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Ireland's Gaming Regulator Signs Second MOU to Shape Its Operations

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has entered into a formal cooperative agreement with the Belgian Gaming Commission (BGC) by signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This marks the second such agreement by the Irish authority since it became operational in March.

Irish Flag in Dublin in front of St. Patrick's Cathedral. (Source: Shutterstock)
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The agreement was signed by Anne Marie Caulfield, the CEO of the GRAI, and Magali Clavie, head of the Kansspelcommissie, Belgium's primary gambling regulatory body. The arrangement is designed to lay the foundation for deeper cooperation on matters of mutual regulatory interest. It will support joint efforts in addressing shared challenges in the gambling sector and help develop a framework for effective oversight through enhanced communication and shared expertise.

Related: UKGC and GRAI Sign MOU Agreement for Greater Collaboration

According to the GRAI, the new MoU with the Belgian authority represents a significant development in formalizing the operational relationship between gambling regulators in Ireland and Belgium. This collaboration comes as part of the GRAI's broader strategy to build strong partnerships with established regulators across the European Union.

By aligning with regulatory peers, GRAI is positioning itself to adopt and implement modern standards and practices that promote consumer protection and market integrity.

Although the GRAI has been officially operational since March 5, it will not assume its full regulatory responsibilities until next year. The authority was created under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, a piece of legislation designed to replace outdated laws, including the Betting Act of 1931. The act sets the foundation for a new legal and administrative framework to govern all gambling activity in the Republic of Ireland.

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More Collaboration Coming

Caulfield, who was appointed in 2022 as the inaugural CEO of the GRAI, brings extensive experience in regulatory leadership. She previously served as Director of the Residential Tenancies Board, an agency responsible for overseeing tenancy standards and resolving housing-related disputes in Ireland. Her current role involves guiding the establishment of the GRAI's structure, policies, and operational capabilities ahead of its full implementation phase.

The new agreement with the Belgian Gaming Commission highlights GRAI's commitment to proactive engagement with other European regulators. The partnership includes goals such as the creation of working groups to share regulatory best practices, organizing joint discussions on strategic issues, and enhancing overall regulatory effectiveness. Both parties have expressed a mutual interest in ensuring safer gambling environments and improving their ability to fulfill regulatory duties and responsibilities.

This bilateral agreement follows an earlier MoU signed between GRAI and the UK Gambling Commission this past April. Through these international partnerships, GRAI is actively establishing a collaborative network of regulators that can respond more effectively to cross-border challenges in the gambling sector.

The GRAI intends to continue signing additional MoUs with other EU regulatory bodies in the coming months, supporting a unified approach to gambling oversight and consumer protection across the region.

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