Ireland Betting Sites
Located in north-western Europe, Ireland boasts the fastest-growing economy in the EU with a GDP of $333 billion in 2017 alone. Gambling is one of the largest industries on the Emerald Isle where punters are estimated to collectively spend over €5 billion per year. As of 2017, the country is home to more than 850 bookmaking shops, with around 12% of the Irish population visiting their bookmakers on a weekly basis.
Ireland may not boast the fastest-growing gambling sector when compared to some other European countries, but has still registered significant growth rates over the past years. Sports betting is thriving in Ireland, especially online, with punters having round-the-clock access to a variety of web-based sportsbooks where they get to choose from hundreds of markets and are offered much better odds.
Top 15 Betting Sites for Ireland
Bet365
Bet Now Review
Regulators- UKGC (055148-R-331498-001, 055148-R-331498-001, 055148-R-331498-001)
- Gibraltar Gambling Commission
Min Deposit- All methods excluding wire transfer - $10
- Wire transfer - $50
Max Withdrawal- Maestro - $30,000
- Visa - $30,000
- MasterCard - $30,000
- Wire Transfer - $50,000
- PayPal - $10,000
- Interac - $10,000
- InstaDebit - $20,000
- iDebit - $9,999
- EcoPayz - $30,000
Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal Time- Maestro, Visa, MasterCard - 1-3 banking days
- Wire Transfer - 1-5 banking days
- PayPal - within 24 hours
- Interac - within 24 hours
- InstaDebit - within 24 hours
- iDebit - within 24 hours
- EcoPayz - within 12 hours
- Large selection of deposit methods
- UKGC license
- Bettors can partake in live betting
- Customer support is available around the clock
- There is a dedicated application for smartphones
- Competitive odds
Bet365 is a sportsbook that boasts an excellent betting platform, especially when it comes to wagering on matches that are already underway. You can keep up to date with how a game is going thanks to the live streams that accompany live matches, and you are also able to quickly reference the stats and timeline of a given event.
Having achieved international acclaim, Bet365 offers an exceptional selection of markets to its users, and it, therefore, caters to a large number of bettors. The sports you can find at Bet365 include association football, rugby, cricket, horse racing, and tennis, and these are just a fraction of the sports available on the bookie’s website and app.
Betway
Bet Now ReviewRegulators- UK Gambling Commission ( 039372-R-319367-021)
- Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/B2C/130/2006)
- AAMS Italy (15216)
- SEGOB Mexico
- DGOJ Spain ( 75/GO/1011, 76/PUN/1011, 79/RLT/1011, 80/BLJ/1011, 350/GA/1011, 387/MAZ/1011, 440/ADC/1011, 442/AHC/1011 and 441/AOC/1011)
- Spelinspektionen Sweden
- Regional Council of Darmstadt (RPDA-Dez. III. 34-73c 38.01/8-2019/3)
Min Deposit€10Max WithdrawalNo limit.Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimePending withdrawal period: up to 72 hours.- Great number of banking solutions
- The betslip displays all necessary information clearly
- Live Streaming is available during matches that are underway
- Early cash out
- Dedicated racebook
- The sportsbook has competitive odds
Beloved to punters across the globe, Betway is a sportsbook that is packed with excellent features. One such feature is early cash out, a tool that allows bettors to settle a bet prematurely. It can be used to cut one’s losses or attain any accumulated winnings, depending on the condition of the bet a punter decides to cash out. In addition, live streaming is provided whenever a bettor wishes to wager on a live game.
Betway has introduced a bet builder tool to its platform, which allows punters to combine the bets of a single game, which is somewhat similar to accumulators who need to be placed on different games.
Redbet
Min Deposit€10Max Withdrawal- Neteller - €10,000
- Skrill - €10,000
- Swedbank - €1,000,000
- other Swedish and Estonian banks - €1,000,000
- OP-Pohjola - €1,000,000
- Danske bank/Sampo - €1,000,000
- other Finnish banks - €1,000,000
- Bank Pekao - no limit
- Europe (IBAN) bank transfer - €1,000,000
- VISA - €3,000
- VISA Electron - €3,000
Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal Time- Neteller - 1-10 minutes
- Skrill - 1-10 minutes
- Swedbank - 1-10 minutes
- other Swedish and Estonian banks - 1-3 bank days
- OP-Pohjola - 1-10 minutes
- Danske bank/Sampo - 1-10 minutes
- other Finnish banks - 1-3 bank days
- Bank Pekao - 1-3 bank days
- Europe (IBAN) bank transfer - 1-5 Bank days
- VISA - 1-5 Bank days
- VISA Electron - 1-5 Bank days
- Compatible with smartphones
- Regulated by the MGA
- Responsible gaming features like “session time limit” and “reality check”
- Numerous sports markets
- The sportsbook is available in Norwegian, Finnish, Spanish, Portuguese, and English
- Live casino section
Redbet gives its bettors the opportunity to wager on markets the likes of draw no bet, both teams to score, double chance, correct score, and player totals. The bookie also strives to look after its users, so if you run into some type of problem while you wager at Redbet, you can get in touch with customer support, as it is available 24/7 if you decide to use live chat.
Apart from customer support, another aspect of Redbet which shows how well the sportsbook is determined to give its bettors useful tools which can help them prevent problem gambling. These include session time limits, as well as reality check notifications, which will pop up whenever you have been playing for more than a certain period of time. Moreover, deposit, turnover, and loss limits can also be enabled. Finally, the last options are take a break and self-exclusion.
888sport
Bet Now ReviewRegulators- UKGC (039028-R-319297-012, 039028-R-319297-012)
- AGCO
- Gibraltar (112, 113)
- MGA (MGA/CRP/543/2018)
- Ireland Revenue Commissioners
Min Deposit$10Max WithdrawalNo limit.Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal Time- VISA credit and debit - up to 6 days
- MasterCard - 4 days
- ApplePay - up to 6 days
- Skrill - 2-3 days
- Neteller - 2-3 days
- PayPal - 2-3 days
- MuchBetter - 2-3 days
- Trustly - 2-3 days
- Wire Transfer - 5-8 days
- INTERAC e-Transfer - 2-4 days
- The sportsbook is available in multiple languages. This includes English, German, and French, among other options
- 888sport is regulated by reputable entities the likes of the UK Gambling Commission and the MGA
- Live streaming
- Compatible with mobile devices
- There is a bet calculator which is free of charge
- Early cash out
Apart from having an excellent betting website, 888sport is also popular for how well it performs on smartphone devices as well. Wagering on the events offered by 888sport can be done in several ways when you are out and about. The first option is the website itself, except if you visit it on your smartphone browser, you will utilize the website’s mobile layout. If you prefer a stand-alone app, however, you will also be able to wager on your phone. When it comes to installing 888sport’s dedicated app, Android users need to pay a visit to the Google Play Store. As for punters with iOS devices, the app is on the App Store.
In general, mobile bettors have access to the same feature desktop 888sport users are used to. This includes the compact betslip, which shows all important information clearly, and it also lets punters combine their bets in accas and system bets if they do not wish to keep their bets as singles.
TonyBet
Bet NowRegulators- UKGC (039126-R-319399-012)
- Estonian Tax and Customs Board (HKL000243, HKT000016, HKL000098, HKT000015)
- Kahnawake Gaming Commission (No. 902)
- Ireland (1017899)
Min Deposit€10Max WithdrawalNo limit.Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal Time- eWallets - up to 12 hours
- Debit and credit card - up to 7 days
- Cryptocurrency - less than 24 hours
- Impressive number of odds formats
- Useful betslip
- 13 language options
- In-play
- The sportsbook is licensed by trusted regulatory bodies
- Punters can take advantage of early cash out
TonyBet has a very clean design language which helps to keep the sports betting website’s layout organized. Along with a classy appearance, the sportsbook’s platform is also great in terms of its features. One of the first highlights of using TonyBet is the choices of odds formats punters have access to. At TonyBet, you can use Malaysian, Hong Kong, and Indonesian odds depending on your preferences. Of course, the formats we are used to in the West are available as well, and you can pick between fractional, decimal, and American odds.
TonyBet’s selection of sports is not too shabby either. Soccer, baseball, boxing, cricket, and basketball are but a few of the options offered by TonyBet. When it comes to the bet types, markets like 1×2, double chance, totals, and many others await.
Novibet
Min Deposit- Paysafecard - €5
- All other methods - €10
Max WithdrawalNo limitDeposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal Time- Visa - 2-5 days
- Mastercard - 2-5 days
- PayPal - 1-3 days
- Skrill - 1-3 days
- Neteller - 1-3 days
- Trustly - 1-3 days
- Bank Transfer - 2-5 days
- Compatible with mobile devices
- Live betting
- Excellent market variety
- Punters can observe live streams during in-play
- Sufficient number of deposit methods
- Customisable layout
Novibet is a bookie which can offer quite a lot to passionate sports betting aficionados. Fans of sports like soccer, ice hockey, cycling, and golf are accounted for, and there are plenty more options to pick from.
Although Novibet is perfect for punters who like to stick to sports betting, it should also be noted that Novibet also caters to bettors who like to change up their routine from time to time. The bookie has a webpage which is dedicated to casino games, and there are plenty of slots and table games to choose from. Regardless of whether you are wagering on sports, or playing games, Novibet protects your information through the usage of SSL encryption.
Casumo
Bet NowRegulators- UKGC (039265-R-319417-019)
- Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner (126, 127)
- MGA (MGA/CRP/217/2012)
- Irish Revenue Commissioners (1015523)
Min Deposit$10Max Withdrawal$50,000 monthly limitDeposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeUp to 5 days- 24/7 customer support
- Regulated by trusted regulatory entities
- Compatible with smartphones
- Decimal, fractional, and American odds
- There is a live casino section
- Good selection of sports
Regulated by trusted entities such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, Casumo provides punters with opportunities to wager on major sports events, such as the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, the NBA Championship, and many others.
Registration takes no time at all, and punters are unlikely to face any difficulties while depositing for the first time, seeing as Casumo accepts a sufficient variety of banking solutions. Visa and Mastercard, for instance, can be used for deposits, and the same can be said about bank transfer and the prepaid card solution, the Paysafecard. In addition, Apple Pay, a digital wallet payment solution, is also available. Finally, services such as Interac, iDebit, MuchBetter, and ecoPayz are also viable options.
LVBet
Bet NowRegulators- UKGC (046794-R-325728-007, 046794-R-325728-007)
- MGA (MGA/B2C/282/2015)
- Irish Revenue Commissioners (1015523)
Min Deposit$10Max Withdrawal$5,500Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeBetween several minutes and 3 days.- Quick registration process
- Punters can wager on matches that are underway
- Live streaming is available
- The bookmaker is regulated by reputable regulatory bodies
- Customer support can be contacted via live chat
- Great market variety
Regulated by the Irish Revenue Commissioners, the UKGC, and the MGA, LVBet is a well-trusted bookie which also boasts an impressive catalog of markets. Soccer, cricket, and basketball are among the available sports, and besides betting on pre-match markets, punters can also place bets on games that have already commenced.
Security is an integral aspect of a reputable online sportsbook, which is why LVBet has done a lot to keep its bettors’ accounts secure. An SSL protocol encrypts user data and keeps it safe from potential dangers, while the sportsbook has also provided its users with a tool called two-factor authentication. Also known as 2FA, this feature adds an extra step to each login attempt, through which it ensures no one else but the owner of the account will be able to log in.
Bethard
Min Deposit- CashToCode - €10
- All other methods - €30
Max Withdrawal€50,000Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeUp to 5 days- Good selection of deposit methods
- The language options include English, Finnish, and Spanish
- Punters can contact customer support via live chat
- In-play
- SSL encryption
- Registration does not take long
Bethard sports a black and yellow color palette, which makes for a clean and classy design language, and everything is organized so that you can easily find your favorite sports and markets. Speaking of which, volleyball, association football, Esports, and cycling are an example of the sports at Bethard.
Bethard gives its users the necessary tools that ensure a safe approach to betting, the first of which is the ability to set deposit limits. You can also take advantage of the loss limits feature, as well as wager limits, both of which will serve to protect you from wagering too much.
Betsafe
Min Deposit€10Max Withdrawal€50,000 per 24 hoursDeposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeWithdrawal processing takes up to 24 hours. Afterwards, the timeframe depends on the withdrawal method:- Bank Transfer - 2-7 days
- Visa/Mastercard - 2-5 days
- Neteller and Skrill - Instant
- Trustly - either instant or up to 3 days depending on your bank
- Numerous languages
- Betsafe is licensed by the MGA
- Punters can wager on live events
- The bookie’s layout is well-organized
- 24/7 customer support
- Live streaming
Inexperienced and seasoned punters alike will find that Betsafe has an array of bets to pick from when a specific game catches your fancy. From 1×2 and draw no bet to totals and handicap bets, the options vary quite a lot, and the odds themselves are competitive as well.
If you ever run into a problem, Betsafe has ensured that the issue in question will not be difficult to resolve. The first thing you can do is consult the bookie’s Help Center. You will not need to comb through too many menus to find answers. On the contrary, locating a specific piece of information is a breeze at Betsafe, thanks to the search bar and the easy to navigate menus. If your issue turns out to be more complicated than expected, you can seek assistance from the support team, which is available around the clock.
SpreadEx
RegulatorsUKGC (008835-R-104580-017)Min DepositNo minimum deposit requirementMax Withdrawal£25,000Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeUp to 2 days- Exceptional market variety
- The sportsbook can be used on the go
- Dedicated casino page
- Punters can wager on live games
- There is a bet builder
- Customer service is available via phone, email, and live chat
SpreadEx values in-play quite a lot, given how many punters are fond of wagering on live events and how exciting live betting is, all in all. In-play is available for practically any sport, and the sports selection at SpreadEx includes examples like association football, Esports, volleyball, and golf.
During certain events, punters are able to cash out their bets if they wish. Along with traditional cash out, auto-cash out and partial cash out are also available. The former lets you set loss and win thresholds, which, when met, will result in your bet’s automatic settlement. As for the latter, this option enables you to cash out a part of your bet, while the rest will remain at stake until the event ends.
Mr Green
Bet Now ReviewRegulators- UKGC (039264-R-319432-018, 039264-R-319432-018)
- MGA (LGA/CL1/521/2008, LGA/CL1/772/2011, LGA/CL1/869/2013)
Min Deposit€10Max WithdrawalNo limit.Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal Time- Bank Transfer - 1-5 days
- Trustly - 3-5 days
- Skrill - Instant, up to 2 days on occasion
- Neteller - instant, up to 2 hours
- Paypal - Instant, up to 2 hours
- Paysafecard - Instant up to 2 hours
- Mastercard and Visa - 1-5 days
- Customer support is available around the clock
- Live streaming
- Standalone app for smartphone devices
- Verification is swift
- Bet builder
- User data is protected by SSL encryption
At Mr Green, it is easy to find markets that catch your fancy since the bookie offers a variety of bet types, including but not limited to double chance bets, corner props, and totals. You can also choose to go with some of Mr Green’s outright odds, like bets regarding who will win the World Cup, the LaLiga, the US Open, the NFL Championship, and others.
If this sounds appealing, but you are not fond of betting on your computer, or you lack a PC in the first place, there is no need to worry. Mr Green is fully compatible with smartphones due to the fact that its website works well on mobile browsers, and there is a standalone app. The application can be installed from Google Play or the iOS App Store.
Betsson
Min Deposit€10Max WithdrawalNo limit.Deposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeWithdrawal processing takes about 24 hours. Afterwards, the timeframe depends on the withdrawal method:- Bank transfer - 2-7 days
- Visa/Mastercard - 2-5 days
- Neteller and Skrill - instant
- Trustly - instant or 1-3 days depending on the bank
- Licensed by the MGA
- Bettors can wager on games that are underway
- A casino page is available for adventurous punters
- The sportsbook is available in English, Greek, Spanish, and Polish, among others
- Early cash out
- Dedicated app for Android and iOS phones
Betsson is a modern sportsbook which is available to PC bettors and punters who prefer to wager on the go. The application has two versions, the first of which is for users with Android devices. The other one can be installed by punters who have iPhones. If you are not keen on the idea of downloading a standalone app, Betsson’s website is optimized to work well on smartphone browsers as well.
Betsson’s catalog of sports is great in terms of the variety on offer. Fans of popular sports like soccer, handball, basketball, and cycling are accounted for, as are bettors who like unconventional markets like TV, politics, and music. Either way, Betsson’s snappy platform makes wagering an easy and enjoyable experience.
LeoVegas
Bet NowRegulators- UKGC (039198-R-319450-022)
- Ireland Revenue Commissioners (1012453)
- MGA (MGA/CRP/237/2013)
Min Deposit£10Max WithdrawalNo limitDeposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeProcessing time - up to 24 hours- LeoVegas features a bet builder
- Dedicated apps for smartphone devices
- Clean and easy to use betting platform
- Support can be contacted via live chat
- Match-specific statistics are easily accessible
- Convenient betslip
LeoVegas has been in operation for more than a decade, and the bookie and casino is one of the big players in the world of gambling. Tons of punters make LeoVegas their sportsbook of choice, and its competitive odds and market variety are some of its best qualities. Totals, handicap bets, 1×2, and player props are a few of the options you can find when you bet on pre-match markets or when you are wagering while a game is already underway.
Apart from being quite the entertaining betting hotspot, LeoVegas is also a reputable sportsbook. It has earned licenses from the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland, all of which are known as some of the most trusted regulatory bodies across the globe.
FansBet
Bet NowRegulators- UKGC (045143-R-323955-015)
- MGA (MGA/B2C/701/2019)
- Ireland Revenue Commissioners (1013060)
Min Deposit- All deposit methods excluding AstroPay: $10
- AstroPay: $5
Max WithdrawalNo limitDeposit MethodsWithdrawal MethodsWithdrawal TimeUp to 5 days- Regulated by the UKGC and the MGA
- Clean UI
- Sufficient number of payment methods
- Customer support is available 24/7
- The sportsbook offers an array of bet types to Serie A bettors
- Available on mobile devices
FansBet is a good-looking bookie which features various sports on its platform, including but not limited to tennis, Esports, soccer, and boxing. The odds range from being on par with other sportsbooks to being quite competitive, and bettors can choose to use the fractional, decimal, or American odds format.
FansBet accepts a plethora of banking solutions when it comes to both deposits and withdrawals. At FansBet, punters can fund their accounts via tried-and-true methods such as Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro cards. Services like Rapid Transfer, Trustly, Euteller, and Zimpler are among the other available choices, and bettors could also go for a digital wallet like Skrill or Neteller. As for withdrawing one’s winnings, the aforementioned methods work for this purpose too.
Ireland may be relatively small in terms of size but this does not prevent it from being home to some of the most notable sportsbook brands in the world, including the ever-popular Paddy Power.
Yet, as prevalent as sports betting in the country is, many of its residents are not sufficiently familiar with the legalities related to this sector of Ireland’s gambling industry. If you are willing to enrich your knowledge about the legal sports-betting landscape in Ireland, we suggest you read on for more detailed information on legalities. You will also learn what makes for a good Ireland-friendly online sportsbook.
Legality and Regulation of Sports Betting in Ireland
Keen sports betting fans from Ireland have nothing to fear where legalities are concerned. Both landbased and online punting on sporting events is legal and well-regulated in the country. This makes sense considering sports betting is the most popular form of wagering on the Emerald Isle.
Online and landbased bookmakers can accept punts from Irish bettors as long as they have acquired a valid license from local authorities. The sports betting sector falls under the regulations of the Irish Revenue Commissioners who are also responsible for license issuing.
Pari-mutuel wagering is regulated under the 1929 Totalisator Act but currently, there are only two license holders, Tote Ireland Limited (which is a subsidiary of the state-owned Horse Racing Ireland) and the semi-state Bord na gCon (responsible for the regulation and promotion of greyhound racing in the country).
Some of the biggest betting brands that have acquired Irish licenses include 888sport, Betfair, Betway, William Hill, Mr Green, and 32Red so the last thing Irish punters can complain of is lack of legal options.
Interestingly, the licensing process requires all applicants to first publish ads in the two national newspapers and provide certificates for personal fitness within a period of two weeks, counting from the day of the ads’ publication. Each remote betting operator must also obtain a tax number from the Revenue Commissioners and register with the Revenue Online Service.
All forms of sports betting are legal and regulated in Ireland. Landbased licensees should not allow loitering on the premises of their bookmaking shops and are prohibited from accepting wagers smaller than €0.06.
The Irish government plans to increase the taxes on licensees’ betting turnover from 1% to 2%, with the changes coming into effect in the beginning of 2019. Each sportsbook must pay an initial fee of €10,000 to receive its license. The fees for license renewal depend on the sports betting operator’s turnover and range between €10,000 and €500,000. The taxes for betting intermediaries, i.e. betting exchanges, have also increased from 15% to 25%. Irish punters themselves are not taxed on their sports betting winnings.
Sporting fans from the country are also not persecuted for wagering on unauthorized sports betting sites as far as we know, but few people would resort to this, granted the huge number of locally licensed sportsbooks they can pick from.
In accordance with Irish laws, sports betting and gambling debts are unenforceable. This applies to punters who seek payments as well as to bookmaking shops and online betting sites looking to collect their debts from customers. That being said, refusals of payments on behalf of remote betting operators significantly decrease their chances of gaining an Irish license under the 2015 Betting Amendment Act.
Key Sports Betting Laws
Betting regulations have been an inseparable part of the Irish landscape ever since the mid 18th century when the Betting Act of 1853 was introduced. Bookmaking was already common at the time, with betting shops operating across all large Irish towns.
The broad availability of sports betting partially resulted from the passing of the 1845 Gaming Act. One of its provisions required bettors to provide the money for their wagers in advance as a guarantee. The prohibition of sweepstakes in 1845 is another factor that is believed to have influenced the popularity of sports betting across Ireland.
Bookmakers at the time would display placards with the races that were to be held during the day along with the odds for the different horses. They would take deposits from their punters and give them tickets that allowed them to collect their profits should their bets win.
The 1853 Betting Act was proposed by Attorney General Sir Alexander Cockburn and effectively prohibited the operation of bookmaking shops across the country. Penalties were imposed on those who failed to comply with the law. The prohibition proved ineffective. The only thing this ban did was drive bookmakers from their shops out to the streets, where they continued to accept wagers illegally.
This continued well into the 20th century until the enactment of the 1931 Betting Act which aimed at decriminalizing and regulating bookmaking activities in the Republic of Ireland. Under the provisions of this legislation, sports betting was now legal as long as the bookmakers obtain valid licenses from the local regulators.
The Betting Act of 1931 also imposed restrictions on the hours of operation of licensed landbased bookmaking shops. The latter were prohibited to accept punts before 9 am and after 6 pm. They were also expected to close shop on Sundays and during religious holidays, so punting on Christmas Day and Good Friday was not an option for bettors.
The certificates of licensed bookmaking shops must be on prominent display at all times so that customers can see them. Bookmaking shops were not allowed in the proximity of churches, schools, factories, or employment exchanges.
Also, bookmakers were not permitted to accept wagers under one shilling. Loitering or standing outside the premises of a bookmaking shop was prohibited under the provisions of the 1931 Betting Act. The Irish police officers had the right to fine violators or even arrest and imprison them for a month.
Only persons of legal gambling age (18 years old in Ireland) are allowed to enter and punt in bookmaking shops. Interestingly, punters were also held liable for violating the law. Underage persons who provide fake documents of identification risk convictions and fines.
However, the sports betting industry changed drastically over the span of the next eighty or so years, and these changes called for amendments in the outdated 1931 Betting Act. The most recent piece of legislation Irish lawmakers introduced came in the form of the Betting (Amendment) Act of 2015. It enabled local regulators to integrate remote sports betting activities into the existing licensing and taxation framework.
Remote sports betting in the country is legal under the provisions of the 2015 Act as long as the online operator has applied for and received a valid license from the Irish Revenue Commissioners. Those who knowingly accept punts from Irish bettors without a local license risk being fined and even imprisoned.
Note that pari-mutuel wagering falls under the provisions of a separate piece of legislation called the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act. It was approved in 2001 and resulted in the establishment of Horse Racing Ireland, an authority responsible for overseeing and promoting thoroughbred racing across the country.
The introduction of the above-mentioned legislation brought about the demise of the Irish Horse Racing Authority, which previously regulated race betting in Ireland. Presently, punters from the country can legally wager on races at both landbased and online sportsbooks as long as they operate under a valid domestic license.
Ireland Sporting Events Coverage and Markets
Sports betting ranks as the most common form of gambling among Irish residents, so it is not surprising online bookmakers cater to popular demand by offering punters from the country a diverse range of markets and wagering options. There is, of course, the option to bet on both pre-match and live games.
You can find bets for just about every market and sport imaginable but understandably, soccer is one of the most popular alternatives, with extensive coverage of events from the NIFL Premiership, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the English Championship, and the National League.
European soccer leagues are also readily available, with some of the most popular leagues being Serie A, La Liga, the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Eredevisie, the Scottish Premiership, and Primeira Liga, among others. Irish punters can experiment with a great variety of bets including Both Teams to Score, Double Chance, Asian Handicaps, Over/Under, and Half Time.
Many international punters may not have a clue what Gaelic football is but this sport is a big deal all across Ireland. Deeply rooted in the country’s traditions, this is a fun sport with a unique goal-scoring system. Ireland-friendly bookmakers offer a variety of markets for Gaelic football and cover all sporting events from the Ireland Senior Championship and the four NFL Gaelic Football Divisions.
Having originated in Ireland, hurling is another sport that enjoys undying popularity among punters from the country, who can back their favorite teams online at very competitive odds. Horse racing is also deeply rooted in the history and traditions of Ireland, so it makes sense for Ireland-friendly sportsbooks to offer bettors a huge variety of markets for this exciting sport.
Usually, you have the option to wager on both flat and jumps horse racing. Bets are accepted on all races that take place on UK and Irish soil. In many cases, punters can also watch the races as they unfold via the sportsbooks’ live-streaming services. All the information about the animals and their performance in previous races is available at your fingertips, allowing you to make the best decisions with your bets.
Other popular sports with decent coverage at Ireland-friendly sports betting sites include golf, greyhound racing, tennis, cricket, mixed martial arts, basketball, boxing, ice hockey, and snooker.
But sportsbooks are not all about market diversity as important as it is. There are other criteria to consider when choosing a betting site, such as the presence of in-play betting, live streaming, a statistics section, intuitive interface, and tipping services.
Some of the biggest players on the Irish betting market like Betfair even offer betting exchanges where you can set your own prices on bets and sell them to other punters. Of course, you must always compare the odds offered by different online bookies in order to pick the website with the most competitive prices. Read on for more information on fractional odds, the default odds format at Ireland-friendly sportsbooks.
Popular Odds Format in Ireland
Fractional odds (also called traditional odds) are the preferred format Irish punters use when placing their wagers. These are normally written with a slash and resemble fractions but in reality, they are not really fractions. The first number before the slash shows you your expected return with a winning wager. The number after the slash shows you how many betting units of €1 you must stake to win this amount.
So let’s suppose you choose to back Custard the Dragon to win a Southwell horse race at odds of 12/1. If Custard wins the race, you will get €12 in exchange for the €1 you have initially staked. Note that this is not such a good bet because the higher the odds are, the smaller the chances of a win.
Sometimes you will come across odds that are seemingly written in reverse, like 2/7 where the value of the denominator of the “fraction” is larger than that of its numerator. This means you need to stake €7 to win only €2. The betting slips of most online bookies automatically calculate and display your potential returns on the basis of the wagered amount and the odds.
You can, however, easily calculate them yourself by using the following formula [{wager/denominator}* numerator] + wager. So if you back Custard the Dragon with a base bet of €20 at odds of 12/1, you will win [{€20/1}* 12] + €20 = €260.
Nice profit for an initial investment of €20 but let’s see what is the probability of Custard winning the race. As we forewarned you, his chances are rather slim – you calculate them by dividing the fraction’s denominator by the sum total of the numerator and denominator. From this it follows, the probability of Custard winning are 1/[12+1] = 1/13 = 0.0769 * 100 = 7.69%. Of course, if you do not feel confident enough using fractional odds, you can always tackle the odds’ settings and have them displayed in the decimal or the moneyline format.
Payment Solutions for Sports Bettors from Ireland
Irish punters are blessed with a regulated market that gives them a choice from a massive variety of sportsbooks. But how to pick the one that is right for you? One thing that bears consideration is the diversity of payment methods.
A good sportsbook would offer a versatile list of options to meet the needs of all Irish customers, starting with the always-present credit and debit cards by Visa, Maestro, and Mastercard. E-wallets like Skrill, ecoPayz, Neteller, and PayPal are also quite convenient and hassle-free to use and so are the prepaid solutions offered by Paysafecard and Entropay (which is a prepaid virtual Visa card you can use the same way as your plastic card). It should be noted deposits with e-wallets are sometimes excluded from bonuses so keep that in mind if you intend to opt in for such offers.
Online banking, wire transfers, and checks are also listed but if you are looking to punt with nominal amounts only, we suggest you use mobile-billing services like those provided by Boku where the deposit limits are much lower. Always ensure your sports betting operator of choice does not charge customers additionally on their payments.
The EUR, which is the currency Ireland uses as a member of the EU, is commonly available across sportsbooks friendly to Irish customers. All the online sportsbooks reviewed by Sportingpedia use reliable encryption technologies to mask punters’ payments and protect them from malicious attacks.
Bonuses and Rewards for Irish Sports Bettors
Most Ireland-friendly sportsbooks offer deposit bonuses as part of their welcome offers. You receive the bonus (usually in the form of a free bet) after you make a deposit and wager it on the website. You must also comply with the minimum odds requirements. Sometimes a valid promo code must be entered during or after the registration and deposit process.
Some websites might offer a bonus that comes as a deposit-match where the deposited sum is matched at a specific percentage with free monies. For instance, if you claim a 100% welcome bonus of up to €150 but deposit only €100, you will get €100 as a bonus on top of your initial deposit for a total of €200.
Note that different online bookies offer different welcome bonuses so we recommend you compile a list with the websites with the best offers and pick from them. It goes without saying that the terms and conditions of the bonuses must be read in advance as this gives you a better idea of whether an offer is worth it or not. Regular customers are treated to loyalty points they can convert into cash or free bets as well as to enhanced odds and cashbacks.
Customer Support at Ireland Sports Betting Sites
Many punters underestimate the importance of a decent support service until they end up experiencing an issue no one is there to assist them with. It is always a good idea to test the quality of the sportsbooks’ support service yourself but unfortunately, some betting sites allow you to use their live chat features only after you go through a successful registration process.
A good Ireland-friendly betting site would offer a round-the-clock service by highly professional support advisors whose vast competence helps them assist you with an array of issues. Some of the best sports betting operators would train their support staff precisely for this purpose.
Support is usually available in English along with some other languages like French, German, Italian, and Spanish. We recommend you pick a sportsbook with a 24/7 live-chat facility to ensure there will always be someone to help you. Other commonly available methods of communication include contact forms, email, and telephone, with most Ireland-friendly betting sites servicing callers from the country at no additional cost.