The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is a new statutory body that will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling services in Ireland.
The new regulator will focus on public safety and wellbeing, will cover gambling online and in person, and will have powers to regulate advertising, gambling, websites, and apps.
Licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland is currently based on several pieces of legislation. The new legislation, which will establish the GRAI, will repeal existing laws and will streamline the approach to licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland.
The GRAI will have a wide variety of functions, including:
- Regulating the provision of gambling services and activities, both online and in person
- Developing safeguards to protect consumers from problem gambling, including establishment of a National Gambling Exclusion Register and a Social Impact Fund to finance research, training, and education on gambling addiction
- Licensing of gambling services and activities, including maintaining a register of all licensed operators and determining license fees
- Ensuring compliance by gambling providers with restrictions imposed on advertising and sponsorship, including a statutory watershed prohibiting gambling advertising between the hours of 5.30am and 9.00pm on television, radio or on-demand audio-visual media
- Receiving, investigating and addressing complaints about gambling providers
- Ensuring compliance by gambling providers with the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, and addressing money laundering activities in the context of gambling services
- Keeping the Minister of Justice informed of developments relating to the regulation and licensing of gambling services and making recommendations on policies
- Promoting public awareness and disseminating information to the public about regulation and licensing of gambling activities