# What the law requires before an Irish betting account can open

> Section 169 requires identity and age checks before a betting account opens; section 158 bars children. What S.I. 315/2026 adds and what it means for you.

Source: https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/age-and-id-checks-before-an-account-opens/
Updated: 2026-11-07

A licensed operator must check a customer's identity and age before an account can open (s.169), and children may not take part in gambling (s.158). Both have been in force since 5 February 2026. S.I. 315/2026, adopted by GRAI on 6 July 2026, adds a further verification method. For you it means expecting to prove who you are and that you are 18 or over.

## The rules

**Age and identity rules. Source: Gambling Regulation Act 2024; S.I. 315/2026 · checked 7 November 2026**

| Provision | What it says in our notes | In force |
|---|---|---|
| s.2 | A child is a person under 18 | 5 February 2026 |
| s.158 | Children may not take part in gambling | 5 February 2026 |
| s.169 | Identity and age are verified before an account opens | 5 February 2026 |
| S.I. 315/2026 | A further verification method for operators | Adopted 6 July 2026 |

**In short:** 18 is the line, and the check comes before the account.

## What S.I. 315/2026 adds

It is the Verification of Identity and Age Regulations 2026. As summarised in our notes, the further method combines three items:

- A document showing a photo and date of birth.
- A document showing an address.
- A bank statement from the last 6 months.

The exact conditions are to be re-read in the [regulations](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2026/si/315/made/en/print). They bind operators, not comparison sites.

**In short:** a further way for operators to verify, not a new age limit.

## What it means for you

- Expect to be asked for identification when you register.
- Have your documents ready before you start.
- Under-18s cannot open or use an account.
- Background: [licensing since 1 July 2026](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/grai-licensing-from-july-2026/).
- The checks happen in the operator's service. This site does not receive your documents.

Step by step: [verifying your age and identity](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/verify-age-and-identity-in-a-betting-app/).

**In short:** plan to prove who you are before you can bet.

## What we have not checked

- Which verification method each operator uses: Not checked.
- How long an operator takes to complete a check: The operator does not publish this unless its page says so, and we have not read it.
- Rules for the National Lottery, which has a separate regime.

If betting is a worry, see [responsible gambling](https://beforeyouinstall.com/responsible-gambling/).

**In short:** the law is summarised; operator practice is not yet read.

## Related questions

**Can a child open an account with a parent's consent?**

Our notes name no such exception. The Act sets 18 as the age (a child is under 18, s.2) and s.158 bars children from taking part.

**Why might an operator ask for a bank statement?**

S.I. 315/2026 adds a further way for an operator to verify identity and age. Which method a given operator uses is Not checked.

**Does this site ask for my ID?**

No. This site does not ask for identity documents. The checks belong to the licensed operator.

**In short:** ID and age checks come first, and they are the operator's job.

18+ only. Gambling can be addictive – play responsibly. Set limits, take breaks and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Free 24/7 support: Gambling Awareness Trust helpline 1800 936 725 · gamblingcare.ie.

## FAQ

**Can a child open an account with a parent's consent?**

Our notes name no such exception. The Act sets 18 as the age (a child is under 18, s.2) and s.158 bars children from taking part.

**Why might an operator ask for a bank statement?**

S.I. 315/2026 adds a further way for an operator to verify identity and age. Which method a given operator uses is Not checked.

**Does this site ask for my ID?**

No. This site does not ask for identity documents. The checks belong to the licensed operator.