Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
537. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify if online prize-competition operators marketing to Irish consumers are required to comply with Irish gambling legislation when they are registered in other jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom. [68098/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra538. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he or his Department have considered amending the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 due to regulatory gaps in respect of online prize competitions, which target consumers through social media platforms operating in the State, whilst being registered for business purposes outside of the State. [68097/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra539. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has guidelines setting out what constitutes a sufficient skill element for competition to fall outside the definition of a regulated game or lottery. [68096/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra540. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the inclusion of a skill-based question is sufficient in itself, to place an online paid-entry prize competition outside the licensing requirements of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. [68094/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he and his Department are satisfied that the current Gambling Regulation Act 2024 adequately covers online prize-competition companies (details supplied) who are registered in other jurisdictions and operate in the State on a charge per entry basis, to use a skill-based question and subsequently select winners by random draw. [68093/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 537, 538, 539, 540 and 541 together.
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (the Act) establishes a comprehensive framework for the licensing and regulation of betting, gaming and certain lotteries, including activities provided online to persons in the State. The Act establishes an independent agency to regulate the gambling sector, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), and ensures that the Authority can appropriately respond to ongoing and future developments in the gambling sector.
The Act also provides a streamlined and coherent licensing framework that reflects the nature of gambling in the State. At its core, the Act is a public health measure aimed at protecting citizens from gambling harm, particularly children, young people, and those in our communities who are more vulnerable. The Act seeks to ensure that gambling is conducted in a fair and open manner, that operators can function with certainty, that children are protected and safeguards are in place to address problem gambling, including gambling advertising, and that gambling is not a source of, or support for, crime.
The GRAI was established on a statutory basis in March 2025. The provisions relating to the various gambling sectors are being commenced on a phased basis to enable the development of the necessary regulatory, licensing and compliance framework, including guidance and codes of practice where appropriate.
The first phase, licensing of the betting sector, commenced on 5 February 2026. Work on commencing provisions relating to gaming is currently being undertaken by the GRAI and my Department.
Online competitions may be licensed under section 86 of the Act as a gaming activity where participation requires a person to make some sort of payment and complete a task with some element of skill in order to participate and win a prize. Such competitions may also be licensed under section 87 as a lottery, where participation requires payment and the completion of a task, such as selecting numbers, similar to bingo or a traditional lottery. Sections 86 and 87 provide that the GRAI may specify which games or lottery products may be provided under each licence type.
The application of the Act to a particular online prize competition will depend on the facts of the case and on whether the activity falls within the definitions and licensing requirements set out in the Act.
The GRAI is independent in the performance of its functions. Whether a competition contains a sufficient element of genuine skill, as opposed to chance, is a matter for the GRAI to determine in the first instance in the exercise of its statutory functions. Similarly, the publication of guidelines in respect of gambling activities is a matter for the GRAI.
Under the Act, anyone offering a gambling service in Ireland must hold a GRAI licence, irrespective of where they are registered. A person, including a company, who provides a gambling activity without a licence in this jurisdiction will be guilty of an offence and is liable, on summary conviction, to a class A fine, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both; or, on conviction on indictment, to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 8 years, or both.
Pursuant to section 75 of the Act the GRAI may apply to court for an order directing the cessation of the prohibited gambling activity and a suite of other orders including blocking the Internet service provider and various orders in respect of blocking bank transactions
The Act contains a comprehensive suite of advertising measures and provides the GRAI with significant powers to regulate the advertising of gambling services on social media and other video-sharing platforms. These provisions generally apply to licensed operators.
Section 146 provides that gambling advertising on social media or video-sharing services is permitted only where a person has an account on the social media platform or service and has subscribed to a licensee's account. Section 149 provides for a watershed prohibiting gambling advertising between 5:30 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. on audio-visual, on-demand media services, on-demand sound services, and broadcasters.
Section 144 provides for a wide-ranging power to allow the GRAI to prescribe the times, places, and events where gambling advertising may be broadcast, displayed, or published, and to specify the frequency and duration of such advertising.
Under section 33, the GRAI must monitor and review the implementation of the Act, including the adequacy of its functions and national and international developments relating to gambling. It may also consider existing and emerging gambling practices to identify issues of concern and make recommendations to my Department.
