The Irish government has announced that full implementation of the new gambling legislation, set out in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, will not begin until mid-2026. This decision has raised concerns among public health experts and defenders of the vulnerable, who believe that the delay could exacerbate the problems associated with compulsive gambling.
A delay that worries public health advocates
The Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland (GRAI), the body responsible for overseeing the sector, was officially established in March 2025. However, its executive powers, including licensing and enforcement of the new rules, will not be fully operational until next year. As a result, key initiatives, such as the Social Impact Fund to finance treatment and prevention programmes, remain on hold.
A sector awaiting strict regulation
Currently, the gambling industry in Ireland continues to operate under the old regulatory framework, with no obligation to comply with the planned new standards. This means that operators are not yet required to verify the identity of users with ID, ban credit card deposits or restrict advertising during hours when minors are likely to be exposed.
The delay in implementing these measures leaves gamblers, particularly young people, without the promised protection. Recent studies indicate that over 20% of Irish 16-year-olds have been involved in gambling activities in the past year, underlining the urgency of regulatory intervention.
Calls for swift action
Labour MP Mark Wall, a staunch advocate of gambling reform, expressed his concern at the delay:
‘People who are dealing with gambling addiction desperately need the Social Impact Fund operational as soon as possible. This is not just a statistic; it’s a reflection of the real and growing crisis affecting our youth.’
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed that the GRAI licensing scheme will not begin until mid-2026. He also specified that the fund, financed by contributions from licensees based on a percentage of their annual turnover, will only be activated once the first licences have been granted.
The regulator’s gradual rise to power
Despite the delay, the GRAI continues to develop. The authority plans to reach a staff of 35 by the end of 2025, with a further increase in staff in 2026 and 2027 to support the implementation of the new regulations.
Anne Marie Caulfield, GRAI chief executive:
‘At every stage of the legislative process, the public health mandate was kept front and centre. We will continue to keep public health at the centre of everything we do.’
Once fully operational, the new rules will ban incentives such as free bets, prohibit the use of credit cards for deposits and tighten advertising controls during times when children are likely to be exposed. Companies will have to verify customers’ identity with photo ID, and creating accounts for minors will be illegal.