Ireland Names Gambling Among Sectors Targeted in First National Anti-Money Laundering Strategy

^{Tanaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris launched Ireland's first national anti-money laundering strategy, naming gambling among the sectors facing tighter oversight. (Photo: Conoronmaps / Wikimedia Commons)}

Ireland has launched its first National Anti-Money Laundering Strategy, with the gambling sector named among the areas facing strengthened oversight under a whole-of-government plan to tackle financial crime.

Tanaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris announced the strategy on 13 August, describing it as the most significant strengthening of Ireland's anti-money laundering framework in years. The plan follows the recently published 2026 National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing.

The strategy is built around four strategic priorities, from better identifying financial-crime risks to building capability across government and the private sector. It also prepares Ireland for its next Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation, the international assessment of how effectively a country combats money laundering.

Gambling Among Sectors Facing Tighter Oversight

Among the reforms, the Department of Finance said it would strengthen supervision of financial institutions and improve oversight of sectors "particularly vulnerable to money laundering, including gambling". The move places the regulated betting and gaming industry alongside high-risk corporate vehicles and crypto-asset services as a focus for tighter controls.

The commitment comes as Ireland stands up its dedicated Gambling Regulatory Authority, which is building out licensing and compliance rules for operators offering licensed online casinos to Irish consumers. Anti-money laundering obligations already require gambling firms to monitor customer activity and report suspicious transactions.

Crypto and Corporate Structures in Focus

The strategy also sets out stricter rules for crypto-assets and crypto transfers, applying the so-called "travel rule" so that information on the originator and beneficiary must accompany transactions. New disclosure requirements will apply to limited partnerships and other higher-risk corporate vehicles, targeting what the government called deliberately complex ownership structures.

Officials said the plan would improve intelligence sharing between government departments, An Garda Siochana, Revenue, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Central Bank and financial institutions. It also delivers Ireland's implementation of the European Union's new anti-money laundering legislative package.

Announcing the strategy, Harris said the reforms would give law enforcement stronger tools while protecting the country's reputation as a place to do business.

Today's launch sends a clear message: Ireland will not be a safe place to launder criminal proceeds. We will continue to pursue organised criminals, protect our financial system and safeguard Ireland's reputation as one of the safest and most trusted places in Europe to live, work and do business.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, established under 2024 legislation, is phasing in a licensing system that will eventually cover online and in-person betting, gaming and lotteries. Tighter anti-money laundering supervision would sit alongside that framework as the regulator takes on responsibility for the sector.

The reforms build on statutory instruments recently introduced under the European Union's sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, which govern access to national beneficial ownership registers. The strategy was prepared in consultation with the Anti-Money Laundering Steering Committee, which coordinates work across government departments and agencies.

The Tanaiste said implementation was already under way and would be delivered through cooperation between government departments, law enforcement, regulators and the private sector, including firms handling digital payment channels.