Ireland’s New Gambling Watchdog Opens Dialogue with Industry, Stays Firm on Lobbying Ban

Ireland’s newly minted gambling regulator is trying to strike a delicate balance: open the door for industry voices, but keep the backroom lobbying firmly shut.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), officially launched on March 5, is setting up an industry panel. The goal? To hear operators out as sweeping new rules take shape. But the message from its leadership is clear: transparency is non-negotiable, and lobbying is off the table.

Regulator Wants Feedback, Not Influence

Anne-Marie Caulfield, the CEO of GRAI, said the panel won’t be a free-for-all for lobbying or behind-the-scenes deal-making. Instead, it’s about formal, structured communication.

“It is our intention to involve the industry, making them aware of where we’re coming from and the measures that are to be introduced,” Caulfield told iGB in a recent sit-down.

She emphasized that the regulator is aiming to build a consistent, public-facing approach. So while operators will get a seat at the table, that seat won’t come with special privileges.

That’s a tightrope to walk. On one side, you have a gambling industry that’s been calling for clarity and input. On the other? A government regulator trying to build credibility and public trust after years of what critics described as a regulatory vacuum.

New Law, New Sheriff

The GRAI didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It was established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, a long-awaited overhaul of the country’s approach to gambling oversight.

The regulator’s brief is broad. From bookmakers to online casinos, it now covers everything except the national lottery. And with that wide remit comes wide expectations.

The agency’s role includes:

• Granting and revoking licenses for gambling businesses

• Setting and enforcing compliance standards

• Monitoring advertising and promotions

• Developing harm-prevention strategies

The regulator has enforcement teeth, too. It has powers to investigate, penalize, and shut down operations that break the rules.

One-line pause here.

But its independence — and transparency — will be what really sets the tone.

The Lobbying Line in the Sand

GRAI is being blunt about where it draws the line. No lobbying. Not in back channels. Not over coffee. Not even subtly.

Ireland has had issues in the past with blurred lines between regulators and industries, particularly in sectors like housing and health. Gambling, with its financial heft and influence, presents similar risks.

Caulfield’s decision to maintain a strict anti-lobbying stance is both symbolic and strategic.

It signals that the authority wants to act in the public interest, not the industry’s. And it helps distance the regulator from the perception that it’s just a rubber stamp.

Worth noting: Ireland’s lobbying register is one of the more transparent in Europe. But it’s also not bulletproof. Several watchdog groups have warned that informal lobbying — like off-the-record chats or conference mingling — often skirts accountability.

So, GRAI taking a strong early position may serve as a warning shot to potential rule-benders.

Why the Industry Panel Still Matters

Despite the hardline on lobbying, GRAI does seem to recognize one thing — it can’t operate in a vacuum.

Setting up an industry panel makes practical sense. You can’t regulate what you don’t understand. And in gambling, tech evolves fast, business models shift, and risks morph.

The panel will likely include representatives from betting shops, online operators, gaming tech providers, and possibly consumer advocates too. The final structure hasn’t been confirmed.

Here’s why that panel matters:

• Helps regulators keep up with industry innovation

• Reduces the risk of rules being unworkable in practice

• Gives operators a chance to flag unintended consequences

But it’s a tight format. There will be no private discussions. Everything will be recorded, documented, and — where appropriate — made public.

What’s Next for Ireland’s Gambling Sector?

The months ahead will be critical.

GRAI is expected to start issuing its first licenses under the new system later in 2025. Meanwhile, secondary legislation will fill in the blanks left by the 2024 Act.

Operators are watching closely. Some are anxious. Others are hopeful the rules will finally give the sector legal certainty.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the timeline ahead:

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How smooth this rollout will be depends largely on how GRAI manages communication and expectations.

The Bigger Picture: Europe’s Eyes Are Watching

Ireland’s move to formalize gambling regulation puts it more in line with countries like the UK, Spain, and Sweden, where gambling regulators already have sharper tools and clearer rules.

But there’s a caveat.

Those countries also faced growing pains — especially with balancing industry needs and public safety. Take the UK, for example. Its Gambling Commission faced backlash from both operators (who felt overburdened) and campaigners (who thought it was too soft).

So Ireland might be hoping to learn from those missteps.

Also, the broader EU trend is shifting. There’s growing momentum toward tougher rules around gambling ads, loot boxes, and online betting limits.

So GRAI’s decisions this year could end up setting a kind of standard for smaller markets — especially those with fragmented or outdated laws.

Mixed Signals from the Market

One thing’s clear: operators aren’t sure what to make of this yet.

Some feel reassured by the transparency talk. Others are wary that the anti-lobbying stance could become a barrier to real dialogue.

And then there’s the fear that public pressure could swing things toward heavy-handed enforcement — especially if problem gambling headlines resurface.

But for now, Caulfield and her team seem set on building a system that works, not one that bends.

One-liner pause.

Whether the industry buys in — or pushes back — is the next big question.