The Daily Star Ireland
The European Commission has approved two regulations Ireland notified under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, and with the EU standstill period now over, Dublin can begin implementing them. The measures address how long business-to-consumer licenses will last and how application fees will be set. For regulators, this clears a pathway to introduce a more predictable licensing cadence. For operators, it replaces months of uncertainty with concrete scheduling and fee brackets they can plan around. The decision is procedural, but it moves a major reform forward and puts implementation squarely on the domestic agenda.
Three-Year Term for B2C Licenses
Under the Gambling (Licensing of Gambling Activities) Regulations 2025, business-to-consumer licenses will run for three years before renewal. That shorter cycle is intentional; the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland plans to use it to check how operators perform in practice and to refine rules without waiting long periods between reviews. For firms, a three-year timetable makes compliance planning easier, even if it does mean more frequent renewals than older arrangements. For the regulator, the cadence creates regular checkpoints where guidance, enforcement priorities, and technical standards can be adjusted.
Specific Conditions for Remote Operators
Remote operators face extra technical requirements, but not all checks will be imposed from day one. The regulations build on Chapter 9 of the 2024 act and set expectations for software integrity, reporting, and future links to national systems. At first, some tools will not be available as software audits and real-time ties to a national self-exclusion register are still being built. Since these changes have left options limited, players are wondering what choices they have in the interim. There are casinos available if you’re in Ireland that are legitimate and work through offshore certifications, which give players added flexibility, different bonuses, and wider access to gaming titles. Since the new tools and systems linked to these updated regulations can take some time to be implemented, these sites are helpful for players who don’t want to wait.
New Structure for License Application Fees
Officials have published the Gambling (Licence Application Fees) Regulations 2025 to make fee levels explicit. The schedule covers betting and gaming across in-person and online activity, and it uses fixed amounts tied to turnover bands and licence categories. In practice, a larger operator will pay more than a small venue, and remote platforms will fall under different bands than land-based premises. The stated aim is to align fees with administrative cost and oversight work, so fee income helps fund regulation while avoiding a flat burden that hits small entrants hardest.
How Fees Will Be Calculated
Applicants must declare turnover from the previous financial year to identify the right fee band. New entrants without a track record will provide projected revenue for their first twelve months. The regulations include annexed tables that separate on-course and off-course betting, remote betting and brokerage, land-based gaming and remote gaming licences for products like slots, roulette, and blackjack. The Gambling Regulatory Authority says it reviewed administrative costs and market scale before setting these bands, so the charges are proportionate to the type of activity being licensed.
Completing the Regulatory Framework
Together, these measures are intended to put flesh on the skeleton of the 2024 law. A three-year license cycle gives regular opportunities for review, and the fee tables give a financial logic to licensing decisions. The GRAI will operate independently and publish guidance to help firms meet obligations. For service users, the reforms aim to make the licensing environment easier to understand, so it is clearer who is operating under official oversight and how licences are maintained as the sector modernises.
A Political Signal from Brussels
Brussels’ approval also carries political weight. By finding the notified measures compatible with EU rules, the European Commission has signaled acceptance of Ireland’s approach to independent regulation. That reduces legal risk for domestic policymakers and provides reassurance to investors who weigh regulatory certainty when deciding where to expand. For the GRAI, the endorsement strengthens its authority as it sets up supervisory tools, and it gives ministers space to oversee rollout without immediate legal complications from EU institutions.
Implementation: What Happens Next
There is still a lot to build. The GRAI must finish technical systems and publish audit protocols. Operators will need to update software, compile documentation, and, in many cases, run simulated checks before full verification. Expect a period of back-and-forth between the regulator and industry as teething issues are worked through. The GRAI has indicated it will refine processes where necessary, but it has also been clear that checks will become more thorough as the tools arrive.
Industry Reaction and Market Expectations
Industry response has been measured and practical. Operators welcome clarity on license terms and fees, though some point to higher compliance costs. Smaller firms want clear guidance and support, while larger groups are already modeling the impact. If the GRAI delivers, Ireland could become one of Europe’s most reliable and appealing regulated markets. For now, the focus is on getting systems in place for predictable licensing and oversight. Given the pace of change, keeping up with the latest casino and regulatory news will help operators and players track how Ireland’s market evolves over the coming months.
