Betfred has confirmed it will take a “temporary pause” in its Irish operations starting 30 June, the day before the country’s landmark new licensing regime takes effect.
The operator sent a short message to Irish customers informing them that account access would be unavailable from the end of June.
Customers have been urged to withdraw any funds and refrain from placing bets that are scheduled to settle after 29 June.
Betfred said the break would allow it to “align with the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) gambling regulations”, though no return date was confirmed.
When approached for further comment, Betfred reiterated the move was a “temporary pause” and stated that no more information would be made public at this time.
The announcement has raised some concern among bettors with open wagers on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicked off last week and runs until 19 July.
According to the Racing Post, it is understood that bets already placed on the tournament will be settled as normal despite the suspension of services.
Ireland’s new gambling licensing regime officially comes into force on 1 July, representing the first major phase of regulation under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
The newly established GRAI will take over oversight of licensed betting and gaming operators, replacing a fragmented set 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 transition, with remote operators eligible for licensing from 1 July and in-person operators from 1 December.
The authority has outlined a broad regulatory programme running through to 2027, covering compliance monitoring, consumer protection, anti-money laundering controls, and the creation of a national gambling exclusion register.
Betfred’s decision to temporarily suspend its Irish online business suggests some operators may need additional time to fully transition into the new regulatory framework before resuming activity.
