In a regulatory move that could ripple across Europe’s gaming landscape, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation on gambling oversight.
The agreement, signed in Dublin on April 3, 2025, marks the first international regulatory partnership for the newly established GRAI, which officially began operations on March 5, 2025. With shared operators, parallel player markets, and aligned consumer protection goals, the GRAI and UKGC aim to create a collaborative framework for compliance monitoring, enforcement coordination, and information exchange.
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The MoU outlines joint efforts to improve regulatory practices and tackle cross-border risks associated with gambling harms, underage play, and money laundering. It also signals Ireland’s intent to align itself more closely with leading European standards, as the GRAI prepares similar agreements with other EU counterparts in the coming months.
Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI, praised the UKGC’s support and emphasized the importance of open dialogue: “This agreement formalizes our close working relationship and lays the foundation for years of effective cooperation.”
For UKGC Chief Executive Andrew Rhodes, the partnership reflects a growing need for cross-jurisdictional consistency in a globalized digital gambling environment. The agreement is viewed as a critical first pitch in a broader regulatory season—one that could redefine how gambling is governed across borders.
