4 March 2025 - Press Release, Department of Justice  The Minister for Justice, Mr Jim O'Callaghan T.D. has today (Tuesday) signed the order to commence parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 to enable the Authority to become operational and the order to establish Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, on a statutory basis. Minister O’Callaghan has also approved the appointment of the seven members of this new, independent Authority, who will be appointed and commence their roles with effect from tomorrow, 5 March, 2025.  They will be the members of the Authority which is responsible for regulating and licencing all gambling providers in the State and which has wide ranging powers to regulate both in-person and online gambling, gaming and most lotteries. Mr. Paul Quinn has been appointed as chair of the Authority and the other newly appointed members are as follows:Ms. Celine CraigMs. Marion KellyMs. Rita PurcellMr. David HicksonMr. Michael McGrathDr. Colin O’Driscoll, Ordinary Member Minister O’Callaghan said:“Today marks a new era for the regulation of gambling in the Irish State.“The establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is a further step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework, which will reflect the nature of modern gambling and take into account the harms associated with problem gambling, providing safeguards to protect people from those harms, especially children.“It is designed to meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland, providing clarity for operators and for consumers and taking a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction.“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work of my predecessor, Minister Helen McEntee and Minister James Browne, in the development of this legislation.” Minister O’Callaghan added:“I warmly congratulate Mr. Paul Quinn on his appointment as Chair of the new Authority and each of the newly appointed Authority members and wish them well in their new roles.“The newly appointed members will now join CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield and her staff in commencing the Authority’s operations and legislative powers, on a phased basis. I understand that this includes, as a priority, work on progressing the licensing process, with a view to inviting applications for some licence types within the coming year.” In accordance with the provisions of section 17 of the 2024 Act, appointments to the Authority will be for an initial period of three or four years. All members of the Authority may be reappointed for a second four-year term. Speaking this morning, Minister Browne stated:“Minister O’Callaghan’s actions today mark the culmination of much hard work and dedication by Minister McEntee, Ms. Caulfield, Minister O’Callaghan and myself, supported by a core team of Authority staff and Departmental officials.“I am pleased and encouraged at this Government’s commitment to continuing the phased commencement of the Authority’s operations and legislative powers as a priority.” Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, T.D., commented:“I welcome today’s development as an important step towards ensuring that the harms associated with gambling are minimised. I look forward to the Department of Health working with the Gambling Regulatory Authority on initiatives to promote and progress this important goal.” Welcoming the establishment of the Authority and the appointment of its members, the CEO of the GRAI Anne-Marie Caulfield said:“‘I greatly welcome the appointment of the seven-member Authority and the establishment of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann. I would like to thank the Ministers, Oireachtas members, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and Department of Justice officials for their work in bringing about our establishment.“I look forward to fulfilling our mandate and delivering a safe, well-regulated and transparent sector, with consumer protection at its core.”Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland established effective from 5 March 2025Seven members to be appointed to independent authority, including chair Mr Paul Quinn

Protecting consumers from gambling harms will be a key focus of the new Gambling Regulator.Press Release - 5th March 2025:  Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, Ireland’s new Gambling Regulatory Authority was officially established today by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, TD, heralding a new era in the regulation of Ireland’s gambling sector.Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann / The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is the independent, statutory body responsible for regulating and licensing the gambling industry in Ireland.The new authority regulates in-person and online gambling, gaming, betting and certain lottery activities, including bingo.  It does not regulate the national lottery, which has its own regulator, or regulate fundraising conducted by political parties.It will license operators and set standards for the gambling, gaming and betting industry. Where the law is breached there is potential for licence revocation or suspension, substantial financial penalties (up to €20 million or 10 per cent of turnover) and / or criminal prosecution. The legislation provides for prison sentences of up to eight years for serious breaches, including failure to protect children from gambling.Mr Paul Quinn, Chair of the Authority said; “I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the new Authority and  I look forward to working with my fellow Authority members and the Executive as we begin regulating this very important sector.   Our role is to make sure that gambling is well regulated and fair, that standards are in place and monitored, and that protections are there for those who are most vulnerable, particularly children.“Anne Marie Caulfield and her team have undertaken very important development work which will allow the Authority to commence its vital work without delay.  We look forward to building a high standard of protection for consumers and to ensuring the integrity and fairness of gambling operations in Ireland”.Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland said;  “I look forward to working with our new Authority to progress the work which has been undertaken in preparation for the establishment of a new gambling sector regulatory regime.   We have undertaken a lot of work to understand the extent of gambling in Ireland, the drivers of gambling harms and the impact of inducements and advertising on gambling behaviours.  We have also engaged with a broad range of stakeholders including with industry, charities and people who have lived experience of harm caused by gambling.Ms. Caulfield said that the establishment of a new licensing regime is well underway, and that the Authority has appointed its senior management team in licensing, consumer protection, compliance, IT, enforcement and corporate services.  She also said that development work on licencing and operational financial models has been completed with the aim of ensuring the new Regulator can quickly become self-funding.Ms Caulfield emphasised that public safety is at the heart of the Gambling Regulatory Authority’s work. “While most people who gamble do so safely, a 2023 ESRI study estimated that 130,000 adults in Ireland are experiencing problem gambling with a further 279,000 identified as experiencing moderate levels of problem gambling.   Greater awareness and education about harms from gambling will be a key focus of the Authority.  Safeguards will be enacted to protect and prohibit children from participating in gambling or presenting on premises where gambling activities are ongoing specifically and expressly. The Authority will uphold these safeguards and ensure that they are adhered to within the gambling industry”.A Social Impact Fund will be established with the purpose of collecting mandatory contributions from licensees to fund research on harms associated with gambling and to support initiatives that raise awareness around this subjectThe Authority also has the power to determine the times, places, and events that gambling advertising can be displayed, broadcast, or published.  Gambling advertising on social media is prohibited by legislation, and a watershed prohibition of gambling advertising on television and radio between the hours of 5:30 AM and 9:00 PM will also come into effect.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), once established, will be responsible for the licensing and regulation of gambling services in Ireland, to streamline the process for complaints around advertising for gambling they have partnered with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA)GRAI will now advise consumers they can direct complaints around gambling advertising to the Advertising Standards Authority. Under the new partnership, ASA and GRAI will work collaboratively on triaging complaints around marketing communications for gambling in Ireland. In this regard, the GRAI will in future deal with complaints regarding entities who hold a licence with the organisation, whilst the Advertising Standards Authority will handle other complaints.The GRAI, once established, will protect the public by promoting a gambling sector that operates transparently and in accordance with the laws of Ireland, particularly the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This Act contains a number of restrictions on licences in relation to advertising, social media and more. It will also create awareness of problem gambling and establish safeguards to address it. By working with the Advertising Standards Authority, as the GRAI’s powers are commenced, we will aim to address any concerns raised by the public about advertising in and surrounding gambling promptly and effectively, in line with the Advertising Standard Authority’s code. Our partnership reiterates our commitment to safeguard the public, and to ensure they are informed and protected by upholding the highest standards of marketing communications.Anne-Marie Caulfield, CEO Designate, GRAI