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Supplier or business-to-business (B2B) licensing is “not envisaged” to be among “the first phases” of Ireland’s plan to roll out different licence types, according to the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI).
A GRAI spokesperson told Vixio GamblingCompliance that it is taking a phased approach to “allow for an efficient transition from the current licensing regime to the new processes” under its control.
The GRAI is currently finalising transition arrangements with existing licensing authorities and said it will release more information about “phasing” on its website “in the coming months”.
The gambling regulator is working with the Revenue Commissioners on betting and gaming licences.
The GRAI said “all existing licence holders should continue to renew licences” and that “all new applicants should also continue to engage with Revenue”.
It is also working with the Court Service and An Gardá Síochána regarding lotteries.
It similarly advised that “all existing Lottery Licence/Permit holders should continue to renew licences as normal”, and “all new applicants should also continue to engage with the appropriate body”.
The regulator said it will “soon publish information for certification laboratories looking to test to these standards”.
Additionally, a code of practice providing practical guidance for operators to fulfill their licence obligations will be developed in the coming months.
“The timelines around this is a decision of the new authority but will also likely include a consultation period. The authority members were only appointed by the minister for justice (Jim O'Callaghan) on March 5th and therefore have not considered their initial work plan,” the GRAI said.
After the GRAI was officially established earlier this month, O'Callaghan signed an order to commence parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
O'Callaghan confirmed that the aim is to invite applications “for some licence types within the coming year”, but did not specify what those types would be.
The GRAI oversees licensing and regulating land-based and online betting, gaming and lotteries, except for the National Lottery, the sale or supply of products or services related to gambling and charitable gambling activities.
