# Licensing in Ireland since 1 July 2026 and what it means for betting apps > Since 1 July 2026 GRAI licenses remote betting in Ireland. What changed, what the register shows, what an app user sees and what is not yet in force. Source: https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/grai-licensing-from-july-2026/ Updated: 2026-11-07 Since 1 July 2026 the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) licenses remote betting for Ireland, and betting without its licence is an offence. Our reference read on 6 November 2026 showed 40 business-to-consumer licensees on its register, last updated 20 October 2026. For an app user this means one check: find the operator's licence number and match it on the register. ## What changed - GRAI was set up on 5 March 2025 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. It issued its first remote betting licences on 1 July 2026. - Order S.I. 31/2026, in force since 5 February 2026, started licensing, supervision, the credit card ban, the ban on children taking part and player limits (s.164). - Revenue's remote licences ran until 30 June 2026. GRAI's FAQ says there is no gap period between a Revenue licence ending and a GRAI one starting. - The Betting Act 1931 and Totalisator Act 1929 were repealed on 5 February 2026. **In short:** licensing moved from Revenue to GRAI on 1 July 2026. ## Timeline **Key dates. Source: Act, S.I. 31/2026, GRAI news, Dáil answers · checked 7 November 2026** | Date | Event | |---|---| | 23 October 2024 | Gambling Regulation Act 2024 signed | | 5 March 2025 | GRAI established | | 3 February 2026 | S.I. 31/2026 made; in force from 5 February 2026 | | 9 February 2026 | Applications open for remote betting, remote betting intermediary and in-person betting | | 30 June 2026 | Revenue remote licences end | | 1 July 2026 | First GRAI remote betting licences | | 1 December 2026 | In-person betting licences from GRAI | | 2027 | Applications for gaming licences, including online casino | **In short:** the dates are from the Act, the order and GRAI; 2027 is the regulator's plan. ## What the register shows Our 6 November 2026 reference read gave 40 licensees and 42 licences: 37 remote betting, 4 remote betting intermediary and 1 in-person. The term is three years. The register said "last updated 20 October 2026". These are starting values. They were not re-read for this page: open the [GRAI licence register](https://www.grai.ie/register/licence-register) for today's figure. **In short:** a count is only true for its read date. ## What an app user sees - The licensee's name and licence number. The Act requires a copy of the licence and the number on every online platform ([display rules](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/licence-number-display-rules/)). - A way to set a money limit (s.164) and a ban on credit cards (s.165). - A link to parental control on the home page (s.174). - Wins, losses and time spent on the account (s.173(4)). The licence is held by the operator, not by the app. To verify it, follow the [licence check steps](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/check-a-betting-app-licence/). **In short:** look for the licensee and number first, then match them on the register. ## Betting without a licence Providing betting for Ireland without a GRAI licence is an offence under s.67(1). Our notes give up to 8 years on conviction on indictment (s.67(4)); re-read the Act before relying on the figure. Section 75 also lets GRAI go to the High Court against anyone advertising unlicensed betting. **In short:** an unlicensed operator is not a legal option. ## Not yet in force The Statute Book table, updated to 21 October 2026, shows these as not commenced: - Advertising rules, ss.143 to 151. - Inducements, s.157, and sponsorship, s.159. - The National Gambling Exclusion Register, ss.44 to 49: planned, not in force. Orders made after 21 October 2026 may not appear in that table, so this is Not checked for 6 to 7 November. **In short:** rules on adverts, inducements and the exclusion register are still to start. ## Sources - [Gambling Regulation Act 2024](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/act/35/enacted/en/html) - [S.I. 31/2026, Commencement Order](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2026/si/31/made/en/print) - [Statute Book commencement table](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/isbc/2024_35.html) - [GRAI, remote betting licences begin, 1 July 2026](https://www.grai.ie/news/commencement-of-gambling-regulatory-authority-of-ireland-remote-betting-licences) - [GRAI licence register](https://www.grai.ie/register/licence-register) - [Department of Justice announcement, 3 February 2026](https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/news/gambling-regulatory-authority-of-ireland-to-begin-issuing-licences) **In short:** six primary sources, re-read before any figure is relied on. ## Related questions **Is the old Revenue bookmaker list still proof of a licence?** No. After 1 July 2026 use the GRAI register. Revenue's remote licences ran until 30 June 2026. See [the Revenue list question](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/is-the-revenue-bookmaker-list-still-valid/). **Does the app hold the licence?** No. The licence belongs to the operator, the licensee. The app is one way to reach its service. Match the licensee name and number from the app on the register. **Are online casinos licensed in Ireland yet?** No. GRAI has no licensing regime for online casinos. Applications for gaming licences are expected in 2027, so this site does not promote casino products. **In short:** check the register, not the app and not the old list. 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 **Is the old Revenue bookmaker list still proof of a licence?** No. After 1 July 2026 use the GRAI register. Revenue's remote licences ran until 30 June 2026. See the Revenue list question. **Does the app hold the licence?** No. The licence belongs to the operator, the licensee. The app is one way to reach its service. Match the licensee name and number from the app on the register. **Are online casinos licensed in Ireland yet?** No. GRAI has no licensing regime for online casinos. Applications for gaming licences are expected in 2027, so this site does not promote casino products.