18+ | Gambling can be addictive. Please play responsibly. Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland

Games Available on GRAI Licensed Platforms in Ireland

Discover the disciplines authorised and regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority for a secure and transparent online gambling experience.

In Ireland, access to online gambling is regulated by law. This regulation, orchestrated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), is not a simple limitation: it is a protection shield for the consumer. It guarantees the fairness of sessions, the security of deposits and the effective payment of winnings. Only authorised game types are permitted for licensed operators: poker, including poker tournaments, sports betting and horse racing. To learn more about the regulatory missions, consult the official website grai.ie.

Online Poker — The Flagship Discipline

Poker is a game that combines strategic and technical skill, distinguishing it from games of pure chance. Licensed platforms mainly offer the two most popular variants in the world: Texas Hold’em and Omaha.

Players can compete in various formats:

  • Multi-Table Tournaments (MTT): Large-scale competitions with guaranteed prize pools.
  • Sit & Go: Fast tournaments that start as soon as the required number of players is reached.
  • Jackpot Formats: Commonly called Expresso, Twister or HexaPro, these are ultra-fast Sit & Go tables with three players where the prize pool can reach several thousand times the buy-in.
  • Cash Game: Tables where chips correspond to real money and where players can enter and leave freely.

One of the major advantages of the regulated market is the liquidity sharing between licensed operators, ensuring a constant presence of players at the tables. On CraicAndCoins, you will find detailed analyses of industry leaders.

Sports Betting — The Adrenaline of Live Action

Sports betting is undoubtedly the most dynamic segment of the GRAI market. It allows enthusiasts to leverage their knowledge of sport across a multitude of disciplines. The Irish and international sports calendar offers daily opportunities in football (Premier League, Champions League), tennis (Grand Slams), basketball, rugby, cycling and even Formula 1.

Bettors have modern tools to refine their practice: pre-match bets for cold analysis, and Live Betting to react to the evolution of a match. Features like “Cash Out” allow securing part of one’s winnings before the end of a match, while accumulator bets offer the possibility of multiplying the odds. All operators compared on our site offer an exhaustive range of sports bets compliant with the official list of sports authorised by the GRAI.

Horse Racing Betting — A Grand Tradition

Horse racing is a true institution, supported by one of the richest horse racing infrastructures in the world. Licensed sites allow betting on daily national and international races, where stakes are distributed among winners once legal deductions are made.

Bettors can try classic bet types that have made racecourses successful for decades. The highlights of the year, such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Irish Grand National, are peaks of intensity where expertise in horse form and jockey quality is put to the test. Learning to read a horse’s form history is the first step for any beginner wishing to learn this grand tradition.

Commitment to Responsible Gambling

The practice of gambling must always remain a source of pleasure and entertainment. GRAI-licensed platforms are obliged to provide you with moderation tools (betting limits, deposit limits, self-exclusion). If you feel that gambling is taking up too much space in your life, professionals are ready to listen. Contact GamblingCare Ireland at 1800 936 725 (toll-free, 24/7) or visit gamblingcare.ie. You can also reach ProblemGambling.ie on 089 241 5401.