GRAI-Alderney MoU Puts Irish Licensing Into Wider Focus

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Alderney Gambling Control Commission on April 29, 2026. The signing took place at the GRAI offices, with Anne Marie Caulfield representing Ireland’s regulator and Andrew Gellatly attending on behalf of the Alderney authority.

The MoU gives both regulators a formal framework for cooperation across gambling regulation. For Ireland, the timing matters. The GRAI has already opened its licensing process for remote betting, remote betting intermediary and in-person betting licences, which puts the new authority into a more active phase after years of policy work.

For operators, the message is clear. Ireland is not building its new licensing system in isolation. From the early stage, the GRAI is opening lines with other regulators, which matters for companies that run across several jurisdictions or already deal with Channel Islands-linked structures.

Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, connected the agreement to the close regulatory relationship between Ireland and the Channel Islands. She said both regulators share similar standards and approaches to gambling oversight. She also stressed that the GRAI’s role includes protecting vulnerable people and young adults.

The MoU will likely help both sides share information and work more closely on regulatory matters. Alderney already has experience supervising international gambling operators. Ireland is still building its new licensing system and regulatory structure. For the GRAI, working with a more established regulator could help as the first licences start to move through the system.

💡 TGJ Take

Ireland is trying to build a more connected gambling regulatory system from the start. The GRAI is still new, so working with a regulator like Alderney gives it support and practical knowledge as licensing moves forward. Operators should not expect Ireland to work as a standalone market with limited outside cooperation. Companies with strong compliance systems are in a better position than brands that still have gaps in reporting, ownership records, or safer gambling controls.