Gambling Regulation Act 2024 Ireland

The Most Significant Reform in Decades

What Is the Gambling Regulation Act 2024?

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was signed into Irish law on 23 October 2024. It replaces several laws on gambling in Ireland, including the Betting Act 1931, the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015.

Prior to the Act, Ireland's online casino gambling was largely regulated by the Revenue Commissioners and overseas regulators such as the Malta Gaming Authority. The Act changes this to create a dedicated Irish regulator for the industry.

New Dedicated Regulator

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was created as an independent regulatory authority under the Act. It began operating on 5 March 2025.

Credit Card Gambling Ban

Using credit cards to fund gambling accounts is prohibited. Other methods of funding gambling accounts remain permitted.

National Self-Exclusion Register

GRAI is to operate a national self-exclusion register for problem gamblers. Should such a register be established, all Irish licensed gambling operators will apply any self-exclusion determined by a player.

Marketing Restrictions

Chapter 6 of the Act regulates how gambling is to be advertised. Such a regulation includes restrictions on inducements to vulnerable groups, rules on watershed broadcasts for television gambling and bans on promotional practices.

Ireland's First Dedicated Gambling Regulator

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)

GRAI is the independent statutory body created under the Act. GRAI began to operate on 5 March 2025. Prior to the creation of GRAI, there was no independent regulator to oversee gambling in Ireland - it was instead overseen by the Revenue Commissioners and by overseas regulators.

Licensing and enforcement

GRAI will issue licences to gambling operators who would like to offer gambling services to Irish players. GRAI will investigate any issues with licensed operators and take action to remedy them. All gambling advertisements in Ireland are to be overseen by GRAI. Applications were opened in late 2025 for licences to offer betting services to consumers (B2C), and remote (gaming) licences were made available in early 2026.

National self-exclusion register

GRAI is to operate a national self-exclusion register. Irish players who would like to avoid gambling can make a determination of their gambling issues, and all licensed operators will prevent them from creating new accounts with them.

Player protection powers

GRAI will establish standards for gambling software and tools that must be provided to Irish gamblers. These tools can include limits on deposits, breaks from gambling and reality checks to remind players of the odds of winning. Additionally, all licensed operators are to reveal information about the odds of winning and risks of gambling; this is a minimum requirement.

Dispute escalation for Irish players

Irish players will have a new body to complain to about issues with their licensed casinos. Previously, players would have to contact the regulator of the foreign country that licensed the casino (for example, the Malta Gaming Authority). Irish players whose favourite casinos have licences from the Irish Revenue Commissioners will have their disputes with their licensed casinos escalated to GRAI.

What Changed for Deposits

The Credit Card Gambling Ban

One of the most directly noticeable changes brought to Irish gamblers by the Act is that credit cards can no longer be used to fund gambling accounts. Irish players who use credit cards to fund their gambling will no longer be able to do so.

Credit cards are banned from being used to make deposits into licensed operators' gambling accounts in Ireland. This includes Visa Credit and Mastercard Credit. Prepaid cards that act as credit cards may still be permitted.

What is still permitted

Using debit cards (such as Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit), e-wallet services (such as PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, Neteller and MuchBetter), bank transfers, Paysafecard and even Google Pay and Apple Pay (linked to a debit account) are all permitted by the Act.

Why the ban was introduced

Gambling on credit means gambling with money borrowed from a bank. Studies in both Ireland and the UK have found that a disproportionate number of people who develop gambling problems use credit cards to fund their gambling addiction. By banning credit card use in the Irish online gambling industry, GRAI aims to reduce the number of problem gamblers; it is a similar policy to the one introduced in the UK in 2020.

Practical effect: e-wallets are now the clear best choice

For Irish players, e-wallet services are the most convenient way of depositing funds into their preferred licensed casinos. E-wallet services like PayPal and Skrill allow Irish gamblers to make instantaneous deposits and withdrawals from their accounts; all licensed Irish online casinos accept these services. See our casino payment methods guide for a full comparison.

Who Can Legally Serve Irish Players

Casino Licences That Apply in Ireland in 2026

The licensing framework created by GRAI was introduced between 2025 and 2026. However, the existing licences held by Irish players' favoured casinos remain valid.

Irish Revenue Commissioners licence - strongest Irish standing

Irish players can find licences under operators such as LeoVegas (licence 1012453), Paddy Power Casino (license number 1010107, through PPB GE Ltd), Betfair, 888 Casino and William Hill. These companies have licenses issued by the Irish government, placing them under the oversight of GRAI.

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) - strong international standard

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is one of the most respected gambling regulatory authorities in the world. Any companies that have an MGA licence, such as Betway and NetBet, are permitted to serve Irish players by offering them a player dispute resolution process in the case of issues with their gambling accounts.

Gibraltar Regulatory Authority - legally permitted but less Irish oversight

The Gibraltar gambling authority is also recognised under the Act as a licensed Irish operator. However, any companies that have a Gibraltar licence, such as Casumo, do not fall under the oversight of Irish Revenue Commissioners (RC) or the MGA. In the case of disagreements with these companies, Irish players will have to escalate their complaints to the Gibraltar regulator. This was not the case previously.

Checking a casino's licence: To check if a casino is licensed to operate in Ireland, the licence number is present in the footer of the casino's website. Irish Revenue Commissioners (RC) licences can be verified on the Revenue Commissioners' website. Additionally, MGA licences can be verified on the official MGA website.

The Practical Impact

What the Gambling Regulation Act Means for You as a Player

Changes that benefit players

A local Irish authority (GRAI) to escalate disputes to
Single national self-exclusion register (when operational)
Credit card ban reduces risk of gambling with borrowed money
Stronger minimum standards for responsible gambling tools
Marketing restrictions reduce harmful advertising targeting

What has not changed yet

GRAI licensing framework still being built through 2026-2027
National self-exclusion register not yet operational
Gibraltar-licensed operators still legally accessible to Irish players
Existing overseas licences (MGA, Gibraltar) remain in force

Information correct as of June 2026. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is a framework Act. The full details will be published in regulations that will be published in the Irish Times and on GRAI's website.

Common Questions

Gambling Regulation Act 2024 Ireland - FAQ

When did the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 come into force?

The Act was signed into law on 23 October 2024. However, not all provisions took effect immediately - many depend on secondary regulations and GRAI decisions. GRAI itself formally began operations on 5 March 2025. The credit card ban was implemented as part of the Act's enforcement. Licensing under the GRAI framework began in late 2025 and continues through 2026-2027.

Is online casino gambling legal in Ireland under the new Act?

Yes. Online casino gambling remains legal in Ireland. The Act regulates the operators who provide gambling services, not the players who use them. Irish players can legally use online casinos licensed by recognised authorities including the Irish Revenue Commissioners, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority. There is no law against Irish players gambling at licensed online casinos.

What is GRAI and what does it do?

GRAI is the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland - an independent statutory body established under the 2024 Act. It formally began operating on 5 March 2025. GRAI is responsible for licensing gambling operators who wish to serve Irish players, enforcing the Act's provisions, operating the national self-exclusion register, setting standards for responsible gambling tools, and handling complaints against licensed operators.

Can I still use PayPal, Skrill or other e-wallets at Irish casinos?

Yes. E-wallets including PayPal, Skrill, Trustly, Neteller and MuchBetter are not affected by the credit card ban. Only credit cards specifically are prohibited. E-wallets linked to bank accounts or debit cards remain fully permitted and are now the most convenient and fastest deposit and withdrawal method for Irish players.

Do casino winnings get taxed in Ireland?

Gambling winnings are not taxable for recreational players in Ireland. This applies to all forms of gambling including online casino games, sports betting, and lottery wins. Winnings do not need to be declared on your tax return. This position was not changed by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

How do I self-exclude from all Irish casinos?

The national self-exclusion register being built by GRAI will eventually allow a single self-exclusion to apply across all licensed operators. While this register is being developed, you can self-exclude from individual casinos through their responsible gambling sections. You can also use Gamban (gamban.com) to block access to all gambling sites on your devices, and register with GamblingCare.ie (freephone 1800 936 725) for support and guidance on self-exclusion options currently available.