Ireland Advances New Anti-Money Laundering Strategy Targeting Gambling and Crypto Transactions

Ireland’s government will require gambling operators to conduct due diligence on crypto-related transactions as part of a national drive to close money laundering loopholes. Minister for Finance Simon Harris detailed the plan to reinforce safeguards, introduce a more robust regulatory framework for machine-based casino gambling, and tighten enforcement of licence conditions.

The strategy addresses transparency in corporate ownership through mandatory disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners of limited partnerships. It also establishes a framework for parallel investigations into money laundering and tax offences. These steps follow Ireland’s 2026 National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing, which assessed the country as facing a “moderate” threat. Criminal groups blend cash-based methods with crypto assets and money-mule networks.

Enhanced Controls on Emerging Risks

The Central Bank of Ireland must develop a systematic understanding of how emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, create vulnerabilities or strengthen defences against financial crime. Intelligence sharing will expand across government departments, the Garda, the Financial Intelligence Unit, Revenue, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the central bank and financial institutions.

Harris stated the strategy will “strengthen Ireland’s ability to detect, prevent and disrupt money laundering, terrorist financing and other forms of financial crime while protecting citizens, businesses and the integrity of Ireland’s financial system,” as reported by Focus Gaming News. The announcement coincides with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) taking over licensing under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which replaced the Totalisator Act 1929 and Betting Act 1931. As of July 1, all operators need a B2C Betting Licence to offer sports betting.

Preparing for Tighter Oversight

Anne Marie Caulfield, GRAI chief executive, has signaled possible enforcement escalation against one of the largest prediction market operators for unlawfully targeting Irish users. The AML measures add immediate compliance layers to the phased licensing rollout, with applications for gaming, lotteries, B2B and charitable licences scheduled between 2027 and 2028. Operators face a narrow window to align transaction monitoring, ownership disclosure and inter-agency cooperation protocols with the updated rules before enforcement intensifies.

Reporting: Focus Gaming News

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