Irish law requires a licence to offer betting to customers in Ireland. Betting under an unlicensed operator can leave you without recourse if something goes wrong.
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) opened applications for remote betting licences on 9 February 2026, and remote betting licences started on 1 July 2026.
- Search the Irish Revenue Commissioners’ register of licensed remote bookmakers (30 June 2026 version) and the GRAI’s register of licence holders for the company name and licence number shown on the betting site.
- We only list betting operators with a licence entry we can point to, and we record the licence details and the date we checked.
| What to check | Why it matters | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Licence number | Confirms the operator holds an actual, current licence, not just a claim | Usually shown in the website footer |
| Regulator & entity name | The licence is granted to a specific legal entity, which may differ from the brand name | The Irish Revenue Commissioners’ register of licensed remote bookmakers (30 June 2026 version), the GRAI’s register of licence holders at grai.ie/register, or the relevant regulator for casino brands |
| Licensed activities | A licence can cover betting only, not casino — don’t assume one covers the other | The register entry or the licence certificate itself |
| Date checked | Licences can lapse or change, so a listing should show when it was last confirmed | Reputable comparison sites (including this one) state a checked date |
| Responsible gambling tools | A licensed operator must provide limits, self-exclusion and clear support links | Account settings and the operator’s responsible gambling page |
Who licenses betting in Ireland
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) opened applications for remote betting licences on 9 February 2026, and remote betting licences started on 1 July 2026. Before that, remote bookmakers were licensed by the Revenue Commissioners, and some operators still hold Revenue licences during the changeover. Casino and other gaming licences from the GRAI are expected to open in 2027 and 2028.
Not every bookmaker that accepts Irish players is on the register. For a worked example, see our 22Bet Ireland review, which sets out what we could and could not confirm about its licence. Three more worked examples: our Virgin Games review shows a brand whose operator appears on the register only under a different trading name, our 1XBet Ireland review separates the Irish licensee from the wider 1xBet group, and our VivatBet review checks a brand that presents itself as Irish against the register.
What to look for on the site
- A licence statement in the footer with the operator’s company name and licence number.
- The company name matching a name on the Revenue register or the GRAI’s register of licence holders.
- Clear links to responsible gambling tools and support organisations.
- An 18+ notice and straightforward terms and conditions.
Check the register yourself
Search the Irish Revenue Commissioners’ register of licensed remote bookmakers (30 June 2026 version) and the GRAI’s register of licence holders for the company name and licence number shown on the betting site. Names on the register are often the legal company, not the brand, so a brand may appear under a parent company name.
How we handle it
We only list betting operators with a licence entry we can point to, and we record the licence details and the date we checked. If a licence changes, we update or remove the listing. See our editorial team page for how we work.
Casinos
Irish casino licences are not yet available, so casino operators serving Irish players are licensed elsewhere, for example by the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. Check their licence details too.
Ready to compare? See our betting sites in Ireland, try the bet calculator, or read about responsible gambling.
Checking a brand that has only just appeared? Our guide to new betting sites in Ireland explains what “new” means and the red flags to look for before you deposit.
Frequently asked questions
Which regulator licenses betting sites in Ireland?
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), which opened applications for remote betting licences on 9 February 2026, and remote betting licences started on 1 July 2026. Before that, and during the changeover, some operators held licences from the Revenue Commissioners instead.
How do I check a GRAI licence myself?
Search the Irish Revenue Commissioners’ register of licensed remote bookmakers (30 June 2026 version) and the GRAI’s register of licence holders for the company name and licence number shown on the betting site’s footer — the register often lists the legal entity rather than the brand name.
What does a “remote bookmaker’s licence” cover?
It covers sports betting only. It does not extend to casino games — Irish gaming (casino) licences aren’t available yet and are expected to open through 2027 and 2028.
Does a UK Gambling Commission licence let a site operate in Ireland?
Not on its own. A UKGC licence covers UK customers; an operator also needs separate Irish authorisation (currently from the GRAI, or a Revenue licence held during the changeover) to serve Irish customers legally.
What should I do if I can’t find an operator on the register?
Treat that as a red flag. If a brand’s licence details don’t match anything on the Revenue register or the GRAI’s register of licence holders, don’t deposit — see our guide to new betting sites in Ireland for the fuller checklist.
18+. Please play responsibly, gamblingcare.ie.
