Online Gambling in Ireland
In Ireland, new regulations for online gambling will take effect throughout 2025, and local operators will likely need to apply for new licencing to comply with the latest rules and provide a secure platform. In this guide, we'll cover the updates on regulatory rules for Irish online casinos and sports betting sites, and highlight the games, bonuses, and other perks for local players.
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An Overview of the Irish Online Gambling Landscape
Ireland has a growing gambling industry where online casinos offer a convenient way to gamble online. Players also have access to sports betting services and lotteries, and the government has put a robust regulatory framework in place and established a regulator to enforce gaming laws, ensure fairness, and protect players. Let’s review some quick facts about the online gambling industry in Ireland.
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In terms of revenue, the constantly growing Irish online casino market is estimated to reach €3.7 billion in 2025 and further increase to €4.1 billion by 2029.
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Ireland’s iGaming market appeals to millions of players across the country and is expected to attract about 4.6 million users by 2029.
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The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) (in Irish: Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann) started its operations on March 5, 2025, as the new regulator responsible for licensing, supervising, and overseeing gaming gambling activities.
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The GRAI regulates Ireland’s gambling industry under the new Gambling Regulation Act 2024, which will take effect between March and October 2025, specifying the rules for remote gaming or gambling at Irish internet casinos.
Important Facts About Online Gambling in Ireland
The best online casinos in Ireland comply with the country’s gambling laws and regulations, providing secure platforms for players to gamble legally. Only players who have reached the legal gambling age can play online casino games and engage in sports betting. Moreover, licenced offshore and Irish operators can offer permitted gaming services to players in the country. Here is a summary of the important facts players and operators need to know.
How We Find & Rate the Best Gambling Sites for Irish Players
Ace Alliance reviews online gambling platforms for Irish players by incorporating our years of experience coordinating and attending top iGaming events where we interview industry experts to gain valuable insights that help our team keep up with the trends. Our detailed online gambling guides help players in Ireland choose the best platforms with lucrative bonuses, and apply the right gaming strategies to boost their chances of success. Learn more about our in-depth online casino review process below.
Licensing & Security Measures
- Valid gaming licences are issued by the GRAI, the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), and other reputable online casino regulators.
- Safe online casino sites that use Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) to ensure safe connections between the player’s device and servers.
- Platforms that use Transport Layer Secure (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption to secure sensitive information and prevent unauthorised access to data.
- A clear privacy policy explaining how the operator intends to use data collected from players during registration.
Game Selection & Fairness
- An extensive game library with games from well-known providers such as NetEnt, Play’ GO, Relax Gaming, and Pragmatic Play.
- Different types of slot machines, table games, and live casino games streamed from state-of-the-art gaming studios.
- Fair online casino games that are accredited by popular testing agencies such as eCOGRA, Gaming Laboratories International (GLI), and BMM Testlabs.
- Provably fair games at online casinos that accept cryptocurrency for deposit and withdrawal transactions.
Bonus Rewards & Promotions
- A broad range of generous bonuses and promotions with reasonable wagering requirements and clearly stated terms and conditions (T&Cs).
- Enticing welcome bonuses for new players who sign up and create an account.
- Reload bonuses, cashback offers, and other rewards for existing players.
- Plenty of free spins for playing popular slot games from the leading online casino software providers.
Reliable Payment Options
- Seamless deposit and withdrawal processes with widely accepted payment methods, including bank cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies.
- Reliable payment methods that allow gamblers to deposit money instantly and withdraw winnings as quickly as possible.
- A wide range of banking options that allow players to make eligible deposits for claiming deposit bonuses at the casino.
- Payment solutions with cutting-edge security features to protect the player’s financial information and online transactions.
History & Facts About Online Gambling in Ireland
Gambling laws in Ireland have evolved over the years, from the Gaming Act of 1744 to the new Gambling Regulation Act 2024. We will explore the history of gambling regulations pertaining to sports betting, lotteries, and Irish online casinos to help you understand how the industry has changed over time. With this knowledge, operators and players can have a deeper understanding of where the gambling industry has come from and possibly predict what the future holds in terms of laws and regulations.
Insights on Irish Online Gambling Regulations
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is the organisation tasked with regulating online gambling activities. It is responsible for regulating Irish online casinos, operators offering sports betting services, and lotteries. Established under the new Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the GRAI supervises online gaming platforms, ensuring compliance with Irish gambling laws and the protection of players from potentially harmful activities or practices. We have shared valuable insights on online gaming regulations in Ireland below.
Online Gambling Licences & Ireland's New Regulations
Ireland’s new gambling laws cover different types of licences for businesses offering gambling or gambling-related services to players and companies in the country. Moreover, there is a new category of charitable and philanthropic licences. We have summarised the different licences below to help you understand their purposes.
Where to Obtain Gaming Licences in Ireland with New Rules
Players in Ireland should only choose regulated gambling sites with gaming permits or licences issued by relevant authorities. Those who want to promote a gaming activity where the maximum bet amount is €10 must obtain a permit from An Garda Síochána.
In this case, the maximum win amount for players is €3,000. For games where the bet is less than €5, the licence is issued by the Revenue Commissioners, and the maximum win amount is €500. All applicants looking for a gaming licence should obtain a certificate issued by the District Court.
Most Trusted Payment Methods Used by Irish Players
The best online casinos in Ireland provide an opportunity to win real money prizes. Therefore, players can deposit funds and withdraw winnings using secure payment methods. Most casinos accept debit cards, mobile payment solutions, online bank transfers, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. Card users can use Visa and Mastercard, but only a few operators may offer Maestro and American Express for payments. We should also mention that credit card deposits and withdrawals are banned at Irish casinos. Transaction speeds vary depending on the selected banking method as shown below.
| Method | Type | Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | Card Payment | Instant | 3-5 Days |
| Mastercard | Card Payment | Instant | 3-5 Days |
| Zimpler | Instant Bank Transfer | Instant | Instant/Minutes |
| Revolut | Mobile/Prepaid Card | Instant | Minutes/Days |
| Boku | Mobile Phone Bill | Instant | N/A |
| Trustly | Open Banking | Instant | Instant/Minutes |
| Pay By Phone | Mobile Phone Bill | Instant | N/A |
| CashtoCode | Prepaid Voucher | Instant | N/A |
| PayForIt | Pay by Phone | Instant | N/A |
Crypto Payments at Online Casinos in Ireland
Some online gambling platforms in Ireland accept cryptocurrency for deposits and withdrawals. Usually, crypto users have to provide a minimum deposit amount equivalent to fiat amounts to start playing real money games. The top crypto casinos accepting Irish players support various digital currencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Tether, Dogecoin, Cardano, Solana, Ripple, Shiba, and Dai. Gamblers can purchase these currencies from crypto exchanges.
Cryptocurrencies offer many benefits, such as enhanced privacy, anonymous payments, security with cryptography, and fast transactions. Moreover, players can benefit from low transaction fees and play provably fair games when gambling with Bitcoin and other cryptos accepted at Irish online casinos.
Learn More About Popular Digital Payment Providers in Ireland
Both established and new online casinos for Irish players accept e-wallets for transactions. One of the advantages of using these banking methods is that there are numerous payment options. Moreover, opening an e-wallet account is easy, and digital wallets are suitable for instant casino deposits and withdrawals. Most online casino operators in Ireland facilitate online payments with the most popular e-wallets. These include Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, eZeeWallet, MuchBetter, MiFinity, Apple Pay, GooglePay, PaysafeCards, and Astropay. Players can use their bank accounts or debit cards to upload funds before using the money at online casinos.
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Paypal
- Bank Transfer
- Skrill
- PaysafeCard
- Bitcoin
- Ethereum
What Are Bonuses in Online Gambling & Other Irish Player Perks?
Bonuses refer to different types of incentives that allow players in Ireland to play real-money games with bonus cash or free spins. The bonus money can be used to play different games, but free spin promotions are created for slots. All bonuses have T&Cs attached, so gamblers should check the fine print before claiming any gambling bonus. The most common rules operators impose on online casino bonus offers include wagering requirements to playthrough, a minimum deposit amount, maximum cashout limits, a validity period, eligible games, and payment method exclusions. Some banking options such as Skrill and Neteller may not qualify for bonuses, for example.
Welcome Bonuses
One of the most important promotions players should consider when looking for reliable online casinos in Ireland is a welcome bonus. As the name implies, this offer is created to welcome new players to a gambling platform. An operator may call it a first deposit bonus or signup offer. The most attractive welcome bonuses reward new customers with bonus money in addition to free spins, making them a great choice for a new player who wants to boost the initial bankroll. A minimum deposit is usually needed to claim most welcome bonuses at Irish online casinos.
Matched Deposit Bonuses
When it comes to incentives that require a minimum deposit such as welcome offers and reload bonuses, most casino sites in Ireland match the deposited amount with a percentage bonus. These promotions are known as matched deposit bonuses in the online gambling world. When picking a match bonus, players should consider the maximum amount and the percentage. Let’s say an online casino offers a 150% first deposit bonus and another one has a 100% bonus. If the maximum bonus amount and wagering requirements are the same, the 150% bonus offers more value for your money as a player.
Free Spins Rewards
Slot game enthusiasts in Ireland will be thrilled to know that the best Irish online casinos in the country offer bonuses for these games. Most slot offers have free spins, rewarding players with a certain number of bonus spins. If a casino offers 50 free spins, it means that a player who claims this bonus can spin the reels of a slot game 50 times without the operator deducting the bet amount from the account balance. For the rules, free spins are generally awarded on selected slots, and gamblers may be required to wager their winnings.
Cashback Bonuses
Many online casino sites reward player loyalty with cashback bonuses. A cashback bonus comes in handy when you are not winning by refunding a portion of your losses within a specific period of time. For example, an operator may offer a 10% weekly cashback back to all registered players. Suppose you join a gambling site, deposit money, and lose €180 while playing real-money games. The casino will refund €18 at the end of the week, providing another chance to play. Depending on the platform, cashback bonuses may or may not have wagering requirements, so it is advisable to read the bonus T&Cs.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no-deposit bonus is a rare promotion that rewards players with free site credits or bonus spins without a minimum deposit. This offer is usually created for new players, enticing them to create an online casino account. However, we must point out that the bonus may not be completely free as advertised by some operators. Chances are it will have steeper wagering requirements, requiring users to wager the bonus money or free spin winnings. Another notable characteristic of no-deposit bonuses is that they offer fewer free spins and smaller bonus amounts than promotions that require a minimum deposit.
No Wagering Bonuses
One of the more rare types of online casino bonuses, no wagering promotions allow players access to bonus funds without the typical added requirement of needing to play through the bonus amount a set number of times before cashing out. Wagering requirements are usually set between 20x-30x, meaning players would need to bet their bonus amount 20-30 times before the possibility to withdraw any winnings, including the initial deposit, will appear as available. These promotions allow players to cashout instantly or within a few game rounds.
Explore Popular Online Casino Games Among Irish Players
Online gambling platforms in Ireland offer more gaming options compared to land-based casinos. Licenced operators can obtain games from various providers, including leading companies like Relax Gaming, NetEnt Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger, Play’n GO, and Evolution Gaming. Licenced game developers design their titles using random number generators (RNGs) to ensure that all outcomes are arbitrary and impossible to manipulate. Moreover, casino game testing agencies such as eCOGRA, GLI, and BMM Testlabs test all games before operators can offer them at online casinos. Below, we have described the most common casino games played in Ireland.
Video Slots
Online slot games feature spinning reels and paylines on which players land a certain number of identical symbols to win or activate free spins and other bonus features.
Online Poker
The most common online poker games available at casinos catering to Irish gamblers include Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Casino Hold’em, as well as online poker tournaments that offer an opportunity to play for substantial amounts of money.
Online Roulette
The best online casino site in Ireland offers a broad selection of online roulette games from various providers, and these variants feature a spinning roulette wheel, inside bets, outside bets, and other features found in land-based versions.
Blackjack Online
Blackjack is a fan-favourite online casino game played with 1 to 8 decks of standard playing cards depending on the version, and the objective is to hit a natural blackjack (a hand total of 21) or get a higher hand total than the dealer without busting.
Baccarat Online
In online baccarat, the objective is to get a hand total closest to 9, and players can choose from three main bets: player, banker, and tie. Most operators offer baccarat games based on Punto Banco, Chemin de fer, Baccarat Banque, Mini Baccarat, and No Commission Baccarat games.
Live Games & Shows
Many online casinos in Ireland offer different live dealer casino games and game shows with professional human dealers, including Lightning Roulette, Live Craps, Infinite Blackjack, Baccarat Squeeze, Ultimate Texas Hold’em Poker, and Dream Catcher from Evolution Gaming.
Crash Games
Many online casinos in Ireland offer a wide variety of crash games, one of the newest categories of games in which players aim to cash out before the game crashes to win. Crash games like Aviator by Spribe, JetX by Smartsoft Gaming, and F777 Fighter are popular among Irish players.
National Lotteries
Today, players in the country can take part in the Irish National Lottery and even play online lottery-style games at the leading casinos. Under the newly formed GRAI, all lotteries are now regulated collectively with casino games and sports betting in Ireland from 2025 forward.
Sports Betting Dominates in the Irish Online Gambling Scene
Online betting on sports is among the most popular gambling activities as many Irish gamblers wager on horse racing, football, basketball, cycling, swimming, and other sports.
Some of the best Irish online casinos act as bookmakers, offering online sports betting options besides the games mentioned above.
Editor's Tip for Gambling Online Safely in Ireland
Gambling laws in Ireland are designed to protect the interests of players. As a gambler, it is important to know the measures the country has put in place to guarantee safe gaming. Playing games at an online casino should be fun, and gamblers can use responsible gambling tools to play safely. On the other hand, operators must comply with the current regulations and provide the necessary resources to prevent problem gambling and addiction.
Players who come across a blacklisted online casino site should report to the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland (ASAI) and the Gambling Regulation Authority of Ireland for further action by these regulators.
Abigail Mokra
Editor on
Responsible Online Gambling Practices for Irish Players
The top casinos and bookmakers in Ireland offer responsible gambling features and encourage players to play safely. Consider the following options to gamble responsibly in the country.
Online Gambling Resources for Local Players in Ireland
Local players at online casinos in Ireland have access to safe gambling resources. There are several protective measures to control advertising across all media, promote responsible gaming at casinos and bookmakers, and prevent potentially harmful gambling behaviours. According to the General Commercial Communications Code of the Coimisiún na Meán (the “GCCC”), commercial communications that promote gambling should not directly persuade people to gamble, promote socially irresponsible behaviours, advertise gambling as a way to solve personal problems or target children. These online gambling resources are available in Ireland:
These safeguards focus on protecting vulnerable people and promoting responsible gambling practices.
Gambling-related ads on TV or radio cannot be aired between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm, and consumers must opt in to receive gambling ads on social media.
A centralised system allows any player experiencing problem gambling to register and self-exclude from gambling sites licenced by the GRAI.
Gambling operators contribute to a new fund created to support responsible gambling, research, training, education, treatment, and public awareness initiatives.
Operators offering gambling services in Ireland cannot facilitate payments via credit cards.
Free bets, VIP perks, free hospitality and other promotional offers are prohibited.
Technological Innovations in Irish Online Gambling
Technology has played a crucial role in shaping Ireland’s growing gambling industry. Most people in the country have access to smartphones and a stable internet connection. The country’s tech-savvy population has embraced mobile gaming. Moreover, players and operators will be influenced by technological innovation in the gaming sector, including the following.
AI Machine Learning in Player Experience & Fraud Detection
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) will continue to play a crucial role in improving the overall gaming experience among Irish gamblers. Operators can leverage these technologies to tailor games to the needs of players and ensure responsible gambling. These tools are also useful for risk management and fraud detection.
The Rise of Live Dealer Games and VR Casinos
Live casino games have revolutionised the gaming industry in Ireland, offering a better alternative to land-based casinos. Gambling sites with live dealer games allow players to interact with professional croupiers in real time. Moreover, virtual reality (VR) casinos offer interactive features that replicate a physical casino experience.
How Blockchain is Impacting the Irish Online Gambling Market
Blockchain technology has a significant impact on the Irish gambling market, providing a more secure way to play with cryptocurrencies. The cost of playing with cryptos is low because digital currencies are decentralised and there is no middleman involved. Additionally, layers can enjoy enhanced privacy and anonymity by transacting without sharing bank account or card details.
Trends in Irish Mobile Gambling & App-Based Betting
Online betting is a noteworthy trend in Ireland. Most locals bet on football, rugby, horse racing, virtual sports, and live sporting events.
Casino sites have also gained popularity, with mobile casinos offering the convenience of playing slots, roulette, blackjack, live dealer options, and other games using mobile-friendly sites or gambling apps.
Conclusion
Gambling online in Ireland is a popular past time, and the recent regulations updates will serve to protect players, ensuring that local operators offer reputable gaming services and provide a secure environment for players looking to play casino games or bet on sports. We recommend choosing a GRAI or offshore-licenced online casinos in Ireland for the best online gaming experience. The Ace Alliance Team prepares online gambling and other online casino guides covering the latest insights on trending industry topics for Irish players as well, all built on our iGaming expertise and history hosting innovative events and bringing leaders together.
FAQ About Online Gambling in Ireland
Yes, the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is the primary legislation enacted to regulate gambling activities in the country. The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) issues gambling licences and ensures compliance with the law.
Players are not required to pay taxes on their proceeds from sports betting, casino games, and lotteries. However, the law requires bookmaker companies to submit a percentage of all bets and winnings as taxes, including a 2% betting duty and 25% betting intermediary duty.
Any licenced gambling platform in Ireland can offer casino games and sports betting services. The most common games played in the country include online poker, blackjack, roulette, slot games, and live casino games.
Yes! Some Irish casinos accept cryptocurrencies for deposits and withdrawals. For instance, players can deposit with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USDT and use the funds to play live casino games, online slots, and table games for real money.
The best online casino site in Ireland offers various bonuses to welcome new players and retain registered customers. Most operators have a welcome bonus, free spins, reload bonuses, and cashback promotions.
Yes, of course! All top-rated online casino sites are powered by HTML5, a technology that makes them compatible with all devices. Irish players can use mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to play games and bet on sports on the go.