Ireland Casinos
The rules regarding online gambling in Ireland have fundamentally changed over the last few years. Where once Irish players could seemingly play at any licensed casino that catered to them, a general tightening of the restrictions now means that it has become more difficult for Irish players to access a wealth of UK and European licensed casinos.
The changing gambling laws also affect other areas, including sports betting. You needn’t worry, though. Our team has put together the definitive guide to betting online in Ireland. We’ll introduce you to fully licensed and legal betting sites, we’ll showcase some of the best games that Ireland has to offer, and we’ll look at the ins and outs of betting online in the Emerald Isle. Let us begin by highlighting some of the best real money casinos for Irish players below.
Best Real Money Online Casinos for Irish Players
Is It Legal to Gamble Online in Ireland?
Irish players have often wondered, “is online casino gambling legal in Ireland?”. Until very recently, Irish players were free to gamble at virtually any casino that took their fancy. For the most part, this meant UKGC licensed casinos from across the Irish Sea in Britain. However, new regulations govern what are legal gambling sites in Ireland and what are not?
Other changes have meant that there are now caps on how much you can wager. Betting limits are now capped at €5 per spin or hand on casino games. Lotteries prizes are limited to payouts of €30,000 a week. On top of that, the legal gambling age has been raised from sixteen to eighteen. Let us explain the new laws for each gambling sector, so you can better understand what you are dealing with here.
Online Casino
In the past, offshore operators could offer their services to all players in Ireland. The Irish authorities still recognise the safest and security of top UKGC and MGA licensed casinos, but new regulation prods Irish players into betting at legit Ireland online casinos, namely those with a nationally issued license. Worse still, there are no specific rules for operators to follow to obtain such a license. The general rule is that although you “should” try and play at an Irish licensed site, there are precious few of these around. As a result, we’d recommend playing at any MGA or UKGC licensed casino or any that is licensed elsewhere in the European Union.
Online Poker
Playing poker online in Ireland is legal. Irish gambling laws deem poker to be a game of chance, not skill. Ireland is home to one of the world’s most successful and popular poker competitions – the Irish Open. Online poker rooms are largely unregulated in Ireland, but the authorities still want you to play poker at established and licensed Irish online casinos.
Online Sports Betting
Sports betting is regulated under the Betting Act. This is arguably the area where the Irish authorities are considerably strict in enforcing the regulations. To be deemed a legal sportsbook in Ireland, a site must have obtained a license. There is a “remote bookmaker’s license” covering foreign sites, and there is a national license for high-street and local bookmakers. Given the sheer number of bookmakers who offer their services to players in Ireland legally, there is no reason to seek out far-flung and isolated betting sites to play at.
Online Lottery
Lottery games are legal, albeit under a sort of monopoly. The National Lottery of Ireland is the main competition and is run by the Premier Lotteries Ireland Limited company. Any other lotteries are subject to strict betting and payout terms, as discussed above. There are no penalties in place for Irish players who wish to participate in foreign lottos, though, by purchasing tickets through lottery agents and websites.
Online Bingo
Online bingo falls into something of a grey zone in Ireland. Like poker, it is a largely unregulated online gambling industry. The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act of 2019 does mention bingo but refers to land-based bingo halls. Online bingo is available on the National Lottery of Ireland’s website, so we view that as confirmation that playing online bingo in Ireland is certainly not prohibited.
History of Gambling in Ireland
The Irish love to gamble, but the country has had an up-and-down time when it comes to gambling regulations. Let us chart those as we look at Ireland’s gambling history below.
- Pre-1800s: Before to the formation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Ireland’s population was known to gamble. The British tend not to police gambling in Ireland, effectively allowing the national population to do as they please, specifically in relation to horse race betting.
- 1854: The first Betting Act makes gambling (on sports) legal in Ireland.
- 1929: The Totalisator Act effectively makes Irish Tote gambling (pari-mutuel betting) a state monopoly.
- 1931: Following separation from the UK, Ireland gains the authority to set its own gambling laws. However, it would take until 1931 until the Betting Act was finally introduced. This outlawed all unlicensed sports betting by ensuring that only locally licensed betting operations were tolerated.
- 1956: The Gambling and Lotteries Act was introduced to deal with non-sports betting related gambling businesses. A series of loopholes essentially ensure that “private clubs” and later, “online casinos” fall outside its scope. Bingo operators are legal if licensed but must offer “charitable” or “philanthropic” causes for providing games. Commercial poker rooms are prohibited, but private clubs remain.
- 2013: The state-owned national lottery was found guilty of corruption and was replaced in 2014. Now, a single, independent operator (monopoly) would control the lottery, albeit under regulation from the state. A new National Lottery Act (2013) is implemented to ensure this.
- 2015: The Betting Act is amended to fully legalise online casino games. However, it demands that any operators who cater to Irish players obtain an Irish gambling license.
- 2019: Another amendment to the Gaming and Lotteries Act see land-based bingo legalised without charitable causes.
- 2020: The Gambling Control Bill becomes law. This sees some regulation come into play for non-sports betting games. It ensures the collection of taxes for licenses and revenue, player protection measures, and limits on stakes.
Is It Safe to Gamble at an Irish Online Casino?
Betting at safe online casinos in Ireland is perfectly possible, depending on where you choose to gamble. Naturally, all Irish licensed operators are safe and fully regulated by the Irish authorities. Failing that, any betting sites licensed out of the UK and Malta are deemed fit for purpose.
These casinos are known to be heavily regulated by the UK and Maltese authorities, and in some areas, the levels of regulation are far stricter and fairer than what you would get from the Irish authorities. Therefore, most of our recommended venues tend to be either Irish, MGA and UKGC sites, as these are unquestionably the safest around.
How to Choose the Best Online Casino?
Choosing the best online in Ireland is all about seeking out what is important to you and weighing it up against the offerings of rival sites. You can do this legwork yourself, but it is far faster and simpler if you check out our online gambling reviews for players in Ireland. Our team has analysed hundreds of Irish online casinos, drawn up a list of top things to look for and see how they compare against one another.
We regularly check back on these sites to ensure that they continue to be the most trusted online casinos for Ireland’s players. Head over to our casino review list and use our filter system to seek out the top Irish online casinos. If you want to know what we look for, we’re happy to showcase the criteria below:
Casino Bonuses
Opting to play at the right online casino is down to several things, and one of these is the array of bonuses you can claim. However, aside from simply snapping up the most profitable bonus, you should also consider the terms and conditions attached to them and the frequency of these deals. We like to see welcome offers, free spins, monthly specials, loyalty deals, live casino bonuses and more.
Games and Software
Why settle for a handful of games from one software provider when you can play hundreds or even thousands from many? Our team ensures that any of our recommended Irish casinos carry a quality arsenal and library of titles for you to choose from, spanning all sorts of genres. Moreover, we want to see mobile-friendly and free-to-play games, to boot.
The Reputation of the Casino
We don’t trust a casino simply because it has a license. We explore the validity of that license and much more besides. We do in-depth checks on a casino’s RTP rates, its dedication to paying players’ their winnings, and its security and fair play. We do all of this, so you don’t have to.
Casino Customer Support
What good is having a customer support service if it takes ages to get a response? Our team wants to see 24/7 support in English, and we demand live chat services. E-mail and telephone can suffice, but nothing beats live chat for efficiency and speed. Having an FAQ guide is also an advantage for sites.
Payment Methods
Irish players are limited in terms of what they can bet and deposit. Therefore, it is important that the right payment methods are available for players. We check to ensure that the euro is accepted and that there are no hidden fees or poor transaction times at each of our sites.
Online Casino Games Available for Irish Players
One of the most important criteria we look for in online casinos that accept Ireland’s players is the array of games a site has. Naturally, we want to see new online casino games in Ireland, but we also want to establish that any site we promote also carries some of the very best online casino games in Ireland. Here’s what we look for:
- Games should be RNG-certified
- They should feature fair RTP rates
- Irish players should expect live dealer, mobile-friendly and free demo games
- Games should span virtually every major genre
Let us walk you through some of the titles we expect to see:
Online Slots
Online slots in Ireland are some of the most widely available games. Slot machines in Ireland include classic slots, fruit machines, video slots of both non-progressive and progressive jackpot variants, and recent additions, such as MegaWays and Cluster Pays games.
Online Blackjack
Playing blackjack online for real money in Ireland is possible with small stakes. Big money games have been outlawed, but blackjack tournaments can be found alongside conventional table games.
Online Roulette
If you fancy having a crack at the best online roulette gambling sites in Ireland, you will find a wealth of games – both live dealer and RNG versions in Ireland’s licensed online casinos. Moreover, they are legal to play.
Live Dealer Games
Live casino games can be played online in Ireland. They span baccarat, blackjack, and roulette for the most part, although table poker, dice, number betting and money wheel/game show titles are sometimes offered.
Other Online Casino Games
Scratch cards, instant win and fixed odds games, video poker, keno and bingo games can also be found at licensed Irish casinos online and at offshore sites.
Most Popular Casino Software in Ireland
You can expect to find the best software providers represented. Microgaming casinos in Ireland are legal, as are the best NetEnt casinos in Ireland. Here are a few other software providers affiliated with the Emerald Isle’s casinos:
- Barcrest (and other SG companies, such as WMS and IGT)
- BetSoft Gaming
- Big Time Gaming
- Blueprint Gaming
- iSoftBet
- Microgaming
- NetEnt
Banking Information for Irish Players
You can play in licensed Ireland online casinos with PayPal. You can also deposit at an online casino in Ireland with VISA Debit and the following options:
Bear the following information in mind:
- Irish regulations limit your bets to €5
- No transaction fees should be implemented, either for deposits or withdrawals
- All deposit times should be instantaneous, and withdrawals should take no longer than 1-2 days to clear
- The euro currency should be accepted
- Withdrawals may only be possible following the completion of the KYC process
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrency betting in Ireland is not permitted legally. However, there are offshore casinos that accept Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and USDT/Tether. Some of these casinos may be unregulated and unlicensed, though. If you choose to play at them, look out for the Provably Fair certificate as a sign of fair play.
Mobile Gaming in Ireland
Mobile casino gambling in Ireland is possible without apps. Instead of downloading cumbersome online gambling apps in Ireland, simply open the site you want to play at on the web browser of any iOS or Android device you have at hand to enjoy betting on the move.
Ireland Online Casino Bonuses & Promo Codes
Most casinos in the country tend to offer bonuses and promos. Some Ireland-based online casinos require bonus codes to be entered to activate bonuses, and this is handy, as not going so gives you an opt-out option. The best bonus deals at online casinos in Ireland won’t just be those that are worth staggering sums. They will also feature fair wagering requirements, be valid on a wealth of games and not limit what you can win. Moreover, the amount you are required to deposit to claim an offer should be no higher than €20 – €25.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no deposit casino in Ireland may be an ideal way to start. When you opt to play at these casinos, you can claim a no deposit bonus. New Ireland players at no deposit casinos can play games for free (either for a limited time or with limited funds) to try and win real money. Such offers typically consist of free spins or a cash bonus of €20 or less.
Deposit Match
A first deposit bonus casino in Ireland will provide you with a handsome cash match. Ireland online casinos offering these bonuses with low deposit terms are ideal. In theory, you should be able to claim a sum of bonus cash based on the amount you deposited into your account. A typical offer might be a 100% match worth up to €100.
Free Spins
As touched on, an online casino can offer a free signup bonus with no deposit required to Ireland-based players, and this may be a free spin deal. When you claim free spins, you can use them on selected games (all games, or sometimes just a single slot) to try and win real money.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses allow you to continually pocket rewards as you play at a casino. Throughout your time there, you can net real cash bonuses that can be used to play games and boost your balance. They work in largely the same was the deposit match listed above.
FAQs
Below, we will attempt to answer your questions on Ireland’s online casinos and other gambling sites. Let’s get stuck in…
