Until this year, Irish gambling law hadn't been meaningfully rewritten since the Betting Act 1931 — legislation that obviously never mentioned online casinos. That changed with the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, and 2026 is when it actually starts to bite.
GRAI is now issuing licences — for betting, not yet for casino
⚠️ Important distinction the rollout timeline creates: GRAI's first licences, issued from 1 July 2026, cover remote betting only — sportsbooks and betting intermediaries. Licence applications for gaming (which is where online casino games sit), lotteries, and B2B licences aren't scheduled to open until 2027-2028. So as of today, no online casino operator holds a GRAI casino licence yet — the framework exists, but casino-specific oversight hasn't started.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was established on 5 March 2025 and opened B2C betting licence applications on 9 February 2026, following a commencement order signed by the Minister for Justice. In-person betting licences follow from 1 December 2026. GRAI can fine non-compliant operators up to €20 million or 10% of turnover, whichever is higher — figures set out in the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
Once gaming licensing does open, the same obligations already written into the Act apply: age verification, a ban on credit for gambling (no credit cards), deposit/loss/session-time limits, and the right to close your account on request. Until then, Irish players relying on offshore UKGC- or MGA-licensed casinos are in the same position as before — not illegal, but without Irish regulatory oversight if something goes wrong.
Is a casino actually GRAI-licensed yet?
Given casino licensing hasn't opened, no site can honestly claim a GRAI casino licence right now — treat any such claim with suspicion. Check grai.ie directly for current licence status as gaming applications open, and in the meantime treat a UKGC or MGA licence as reasonable interim protection rather than a permanent substitute.
Fully available
Ireland is an EU member and Revolut offers its full standard product range there. Revolut cards are also a debit/prepaid product, so they aren't affected by GRAI's ban on credit-funded gambling.
Getting help in Ireland
GRAI has been running public-awareness work alongside the HSE's Addiction Services on recognising gambling harm early. Free, confidential support is available through GamblingCare.ie and Problem Gambling Ireland. See our responsible gambling page for more.
Comparisons live on BestRevCasino
Our comparison work for Irish players lives on our dedicated site, so this hub can stay focused on independent guidance.
Visit BestRevCasino ↗Ireland FAQ
Is every casino serving Irish players GRAI-licensed already?
No — GRAI's current licences cover betting only. Gaming (casino) licence applications aren't scheduled to open until 2027-2028, so no casino operator holds a GRAI licence yet.
Were offshore casinos illegal in Ireland before GRAI?
No — UKGC or MGA-licensed offshore sites operated in a grey area: legal to use, but without Irish regulatory oversight or dispute resolution.
Does the GRAI credit ban affect Revolut deposits?
No — it targets credit cards specifically. A Revolut card is debit/prepaid, so it isn't affected.
Is it safe to use Revolut for online casino deposits in Ireland?
Mechanically, yes — a Revolut card deposit is processed the same secure way as any card payment, with 3D Secure and standard fraud monitoring. "Safe" separately depends on the casino itself being properly licensed (see our safety guide) — Revolut being safe doesn't make an unlicensed site safe.
Are there restrictions on using Revolut for gambling transactions in Ireland?
Not from Revolut's side — no gambling-specific block unless you switch one on yourself. The only restriction that currently exists is GRAI's ban on credit-funded gambling, which doesn't touch a debit/prepaid Revolut card anyway.
Which Irish online casinos accept Revolut deposits?
We don't list or rank specific casinos on this hub — that comparison, tested for Revolut acceptance, lives on BestRevCasino, our dedicated comparison site.