Licensed bookmakers in Ireland: how to check a GRAI betting licence

Licensed bookmakers in Ireland: who issues the licence now?

Since 1 July 2026, licensed bookmakers taking bets online or by phone in Ireland need a GRAI remote betting licence, and operating without one is a criminal offence (GRAI). GRAI is the licensing authority for betting licences. The operator terms linked below identify the relevant company and Irish betting arrangements. Revenue’s current guidance directs remote-bookmaker licensing to GRAI; do not rely on an old register alone.

Sportsbook and exchange are different

A sportsbook offers its own prices. An exchange matches bets under its own rules and may charge commission. Even within one brand, the legal company and licence can differ. Compare the exact service you intend to use.

Football from an Irish perspective

Our score page prioritises the Premier Division, First Division and FAI Cup. Selected English and UEFA matches follow. All times are Irish time. A result feed is informational and cannot override an operator’s settlement rules.

What these listings mean

These are selected, source-checked starting points, not a complete register or a rating table. The operator’s current product terms and location checks govern eligibility. You must be at least 18. No deposit or withdrawal tests are claimed.

Frequently asked questions

Do bookmakers need a licence in Ireland?

Yes. Since 1 July 2026, bookmakers taking bets online or by phone in Ireland need a remote betting licence from the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Operating without one is a criminal offence. GRAI is now the licensing authority for betting licences, and Revenue’s current guidance directs remote-bookmaker licensing to GRAI.

How do I check if a bookmaker is licensed in Ireland?

Check the licence with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland before you bet, then match it to the company named in the operator’s terms. Even within one brand, the legal company and licence can differ, so compare the exact service you intend to use. Do not rely on an old register alone, because remote-bookmaker licensing now sits with GRAI.

Does Revenue still license remote bookmakers in Ireland?

Not any more: Revenue’s current guidance directs remote-bookmaker licensing in Ireland to the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). GRAI remote betting licences have been in force since 1 July 2026, and taking bets online or by phone without one is a criminal offence. An old register should not be relied on alone when checking whether a bookmaker is licensed in Ireland.

What is the difference between a sportsbook and a betting exchange?

A sportsbook offers its own prices, while a betting exchange matches bets under its own rules and may charge commission. In Ireland, the legal company and licence can differ even within one brand, so check the exact service you intend to use against its GRAI licence and the operator’s terms. You must be at least 18 to bet.

Original sources

Paddy Power terms · Betfair terms · PokerStars terms · Revenue licensing guidance

Sources and verification

Checked on 18 October 2026. Check any bookmaker’s licence with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland before you bet.