The Best Betting Sites in Ireland – Quality Irish Bookies for 2024

The culture of betting in Ireland is deeply rooted in its rich history, and the Irish people have developed a unique flavour when it comes to designing their own bookmaker industry. Over the course of this guide we’ll look at many aspects of the gambling landscape, including the best betting sites in Ireland, and drop a wealth of knowledge on how best to enjoy Irish sportsbooks.

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Best Betting Sites in Ireland

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Irish Sports Betting Apps

Throughout this article you’ll find absolutely everything you need to know as a betting customer entering this industry for the first time. We’ll discuss the history of sportsbooks in this nation, the top sports betting site in Ireland, what to look out for when choosing a new operator, and many other useful facts and figures to guide you on your journey.

Top 10 Sports Betting Sites in Ireland

Narrowing down a definite list of best sports betting sites in Ireland was not an easy task, simply due to the sheer number of possible candidates. Our team has been thorough in its research, checking out all that this market has to offer, and the resulting list below is the amalgamation of the very best legal bookmakers Ireland has to offer.

The table below is the list of top bookies in Ireland, each one of the operators on our list performed well across our assessment criteria. The specifics of how we arrived at this list and exactly what we define as a quality sportsbook will be the focus of the majority of this article.

The list of sportsbook operators above are all licensed, regulated by the local gambling authority and have proven themselves to reliably uphold the safety of their users. Each bookie has a unique profile of strengths, that’s why in the following sections we help users differentiate by aspects of gambling that are more important to them – and will ultimately lead to the best online betting sites in Ireland.

Best Betting Sites in Ireland by Category:
Best Betting Site in Ireland NetBet
Top New Betting Site in Ireland bet-at-home
Best for Bonuses MrGreen
Top Mobile App BetVictor
Best for Live Betting Paddy Power
Highest Payout Bookie William Hill
Best PayPal Betting Site Unibet
Safest Bookmaker William Hill
Best eSports Betting Website 22bet
Top for Extra Features 888sport

If you’re a new customer entering the Irish betting site industry for the first time then in the next paragraphs we’ll go into the details on the criteria for an excellent operator. The beauty of this approach is that we take into consideration key performance indicators from all aspects of the business, allowing our readers to decide what is most important to them, and make the better choice.

Before we get into the details of our bookmaker selection criteria, you may want to first familiarise yourself with the latest gambling news in Ireland. This will give you a greater understanding of the context and environment that this industry operates, and will undoubtedly give some value as you progress further through this guide.

Key Ranking Criteria for Best Sports Betting Sites in Ireland

There are many pre-requisites for an operator to be considered in the elite tier of sportsbook providers – but being licensed, safe and regulated is something that is non-negotiable from our side. The remaining characteristics are somewhat subjective, and each punter will prioritize them differently to arrive at their own list of top sports betting sites.

As we explained, each punter will have their own unique preferences and requirements. Some will demand the very best mobile platform from their sportsbook, whereas others will prioritise a large welcome bonus. Our review structure allows you to quickly navigate to the performance criteria important to you, and view the best sportsbook in Ireland for your chosen category.

Sports and Leagues

Having the ability to bet on a wide-variety of different sports is essential for many punters. Moreover, within each sport the depth of leagues, fixtures and markets is a great indicator of the quality of coverage a sportsbook will go to. See below our overview of the top sports in Ireland and the popular leagues available to bet on within each.

Horse Racing: A National Treasure

There are many top-tier horse racing betting sites available throughout Ireland. The sport itself is considered a national treasure, and many of the world’s greatest jockeys and trainers including Oisin Murphy and Aidan O’Brien are from Ireland.

Trotting: Spectacular Speed

Spectacular speed, lots of excitement and huge cheers from the crowd – these are all things you can expect when watching trotting in Ireland. Check out our guide to the best trotting betting sites to learn more about gambling on the sport.

Gaelic Sports: Quintessentially Irish

Undoubtedly the most unique sport to Ireland is Gaelic Football, the team sport is played between two teams of 15 on a giant square pitch. With over 2,500 clubs actively competing across the world, there is plenty of Gaelic sports betting sites to check out.

Greyhounds: Home of Breeders

The majority of greyhounds that are bred for racing across the UK and Europe are from Irish-based breeders. This nation has an expertise for breeding strong, healthy and fast race dogs – if you’re looking for some top tips, check out our greyhounds betting guide.

Golf: Amazing Courses

Home to some of the world’s finest and most glorious golf courses – Ireland is every golfing enthusiasts paradise. There have been many great Irish players over the years including Fred Daly and Des Smyth. Learn more here about top golf betting sites.

Football: Some Top Talent

There has been some exceptional talent coming from the Irish football scene over the past decades, Roy and Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and Shay Given just to name a few. Fiscover some of the best football betting sites for gambling on this sport.

Of course, the depth and breadth of sports gambling options varies enormously, and the best Irish betting sites mentioned across this page offer an enormous range of different sports. The six sports we’ve outlined above are those we consider to be Irelands most popular and quintessential sports. Each comes with a dedicated betting guide, so be sure to check it out if you need to familiarise yourself a bit further.

Outside of the classic sports betting options exists many other novelty and niche gambling markets. From political betting, to TV show gambling – online sportsbooks in Ireland offer an enormous range of weird and wonderful markets.

Payout and Odds at Top Irish Bookmakers

Gaining value from your bets is the most important part of deciding where to place your bets. In this section we’ll take a look at the payouts and best odds bookmakers available in the Irish market. Every bookmaker takes a commission on the bets placed, and this leads into a fluctuation in the return to player at competing bookies.

Our calculation of the bookmaker’s return to player is a mean average across popular sports at each bookmaker. Below you can observe the best betting sites in Ireland for payout rates. It must be said that whilst our data analysis methodology has tried to take as fair a sample as possible and reduce error, these results may vary slightly when it comes to specific bets you make.

The bookmakers’ odds vary greatly when we are controlling for sport as the variable. Some operators will even specialise in delivery high odds for a particular sport, and others will have betting sites promotions that guarantee the odds offered will be the best on the market.

Welcome Offers, Betting Bonuses and Ongoing Promotions

The range and variety of welcome offers currently available to customers choosing a new bookmaker is the most lucrative it has ever been. Betting offers are becoming increasingly creative as the market becomes ever more competitive – below we’ve outlined some of the best welcome bonuses available to Irish punters.

Irish Betting Site Welcome Bonus Deposit Features Rating Secure Link T&C’s
Up to €50 Welcome Bonus 8x 60 days 1.60 4.9/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
€50 in Free Bets 1x 7 days 1.80 4.8/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
Up to €25 Money Back 3x 35 days 1.40 4.7/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
100% Bonus up to €50 4x 60 days 1.80 4.6/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
Bet €10 Get €30 1x 7 days 1.50 4.5/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+

Promotions in gambling are not strictly limited to bookmakers’ free bets or welcome offers – there is an increasing presence of bonus deals being directed towards existing players. These can be in the form of enhanced odds, cashback bonuses, in-play betting bonus deals for hyped sporting events, and many other imaginative offers.

Bonus Category Betting Site
🥇 Best Bonus in Ireland NetBet
🥈 Enhanced Odds Offer BetVictor
🥉 Top Markets Variety Mr Green
◻️ Huge Welcome Offer William Hill
◻️ Slick New Platform Bethard
◻️ Best Odds Guaranteed 22bet

When it comes to claiming a new customer offer its absolutely imperative that you fully understand the terms and requirements of the offer. Many novice gamblers are caught out when it comes to this, as they fail to fully understand the requirements and limitations attached to a new customer sportsbook bonus.

Things to be especially aware of our wagering requirements at betting websites bonuses. Often there will be a wagering amount that is 3, 6 or even 12 times what you deposit + bonus. This means you’ll need to add the two together, times it by the wagering amount, and that is the total amount of wagers you need to make to release the funds as cash. Also, there will be a validity period and a minimum odds threshold to take into account.

Another hallmark of a quality operator is the generosity shown to existing players, and not just the promotional efforts pumped into attracting new players to the platform. Existing promotions include things like Acca bonuses, in-play offers and best odds guaranteed – they are a proven mechanism for retaining loyal customers, and it’s no surprise there integration is increasing.

Bet Types and Markets

Closely related to the range of sports available at the best sportsbooks is the depth and breadth of betting markets. An operator running a quality platform will provide odds on a massive range of bet types, covering the betting needs of an enormous range of players in the process.

Players in Ireland respond well to operators that include a strong selection of bet types and markets into their sportsbook. For this reason we have given it a lot of weight in the ranking process, and respect the fact that customers need to not feel restricted in their bet choices. Below are some of the more niche markets and bet types that top-quality sportsbooks in Ireland will offer.

Some players may tend to make bets on very similar markets with every stake they make – for instance always betting on the results market in football. The more adventurous gamblers at betting sites in Ireland will discover the many hundreds of possible markets available each fixture, and this, more often than not is where the value is captured.

Safety and Security

A paramount concern of any ecommerce business is the safety and security of their customers, the scenario of betting platforms are no different. It makes a lot of sense to choose the safest online betting sites when making your selection, as the consequences for entrusting your custom with a ‘rogue operator’ could in the best case be your data being leaked, worst case you’re the victim of fraud.

Security across the industry is becoming tighter, and the standards operators have to abide by are being permanently scrutinised. Below are some organisations working across the online sportsbook industry in Ireland to ensure players have a safe experience.

Safety Partners at Online Sports Betting Sites in Ireland

In our analysis we only work with operators that uphold the very highest safety and security standards. This specifically includes external auditing on their financial operations, high-quality end-to-end encryption at the platform, and holding a license to operate from a central regulator.

Top Data Safety and Encryption Companies
  • GoDaddy
  • IBAS
  • DigiCert
  • GeoTrust
  • RapidSSL
  • GlobalSign
  • ComodoSSL
Responsible Gambling Organizations
  • eCOGRA
  • GAMSTOP
  • UK Gambling Commission
  • Responsible Gambling Council
  • International Centre for Responsible Gambling
  • GambleAware

There are several features that a top-quality sports betting site will integrate into its platform to ensure the safety of its players. Timed-sessions are becoming increasingly common – and operators will send warnings and notifications to players logged in for too long. Also, there are many automated systems in-place across the industry to detect players displaying compulsive behaviours.

A customer can quickly understand the depth and availability of support services within a betting company, and one quick scroll to the bottom of the site will reveal all the partnered associations working with the operator. Look out for licensing providers, safe gambling partners, and auditors for a new operator to ensure its safe to use.

The Ultimate Sports Betting App to Bet on Mobile

Modern punters care dearly about their flexibility of accessing the sportsbook, betting on the move is the new phenomena sweeping across the gambling world. At its core, mobile betting is a reflection of the quality of the sportsbook operator’s main platform – fortunately, there are many fantastic Ireland betting apps available.

There are many things to evaluate when it comes to judging the quality of the best sports betting app. User-experience and the interface to assist with navigation are core design considerations, and lots of research and investment has been made into building some of the top mobile betting platforms you can see below.

Top Irish Betting Apps

Ultimately, there are many ingredients that go into making a strong betting app, and just because a company offers a top-quality desktop platform it doesn’t guarantee their app will be of a similar high-standard – the opposite is also true. Top apps come filled with user-centric features like quick bet placement and live streaming across the in-play arena.

In-Play Betting Arena & Live Streaming

Ireland like many other liberalised gambling ecosystems has a wealth of opportunity for in-play and live betting. Technology at online sportsbooks has enabled companies to provide instantaneous odds across hundreds of markets, where players can snap up a new window of opportunity in seconds thanks to quick data-transfer.

Below is an overview of the operators that represent the best live sports betting sites in the country. These candidates have emerged as the leaders in this important sub-category of betting for many reasons, but primarily because of their superior in-play arena technology, depth of live markets and availability of additional features.

Live Betting Site Welcome Bonus Live Features Rating Secure Link T&C’s
Up to €50 Welcome Bonus 350+ Yes Yes 4.9/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
Bet €10 Get €50 250+ No Yes 4.8/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
€50 in Free Bets 300+ No Yes 4.7/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
Up to €25 Money Back 500+ Yes Yes 4.6/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
100% Bonus up to €50 200+ No Yes 4.5/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+

Betting on sports in-play is so enjoyable because bookmakers are constantly developing new features to add to the excitement. Live streaming and cash out are two of the most prominent and entertaining technical features to be added in recent years, and top quality bookies will allow you to watch the game live, and cash out your bet early if you feel the momentum shifting.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options at Irish Betting Sites

An often overlooked criteria in the judgement of sports betting operators is the flexibility of payment options. For many players having a wide range of payment options and a good mixture of eWallets is a huge deciding factor, and characteristic of the best sports betting site in Ireland.

Here you can observe a list of the popular payment methods used across sports betting sites in Ireland. Each payment option has its own unique limit, some may not work for withdrawals, and there may be a processing fee – see below for the latest information.

Payment Method Type Deposit Limit Deposit/Withdrawal Payment Fee
Debit Card €10 – €25,000 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals No Fees
Credit Card €10 – €30,000 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals No Fees
eWallet €10 – €3,500 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals No Fees
eWallet €20 – €5,000 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals No Fees
eWallet €30 – €4,500 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals No Fees
Prepaid Card €10 – €770 Available for Deposits / Not Available for Withdrawals No Fees
eWallet €20 – €2,000 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals 1.5% – 1.5%
Cryptocurrency €5 – €8,000 Available for Deposits / Available for Withdrawals 1.5% – 1.5%

Not every bookmaker is able to offer all of the payment options on this list, and the payment limits included may vary significantly with each operator. What you should be able to understand is which payment options are more appropriate for different sized transactions to and from the sportsbook.

PayPal Deposits

Fortunately for Ireland, PayPal betting sites are a prominent feature of this country. We thoroughly recommend the services of PayPal as it remains the eWallet with the fastest payment processing protocol, and the highest security levels ensuring your payments are executed safely.

NetBet and PayPal logos
Top PayPal Bookie
  • No PayPal withdrawal fees
  • User-friendly cashier
Welcome Bonus €50
Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+

In some cases PayPal can add fees if you are converting between two currencies. As the majority of Irish betting sites will accept deposits in euros and pounds, you will rarely have to concern yourself with exchange fees. Check out the operator we’ve included above as one of the best to offer PayPal deposits on its platform.

The Website Functionality

Whilst the abundance of additional features we’ve mentioned on this page remain important considerations for online gambling enjoyment – we can’t escape the fact that core website functionality remains the most noticeable quality. A website with poor user experience and bad design will be instantly written off by any experienced gambler.

Over the course of our research we came across many fantastic bookmakers in Ireland that had invested heavily into building a technically-sound and well-functioning online platforms. This is a major aspect in our consideration when choosing the best betting sites in Ireland.

Extra Features

In a competitive market place, enterprises need to offer customers exciting extras to win great share of the market. Online gambling is no different, and bookmakers across the world are constantly out-performing the competition with a wide-range of exciting additional features designed to enhance the customer experience.

The online betting sites you can see below offer many of these extra features to their customers. This list is not exhaustive, and some players will undoubtedly have seen operators with features such as cryptocurrency deposits, bet builders or betting exchanges. But the features listed below are the most popular, and those that punters across Europe request the most.

Betting Site Live Streaming Cashout Livescore Fast Bet Virtual Sports
Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Of course, many of these features will not all be available at every betting site – and some operators may have specialised into a certain niche providing extra features not included in this list. Things such as live streaming are incredibly popular for Irish horse racing – and most quality operators will have a packed schedule of races you can watch directly with the sportsbook.

The Customer Service

Similar to every online facing company, the gambling industry has an incredible dependence on delivering high-quality customer service. Trust and the goodwill placed in a gambling brand are important assets, and bad customer service can cost a company dearly.

Reputations take a long time to build up and can be very quickly destroyed. Customers choosing a betting website like to feel that any problem or query they have will be quickly dealt with and a quick resolution can be found. At top sports betting sites you’ll find a wide range of customer support options including 24/7 live chat functionality, and 24/7 phone lines manned by agents ready to resolve your concerns.

Contact Method Availability at Irish Sportsbooks Response Time Usually Available
☎️ Telephone Common Up to 10 Minutes 12 hours a day
📧 E-Mail/Contact Form Common Up to 48 Hours 24/7
👩‍⚕️ Live Chat Rare Up to 10 Minutes 12 hours a day
💬 Messenger Rare Up to 15 Minutes 24/7
🌐 Social Networks Rare Up to 10 Minutes 12 hours a day

Response time and availability of support options are important factors too – customers sometimes need quick resolutions to complex issues such as account verification, or bet resolution disputes. But most importantly of all is an eventual effective solution being rendered – and fortunately for punters in Ireland, customer service is something delivered with pride and enthusiasm.

The Sportsbook Reputation

The good reputation of a successful sportsbook takes years of satisfying customers and delivering a quality service to establish. But losing it can happen quickly and suddenly, by a scandal or a poor operational decision, betting sites can quickly lose the trust of their customers and become a website that new players are advised to avoid.

In the age of modern media there are many easy ways to discover the real experiences of gambling customers. A new player trying to decide which Irish sportsbook to open an account with has a wealth of resources, public opinion of the operator, any recent articles in reputable news services, and the financial statements of the firm can reveal a great deal over the stability and credibility of the operator.

Simple Steps to Open an Irish Sportsbook Account

Starting your journey as a new customer is the hardest part, choosing a website that is right for you can take time, but the effort you put in at this stage will be rewarded later on. Once you have your chosen sportsbook in mind it’s time to create your account, simply fill in the registration form, then confirm your details with the operator through the verification process. Every online betting site in Ireland will require customers to prove their age and address with verification documents before withdrawals are processed.

1
Choose a Betting Site

Select a bookmaker from one of our selections for the best betting sites in Ireland.

2
Create Your Account

Register an account at the platform using your address, personal information and date of birth.

3
Confirm Details

You can confirm your account with the operator by providing confirmation documents for the verification.

The process for creating an account with an online bookmaker has become a lot easier and quicker. You’ll simply need to make sure all your details are correct, and if you want to make quick withdrawals immediately then understand that this may not be possible due to the account verification requirements.

eSports: CS:GO Betting Sites & More

The younger generation are becoming less interested in traditional sports and instead tune in to live streams and broadcasts of online video games from professional players around the world. The eSports industry is experiencing tremendous growth, eSports betting sites and gambling on elite tier video games have become one of the industry’s most exciting verticals.

Nowadays there are many reputable CS:GO betting sites – CS:GO is the world’s most popular eSport betting title, watched and played by millions around the world. Punters betting on these titles require a specific set of services, no different to other traditional sports, live-streaming, strong odds and market bonuses are all welcome features. Below you’ll find some of the best eSport bookies serving the Irish market.

eSports Betting Site Welcome Bonus Highlights Rating Secure Link T&C’s
Up to €50 Welcome Bonus 30+ 93.68% 4.9/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
Bet €10 Get €50 22+ 95.39% 4.8/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
€50 in Free Bets 75+ 93.92% 4.7/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
Up to €25 Money Back 649+ 94.19% 4.6/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+
100% Up to €122 Bonus 222+ 93.25% 4.5/5 Visit Site! Full T&Cs Apply! New customer offer. Please gamble responsibly. 18+

Many industry analysts expect eSports betting to overtake traditional betting in the next decade. From Asia to Europe to North America, the world is becoming increasingly obsessed with eSports. As the population of fans grows, prize pools get bigger, and the quality of video games improves – eSports betting offers a window into the future of gambling.

The Regulation of Sports Betting in Ireland & the Gambling Environment

Similar to the rest of the United Kingdom, there is a very favourable gambling environment in Ireland. The country’s laws allow for pretty much all forms of gambling to go ahead without any restriction. Moreover, there are many sports betting operators which were founded in Ireland – including Paddy Power, which has now become one of the world’s best sports betting site.

In the next paragraphs we’ll reveal more details about the landscape of gambling in this country, dropping useful facts, figures and advice. With bookmaking being the most popular form of gambling amongst Irish people, it is encouraging to see such a well-developed and high-quality set of sportsbooks emerge from the country in recent years.

Gambling Commission & Licence

Legal Sports Betting & Gambling in Ireland
🎰 Fixed Odds Betting Terminals 1,100
📑 Betting Shops 130
🏛️ Land-Based Casinos 20
💻 All Licensed Sportsbooks 60
🏆 Best-Rated Safe Betting Sites Our Picks

Whilst betting in Ireland is legal under the renewed Betting Act of 2015, there is no regulator in Ireland. Unlike in the United Kingdom, which has the Gambling Commission, who have the power to make changes such as spending cap on credit cards, and wagering limits on fixed-odds betting terminals – Ireland has no regulatory authority.

However, a new gambling authority to overlook the €8bn gambling industry in Ireland is on the way, the current government expect this new government ministry to be established by the end of 2021 with the purpose of overhauling decades old laws. Under this new online betting sites legal framework, the whole industry can be modernised to a higher set of operational requirments.

Not having a dedicated regulator to oversee the industry in Ireland does not mean that the betting business operates in a lawless medium. The operators in the country still have to abide by the laws set out in the Betting Act of 2015 – and it is illegal for a sports betting site in Ireland to offer gambling services to Irish citizens without first receiving the remote bookmaker or betting intermediary license from the government.

Ireland wants to become more similar to the UK in its approach to regulating its gambling industry. Under the newly imposed structure of a central regulator the Irish betting industry will be able to operate to a much higher standard, implement legal sports betting sites protections against problem gambling, and provide a better product to punters across the country.

The Safest Online Betting Sites with a Valid Ireland Licence

Ultimately, there are numerous quality gambling options in the Irish betting market. You can pick and choose between tons of different operators, deciding for yourself which one best suits your needs. In the table above we have offered a brief overview of the best in the business, and importantly those that operate legally with a government issued license.

Gaming Companies to Avoid

As we mentioned above, it is illegal to offer gambling services to Irish citizens without first receiving a license to operate from the government, and yet, there are many unlicensed providers available across the country. Whenever you gamble online and transfer money to an operator, it’s important to be 100% certain you’re using a reputable and safe online betting site.

There are several companies that have earned a reputation for failing to uphold the trust customers and other partners have placed in them over the years. For your own wellbeing, and enjoyment as a betting enthusiasts, we advise you stay well clear of the companies listed below.

These companies are not necessarily breaking any laws, but many of them do not hold the correct license to operate in the UK & Ireland. Over the coming years, we fully expect to see a purge against companies failing to operate within the legal framework required from a trusted betting site.

History and Future of Ireland’s Attitude Towards Gambling

Betting in Ireland goes back a long way, and there has been some form of gambling in Ireland since the early 1500’s. Bookmaking and pari-mutuel betting have the oldest origins in Irish gambling culture, and the first laws were focused on venues providing these forms of gambling.

Over the course of the 1900’s there has been various gambling acts and laws introduced in Ireland, and Irish citizens have had to adapt to the new legal requirements of the country on many different occasions. Below we offer a timeline through the most significant historical moments in Ireland’s gambling industry.

History of Irish Sports Betting Laws & Acts
  • Regulated gambling in Ireland taking shape Ireland’s first set of regulatory laws were introduced with the Betting Act of 1854. To cope with the growing size and popularity of the industry, this new set of laws brought about a new sense of organisation and order.
  • Betting Act 1931 Sports betting in Ireland is formalised under the Betting Act of 1931. All forms of bookmaking and pari-mutuel betting, which had been the longest-serving gambling types in Ireland are given the authority and license to expand their operations.
  • Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 Casino gambling in Ireland is addressed through the implementation of this act, under the new law commercial casinos are banned, but private gambling clubs are allowed. Through this loophole gambling clubs can offer memberships for people to play a whole range of classic casino games.
  • Commercial bingo games prohibited Under the recent Gambling Act, the commercialised bingo industry where players bet with real-money is prohibited. However, bingo proprietors are able to exploit a similar loophole and privatise their operations to a members only formal, allowing club members to play bingo for real money.
  • First lottery in Ireland The national lottery in Ireland was created through the National Lottery Act of 1986. Under this bill draw games and scratch cards were now legally sold across the country, raising money for charitable causes, and making a lucky minority extremely rich.
  • Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 Under this new set of laws, the Irish horse racing and greyhound racing received new oversight in its administration and regulation. Irish citizens can now bet on these races both at the track, and online through the platforms of licensed bookmakers.
  • Effort made to legalize casinos In 2013, under the Gambling Control Bill of 2013, a politician Alan Shatter attempted to fully legalise commercial casinos across Ireland. The plan was to build over 40 legal land based casinos – however it has been blocked in parliament for over 7 years, with no indication of when it will pass.
  • Offshore sportsbooks given the greenlight This Betting Amendment Act of 2015 was a progressive piece of legislation designed to modernise the Irish gambling environment. It allows room for offshore operators to receive licenses and taxation agreements within the country.
  • New amendments to the gambling law The Irish government recently approved a new set of amendments to the gambling law. The gambling age was raised from 16 to 18 for lottery, it also raises stake limits and prize pots for local lotteries.

Right now, the betting business sits in a comfortable area of self-regulated equilibrium. But murmurs of criticism are gaining momentum from within the government. Recent scandals involving underage gambling, and unrestricted credit card depositing, are both areas that need urgent attention and remedy if the betting industry is to maintain its high levels of public approval.

The future of gambling in Ireland will be managed by a newly formed regulator, the agency will be similar to the UK Gambling Commission, and will act as a dedicated department to implement new laws and recommendations on Ireland’s €8bn per year industry.

Betting in Ireland: Progressive and Safe, but Without Regulation

The gambling laws in Ireland ensure that a progressive and safe framework exists, but the betting site in Ireland operate without any regulation. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and there are plenty of top-quality betting sites based in Ireland that also have an international appeal because of the superior range of products they offer.

If you’re looking to get started on your gambling journey then look no further than the fantastic list of sportsbooks we’ve pulled together in the table below. Each bookmaker is offering new players a lucrative welcome bonus and can accommodate bets on thousands of sports markets each day.

Overview of the Best Online Sportsbooks in Ireland 2024:

We are constantly updating and auditing the content of all betting sites reviews, and utilise prudence in our ranking criteria. We will not hesitate to remove any operator that fails to uphold the high-standards that modern day punters expect. Check back in the future to see how the new set of legal changes in Ireland will affect the industry and our operator rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now you’ve reached the end of this article, perhaps you’d like to discover more information based on the questions we regularly receive from our readers. Below you’ll find answers directly from our experts to the most frequently asked questions on the topic of Irish betting sites.

🥇 What are the best betting sites in Ireland?

The best betting sites in Ireland are undoubtedly those based within the country. Many consider people have different opinions on what are thr top betting sites in Ireland, but as you can see from the tables on this page – there are many strong candidates.

🏆 What betting offers can I find at Irish sportsbooks?

There are many lucrative betting offers in Ireland - with operators typically offering deposit match bonuses, enhanced odds and periodic free bets to their customers.

⚖️ Is betting legal in Ireland?

Sports betting is completely legal in Ireland, and the country enjoys very forward-thinking sports betting regulation. Unfortunately, casinos still operate in a legal grey zone and haven’t been given the same freedoms.

💳 Is PayPal betting possible in Ireland?

Irish bettors are able to enjoy betting using PayPal, although the deposit and withdrawal limits are somewhat strict.

🔍 Are there any new betting sites you can recommend?

We are continuously on the lookout for new betting sites, check back here in the future to see the new operators we add to our tables.

😎 Is live betting possible in Ireland?

In Ireland you can expect high-quality pre-match sportsbook markets, as well as top-tier in-play betting across a wide range of sports.

👌 What is the best sport betting app I can download in Ireland?

There are many fantastic top sports betting apps available throughout Ireland, and the one you go for will depend on your own unique set of betting preferences and requirements.

🏤 Is it possible to bet on elections?

Irish sportsbooks have an extensive range of betting markets, including TV, politics and even the upcoming US election.