Bookmaker's 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.

A bookmaker is a person who, in the course of business, takes bets, sets odds and undertakes to pay out on winning bets. All bookmakers must hold a Bookmaker’s Licence.

Additional requirements:

• On-course: If your business is conducted on-course, you will require a Horse Racing Ireland permit in addition to your Revenue Bookmaker’s Licence.
• Off-course: If your business is conducted from a bookmaking office(s), you must register each office in the Revenue Register of Bookmaking Offices. You are also liable for Betting Duty.

The licensing period is a two year fixed period. The current period is from 1 December 2023 to 30 November 2025.

Your premises registrations (Certificate of Registration of Premises) will expire on the same date as your Bookmaker’s Licence.

Licences will expire at the end of the licensing period, regardless of the issue date.

The cost of a Bookmaker’s Licence is €500.

The cost for each Certificate of Registration of Premises is €760.

You can make payment all at once, or in two equal instalments. The first payment is due at licence issue. The second is due on or before 1 December mid-way through the fixed licensing period.

The National Excise Licence Office will send you a notice before the second payment is due.

Next: First application for a bookmaker's licence