Ireland and UK Join Forces on Gambling Regulation: A New Era of Cooperation

April 2025 — Gambling Regulation News

In a landmark move for the gambling industry, regulators from Ireland and the UK have officially joined forces to strengthen oversight and promote responsible gambling practices. This collaboration marks a major step toward more unified and transparent regulation across both nations.

A Strategic Agreement to Tackle Shared Challenges

On April 2, 2025, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Dublin. The agreement was made official during a visit from UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes, who met with Irish officials to discuss regulatory priorities and industry challenges.

What the MoU Means for Gambling Oversight?

This new partnership sets out a clear framework for:

• Shared regulatory goals
• Cooperation on enforcement
• Knowledge and data exchange
• Best practice alignment

The aim is to build a more consistent and coordinated regulatory landscape, especially as online gambling continues to expand across borders.

Behind the Scenes: The First of Many

The Ireland–UK MoU is just the beginning. According to the GRAI, this is the first in a series of international partnerships designed to foster stronger ties between European regulators. With gambling increasingly operating at a global scale, these cross-border alliances are key to tackling issues like illegal operators, inconsistent consumer protections, and emerging technologies.

A Growing Role for GRAI

Ireland’s regulatory body, the GRAI, was formally launched in March 2025 and is actively building its team, tools, and legal framework. Led by CEO Anne-Marie Caulfield, the authority aims to create a safer, more transparent gambling environment — particularly as Ireland’s gambling reform law nears full implementation.

The MoU signals that GRAI is serious about modern, collaborative regulation. It also shows the UK's continued commitment to maintaining high standards through joint initiatives with other jurisdictions.
Why This Matters for Players, Operators, and Affiliates?

For players, this cooperation means stronger consumer protections and a more level playing field. For affiliates and casino operators, it points to evolving standards — and the need to stay aligned with more unified rules across the EU and UK markets.

As more regulators begin to coordinate, the industry could see faster responses to rogue operators, more consistent advertising rules, and better safeguards for players across the board.