A Guide to Find the Best Ireland Online Casinos

Ireland is a Great Place for Online Gambling

With almost 5-million residents, Ireland lies 26th in the EU population list, and when it comes to gambling, of the estimated 24.7 billion Euros spent in the EU, Ireland alone accounts for just under 10 billion Euros.

So, when it comes to gambling online, it’s fair to say the market has exploded, and as a result, the experience is getting stronger and more accessible. Now, you can play at the best Ireland online casinos where you’ll find a plethora of slots, table games, Live Casino options and several other fun ways to win.

In Ireland, the best casino platforms partner with leading software providers to bring you an immersive, fast-paced and action-packed gambling experience. But, with so many options, how do you choose the right sites for you?

That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a guide to Irish online casinos to help you find top platforms, generous offers and all the best games. Our professionals make it their number one goal to recommend safe and secure Irish online casinos to you.

To make it a fair process, we use a strict list of criteria for every casino we review, including:

• Rewards and bonuses – casinos receive extra kudos for showering new and returning players with rewards and bonuses.
• Payment options – we love discovering secure, convenient and varied payment options that suit your Euros.
• Withdrawal times – the faster the withdrawals, the better.
• The games – we spend a lot of time testing out the game variety and gameplay to bring you an  unbiased and in-depth review of each of the Ireland online casinos on this page.
• License and regulation – only properly licensed and regulated online casinos make our top list.
• Customer service and security – adequate customer support and leading security measures are a must.

With all this in mind, check out our top list of the best online casinos in Ireland.

Ireland Online Casinos Are Above Board, To Be Sure

Ireland has long been a country where gambling is as much a part of the culture as soda bread and rostis, and today it’s easier than ever to place bets online and on the go.

The online gambling market in the Emerald Isle is a multi-million-dollar industry, and Irish players can  safely and legally gamble on casino games, sports, bingo and lotteries. It’s also perfectly legal to play at offshore licensed casinos.

There is one “but.” Players can only legally play in Ireland on websites that hold a valid Irish gambling licence or valid remote gambling licence from a respected regulatory body.

A Brief History Of Gambling In Ireland

Gambling in Ireland can be traced back to the 1850s when the pastime was controlled through the Betting Act of 1854. Since then, the Act has been amended many times, continuously bringing legislation in the country up to date.

Unlike plenty of other European countries, Ireland actually doesn’t have a clear-cut history with casinos, other than in private members’ clubs. The 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act prohibited commercial casinos, but members’ clubs were still allowed to operate, with poker being one of the most common games.

The unstoppable surge of the internet, though, has resulted in many Irish gambling laws being outdated.

Ireland Online Casinos And The Laws Today

The debate around the 2013 Gambling Control Bill has been going on for some time. It’s set to lead to further regulation of the industry – both offline and at Ireland online casinos. It could also result in brick-and-mortar casinos becoming fully legal. Introducing offline casinos could raise a huge amount of revenue for the Irish government.

Right now, the casino industry in Ireland is self-regulated. In 2019, the Gaming and Lotteries Act tweaked things slightly, permitting low stakes offline gambling.

Today, you can play at the best Irish online casinos both at home and offshore, and in fact, the 2015 Betting Act made it illegal to offer gambling to Irish players without one of three licenses: for bookmakers, betting exchanges and casino operators.

The good news is that whatever you win playing at Ireland online casinos is yours to keep and winnings are not subject to tax.

Gambling Regulation in Ireland: Since Gambling is Legal, The Gardai Won’t Be Coming For You

As long as an Ireland online casino has a license, it’s safe and legal to play at. Players must be 18 years or older to gamble and the Office of the Gambling Control in Ireland is the official regulatory body that grants licenses for both land-based and online casinos.

On this page, we only recommend legal, safe operators. If you’re looking to play at online casinos in Ireland, be sure to check out our in-depth casino reviews to find locally licensed casinos or those that hold offshore licenses from respected authorities like:

• The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association
• UK Gambling Commission
• Malta Gaming Authority

To register with one of the online casinos on this page, you’ll need to provide your personal information and pick a payment method that works for you.

All The Best Games At Your Fingertips

One of the first things we look at when reviewing casinos is the game selection. After all, there’s no point picking a casino that only offers a handful of games or one that has no variety at all.

If you enjoy spinning the slot reels, you’re in luck. Irish online casinos offer up a smorgasbord of options, themes and ways to win. But it’s not just about slots, it’s also about where they come from. Online casinos are created by software providers, like Microgaming, NetEnt and Evolution Games, to name just a few.

Each software developer offers different types, categories and styles of casino games. It’s important to check the reputation of game suppliers before you sign up at Ireland online casinos, as some are just a little bit better when it comes to creating immersive games.

The best providers are regularly audited for fair gaming, too, which means they use random number generators and algorithms to ensure games are working smoothly and the outcomes are random and provably fair.

What’s more, providers know that Irish players enjoy slots, which is why you’ll find plenty of appropriately themed games out there, such as:

• Leprechaun Goes Egypt – Play’N Go
• Finn and the Swirly Spin – NetEnt
• Racetrack Riches Megaboard – iSoftBet
• Slots O’Gold – Megaways
• Rainbow Riches: Leprechaun’s Gold – Barcrest
• Lucky Clovers – Nucleus Gaming

Besides the slots, Irish gamblers have access to loads of classic casino games, like video poker, roulette, craps, keno, baccarat, blackjack and more.

Live Casino games are also available, bringing the excitement and sounds of a land-based casino to your screen with real dealers, real opponents and real-time gambling action.

Poker Is A Whole Other League

Poker in Ireland is massive. You’ll find it being played socially in just about every pub or social club, which has led to the Irish excelling at the game. In fact, some of the best tournament players hail from the Emerald Isle and some world-class tournaments are held in Dublin during the European Poker Tournament. Online poker has become just as lucrative, though, with all the best Ireland online casinos offering both table and video poker variations such as:

• Texas Hold’em
• Omaha Hi
• Aces and Faces
• Joker Poker
• Deuces Wild

Irish Online Sports Betting

Horse racing is a big deal in Ireland, so it’s no surprise it makes up a large portion of online sports betting in the country. The good news is that online sportsbooks are 100% legal in Ireland and have been since 2015 when the Amendment to the Betting Act was passed. The change to the act means that it was legal to run offshore sportsbooks for Irish punters.

Despite local bookies being perfectly above board, local bookmakers are still the most popular in the country, with some big brands coming out of Ireland

Luck Of The Irish – With The Help of Bonuses and Promotions

One of the best things about playing at Ireland online casinos has got to be the many opportunities operators provide to boost your bankroll. Take a look through our casino reviews, and you’ll find common bonuses such as:

• Welcome bonus – Irish casinos warmly welcome new players with bonuses right out the gate. The welcome bonus may come in the form of a match deposit bonus or free spins or both. You’ll need to signup and add funds to your account for this type of offer.
• No deposit bonus – these are bonus funds the casino gives you to add money to your bankroll. They may be awarded when you register or to players as part of an existing promotion.
• Free spins – these are usually earmarked for specific slots and awarded for registering, depositing or when a new title is released.
• Deposit bonus – bonus funds are given on your first deposit, or first several deposits, or as part of a promotion. It’s a great way to top up your account and keep playing your favourite casino games.
• Cashback – with this bonus, Ireland online casinos give you a percentage of your losses back in bonus funds, to make up for that unlucky streak and keep you playing on the platform.
• Reload bonus – similar to a deposit bonus, these offers are awarded for reloading your casino account.
• Referral bonus – a small gift of bonus funds when you refer a friend who signs up and makes a deposit.
• Loyalty and VIP bonus – special rewards for loyal players and high rollers that can include any of the above types of offers.

Watch Out For T’s and C’s

Before you accept any offer at Ireland online casinos, you need to read the terms and conditions – and pretty much all promotions and bonuses come with fine print, which includes:

• Wagering requirements – the number of times you must wager real money to release the bonus funds.
• The maximum cash out – most casinos cap the maximum amount you can clear when using your bonus.
• Bet limits – how much you can bet using your bonus funds.
• Time restrictions – how long the bonus is valid for and the time period in which to meet the wagering requirements.
• Game restrictions – different games contribute different percentages to the wagering requirements, and some bonuses (like free spins) can only be used on specified games.
• Deposit restrictions – not all payment methods may be eligible for a bonus at Ireland online casinos and you’ll find this information in the terms and conditions.

Popular Payment Methods At Irish Online Casinos

The best Ireland online casinos offer a variety of recognised and secure payment methods. While it’s good to have choices, it can get overwhelming if you’re new to online gambling. So, let’s look at the typical options available to Irish players.

E-Wallets

Irish players love e-wallets like Neteller, Skrill and PayPal for their security. When depositing or withdrawing funds from Irish online casinos with an e-wallet, you don’t need to share sensitive banking details with the site.

It’s also a straightforward way to fund your account and grab your winnings and remove the need for long card details. They’re also one of the fastest casino withdrawal methods available. On the downside, popular e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller aren’t always eligible for online casino bonuses.

Credit And Debit Cards

This is another popular option amongst Irish players and casinos alike as cards are trusted and familiar, and just about everyone has one. While deposits are mostly instant with credit and debit cards, take note of the withdrawal processing times and any fees your bank may charge you for withdrawing from Ireland online casinos.

Bank Transfer

Bank transfers work best for high rollers who like to play with large amounts of money. Beware, though, that if this is your choice of payment, online casinos almost always charge processing fees for bank transfers. What’s more, bank transfer withdrawals can take up to a week or more to complete, which isn’t ideal if you want to get your hands on your winnings sooner.

Phone Payments

We pretty much rely on our mobile devices for everything these days, and the good news is that players can play optimised games in Irish online casinos. But best of all, you can use your phone to do your banking, too. With options like Boku, Zimpler, Google Pay and Apple Pay, you can effortlessly fund your casino account and start playing anywhere and anytime.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards, like Paysafecard, are cards you can top up online or in a shop. Then, head over to your favourite Ireland online casinos and enter the card’s unique 16-digit PIN to top up your casino account. What’s nice about prepaid cards is that they’re usually free from fees and deposits are instant.

The downside is that you can only use these cards to make deposits, so you’ll need to pick another payment option for withdrawals.

Cryptocurrency

Some of the best Irish online casinos accept cryptocurrency payments, like Ethereum, Bitcoin and Litecoin. Crypto has rapidly become a popular option thanks to its anonymity and added levels of security.

A Safe And Secure Casino At The End Of The Rainbow

A truly golden online casino is one that offers superb customer support and security. It’s important that casinos operate securely since they have access to your private data and hard-earned cash.

We always make sure that online casinos in Ireland are licensed and follow strict rules and regulations. It’s also important to us that these sites offer full security. While SSL encryption is the main method to protect your data and keep third parties at bay, if a casino doesn’t have additional layers of security, we recommend looking elsewhere.

Customer support is also essential. There’s nothing worse than needing help and finding that no one is available. We endorse Ireland online casinos that offer live chat, and usually email, phone and contact forms, too, or a combination. We test out the support to see what the response time is like and to make sure they are friendly, helpful and professional.

Grab A Pint And Play Responsibly

Gambling at Ireland online casinos is supposed to be fun. But since real money is required to play, entertainment can quickly cross the line and become addictive, with very serious consequences.

To protect players in Ireland, licensed online casinos must have Responsible Gambling measures in place, such as limits on gambling sessions, limits on deposits, reality checks and even self-exclusion.

What’s more, Irish online casinos are compelled to include the terms and conditions of each and every bonus, so you know exactly what’s required of you to claim any winnings. They’ll coerce players into spending more money than budgeted.

Irish casinos also ensure that minors cannot access their sites, by implementing strict security checks.

Finally, the best Ireland online casinos include links to external sites that help you identify problem gambling behaviour and provide measures to help you get your activities under control. Some of the external sites include:

• Department of Justice and Equality Ireland
• Ireland Gambling Laws and Regulations
• Isle of Man Government – Gambling and E-Gaming
• GambleAware
• Problem Gambling Ireland
• National Casino Forum UK

So, whether you’re battling to keep your gambling and bankroll under control, or know someone who needs help, there are plenty of options out there.

The Future Of Online Irish Casinos

Irish players definitely have all the luck, with access to the best Ireland online casinos and sportsbooks, along with plenty of brick-and-mortar casinos. The gambling market in the country encourages new online casinos in Ireland to acquire licenses and we’re seeing more and more Irish options popping up.

While we can’t predict the future, it seems that the Irish gambling market is on the up, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of options. To make it a whole lot easier, we present you with our top list of Ireland online casinos right here, giving you the pick of the best EUR online casinos and mobile platforms in Ireland and abroad.

You can play all your favourite slots, table games, Live Casino games, Bingo, Keno and more from the comfort of your computer screen or mobile device while enjoying access to the best bonuses and promotions and secure, convenient payment methods. You can try games out for free in demo mode until you’re ready to wager real money, call on customer support if you have a problem, and enjoy access to all the latest releases.

It’s as comforting as Guinness pot pie on St. Paddy’s Day, and we look forward to watching the Irish online gambling market flourishing.