Online Casinos in Ireland

Ireland is moving from old betting laws to a new licensing regime under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) began issuing remote betting licences on 1 July 2026, but licences for online casino games are not yet open. Gambling is restricted to adults aged 18 and over.

Last verified: 2026-10-01

The legal position is changing. Until recently, Irish online betting operated under a patchwork of older laws, some dating back to 1931. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI, grai.ie) as the single regulator. The GRAI opened applications for remote and in-person betting licences on 9 February 2026 and began issuing remote betting licences on 1 July 2026. In-person betting licences follow from December 2026.

Online casino and gaming licences form a later phase. Reports in 2026 indicate remote gaming licence applications are not expected to open before 2027. Searching for a GRAI-licensed online casino today therefore returns nothing, because the licence category does not yet exist. Irish residents can still access foreign-licensed casino sites, but those sites are outside the Irish regime.

The Act sets out player-protection tools that attach to licensed operators as they come on stream.

• Minimum age: 18.
• National Gambling Exclusion Register: run by the GRAI, it will let a person exclude themselves from every licensed operator with one request once operators connect to it.
• Advertising watershed: TV and radio gambling advertising is prohibited between 05:30 and 21:00 under the Act, with further limits on promotions and sponsorship.
• Licence term: the GRAI proposed an initial licence duration of three years.

Irish betting operators pay betting duty administered by Revenue, and the Act adds licence fees and a social-impact funding mechanism. Exact current duty and fee levels for the new regime should be checked with Revenue and the GRAI.

Gambling winnings are generally not taxed for players in Ireland, but if you have a question about your situation, check with Revenue.

Horse racing, Gaelic games, football and other sports are the core of Irish betting, with online slots and live casino popular on international sites. Cards, bank transfers and e-wallets are common payment routes.

Advertising and promotions will face limits under the new Act, including the watershed and restrictions on inducements. Because online casino is not licensed in Ireland, promotional content for casino products should be avoided.

For Ireland, blucca.com is informational for online casino, since there is no Irish licence to check. For sports betting we feature only operators confirmed to hold a GRAI remote betting licence. Content is editorial, makes no promise of winnings and some links may earn us a commission.

GamblingCare.ie provides support and treatment information, and Gamblers Anonymous Ireland offers peer support. Gambling in Ireland is for adults aged 18 and over.

Affiliate disclosure: blucca.com may earn a commission if you register with a licensed operator through some links. This never changes our licensing checks. 18+ or the legal age in your location. Gambling carries risk and is not a way to make money. If gambling is a problem, seek help.