Ireland: European Commission approves new gambling licence regulations
The European Commission has given the go-ahead to two key regulations notified by Ireland in the field of public gambling. With the standstill period required by EU procedures now concluded, Dublin can implement the new provisions introduced under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The measures approved mark a significant step forward in the reform process, focusing on two core issues: the duration of B2C licences and the definition of the corresponding application fees.
Three-year validity for B2C licences
The first regulation, titled Gambling (Licensing of Gambling Activities) Regulations 2025, sets the duration of Business to Consumer licences at three years. According to the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), this choice reflects a gradual approach: a limited timeframe allows all operator categories to be fully onboarded before renewal cycles begin, ensuring a smooth transition to the new supervisory system.
Specific conditions for remote gambling
One of the most relevant aspects concerns remote gambling licences. In addition to the requirements already outlined in Chapter 9 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the regulation introduces further conditions. At the initial stage, standard technical checks on software and real-time integration with the national self-exclusion register will not be possible, as these tools will not yet be operational. The GRAI, however, will be able to carry out these verifications at a later stage, once technical standards and registers are in place.
New application fees for licences
The second text, Gambling (Licence Application Fees) Regulations 2025, defines the application fees. Covering both betting and gaming activities, in person and online, the fees are structured as fixed amounts, differentiated according to turnover brackets and the type of licence. The goal is to ensure costs are proportionate to the operator’s actual economic scale.
Calculation criteria
The calculation takes into account the turnover declared in the previous financial year or, for new entrants, the estimated revenues over the first twelve months of operations. The annexed tables draw a clear distinction between different forms of activity: on-course and off-course betting at racecourses or authorised venues, remote betting and online brokerage, land-based gaming licences, and remote gaming licences covering products such as slots, roulette, or blackjack. According to the GRAI, the fee structure reflects a careful analysis of administrative costs and is designed to ensure a sustainable system across the sector.
A building block of the new regulatory framework
By adopting these two regulations, Ireland takes another decisive step towards the full implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The new framework seeks to create a more transparent gambling market, built on clear licensing rules and overseen by an independent authority. The legislative roadmap will soon include additional measures aimed at strengthening consumer protection and enhancing market supervision, in line with international best practices.
A strong political signal
The European Commission’s green light is not only an endorsement of the compliance of Ireland’s new rules with EU standards, but also a strong political signal. Ireland aims to establish a modern and proportionate regulatory approach that fosters sector growth while ensuring a high level of player protection. In the coming months, attention will focus on implementation, a crucial phase to test the effectiveness of the new rules and the capacity of the GRAI to steer the market towards greater responsibility.
This article was first published in Italian on 22 September 2025.
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