GRAI Eyes Tiered Fees & Longer Licences After First Consultation

Ireland’s new gambling regulator, GRAI, has unveiled major changes in response to its first public consultation.

Feedback called for fairer licensing fees, longer terms, and clear rules to support operators and protect consumers.

With tiered, GGY‑based fees, 5‑year licences, and early standards publication, the GRAI aims for a balanced, transparent regime.

Discover how these changes could shape Ireland’s gambling landscape and benefit operators and players alike.

GRAI Responds to Stakeholders: Plans Tiered Fees & Extended Licences After Consultation

3 Key Points

• Tiered, GGY‑based Fees: GRAI will explore flexible fee structures tied to Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) rather than turnover.
• Longer 5‑Year Licences: Stakeholders prefer five‑year or longer licences for stability and reduced admin burden.
• Transparent, Proportionate Conditions: GRAI to publish clear standards early and engage all stakeholders in developing licence conditions.

Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRAI) launched a major consultation between April and May 2025 under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. It sought views on licence fees, durations, and additional licence conditions. In total, 27 submissions were received from operators, NGOs, and individuals, shaping proposed reforms.

Fee Structures: From Turnover to GGY‑Tiering

Originally, GRAI proposed a flat €20,000 application fee for remote licences and a turnover-based model. However, 12 submissions raised concerns that this structure could unfairly burden smaller operators. Nine submissions questioned how “turnover” would be defined.

In response, GRAI will now consider a tiered fee model anchored to GGY or a hybrid of turnover and GGY. This aligns costs with revenues and reduces financial stress on smaller operators. It will also explore adjusting the fixed €1,200 premises fee based on scale, using metrics like the number of gaming units.

Licence Duration: Calling for Stability

A three‑year licence term was initially proposed. Yet, most industry voices called for longer terms, citing administrative efficiency and alignment with EU standards. France and Germany grant five‑year licences; Greece and Belgium offer longer terms.

GRAI now supports extending terms to five years and is exploring performance-based extensions for compliant operators. Only a minority favored the original term, viewing it as a cautious start .

Licence Conditions: Clear, Fair, & Inclusive

Consultation feedback highlighted the need for clear, enforceable licence conditions, focusing on consumer protection and harm prevention. Stakeholders asked for:

• Early publication of technical standards
• Avoidance of over-prescriptive rules
• Engagement with public health bodies and civil society
• Interoperable National Gambling Exclusion Register (NGER)
• Published timelines and guidance for applications

GRAI reaffirmed its commitment to releasing definitions and renewal guidelines in a timely fashion.

Next Steps: TRIS Notification & Ongoing Dialogue

GRAI plans to notify the European Commission via the TRIS process, providing regulatory transparency across the EU. It will issue formal regulations to be in place by late 2025, launching B2C licence applications in December and remote gaming licences in early 2026.

Furthermore, GRAI will host continued stakeholder consultations and publish policy updates to support transparent implementation .

Strategic & Market Impact

GRAI’s pivot reflects best practices in European jurisdictions. Aligning with the UK Gambling Commission and launching a Social Impact Fund, GRAI is preparing a modern regulatory scheme that incorporates oversight of public health and consumer rights.

Crucially, these changes offer certainty for operators, facilitating better planning and compliance investment. Conversely, the tiered, GGY-linked fee structure supports fairness and access, particularly for smaller providers.

GRAI’s stakeholder-centered approach contrasts sharply with past opaque systems. By integrating feedback into policy design, the regulator fosters trust and long-term sector resilience.

The GRAI’s first public consultation has clearly shaped its regulatory roadmap. With proposals for tiered, GGY-based fees, five-year licences, and transparent licence conditions, the regulator aims to build a fair, risk-based, and effective regime.

These changes will support stakeholder certainty, enhance consumer safeguards, and align Ireland with best-in-class European practices. As the formal rules roll out, operators should monitor guidance on definitions, fees, renewals, and compliance requirements to ensure timely readiness.

This consultation marks a significant milestone. It sets Ireland on a path toward responsible gambling regulation, considerate of both industry realities and consumer welfare, in line with international standards.

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