Ireland targets unlicensed betting exchanges: Court blocks payments

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has issued a clear warning: it is prepared to initiate High Court proceedings. The aim is to secure blocking orders against major global prediction market platforms. These platforms operate without a license in the Irish market.

As of this month, the GRAI has officially taken over licensing duties from the Revenue Commissioners. It is thereby enforcing new, stringent compliance checks in the gambling sector. This includes a credit card ban and mandatory player limit tools. These measures are part of a comprehensive European approach against unregulated betting offerings.

Numbers and facts

The GRAI officially assumed direct regulatory oversight this month, taking over licensing and compliance responsibilities. Anne Marie Caulfield, GRAI Chief Executive, confirmed on RTÉ’s "This Week" program that the regulator is actively targeting "one of the largest prediction market operators in the world" that has been serving Irish consumers without local statutory authorization. Caulfield refrained from naming the specific platform, but it is believed to be Polymarket. An inquiry into Polymarket was recently triggered by unusual trading patterns tied to Dublin's by-election.

For the vast majority of cases where the GRAI intervened, global prediction market companies voluntarily withdrew their services or geoblocked Irish users. "But in the instance where they don’t do so, we can go to the High Court and get a blocking order for them, a blocking order for access to the site and also in relation to the funding involved," Caulfield explained.

The regulator can impose fines of up to 20 million euros or 10 percent of annual turnover. License revocation or suspension are also possible. These broad powers are part of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The GRAI is also working with media regulator Coimisiún na Meán to secure "trusted flagger status." This would allow for expedited removal of illicit wagering domains.

Background

Ireland's actions are part of a broader European effort against prediction markets. These often offer unlicensed bets on political or other events. France and Czechia have already instructed ISPs to block Polymarket domains. The Netherlands rejected an appeal from Polymarket, classifying it as an unlicensed gambling operator. Spain has ordered Polymarket and Kalshi to cease operations. In Italy, a Polymarket sponsorship deal with football club S.S. Lazio triggered parliamentary inquiries by Democratic Party lawmakers concerning compliance with national gambling advertising bans.

"For the vast majority of cases where we’ve intervened, they [global prediction market companies] have withdrawn their sites," stated Anne Marie Caulfield, GRAI Chief Executive. "But in the instance where they don’t do so, we can go to the High Court and get a blocking order for them, a blocking order for access to the site and also in relation to the funding involved."

From 2026, the GRAI will initially regulate remote gambling. Land-based and gaming platforms will follow in 2027. Player-set deposit limits and a strict prohibition on credit card wagering will then be mandatory.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, these developments in Ireland send a clear signal. The responsible Joint Gaming Authority of the Federal States (GGL) is pursuing a similar, consistent course against illegal providers. Providers without a German license are identified and combated. The GGL is also committed to player protection.

All online gambling providers licensed in Germany must comply with the strict requirements of the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021). These include a stake limit of 1 euro per spin on slot machines and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros, which is controlled by the central monitoring system LUGAS. This system ensures that players cannot deposit higher amounts with multiple providers simultaneously.

The GGL whitelist lists all legal online gambling providers in Germany. Players should only consult this list for trustworthiness. This way, they can be sure that they are playing in a regulated and protected environment. The actions of the Irish authority show that the fight against unregulated gambling offers is intensifying in Europe. This ultimately serves player protection. For German players, this also means more security and transparency.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For online casinos with a GGL license, the development in Ireland confirms their business model. The strict licensing requirements in Germany, such as deposit limits and the credit card ban, are comparable to the new rules in Ireland. Licensed operators who adhere to the rules benefit from a fair competitive environment. Illegal providers are effectively driven out of the market. This creates trust and promotes player safety.

The GGL monitors international developments. It continuously adapts its strategies for combating illegal offers. The commitment of the Irish GRAI shows that cross-border cooperation in gambling regulation is becoming increasingly important. German players can rely on their data and money being protected with GGL-licensed providers. This clearly distinguishes these offers from the unregulated prediction markets now being targeted in Ireland.