DragonBet has taken its first formal step into the Irish betting market after receiving a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence, allowing the company to offer services to customers in Ireland. The operator is incorporated in England and Wales and confirmed the expansion through a public announcement outlining its plans to begin operations in the country.
The company shared the update on its LinkedIn page, where it addressed prospective customers and acknowledged the significance of launching in a new jurisdiction. In its announcement, DragonBet stated: “we’re incredibly excited to welcome our new Irish customers as the business begins operating in a new country”.
Entry Under An Interim Licensing System
At present, licensing responsibilities for betting operators in Ireland rest with the Revenue Commissioners, which manage gambling-related tax and licensing matters. This arrangement is rooted in legislation dating back several decades, including the Betting Act 1931 and the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956. Despite the age of these laws, they have continued to govern Ireland’s gambling sector while broader reforms moved through the political process.
DragonBet’s licence has been issued under this long-standing system. However, the regulatory environment in Ireland is already undergoing substantial change, with responsibilities set to move away from the Revenue Commissioners in the near future.
Transition To A New Gambling Regulator
Oversight of gambling activities will soon pass to the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, a newly established body created through updated legislation. The authority forms part of a comprehensive effort to modernise Ireland’s gambling laws, which were widely regarded as outdated and ill-suited to online and multinational operators.
The groundwork for this change began in 2021, when the Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael coalition government introduced proposals for a new Irish Gambling Act. The legislation aimed to replace frameworks that were nearly a century old and drafted at a time when digital betting platforms did not exist.
Following a three-year consultation process and extensive political debate, the updated regulatory framework received approval from both chambers of the Oireachtas, the Dáil and the Seanad, in 2024. This approval formally established the basis for the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
Timelines And Future Obligations For Operators
The new regulator is expected to assume full supervisory powers later this year. A two-year plan is already underway to move the authority toward self-sufficiency, with defined objectives running through to 2027. These include responsibilities covering licensing processes, compliance and monitoring activity, enforcement measures, development of digital systems, and consumer protection standards.
As part of the reformed system, a Social Impact Fund is also expected to be introduced. Under this model, licensed operators will contribute financially toward initiatives addressing problem gambling, including treatment, prevention, and education. The approach mirrors elements of the Statutory Gambling Levy used in the United Kingdom.
Once the new framework takes effect, all betting operators currently licensed in Ireland will be required to submit fresh applications to the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. This requirement will apply to DragonBet alongside other market participants. Operators are expected to have their documentation and compliance measures in place by mid-2026 to meet the new licensing standards.
Source:
“DragonBet makes Ireland entry with remote bookmaker licence”, sbcnews.co.uk, January 19, 2026
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