In this guide
One of the most visible parts of the new Irish gambling law is the advertising watershed: a window in the evening when gambling adverts are not allowed on broadcast media. It is aimed at the hours when children are most likely to be watching or listening.
What the watershed is
Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, gambling advertising on television and radio is restricted between 17:30 and 21:00. The regulator, GRAI, enforces the rules once they are in force for a given sector. The watershed is a time-of-day rule: outside the window, advertising is possible but still subject to content rules.
What it covers — and what it doesn’t
| Channel | Watershed applies? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Television and radio | Yes | The core of the rule |
| Online and social media | Different rules | Governed by age-targeting and content requirements rather than a clock |
| Sponsorship | Separate restrictions | Covered by its own provisions in the Act |
| Affiliate and review sites | Content rules | Must not mislead or target minors |
That table simplifies a long statute, and secondary rules are still being written, so check the regulator’s guidance if you need the exact wording.
Why you can still see ads
- Operators outside Ireland. A foreign-licensed casino is not bound by Irish broadcast rules unless it targets Irish audiences through Irish media.
- Online ads are not “broadcast”. Banners, search ads and social posts follow other requirements.
- Phasing. Casino licensing arrives last, so some obligations for online casinos only start with their licensing stage.
What you can do
You do not have to wait for rules to catch up. Mute or report gambling ads on social platforms, use the ad-preferences page of your accounts, and unsubscribe from casino marketing emails. If a casino keeps sending offers after you asked it to stop, ask support to put a marketing opt-out on your account in writing.
Why it matters for readers of reviews
Review sites sit in the middle of this. We tell readers when an offer is paid for, we do not target anyone under 18, and every offer listed here carries the 18+ and terms notice. If a site you read does not do the same, that is a reason to be careful with it.