Best Online Casinos that Accept Players from Ireland

General Overview

Known for their rich cultural heritage and love for whiskey, the Irish are friendly and fun-loving people. Part of having fun has to be creating spots and ideas that will bring everyone together. Gamers in Ireland have the opportunity to catch up and stake bets in so many different ways such as horse racing, national lotteries, sportsbooks and so on. Casinos are prohibited in the country however technically, betting is allowed, thereby giving chance for gambling companies to technically operate within the territories. Gambling is a very lucrative business in Ireland, just like the English, the Irish love putting their money where their passion lies. Also, famed as one of the top tourist spots in the world with many attractions, one of which is visiting an Irish pub where you can engage in some gambling the ‘Eire way’. According to recent studies, people of Ireland gambled with about 10 billion in 2019 alone, now that’s a big figure looking at the country’s population.

A brief history of gambling in Ireland

Gambling has existed in Ireland for centuries, the Irish are fun-loving people and gambling started as leisure rather than a business that it is now. Tourists can attest to the fact that when visiting one of the country’s many attractions; Dice and beads made from glass can be found at some of its historical sites. In the 16th and 17th centuries, gambling was common among notables and the upper class, as they engaged in horse racing. There are reports that King Charles II was also a keen admirer of these games and even partook himself. In the late 1700s, it is believed that there were about 409 horse racecourses in the country. Soon after there was the introduction of cash betting alongside fixed odds as the gambling market gathered pace. However, in 1906, the Street Betting Act was passed, prohibiting cash betting activity in the nation. In 1926, the government started issuing licenses to betting shops while The Totaliser Act was passed in 1929. In 2001, another bill was passed. The Horse and Greyhound Racing Act which ensured that betting on horse and greyhound racing was only through licensed betting offices. Over the years, there has been a sharp decline in land-based gambling due to the introduction and amendment of gambling laws in Ireland.

Online Gambling Law in Ireland

While land-based betting is banned in Ireland, you can stake your bets on a massive collection of games on the online platforms. Operators are required to apply for a license before offering any form of gambling service in Ireland (including foreign). The most common form of online gambling is the casino. Online casino operators have to follow the laid-down rules and regulations to provide their services. In 2003, the Irish Government legalised online gambling in the country, allowing people to enjoy all kinds of games on the available online platforms. In 2015, there was a Betting Amendment Bill which sought to further integrate online betting into the market. 

Payment Options in Ireland

With a lot of online betting companies at their beck, players in Ireland get to choose from quite a several payment options when considering betting. Here are some of the most popular payment options available to players in Ireland: Bank wire transfer, Paysafecard, Ukash, Paypal, Mastercard, VISA, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, Entropay, Zimpler, Payforit,  American Express, Instadebit, EcoPayz, Bitcoin, and Apple Pay.

License Commissions in Ireland

Unlike the United Kingdom, gambling in Ireland does not have a central regulatory authority. Bookmakers are required to get a license from a Revenue Commissioner before operating in Ireland. The Revenue Commissioners have the authority to issue 'betting and remote betting licenses, gaming and gaming machine licences; and amusement and amusement machine licences'. The Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for monitoring compliance while The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery runs the National Lottery.

Helplines for Problem Gamblers

There are a few private charitable organisations that help out with players having issues with gambling. GambleAware is the national organisation for creating awareness and supporting treatment for problem gambling in Ireland. They can be reached via phone on 1800753753.

Ireland Online Casino FAQs

Is gambling tax-free in Ireland?

Players are not required to pay taxes from their winnings, however, the operators have to pay 2% tax on total bets or winnings they record. 

What are the top online casinos in Ireland?

Players from Ireland can enjoy a massive collection of games from several casinos such as Wishmaker, Videoslots, Mr Play, Kingbilly, Casilando, Wild Tornado, OmniSlots, Boo and many more.

Can I find gaming machines in Ireland?

Yes, Irish people love gambling. You will find people in local communities and towns on gaming machines. A section in the Lotteries Act gave local authorities and Revenue Commissioners the power to grant licenses and regulate gaming machines in the country.

What is the future of gambling in Ireland?

There have been efforts from various quarters to make some form of reforms to the existing gambling laws in Ireland. People are looking for a more uniformed and central system that would legalise land-based casinos in Ireland. 

Can I claim a welcome deposit bonus when I am playing from Ireland?

Depending on the casino you chose to play from. There are welcome deposit bonuses that would help start your journey to winning big.

How big is Ireland's gambling market?

There has been a steady increase in the gambling market in recent years, thanks to the introduction of online gambling in the early 2000s. he Irish gambling market is estimated to be worth about €1.1 billion per year.  

When will land-based casinos open in Ireland?

There have been efforts to add some form of reforms to the existing laws and one of the new developments every gambler looks forward to having land-based casinos become a common sight in Ireland.