
• investigating regulatory breaches,
• developing player-protection measures.

GRAI is already the licensing authority for betting licences. Revenue no longer issues bookmaker, remote bookmaker or remote betting intermediary licences.

Revenue Commissioners

Revenue remains relevant during the transition. In July 2026, Revenue confirmed that betting licence responsibilities had moved to GRAI while gaming licensing continues with Revenue until that part of the transition is completed.

Revenue also remains responsible for gambling-related tax and duties, including betting duties.

An Garda Síochána and the District Courts

Existing lottery permits and lottery licences remain within the older framework until the relevant parts of the new Act are commenced. GRAI currently advises operators to continue dealing with An Garda Síochána and the District Courts where applicable.

National Lottery regulator

The Irish National Lottery is not regulated by GRAI. It has its own separate statutory regulatory system.

Are online casinos legal in Ireland?

Online casino gaming requires more explanation than online betting because Ireland is in a regulatory transition.

The Gambling Regulation Act provides for a future Remote Gaming Licence for operators offering relevant games remotely. GRAI states that businesses providing gambling activities to Irish consumers will need the appropriate licence once the relevant provisions and licensing phase are in force.

However, GRAI’s currently active licensing system in October 2026 is focused on betting licences. Existing gaming arrangements remain in place while GRAI and Revenue complete the transition.

Irish licence vs international licence

A licence issued in Malta, Curaçao or another jurisdiction is not a GRAI licence. Likewise, the fact that IrishCasinoHEX reviews an international casino does not mean that the operator holds an Irish gambling licence.

Our site therefore distinguishes between:

• operators regulated under the Irish system,
• casinos licensed in other recognised jurisdictions,
• international casinos that accept Irish players,
• the level of protection and terms offered to the player.

You can compare the broader market in our guide to European online casinos or browse individual casino reviews for Irish players.

Casino reviews for Irish players

IrishCasinoHEX reviews both locally regulated operators and international casino brands. The purpose of a review is to assess the casino itself – including its licence, payments, withdrawal rules, bonuses, games and terms – rather than to imply that every listed brand holds a GRAI licence.

Online casinos reviewed by IrishCasinoHEX

Licence check

The casino list above contains brands reviewed by IrishCasinoHEX. Inclusion in the table is not confirmation of a GRAI licence. Always check the licence information shown in the casino’s terms and on the relevant regulator’s register.

How to check whether a gambling operator is licensed

The correct licence check depends on what the operator provides.

• Identify the operatorScroll to the casino or betting site’s footer and find the legal company name rather than relying only on the brand name.
• Check the stated licenceLook for the regulator, licence number and company covered by that licence.
• Confirm the regulatorFor Irish betting operators, check GRAI. For an international casino, check the official register of the regulator named by the operator.
• Match the company detailsThe company on the regulator’s register should correspond with the company operating the gambling site.
• Check what the licence coversA betting licence is not automatically a casino gaming licence. Make sure the authorised activity matches the product you intend to use.

This is particularly important during Ireland’s transition to the new system because a statement such as “licensed in Ireland” should identify the actual licence and activity rather than rely on a generic claim.

Can Irish players use internationally licensed casinos?

Irish players will encounter many casinos licensed outside Ireland, particularly brands operating across Europe and other international markets.

An international licence can still provide meaningful regulatory oversight. It may impose requirements relating to:

• segregation or protection of player funds,
• identity verification,
• anti-money-laundering procedures,
• game testing,
• complaints,
• responsible gambling controls,
• withdrawal procedures.

However, foreign licensing is not the same as Irish licensing. A dispute may have to be handled through the casino’s licensing jurisdiction rather than an Irish regulator.

For this reason, our reviews examine the actual operator and licence rather than excluding every casino that does not currently hold a local Irish gaming licence.

If you prefer casinos operating across European markets, see our EU casino comparison. Players looking for recently launched sites can also compare new online casinos.

Player protection under the new Irish gambling law

Player protection is one of the central elements of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

For operators that become licensed under the GRAI framework, the Act introduces or provides for controls covering areas such as:

• gambling by children,
• responsible gambling information,
• monetary limits,
• self-exclusion,
• customer account information,
• advertising,
• targeted inducements,
• complaints and enforcement.

GRAI states that licensed gambling websites must provide customers with tools to set monetary limits on their accounts. Players should also have access to information about their account balance and amounts spent on gambling activities.

The new framework also provides for a National Gambling Exclusion Register. Because implementation of the Act is phased, players should check whether a particular protection has already become operational for the licence type they are using rather than assuming every future measure is fully live.

What is the legal gambling age in Ireland?

Gambling is for adults aged 18 or over.

Irish law already prohibits children from participating in regulated betting. Protecting under-18s is also a core principle of the new Gambling Regulation Act.

The new framework contains significantly stronger sanctions for allowing children to gamble and requires gambling advertising to make clear that under-18s cannot participate.

18+

Gambling is intended for adults only. Never use another person’s identity, bank account or payment method to bypass age or identity checks.

Gambling advertising laws in Ireland

The Gambling Regulation Act introduces stricter rules for gambling advertising.

Among the protections described by GRAI are:

• gambling advertisements must be identifiable as gambling advertising,
• advertisements must include required responsible-gambling information,
• advertising must state that under-18s cannot gamble,
• gambling advertising cannot be shown on television or radio between 5:30am and 9:00pm,
• operators cannot target people online or through social media unless the relevant conditions are met,
• licensed gambling websites cannot offer targeted inducements designed to make an individual gamble or continue gambling.

As with other parts of the Act, obligations apply as the relevant licensing and commencement phases take effect.

Are casino bonuses legal in Ireland?

Casino promotions are not automatically prohibited, but operators must comply with the rules that apply to their licence and marketing activity.

Players should focus less on the headline amount and more on the actual terms of the promotion.

Before claiming a bonus, check:

• wagering requirements,
• maximum qualifying bet,
• minimum deposit,
• eligible games,
• expiry period,
• maximum cashout,
• country restrictions,
• verification requirements.

Our casino bonus guide compares different promotional formats. You can also read about no-deposit casino bonuses, but remember that “free” bonuses can still have wagering, withdrawal and verification conditions.

Do Irish players pay tax on gambling winnings?

For ordinary players, gambling winnings generally receive favourable tax treatment in Ireland.

Revenue states that winnings from betting, lotteries and games with prizes are exempt from Capital Acquisitions Tax. Revenue’s Capital Gains Tax guidance also lists betting, lottery wins, prize bonds and sweepstakes among exempt gains.

This is different from the taxes paid by gambling operators.

In 2026, Revenue lists the Remote Betting Duty rate at 2% of bets entered into remotely with persons in the State, while Betting Intermediary Duty is charged at 25% of qualifying intermediary commission.

If gambling forms part of a business or professional activity, or if money is earned through another arrangement connected to gambling rather than simply as a player winning a bet, the tax position may be different. In that situation, professional tax advice is appropriate.

Are there restrictions on casino payment methods?

Payment availability depends on both the operator and the payment provider. Irish players commonly use bank cards, e-wallets, bank transfers and newer digital payment services.

When choosing a casino, check that:

• the payment method is available in Ireland,
• the account belongs to the same person as the casino account,
• the casino permits withdrawals through that method,
• fees and limits are clearly stated,
• the method does not affect bonus eligibility.

You can compare specific options in our guides to Revolut casinos, PayPal casinos and minimum-deposit casinos.

How to choose a safer online casino in Ireland

Licensing should be one part of the decision, not the only one.

Before depositing, our editorial team recommends checking:

An attractive welcome offer should never outweigh problems with licensing, withdrawals or terms.

What can I do if I have a problem with a casino?

The correct route depends on the casino and its regulator.

1. Contact the casino first. Ask for a written explanation and keep copies of emails or live-chat transcripts.
2. Read the relevant terms. Check withdrawal, bonus and account-verification sections.
3. Identify the licence. Find the company and regulator named in the casino’s legal information.
4. Use the regulator’s complaint process where available. The route differs between GRAI-regulated businesses and internationally licensed casinos.
5. Keep evidence. Save transaction IDs, screenshots, account statements and dates.

The new GRAI system includes complaints and enforcement functions, but because Ireland’s licensing migration is phased, not every casino dispute in 2026 necessarily falls under GRAI.

Irish gambling laws in 2026 – key points

Ireland is moving towards a much more centralised gambling system, but the transition is not yet complete.

• Gambling remains legal for adults in Ireland.
• GRAI is Ireland’s new gambling regulator.
• GRAI opened its betting licence application system in February 2026.
• Remote and in-person betting licensing has moved away from Revenue.
• Gaming licensing remains under transitional arrangements while responsibility moves to GRAI.
• The new Act introduces stronger player-protection and advertising rules.
• A foreign casino licence is not the same as an Irish GRAI licence.
• IrishCasinoHEX may review international casinos even where they do not hold a local Irish gaming licence.
• Players should verify the operator, licence, withdrawal rules and bonus terms before depositing.
• Ordinary betting and prize winnings generally receive tax-exempt treatment for the player, while operators remain liable for relevant gambling duties.

Because the transition is continuing, the legal status of a particular licence type should always be checked against the latest information from the relevant Irish authority.

Responsible gambling

18+. Gambling involves financial risk and can become harmful. Set limits, never gamble with money needed for essential expenses and seek support if gambling stops feeling under control.