Ireland Tightens Anti-Money Laundering Rules for Gambling and Crypto
The Irish government plans to introduce new anti-money laundering rules for gambling and cryptocurrency transactions. Minister for Finance Simon Harris stated that the new national strategy will reinforce existing safeguards and close loopholes that allow illicit funds to move undetected.
The plan includes a more robust regulatory framework for casinos offering machine-based gambling, tighter enforcement of licence conditions, and anti-money laundering rules. A key element is due diligence on cryptocurrency-related transactions to verify the origin of funds.
The government's 2026 National Risk Assessment concluded that Ireland faced a moderate threat from money laundering, with criminal groups using digital tools such as cryptocurrencies and money-mule networks. The Central Bank of Ireland will develop a systematic understanding of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to strengthen defences against financial crime.