Betfred has announced a “temporary pause” to its operations in Ireland with effect from 30 June, ahead of the country’s new licensing regime.
Betfred has announced a “temporary pause” to its operations in Ireland with effect from 30 June, the day before the country’s new licensing regime is rolled out.
In a short message to Irish customers, Betfred said users would not be able to access their accounts from the end of June. Customers have been urged to withdraw any funds and not place any bets that settle after 29 June.
Betfred did not disclose when it would resume Irish operations, saying it “hoped to be back soon”. It added the break would allow it to “align with the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) gambling regulations”.
When contacted by NEXT.io for further details, Betfred reiterated that it was a “temporary pause”, and that no more information would be made public at this time.
The announcement also raised questions about bets already placed on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicked off last week and is not due to conclude until 19 July. However, according to the Racing Post, it is understood bets placed on the tournament will be settled as normal.
What is happening in Ireland?
Ireland’s new gambling licensing regime comes into force on 1 July. It marks the first major phase of regulation under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
From July, the newly established GRAI will begin overseeing licensed betting and gaming operators. This replaces a patchwork of legacy laws that had governed the sector for decades.
Ireland’s government permitted the GRAI to begin issuing licences in February ahead of the switch-up. Remote operators can be licensed from 1 July and in-person operators from 1 December, when their existing licences expire.
The authority has also outlined an ambitious regulatory programme through to 2027. This covers areas such as compliance monitoring, consumer protection, anti-money laundering controls and the creation of a national gambling exclusion register.
While many operators have already secured licences or submitted applications, Betfred’s decision to temporarily suspend its Irish online business suggests some companies may require additional time to transition to the new framework.