Ireland Advances Licensing Framework under New Gambling Act

Focus on Fees, Licence Durations, and Conditions

The consultation addressed three parts of the Act: Section 38 (application fees), Section 108 (licence durations), and Section 129 (additional licence conditions). It ran for four weeks between April and May 2025. GRAI used this process to gather input from operators, public bodies, consultants, and civil society groups.

Governance Ireland, an external consultancy, analyzed the 27 formal submissions. Their report grouped responses by theme and reviewed them equally, regardless of source.

Most feedback supported the proposals or offered suggestions for improvement. Several industry participants raised concerns about fee structures and the use of terms like “turnover.” According to GRAI, these issues often came from misunderstandings. To address this, the regulator plans to release guidance documents and clarify definitions in future regulations. The authority will also explain how premises fees apply to all betting and gaming locations seeking a licence.

Questions Remain Around Fee Framework

Some respondents said the lack of detail about renewal fees made it hard to assess the application costs. GRAI acknowledged this and promised to share the full fee structure soon. Several submissions compared Ireland’s proposed fees to those in the UK. GRAI rejected these comparisons, noting differences in market size, tax policies, and regulatory duties. In Ireland, the new model introduces a self-financing system with extended licence terms and wider oversight than the current excise-based regime.

Under the Act, licences must last at least one year. GRAI plans to issue them for three years initially. Only three submissions directly supported this length, but others suggested longer terms. The regulator believes three years is a reasonable starting point and will revisit the duration as the system develops.

EU Notification Under TRIS to Proceed

GRAI will now submit the draft regulations to the European Commission and Member States through the Technical Regulation Information System (TRIS). This step, required under EU law (Directive 2015/1535), ensures transparency and alignment across member states. GRAI stressed its commitment to open and evidence-based regulation. It plans to keep working with all parties involved — operators, public health groups, civil society, and regulators.

As Ireland moves toward a modern licensing framework, the authority will continue sharing updates and providing guidance where needed.