What will be the purpose of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI)?

Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill, which was passed in November of 2022, gave statutory powers to the Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann - or, in English, the Gambling Regulatory of Ireland (GRAI). 

However, the GRAI was not yet fully functional at the time - nor is it fully up and running in 2024. Last year, €1.63m was spent on setting up the GRAI, which was a significant jump from the €161k spent on the project in 2022.

With the establishment of the GRAI behind schedule and positions still to be filled, it begs the question, what will be the purpose of the GRAI? 

Regulate both in-person and online gambling activities

The main purpose of the GRAI is to ensure that the gambling sector is compliant with Irish laws. It will assess gambling facilities, grant licenses, and prohibit unlawful practices. The body will be responsible for both in-person and online gambling. 

Crypto casinos, which are currently legal in Ireland, will most likely also be regulated by the GRAI. Unlike other casino platforms, Bitcoin casinos use crypto instead of cash and offer anonymous gaming - which is why they’re becoming so popular. They still offer all the games you’d find at fiat currency casinos, such as a huge range of slots in different themes and the chance to play blackjack online with live dealers and with various rule variations, side bets, and stake limits. When the GRAI is officially set up, they may announce new rules concerning Bitcoin casinos. 

The GRAI will award licenses to gambling institutions and platforms 

One of the primary roles of the GRAI will be to assess gambling institutions, award licenses, and maintain a log of all licensed platforms. 

It will award or revoke gambling licenses based on the current betting laws in Ireland. 

There will be three types of gambling licenses awarded in Ireland: 

• Business to Consumer Gaming, Betting and Lottery Licenses
• Business to Business Licenses
• Gambling licenses for Charitable/Philanthropic Causes 

The type of license awarded will determine the charges payable. Other factors that will affect the charge of the license include the duration of the license, the turnover of the licensee, and the licensee’s administrative costs. 

Establish a gambling exclusion register 

The authority body will also be tasked with setting up a gambling exclusion register for those who want to control their gambling. In the UK, the Gamstop service is free to sign up for and stops gamers from accessing gambling sites. The GRAI will likely establish a similar service. 

In addition to setting up a Gamstop alternative, the regulatory body will be responsible for organising funding to go towards gambling addiction research and training. 

Controlling advertisements 

The GRAI will be responsible for implementing Irish laws related to gambling advertisements. This includes the prohibition of gambling adverts on TV, radio, or on-demand media between the hours of 5.30pm and 9.00pm. 

Any form of media that is intended to promote and publicise gambling activities will not be shown or broadcast during these watershed hours. However, media that promotes gambling can be broadcast after 5.30pm. 

The GRAI will not regulate the National Lottery 

The GRAI will not be responsible for regulating the National Lottery, nor will it be responsible for regulating the lottery fundraising that’s conducted by political parties. These tasks will remain the responsibility of Carol Boate, who has been the National Lottery’s regulator in Ireland since 2017. 

Boate has a big responsibility, given that over 1.4 million people play the Irish National Lottery. 

This is one area where the control of gambling will differ between the UK and Ireland. In the UK, the Gambling Comission is responsible for regulating all forms of gambling, including the lottery. The UK does not have a separate entity that focuses specifically on the National Lottery. 

The members of the GRAI 

Once established, the GRAI will consist of seven board members, which will be appointed by the Minister of Justice. Out of the seven, one will be selected to serve as the chairperson. 

A CEO will also be appointed. In 2022, Anne Marie Caulfield was appointed as the current CEO of the body. 

The Minister of Justice will have to judge an individual's experience, training, and qualifications before appointing them as a board member. 

Prospective board members will need to have experience in the following areas:

• Gambling activities
• Legal or compliance functions
• Consumer affairs
• The pathology and treatment of addiction
• Communication and information technology
• Financial services 

At any given time, the board members will consist of no fewer than three women and three men. 

The GRAI will be self-funded 

The plan is to make the GRAI totally self-sufficient within three years. Its main source of income will be the money coming from licensee charges payable, which is hoped to cover the ongoing running costs of the regulatory body.

As stated in the 2022 bill, the operation costs will determine the price charged for gambling licenses.