813. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9772/26]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was enacted on 23 October 2024 and established a new, independent statutory body – Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. In March 2025, I signed the orders to commence provisions of the Act, to establish the Authority on a statutory basis from 5 March 2025.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is an independent regulator and its powers are being rolled out on a phased basis. The GRAI’s Strategy Statement 2025-2027, prepared under section 30 of the Act and launched by me as Minister on 15 October 2025, identifies clear goals and objectives for the Authority over the coming years.

Last week I signed a commencement order which allows the Authority to begin accepting and processing applications for remote and in-person betting licences, in line with the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, from 5 February 2026.

In addition, other key elements of the Act, including the enforcement and complaints functions that underpin the new licensing framework, have been commenced. The order confers robust investigative powers on the GRAI and allows for administrative sanctions of fines of up to €20 million, or 10% of a licensee’s turnover, whichever is the greater, to be imposed on licensees, where they are found to be in contravention of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. A number of criminal enforcement powers have also been commenced, as have provisions to allow the GRAI to apply to the High Court for an order directing illegal operators to cease operations.

The order also provides for the commencement of several other key measures including:

• prohibiting the use of credit cards as a means of payment for gambling
• the continuation of prohibitions on allowing a child to gamble;
• a prohibition on allowing a child to be employed by licensees;
• enabling customers to set monetary limits on how much they can gamble on-line or remotely;
• obligations on licensees to notify the Authority of suspicious gambling activity;
• obligations on remote gambling providers to protect children online; and
• safeguards for account holders such as the ability of the Authority to limit the amount of money that may be lodged with a licensee.

Officials in my Department are continuing to work, in collaboration with the Authority, on progressing the further commencement of the remaining provisions of the Act as quickly as possible.