The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has launched a public consultation on three sets of draft regulations that will underpin the implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
The consultation, which opened on 30 July, invites feedback from gambling operators, industry stakeholders and members of the public. Submissions will be accepted until 20 August at 3pm.
The first draft regulation relates to Section 86 of the Act and proposes the list of games that may be offered under a gaming licence. Before gaming licences can be granted, the GRAI must formally prescribe which games are permitted. Individual licences will then specify which of these approved games each operator is authorised to provide.
A second consultation concerns Section 152, setting out requirements for certain categories of licensees to maintain prescribed records and accounts in electronic form. The regulations are intended to establish consistent record-keeping obligations across the relevant licence holders.
The third draft regulation, under Section 173, focuses on information that remote gambling operators must provide to account holders. The proposals include requirements to issue regular alerts detailing customer winnings, losses and time spent gambling, while also ensuring players have immediate access to their gambling history for specified periods.
The GRAI has also published implementation guidance alongside the draft rules to assist operators in preparing their submissions.
Responses can be submitted through an online survey or by post. The regulator noted that comments should focus on the content of the draft regulations and advised respondents that submissions, or a summary of consultation responses, may be published, subject to requests for anonymity and applicable data protection legislation.
The GRAI also confirmed that further regulations under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 will be developed in the future, with additional public consultations taking place where appropriate.
This consultation follows a series of developments at the GRAI in recent months, including the issuing of its first remote betting licences, a new Memorandum of Understanding with Nevada's Gaming Control Board and the launch of a national underage gambling awareness campaign.
The draft regulations represent part of the phased implementation of Ireland's Gambling Regulation Act 2024, with the GRAI confirming that further regulations will be introduced and consulted on as the new licensing framework continues to roll out
