Poker is legal in Ireland both online and in land-based venues. Online poker is available through domestically licensed and offshore licensed operators that hold proper licensing and regulation (1). Land-based gaming requires either a gaming permit from An Garda Síochána for games with stakes up to €10 and prizes no more than €3,000, or a gaming licence from Revenue Commissioners for lower stakes games (1). Ireland's gambling framework is undergoing transformation through the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, enacted October 23, 2024 (2).
The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 will introduce significant changes when fully implemented in October 2025 (1). The new law establishes the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland to license and regulate all gambling services including online poker (2). When commenced, operators will require licenses for gaming, betting, and lottery activities (2). The legislation aims to streamline licensing and repeal existing fragmented laws, creating comprehensive regulation for both in-person and remote gambling operations (2).
"The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is a new statutory body being established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The functions include licensing and regulating gambling services in Ireland."
The new regulatory framework includes strict player protection measures and advertising restrictions. Credit card use for gambling will be prohibited, and ATM machines banned from gambling locations (2). Gambling advertising on television and radio will be banned between 5:30am and 9:00pm, and social media gambling ads restricted to subscribers only (2). A National Gambling Exclusion Register and Social Impact Fund will be established, funded by licensed operators contributing annually (2). Anti-money laundering regulations apply to gambling service providers as designated persons under Irish AML rules (1).
Source:
https://iclg.com/practice-areas/gambling-laws-and-regulations/ireland
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/justice/civil-law/the-law-on-gambling-in-ireland/
Last updated: 04-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
