The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
The signing ceremony took place during the visit of Gambling Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes to Dublin, where he met with GRAI CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield.
This bilateral agreement establishes a framework for enhancing cooperation between the regulatory bodies of the two countries.
The memorandum outlines the main principles of cooperation, aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, promoting responsible gambling behavior, and improving enforcement strategies in both jurisdictions.
The agreement aims to foster a closer working relationship between the Irish and UK regulatory bodies, enabling them to more effectively fulfill their respective duties.
Following the official signing, bilateral talks were held, during which a range of regulatory issues were discussed.
These included compliance and monitoring mechanisms, enforcement actions, and the exchange of best practices related to gambling supervision.
This meeting provided an opportunity for the two regulatory bodies to coordinate strategic goals and deepen institutional ties.
This MoU is the first of several similar agreements that GRAI plans to establish with gambling regulatory authorities across Europe.
Its goal is to create a robust network of cooperation, supporting consistent regulatory standards and improving the cross-border management of gambling activities.
As Ireland's newly established gambling regulatory body begins to play a significant role in shaping the country's gambling landscape, this initiative has been introduced.
Since its official operation in March, GRAI has been working on building regulatory capacity and developing the infrastructure needed for comprehensive supervision.
The agency is currently composed of 7 appointed staff members, with Caulfield serving in this role since 2022.
GRAI Establishes Exploration Group
As part of its commitment to inclusive and transparent regulation, GRAI is currently setting up an industry group to ensure that voices within the gambling sector are considered in the formulation of regulatory policies.
In a recent interview with iGB, Caulfield stated that this group will serve as a consultative forum, where operators can communicate with the regulatory body about the industry's evolving standards and expectations.
The establishment of this group is seen as a positive step towards collaborative regulation.
Caulfield emphasized that the regulatory body intends to involve industry stakeholders from the outset and clearly communicate the forthcoming measures.
Over the past two years, GRAI has made preliminary contacts with major gambling operators and small gambling enterprises to gather insights and establish harmonious relationships before formally implementing regulation.
The industry group is not the only advisory body guiding GRAI's work. The regulatory body also plans to establish a group of individuals who have experienced gambling-related harm.
This group will contribute valuable perspectives to the policy-making process, helping to ensure that consumer protection remains at the core of Irish gambling regulation.
GRAI intends to subject its upcoming standards to public consultation and industry review.
This approach aims to enhance regulatory transparency and inclusiveness while ensuring that new measures are both effective and proportionate.
This also reflects a broader shift towards more structured and responsible governance in Irish gambling policy.
