The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has confirmed it will reconsider the licensing fee framework outlined in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, following widespread concern from operators over the cost and methodology of fee calculations.

The regulator said it is now exploring a shift toward a tiered model based on gross gambling yield (GGY), or a hybrid approach combining GGY with gross profit, after concluding a four-week public consultation that ended in May.

The current draft model bases licensing fees on turnover. It is defined in the Act as “the gross profit on the sale or supply of relevant gambling products or relevant gambling-related services.” According to GRAI, this system raised red flags among industry stakeholders, who argued it failed to align fees with actual earnings and posed challenges for businesses offering low-margin or seasonal betting services.

Sports Betting and Online Markets in Focus

Operators in the sports betting sector, particularly those offering multiple markets or rapid-play options, are watching the fee reform closely. For operators, alignment with a GGY-based model offers greater predictability and fairness, especially for niche providers with seasonal or event-driven revenue. For users, the shift encourages healthier competition, with more transparent pricing, streamlined withdrawal terms, and potentially broader market access as operators adjust to scalable compliance obligations.

The new framework is expected to level the playing field for sportsbooks whose turnover may be high but whose actual profit margins are thin, especially during major racing or football events. In the current model, such firms face disproportionately high fees compared to their actual earnings.

Sites like those on Esports-News.co.uk list of online casinos UK and Ireland-based players can access, meanwhile, stand to benefit from clearer definitions and longer licence terms, which could reduce operational disruptions and provide a more stable environment for long-term planning. GRAI’s indication that policy guidelines will be published in "clear and timely" formats should further assist digital operators in understanding the regulatory expectations.

Land-Based Gambling Under Fee Pressure

In contrast, land-based operators expressed concern that their fee burden remains fixed despite major differences in outlet size, location, and earnings. GRAI said it is exploring a structure that incorporates indicators such as the number of betting terminals or floorspace allocation to assess premises-related fees more accurately.

Smaller bookmakers and gaming arcades warned that uniform fees could pressure them out of the market or disincentivize licence applications. Stakeholders proposed a tiered system similar to zoning models used in tax frameworks, where fees increase with square footage or transactional volume.

Retail casinos and charity gaming operations also flagged uncertainty around license timelines. GRAI has confirmed it will not be opening applications for charity licenses this year, with priority going to B2C and B2B applications in both remote and in-person formats.

Summary of Industry Submissions

GRAI received 27 formal submissions during its consultation, with feedback highlighting common concerns across both online and land-based sectors. The majority focused on the perceived misalignment between fee structures and operator scale or revenue, while others sought clarification around regulatory terminology. Respondents called for more proportionate fees and license terms that better reflect industry standards across the EU.

Some operators urged GRAI to differentiate costs based on business type and capacity, proposing alternatives like machine-count-based assessments for physical locations and GGY scaling for digital providers. The regulator confirmed it is open to recalibrating its approach, including evaluating five-year license durations and enhancing clarity around financial definitions.

Key Operator Concerns Raised

  1. The €20,000 baseline remote license fee is too high for small or niche operators.
  2. Uniform €1,200 premises fee does not reflect business size or profitability.
  3. Definitions of key financial terms like "turnover" require clarification.
  4. The three-year licence term is too short compared to other EU jurisdictions.
  5. There is insufficient transparency around fee calculations and renewal processes.

Implementation Timeline and Phasing

In late June, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan signed the official order to commence key parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, formally establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland on a statutory basis and enabling it to begin operations.

GRAI chief executive Anne-Marie Caulfield told industry sources in March that formal applications for B2C and B2B licenses should open before the end of 2025. Online gaming licenses are expected to follow in early 2026, with further categories rolling out through to 2027.

The regulator said that it would reassess the licensing timeline as feedback is integrated and sector readiness is evaluated. Its current framework includes three licensing categories: business-to-consumer, business-to-business, and charity operations, although the latter is on hold for the foreseeable future.

Anticipated Rollout Phases

  1. Late 2025 – Applications for B2C and B2B licences open
  2. Early 2026 – Online gaming licences to be introduced
  3. 2026–2027 – Additional gambling verticals phased in

As of June 2025, GRAI is focused on finalizing its licensing structures and integrating public feedback into a framework that balances operational viability with robust regulation. Industry attention has now turned to how soon the revised fee model will be finalized, as well as how Ireland’s evolving regime will position itself among European standards.