Gaming Licence

Overview

Note

The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides for the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Once fully established, the GRAI will be the sole body responsible for the regulation and licensing of gambling in Ireland. In the interim, Revenue will continue to issue licences under the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

The Gambling Regulation Act reduced the licence term for bookmakers and intermediaries from two years to one. Queries on the role of the Regulator, or the new licencing framework, should be directed to GRAI@justice.ie. Queries on existing licences should be forwarded to the National Excise Licencing Office.

An operator of gaming machines is required to:

• hold a Gaming Licence for each premises where gaming machines are available for play
• hold a licence for each individual gaming machine
• and
• have each individual licence conspicuously displayed on its respective gaming machine.

The licensing period is from 1 January to 30 December. Gaming Licences and Gaming Machine Licences may be applied for to cover a full year period, or a three month period.

Annual licences will expire on 31 December each year regardless of the issue date. Three month licences will expire at the end of the relevant three month period. Where a three month licence issues in respect of the final calendar quarter, the licence will expire on 31 December.

Revenue may only issue Gaming Machine Licences during the validity period of the current Court Certificate.

It is an offence to operate a gaming machine under an Amusement Machine Permit. The gaming machine is liable to seizure and the operator liable for prosecution.

If you are operating a gaming machine, you must hold a Gaming Licence.

Next: Definition of a gaming machine