TLDR Ireland’s Gambling Regulatory Authority has launched a national risk assessment and 30-point action plan targeting money laundering in gambling Remote bookmakers and private members’ clubs are flagged as high-risk for money laundering Private members’ clubs will now require licenses for the first time Cryptocurrency is under fresh scrutiny, with new industry-wide standards planned for digital assets Closed-loop payment systems will be introduced, requiring withdrawals to go back to the original deposit account Ireland Moves to Close Gaps in Gambling Oversight
Ireland is tightening its grip on the gambling industry with a new national risk assessment and a 30-point action plan. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is leading the effort, with a focus on money laundering, payment controls, and regulatory reform.
The assessment identifies remote bookmakers and private members’ clubs as high-risk areas for money laundering. These are parts of the industry that previously operated with less direct scrutiny.
Private members’ clubs, which had long sat outside formal gambling laws, will now need to be licensed. The government says this closes a long-standing gap, particularly in cash-heavy settings where oversight has been minimal.
Cash use is a central concern in the report. Officials say its lack of traceability makes it appealing to those trying to conceal the origins of money. Land-based venues are seen as especially exposed.
Online platforms are not exempt from concern either. The volume and speed of digital transactions also present risks that regulators say need to be addressed.
Crypto and Payment Rules in Focus
Cryptocurrency is drawing fresh attention from Irish regulators. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is expected to introduce industry-wide standards covering how digital assets are used in gambling.
Operators will also have to adopt closed-loop payment systems. Under these rules, customers must withdraw funds to the same account