Gambling in Ireland: Licenses valid for three years
According to one, the government in Ireland has. Article from the gambling news portal YOGONET [Link to English] First plans to regulate online casinos in the country presented. It is planned to issue the first licenses to gaming providers from the beginning of 2026. The licenses should initially be valid for three years.
The aim is to enable players in Ireland to safely participate in online gambling. The providers would have to meet consumer protection requirements and pay their gambling taxes. Ireland Home Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden [link to English] stated that providers would have to meet some strict criteria as part of the licensing process.
There will be an online casino licensing system that will require operators to meet a number of criteria before they can offer services to Irelanders. It will be illegal for unlicensed operators to provide services to Irelanders. – Brooke van Velden, Home Affairs Minister in Ireland, YOGONET
The legal situation of gambling in Ireland
The Gambling Act regulates legal gambling in Ireland. © Wikipedia
Gambling in Ireland has been regulated by the Gambling Act since 2003. The Department of Internal Affairs (Ministry of the Interior) is responsible for regulation and licensing in Ireland, while in Ireland the Joint Gaming Authority of the States (GGL) is based on the Gambling laws in Ireland is responsible for issuing licenses and monitoring gambling. When issuing licenses in Ireland, a distinction is made between licenses for stationary casinos and gambling games in bars (Class 4 games of chance). There are a total of six legal casinos in Ireland, the largest of which are in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown.
Gambling providers in Ireland must also meet strict player protection requirements. Casinos must offer players the opportunity to exclude themselves from gambling at all land-based casinos and also provide the option to participate in gambling addict assistance programs. Those affected by gambling addiction problems and gambling damage can find help in Ireland, among other places Problem Gambling Foundation [Link to English].
New gambling licenses in Ireland do not cover sports betting or lotteries
The new licenses will allow gambling providers in Ireland to legally offer online casino games from 2026. In addition to online slots, this should also include electronic table games and live casino games such as roulette and blackjack. However, the gambling licenses are only intended to enable the legal provision of online casino games. Online sports betting and online lotteries are still prohibited.
Under strict conditions, it will also be possible for online casinos in Ireland to place advertising from 2026, although sponsorship of sports clubs is prohibited for gambling providers in Ireland. However, Interior Minister van Velden would like to offer the population the opportunity to provide feedback during the licensing process in order to possibly make adjustments to the awarding criteria for gambling licenses:
I expect that the new regulatory regime will come into force from early 2026 and the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the selection committee process. – Brooke van Velden, Minister for Home Affairs in Ireland, YOGONET
SkyCity Entertainment Group is backing plans to regulate gambling in Ireland
The Sky City Entertainment Group [Link to English], a major player in the gambling industry in Ireland, is said to have supported the government's plans. The company operates brick-and-mortar casinos in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown in Ireland. The SkyCity Entertainment Group also has another casino in Adelaide, Australia.
The regulation is an important step to offer players a safe gaming experience and to generate tax payments from gambling operators in Ireland. Jason Walbridge, CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group, emphasized that it is important to keep gaming industry funds in the country and not lose them to foreign operators:
A lot of money is currently flowing overseas that should stay in Ireland as a tax and community benefit. We hope this will be an important part of any future framework. – Jason Walbridge, CEO of SkyCity Entertainment Group in Ireland, YOGONET
It remains to be seen which operators will apply for a gaming license in Ireland and whether the planned start date for the licensing process in early 2026 can be met.
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