A Remote Bookmaker’s Licence is a legal requirement for any business that accepts bets from individuals in Ireland through electronic means, such as the internet or telephone. Whether you’re planning to operate a betting platform online, or to provide remote betting services via other communication channels, obtaining this licence ensures your business complies with Irish regulations under the Gambling Regulation Act.
Please note: The information provided on this page, and website, is intended as a general guide and does not constitute professional or legal advice. It should not be assumed that the guidance is exhaustive, nor should it be relied upon as a definitive solution for all circumstances. Readers should always seek their own legal or professional advice.
Guide to obtaining and maintaining a Remote Bookmaker’s licence
1. Publish Notice of Intention: Publish your Notice of Intention to apply for a gambling licence at least 28 days before submitting your application. Provide the GRAI with a copy of the Notice of Intention (including proof of publication). A dedicated mailing address will be supplied for this purpose when applicable, along with additional guidance on publication of the Notice of Intention.
2. Document Preparation: Ensure you have all necessary documentation ready for submission (see section 6 below for guidance on type of information and documentation required for applications). All submitted documents will be treated with appropriate care and diligence.
3. Submission: Complete the application process online, ensuring all information is accurate and truthful. Those seeking a licence are required to make the application fee payment at time of application submission. Application fees will be set on a tiered basis, commensurate with the applicant’s turnover (Appendix 1) in the preceding year of operation (or projected turnover in first year of trading for newly established operators). All payments are non-refundable.
4. Review: We will review licence applications and perform a risk-based assessment of the applicant’s suitability to provide gambling activities. Processing times may vary depending on complexity of the applicant’s business model. Additional information may be requested during this period for assessment purposes. We may also need to request or exchange information with other regulatory bodies and authorities as part of our due diligence checks on the suitability of the applicant, and its Officers and Owners.
5. Assessment of Suitability of Premises: If you are applying for an on-site licence, we will arrange for an assessment of your premises. This will involve a physical attendance (by a representative of the GRAI) at the premises, to confirm that the premises is suitable to provide a gambling activity. As part of this step, we will require supporting documentation from the applicant for the premises, this will include maps of the premises, Planning Permission documentation, Opinion/Certificates of Compliance with Building Regulations, Planning and Fire Safety, etc.
6. Decision: We will assess the documentation provided and consider all relevant information before determining the suitability of the applicant for licensing. Applicants will be notified in writing on the decision to grant or refuse to grant a licence.
7. Post-licence approval: Licensees should make us aware of any material changes or matters of concern. These include, but are not limited to, the following: – Changes in ownership/control – Changes in the financial circumstances of licensee, which may also necessitate the submission of a variation of licence application if likely to exceed the application fee category limit of its licence. – The licensee, a relevant officer, a beneficial owner is convicted of a relevant offence.