# Remote betting licence, remote betting intermediary licence and in-person licence

> The three GRAI licence types for betting: RB, RBI and IPB. What each covers, the three-year term, and how the type shows on a GRAI register card.

Source: https://bookieledger.com/licence/remote-betting-licence-rb-rbi/
Updated: 2026-11-07

A remote betting licence (RB) lets a licensee take bets online. A remote betting intermediary licence (RBI) covers a licensee that brings bets together, as betting exchanges do. An in-person betting licence (IPB) covers betting at premises. The GRAI issues all three for three years, and the type appears in the licence number on its register.

## What are the three licence types?

**GRAI betting licence types. Source: GRAI Business to Consumer Licences and Glossary, our summary of the wording · Checked 7 November 2026**

| Code | Name | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| RB | Remote betting licence | The licensee takes bets by remote means, such as a website or app |
| RBI | Remote betting intermediary licence | The licensee brings bets together between customers, as an exchange does |
| IPB | In-person betting licence | Betting at premises |

These are our words. The GRAI Glossary is the reference, and we will match the wording on the day of publication. This site covers remote betting only.

**Bottom line:** RB takes bets online, RBI brings bets together, IPB is for premises.

## How long does a licence last, and what is the count?

A licence runs for 3 years. One register card read on 6 November 2026 showed an issue date of 1 July 2026 and an expiry of 30 June 2029.

On 20 October 2026 the register listed 42 licences held by 40 licensees: 37 RB, 4 RBI and 1 IPB. Two licensees hold both an RB and an RBI licence.

**Bottom line:** Three years per licence; 42 licences across 40 licensees in the 20 October 2026 register.

## How does the type show on a register card?

The licence number follows the pattern GRAI-NNNN-RB-26-NNNN. The type code is the third field and reads RB, RBI or IPB. The second field is the number used in the card address.

A card also shows Licence Activity, Issue Date, Expiry Date, Trading Names, Domain Names and Premises. On the cards we read, Domain Names was empty.

Example of reading: a number whose third field is RBI points to an intermediary entry. A site that offers a bookmaker service should show an RB number. The numbers here are a pattern, not a real licence.

**Bottom line:** Read the third field of the number, then confirm the activity on the card.

## How do you check a licence type yourself?

1. Find the licence number on the site.
2. Open the GRAI licence register and filter by Business to Consumer.
3. Open the card and compare number, type, expiry and trading name.
4. If the type does not fit the service offered, do not deposit.

See also the check for [domain names](https://bookieledger.com/licence/does-a-dot-ie-domain-mean-a-site-is-licensed/) and the [exchange example](https://bookieledger.com/compare/is-betfair-the-only-betting-exchange-in-ireland/).

**Bottom line:** The type on the card must fit the service on the site.

## Where to go next

- [Is Betfair the only exchange?](https://bookieledger.com/compare/is-betfair-the-only-betting-exchange-in-ireland/)
- [Does a .ie address show a site is licensed?](https://bookieledger.com/licence/does-a-dot-ie-domain-mean-a-site-is-licensed/)
- [Can unlicensed sites operate legally?](https://bookieledger.com/licence/can-unlicensed-sites-operate-legally/)

## Sources

- [GRAI, Business to Consumer Licences](https://www.grai.ie/licensing-regulation/business-to-consumer-licenses) and [Glossary](https://www.grai.ie/licensing-regulation/glossary).
- [GRAI licence register](https://www.grai.ie/register/licence-register), snapshot of 6 November 2026, last updated 20 October 2026.

## What changed

7 November 2026: first version. No later changes recorded.
