The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (No. 35 of 2024), signed into law in October 2024, creates in Part 4 (sections 139 to 165) advertising, sponsorship, and inducement restrictions that apply to all gambling licensees in Ireland. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) began issuing remote betting licences from 1 July 2026, following a ministerial commencement order made in February 2026. Part 4 advertising provisions remain uncommenced as of August 2026. When a ministerial commencement order is made, Part 4 will bind all GRAI-licensed operators, both remote and in-person.
Sections 139 to 165 of Act No. 35 of 2024 ban broadcast advertising of gambling services on television and radio between 05:30 and 21:00 daily. The provisions prohibit advertising that presents gambling as attractive to children and ban inducements structured as deposit-conditioned free-bet offers. Part 4 also restricts licensee sponsorship of children's events and organisations. The Minister for Justice holds a regulatory power under the Act to prescribe additional requirements by statutory instrument, which may extend to online advertising beyond the broadcast provisions. The interaction between Part 4 and existing Broadcasting Authority of Ireland codes requires clarification through ministerial regulation or GRAI guidance.
Remote gambling operators, sportsbook operators, gaming platform providers, affiliate marketers, and media businesses carrying gambling advertising must audit existing commercial arrangements against the anticipated Part 4 requirements. Operators holding or seeking GRAI licences should treat the Part 4 restrictions as operationally applicable when entering new sponsorship contracts, particularly those involving sports clubs or events with large under-18 audiences. In-person gambling operators face the additional pressure of the 1 December 2026 deadline, when the GRAI closes the legacy Revenue Commissioner permission regime.
No commencement date for Part 4 has been announced as of August 2026. Whether social media advertising and affiliate marketing fall within the Act's definition of 'gambling advertising' absent a supplementary ministerial regulation is an unresolved question. The Act's definition of 'inducement' and the precise scope of the free-bet restriction for promotions not requiring a qualifying deposit also need GRAI or ministerial clarification.
We may advise gambling operators and media businesses on iGaming regulatory compliance in Ireland and across European jurisdictions, and can introduce clients to specialists in our partner network. Contact us to discuss GRAI licensing or Part 4 compliance. Work we undertake includes Irish GRAI licence applications, gambling advertising compliance reviews, iGaming sponsorship contract structuring, and iGaming regulatory strategy across EU member states.
Source: Gambling Regulation Act 2024 (No. 35 of 2024), Acts of the Oireachtas, signed October 2024