The Republic of Ireland is a country which has an illustrious history with gambling, particularly when it comes to horse racing. However, it is also a country which has a firmly established, legalised online gambling industry, and isn’t too restrictive when it comes to what its residents and citizens bet on. The small island nation’s population can seemingly gamble on anything and everything they wish, within reason. To explain that further, we need to dive into the legality of betting and gambling in the Emerald Isle. With that in mind, let’s begin…

• Online Sports Gambling
• Ireland Online Gambling Games
• Ireland Online Gambling Sites
• Online Gambling Casino Real Money

An Overview of Gambling in Ireland

Gambling

The Best Ireland Gambling Sites in 2020 Gambling has been on a roller coaster in Ireland. Some forms of gambling have only been legal for the last 7-8 decades. As for the other forms of gambling that are still illegal, operators still find a “legal” way to offer them. The Best Ireland Gambling Sites in 2020 Gambling has been on a roller coaster in Ireland. Some forms of gambling have only been legal for the last 7-8 decades. As for the other forms of gambling that are still illegal, operators still find a “legal” way to offer them. Throughout IrishLuck.ie, we help Irish players finding the very best online casino for them. We do it through our carefully formulated and researched reviews of the top casinos found in Ireland. Along with the reviews we offer recommendations and tips on how to search for yourself.

Ireland has long been known for being home to a large gambling population. The Irish gambling laws have undergone several changes over the years as the country tried to regulate the market, and ensure that most forms of gambling were as open as they always have been. This might seem like an enormous task, but the Republic of Ireland appears to have managed it with ease.

The most recent gambling laws in Ireland stem back to 2013 when the Gambling Control Bill was introduced. This effectively formed a licensing authority which oversees both the land-based betting world and the digital one. Older gambling bills such as the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 are still in effect to some degree but should be overhauled and updated with a new gambling act which is set to be unveiled in 2020.

In 2019, that act was amended to include lottery regulations. These – alongside the National Lottery Act of 2013 – aim to ensure that lottery betting is kept separate from other forms of gambling laws.

Operators who wish to run gambling operations in Ireland are required to obtain a license from the Revenue Commissioners and the Regulator of the National Lottery. Before this, the country deemed Gibraltar, Malta and UK-issued gambling licenses to be the norm.

A Note on Ireland’s Gambling Games

Oddly enough, while sports betting and lottery games have long been legal and accepted in Ireland, it is only recently that casino games are starting to be tolerated. For many years, Irish punters frequented offshore casinos to play casino games, as they were not strictly allowed under Irish gambling laws. As mentioned, the recent amendments and new legislation which has passed will allow the Republic of Ireland to legalise those games, albeit under certain conditions, such as having an Irish issued gambling license.

The lack of legality concerning casino games has never really troubled players in the past. In fact, Ireland’s casino players have had a more than enough way of dealing with this issue. Like most players across the world who haven’t been able to play specific gambling games legally, Irish players visited offshore casinos.

Offshore casinos are foreign internet betting sites which are licensed and based outside of Ireland. For instance, many of these domains are licensed in the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Malta, as mentioned earlier. These domains do carry a wealth of online casino games and have been ideal for Irish players to sign up to.

To date, the Irish Government has not issued a blacklist of authorised ISPs (internet service providers) to ban access to foreign casinos. Nor are Irish players punished for visiting these foreign casinos. While many casino players in Ireland currently continue to play casino games at these remote casino domains, it is thought that the new gambling laws which are set to come in this year will put a stop to large parts of that. After all, casino games will theoretically be legal at any casino which has obtained an Irish gambling license.

Ireland’s Most Played Casino Games

Casino games

The Irish aren’t too fussy about what they play. They have a love of many different types of gambling games. With that in mind, it is worth exploring some of these options in closer detail. Any site proclaiming itself as one of the best casinos for players in Ireland will need to carry the following games:

Slots:Slots are one of the few games which until very recently, weren’t really permitted in Ireland. That only made them even more in demand amongst the gambling population. Some of the most notable Irish casino domains (many of which were based offshore) came packing hundreds of slot games for Irish players to enjoy. These include progressive jackpot slots, 3D slots, mobile slots and non-progressive video slots. Fruit machines have always been popular in Ireland, too, whether found in pubs, arcades, high-street bookies or online.

Table Games: The Irish do not have such a big love affair with table games, at least not in comparison to players in other European countries. Nonetheless, this hasn’t stopped some Irish players wanting to try their hand at them. We’d hesitate to call them popular, but frequently played table games at Irish-friendly online casinos will typically include blackjack and roulette. Craps also tends to do rather well. There isn’t much of an audience for baccarat in the Republic of Ireland, although, this doesn’t mean that you can’t play the game at Irish casino sites.

Poker Games: Poker games are one of the few traditional casino classics which does have a large following. It is not uncommon for many of Ireland’s most reputable and popular gambling sites to offer not just poker games, but also a wealth of poker tournaments. There are no specific laws in Ireland which relate to poker gaming, so in the past, it wasn’t widely available at local casinos. However, offshore poker rooms have regularly been available for Irish poker fans who wish to take their gameplay to the next level.

Live Dealer Casino Games: As most casino games weren’t really available in Ireland for long periods, many Irish players had to visit offshore casinos if they wish to get to grips with the latest craze in casino gaming – live dealer casino games. Most of these games are streamed from exotic places, and gameplay can often be found using the euro currency. A variety of gambling games with different table limits can be played at Irish betting sites, although, again, some table games have proven more popular with Irish players than others.

Bingo Games: Bingo is very popular in Ireland, just as it is in the neighbouring United Kingdom. Oddly enough, there are no specific laws relating to bingo in Ireland, as bingo is considered a lottery. Instead, bingo games are governed by the Gaming and Lotteries Act. Because bingo games have been legal for a very long time, bingo halls regularly offer these games in the country. Moreover, online bingo sites are open to catering to players in the country.

Scratch Cards: Scratch cards can be played as a land-based game or online. There isn’t much demand for the digital version of these games in Ireland, but the same could be said of any country, really.

Lottery, Games: Lottery games are legal in Ireland and fall under the same laws as bingo games, as mentioned. The Irish National Lottery is the state-sponsored game of choice for many, although Ireland does compete in major pan-European lotteries, too. Irish players also have access to international lottery betting sites and can acquire tickets to worldwide lottery via ticket agents, as is becoming increasingly more popular these days.

Sports Betting: The Irish are world-renowned for loving a punt on sports. Horse racing is a national pastime in the Republic of Ireland, and many races take place each day. This naturally means that many millions of euros change hands each year betting on these races. Any of the best online betting sites open for Irish players will also readily serve up sports betting options to their players.

Taxes on Big Wins at Irish Casinos

Ireland does have gambling taxes in place. However, these gambling taxes are not typically placed on players. Instead, the burden is on the online casinos and sportsbooks to cough up the case. In late 2018, the Irish Government announced that the traditional 1% duty paid by sportsbooks (well, any license gambling domains, really) would be doubled to a 2% levy. This was done to try and secure €50m in revenue, to be split between public spending and problem gambling treatment.

The decision did not sit well with bookies, who claimed that a large number of betting shops would be forced to sack staff or close down. Nonetheless, the move was implemented. What does this mean for Irish players, though?

Irish players are not subject to gambling taxes on their winnings. However, it should be noted that if they win a substantial amount, and that generates sizable revenue via interest, they would be required to pay income tax on those figures. The situation is a lot less clear when it comes to professional gamblers.

The Best Irish Online Casinos to Join Today

Websites to join

If you are based in Ireland, you will have a myriad of online casinos and betting sites to choose from. As of 2020, you will be able to play at Irish licensed online casinos and sportsbooks. However, Ireland is not going to completely close the door to offshore and foreign betting sites, either. This gives you two very different ways to play.

As we don’t rightly know precisely what services Irish licensed casinos will offer, it is understandable that some players will want to play abroad. Wherever you decide to spend your euros on gambling games, the best Irish online casinos will all have similar features. We deem these features to include:

Irish-Friendly Bonuses: Not all casino bonuses and promotions at offshore casinos are available to players living in Ireland. The best ones will be. While you are checking out the terms and conditions for these bonuses, it is worth ensuring that any bonuses you do claim are fair, and have reasonable conditions such as wagering requirements and playthrough rates.

English Language Gaming: It is exceptionally rare to find an online casino offering gameplay in Gaelic. With that in mind, your chosen casino needs to offer services in English. Fortunately, most online casinos do, so this shouldn’t be too much of a stretch for you to find.
The Euro Currency: Converting currencies can sometimes lead to added fees. You want to avoid that. The best casinos for Irish players will automatically serve up the euro currency, and you should be able to deposit, wager and withdraw using this option.

Irish Payment Methods: Irish payment methods are predominantly the same as those found in UK online casinos. Both Neteller and Paysafecard are popular in the country, but so are VISA, MasterCard, Laser, WebMoney and EcoPayz. Ireland is one of the few notable countries in the world (alongside the UK) which also sees PayPal accepted at online casino sites.

Your Favourite Games: As we’ve said above, Irish players love to have a punt on many different types of games. This has to be taken into consideration when you decide to bet at online casinos. The best Irish online casinos will carry not just slots and table games, but also instant win titles, bingo games and naturally, many will offer sports betting options, too.

Reliable Support Options: Most of the best Irish online casinos excel at offering customer support. These services should be available in English, and if telephone support is provided, it should be toll-free via an Irish phone number. While an FAQ (frequently asked questions) guide and e-mail support are handy, having live chat available on a 24/7 basis is all you really need.

Mobile Gameplay: Irish players should have access to mobile casino gameplay. Long gone are the days when slot players would download casino software to their PC. The best Irish casinos will not only provide mobile gameplay via an instant play site; they may also offer betting opportunities via dedicated iOS (Apple) and Android apps.

As mentioned, things are changing in the Irish online gambling scene in 2020, but what we’ve covered so far is correct at the time of writing. Ireland’s gaming industry is set to go through a remarkable transformation over the next twelve months, so it should be an exciting time for players to play their favourite games.

Are you an Irish player looking for an online gambling site to use for your
wagers? If so, you’ve come to the right spot. We’ve built this page to bring you
a list of the best Ireland gambling sites. In addition, you’ll find loads of
other helpful online gambling-related information.

On this page, you’ll find everything you need to locate the best online
gambling site for you. Up first, you’ll see our top picks for the top Irish
gambling sites. After that, we’ve included sections about the legality of
gambling in Ireland, our selection process, frequently asked questions, site
reviews, and more.

If you’re ready to get started immediately, don’t miss our collection of top
Irish gambling sites below. Each of these has risen to the top in our battery of
tests to confirm who the real cream of the crop is.

If you’re an Ireland
resident, these are the absolute best online gambling sites where you’ll get the
best experience, betting options, and safety. In a later section, we’ll provide
you with color on how we picked these websites above all others.

Not ready to dive into picking a site just yet? Not a problem! For those of
you aren’t, keep reading below. We’ve still got lots of other helpful
information that will assist you in learning more about Ireland gambling sites.
If you’re ready to check out your options later, simply circle back to our
recommended sites above.

Short on time? Check out the jump links below. These can be used to help you
skip ahead to different sections of this page. However, if you’re looking to
learn the most about Irish gambling sites, be sure to stick around and view
everything this page has to offer.

What Are the Gambling Laws in Ireland?

As with most countries, Ireland has a continually evolving set of laws that
relate to gambling. Luckily, Ireland is working to update their laws often to
keep up with the emergence of new trends like online gambling. The beauty of
this is that it helps make things clearer for the country’s residents, as
opposed to other countries like the United States that still haven’t clearly
defined online gambling regulations.

Online Sports Gambling

From a land-based gambling operation standpoint, sports betting is legal.
While bingo halls and casinos are not technically legal, there is a loophole in
the laws that allow the creation of private clubs. These private clubs are a
members-only organization that essentially creates a mini casino or bingo hall.
Many of these private gambling clubs exist around the country.

One thing that’s definitely clear is that online gambling is legal in
Ireland. Thanks to some legislation recently passed, there’s no murkiness
attached with online gambling. If you’re a resident of the country, you’re free
to gamble online without any potential consequences.

If you’d like to read more about different gambling laws from around the
globe, click on the link below. It will take you to our page that’s dedicated to
gambling laws where you can explore things in more detail.

How Do I Know These Sites You’ve Recommended Are Legit?

As you’ll see below, we didn’t just toss darts at names on a wall to come up
with our list of suggested top Ireland gambling sites above. Instead, we
utilized a very in-depth review process to analyze any potential website we were
considering for the list.

Top of the list for us is safety. Since you’ve got your hard-earned money and
private personal information at risk, we value this more than anything. We
investigated each potential gambling site on our list to make sure that we were
confident in their safety and security measures. If you choose to work with any
one of our recommended websites above, we’re sure that you’ll be protected by
some of the best safety available in the industry.

However, we don’t just stop with safety. We dig deep into many other
different things as we research a website to see if it’s good enough to make our
cut. Some of the other areas we investigate are their bonuses, customer service,
banking methods, betting options, and so much more.

Lastly, there’s one other thing that you should know. While other websites
similar to ours accept funds from online gambling sites in exchange for them
being featured on one of their best of lists, we never do that. Here, we aim to
bring you an honest and accurate representation of the best of the best gambling
sites for Irish players. To do that, the only way a spot can be earned on our
list is by being one of the actual cream of the crop.

Deposit Methods Available for Irish Gamblers

Ireland Online Gambling Games

Before you can begin gambling online, you’ll have to make a deposit onto the
website of your choice. As an Irish player, you’ll be able to choose from a
variety of banking methods. Below, we’ve listed out some of the more common
forms of deposit options available to residents of Ireland.

As an Irish player, you’ll also likely have access to other banking options
in addition to the ones above. Here, we worked to provide a list of some of the
most popular ones available. One thing worth noting is that deposit methods do
vary from site to site. That means you’ll have to locate an online gambling site
that provides you with banking options that work for your unique needs.

You can use the link below to learn more details about the deposit options
listed above. In addition, we also provide information on other types of online
gambling banking methods. To visit this page, click the link below.

Ireland Online Gambling FAQs

Finally, we didn’t want to wrap things up without providing you with some
frequently asked questions. Below, we’ve gathered up a collection of the most
frequently asked questions that readers ask us about Irish gambling sites. If
you’re still looking for more answers, we hope this section will be able to
assist you.

Which gambling site should I pick?

If you’ve never gambled online before, it can be daunting to think about the
process of picking the right site for you. Luckily, we’re here to help you.
Below, you’ll find a link to our page dedicated to how you can pick the right
online gambling site. On this page, we’ll provide you with tips and ideas on how
you can pinpoint the perfect website to use. Click below to visit this page.

Are these websites only for Ireland residents?

No. In most cases, our suggested sites above will accept players from many
other countries around the world. However, before you rush off and sign up at
one of these places, be sure to check out the link below. If you live in another
country or region, the link below will showcase our top picks for that area. By
using this link, you’ll be able to locate the ideal websites that you should use
to get the most out of your online gambling.

Can I gamble on other online gambling sites if I am an Irish resident?

Yes. Our list above is simply our suggested list of the top Ireland gambling
sites. It’s our opinion that if you’re an Irish player, these are the best
places for you to do your online gambling. However, if none of our recommended
options look great to you, there are many other websites out there that will
accept players from Ireland. We’d urge you to do lots of research before joining
any other online site to ensure they are a legit and trustworthy operation.

Am I safe gambling online?

As long as you do some research before signing up for an online gambling
site, you should be safe when gambling online. That’s especially true if you use
any one of our best Irish gambling sites listed at the start of this page. We’ve
personally investigated each one of them to ensure that they offer you a trusted
and secure place to gamble. If you’re considering another online gambling site
that’s not on our list, be sure to do your homework to ensure that it’s a legit
and trustworthy operation.

Can I gamble from my tablet with your suggested sites?

Yes! We’ve personally tested each of our top picks above to ensure they offer
a mobile-friendly website. Due to this, you’ll be able to wager not only from
your tablet, but also your smartphone! With these mobile options, you can
quickly place your wagers in a matter of moments from the palm of your hand.

Ireland Online Gambling Sites

Conclusion

We hope that we’ve been able to help you locate the perfect Ireland gambling
site for you. We’ve built this website to assist gamblers of all types and skill
levels with getting the most out of their gambling. Our site is filled with
loads of free gambling resources that you can use to sharpen your knowledge and
skills.

If you’ve never stopped by before, be sure to check out some of the
other awesome things we have to offer.

Online Gambling Casino Real Money

Thank you for reading and good luck with
your future online gambling wagers!