Ireland to Work With UK on Gambling Restrictions

The signing was part of a visit by UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes, who met with GRAI CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield. The two regulators held discussions on a broad range of topics, including compliance frameworks and the sharing of best practices.

This MoU lays the groundwork for both bodies to work more closely on matters of mutual concern, such as promoting responsible gambling and aligning on key oversight strategies. Anne Marie Caulfield said:

“This Memorandum of Understanding with the UK Gambling Commission is an important step in formalising the working relationship between the two regulators and I would like to thank Andrew Rhodes, and a number of his colleagues across the various areas of the Commission for their advice and support over the past number of months. Ireland and the UK share many of the same operators and gambling practices, so putting this agreement in place will enhance our ability to share information and discharge our respective regulatory responsibilities effectively.”

GRAI, which only became operational in March 2025, is in the early stages of building out its regulatory infrastructure. With just seven appointed staff members at present, the authority is moving quickly to develop systems for comprehensive oversight. According to Caulfield, forming partnerships like this one is a critical step in ensuring GRAI’s success.

Looking ahead, this is just the beginning. Ireland’s regulator has plans to sign similar agreements with other European gambling authorities, with the aim of building a network that can support consistent regulation and cross-border cooperation in the sector.

Another important development from GRAI is the launch of two advisory panels. One will bring together industry stakeholders to help guide the creation of practical regulations, while the second will focus on input from people with lived experience of gambling-related harm. The partnership is aimed at putting people’s wellbeing first, which should be welcomed in the industry.