184. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice to outline the role of the new Gambling Regulatory Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12684/25]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice: The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provided for the establishment of Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) for the purposes of licensing and regulating betting, gaming, certain lotteries, the sale or supply of products or services related to gambling and charitable / philanthropic gambling activities. 

On 5 March last, I signed an order establishing the GRAI on a statutory basis and a further order commencing parts of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 to enable the authority to become operational. I also approved the appointment of the seven members of the new, independent, authority. 

The Authority has a broad range of statutory functions, including to:

• license, monitor and control gambling activities in Ireland;
• monitor and enforce compliance by licensees;
• take appropriate enforcement measures against licensees who are or have been in breach of obligations and to curtail prohibited gambling activities;
• establish and maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register – to allow persons to register with the Authority to exclude themselves from gambling online with licensees ;
• establish and administer a Social Impact Fund;
• establish standards for gambling products and services and provide certification;
• impose obligations in relation to advertising and branded clothing and merchandise;
• impose obligations on licensees not to employ children;
• impose obligations on licensees in relation to the protection of children, the promotion and sponsorship of relevant gambling activities, the training of staff, the notification of suspicious gambling patterns and the maintenance of appropriate and accurate accounts and records;
• enhance public awareness and disseminate relevant information in relation to gambling activities, products and services,
• be the competent authority for the purposes of Anti-Money Laundering matters as they relate to the sector 

The GRAI will have responsibility for the licensing and the regulation of the following gambling services in Ireland:

• betting (on site and online)
• gaming (on site and online)
• both Business to Consumer (B2C) and Business to Business (B2B)
• lotteries (except the National Lottery), including for Charities/Sporting Organisations 

The establishment of the GRAI is a further step towards replacing Ireland’s outdated gambling laws with a streamlined and simplified licensing framework, which will reflect the nature of modern gambling and take into account the harms associated with problem gambling, providing safeguards to protect people from those harms, especially children. It is designed to meet the challenges of gambling responsibly in 21st century Ireland, providing clarity for operators and for consumers and taking a responsible approach to balancing the freedom to gamble with the safeguards to protect people from falling prey to addiction.