Online Gambling in Ireland
Online gambling is a major industry and this guide aims to help Irish players cut through the jargon, understand the legal landscape, pick reputable Irish gambling sites and play safely. Whether you’re into online casinos, sports betting or other real-money games, understanding the online gambling landscape and laws associated with it is paramount. The top Irish gambling sites will give you access to thousands of real money casino games, including online slots, live table games and various other real money gambling pursuits. These IE gambling sites can be accessed via both computer and mobile, with most casinos catering extensively to smaller screens, including having apps for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets. Our Gambling guide for Ireland will detail everything, including safe EUR payments types available, Irish licensed gambling sites, land-based gambling venues, laws, latest offers and much more.
Best Irish gambling sites 2025
Ireland has got many of the world’s top gambling sites operating on their shores, with this including the locally founded Paddy Power, bet365 and William Hill. These real money gambling sites allow you to bet on sports, play casino games, enjoy lotto betting and even play online poker. Basically, most forms of online gambling are now legal in Ireland, and there are plenty of regulated gambling sites to partake in them.
The best Irish gambling sites will have upwards of 2000 different games available to customers, with the vast majority of these being online slots; although live dealer, virtual games, video poker, keno and various others are all part of the package.
Online gambling sites in Ireland can be accessed via several different means, but as long as you have a web browser and decent internet connection, you should be able to play on most modern smartphones and tablets. The top online casinos in Ireland will also have apps available for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, with these accessible after you have registered an account.
To find quality gambling sites in Ireland you should look for operators bearing the seal of the Gaming Regulatory Authority of Ireland, with this body charged with things like making sure they are running a tight ship, restrictions on bonus offers, advertising, anti-money laundering practices and various other factors. Despite these legal real money gambling sites being available, there is still an abundance of offshore operators that will accept your custom, but we recommend playing at locally licensed websites.
Given that the GRAI is still a relatively young iGaming enforcement agency (it was enacted on March 5, 2025), expect rapid changes in the coming years as they new body identifies and solves problems with the operations of gambling sites in Ireland.
#1 LeoVegas.com
The self-proclaimed “King of Mobile” is one of the top gambling sites globally, and they are licensed to operate in Ireland. Leo Vegas Casino’s games selection is massive, including a great live casino and they are constantly updating their bonus offers and promotions. Leo Vegas really is a top gambling site in Ireland. Leo Vegas’s gambling apps are available on Android and IOS smartphones and tablets.
#2 888Sports
Another brand that crosses over various gambling disciplines, 888 features sports betting, casino games and of course, their outstanding poker brand, which is visible at all the major events globally. 888Sport’s odds are competitive, they boast games from the likes Playtech and Pragmatic Play and have a long history in the industry. Bet with comfort at 888Sports. 888Sports review.
#3 Betway.com
One of the most well-known brands globally, Betway.com is licensed to operate in Ireland and provides an outstanding cross-platform service. Boasting casino games, extensive sports betting (including an awesome esports section) and some of the better promos in the gambling industry, Betway sits comfortably as one of Ireland’s best gambling sites. You can learn more in our Betway review.
Top gambling apps in Ireland
Real money gambling apps are available for most of the major brands that are licensed to operate in Ireland. This means you can download gambling apps for Android and iOS smartphones, which are the dominant operating system used in this part of the world.
Android gambling apps can be downloaded in one of two ways, with these being via Google Play, or directly from the operator, which is called a non-market app. While the first option is ideal, because the app has passed the Google Play guidelines, generally in the Irish regulated market, Android gambling from non-market sources are safe, given they are licensed.
iOS gambling apps are in much the same boat as their Android counterparts, however these can only be downloaded directly from the App Store, with no third-party apps available.
Either way, expect the next few years to herald massive change in the gambling industry in Ireland, and in a lot of ways it will make it a much safer and more streamlined industry.
An important thing to note under the new GRAI guidelines is that gambling apps must abide by their licensing conditions. For instance, if a gambling operator is licensed to offer remote sports betting in Ireland, and also offer casino games via their app, they are in breach of their license and could be booted from the Google Play or App Store.
Age and geolocation measures are also put in place by both Google Play and Apple, with these emphasising that apps must be restricted based on age and license region. This essentially means you won’t find gambling apps licensed in other places when browsing from Ireland.
Gambling in Ireland
Gambling in Ireland is undergoing significant reform. Oversight of the sector is now firmly anchored with the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), the independent regulator established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The GRAI has been given responsibility for the licensing and regulation of both online and land-based gambling activities in the Republic of Ireland (excluding the national lottery).
In terms of land-based facilities, Ireland does not operate the large casino resorts found in many other jurisdictions. Instead, what exists are a number of members-only gaming clubs which resemble casinos in many respects. These clubs allow games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat and poker under membership arrangements. The national lottery system – the National Lottery – is separately regulated and is not fully under the remit of the GRAI.
Lotteries are well established in Ireland and form a major part of the gambling mix. The National Lottery provides draw games, scratchcards and online lottery services, and funds good causes across the country. On the unlicensed side of the market, many offshore and non-authorised gambling sites have targeted Irish players in recent years. With the establishment of the GRAI and the new legislation, Ireland is poised to make a shift in 2026 (and beyond) toward enforcing a full licensing regime for online operators and tightening the regulation of unlicensed activity.
Overall, the Irish gambling industry is in transition from a historically fragmented regulatory landscape toward a modern, unified system where the GRAI will hold responsibility for ensuring operators meet licensing criteria, consumer protections are enforced, advertising is controlled, and problem-gambling safeguards are in place.
Tips for gambling online in Ireland
When selecting an online gambling or betting site, Irish players should prioritise:
- Licence & regulation – The top Irish gambling sites have got a licence from a reputable jurisdiction (e.g., Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)) and explicitly accept players from Ireland. This will change in 2026 when Ireland launches its own licensing regime.
- Transparent terms and fair play – Look for clear wagering requirements on Irish gambling bonuses, payouts shown, RTP for casino games, and audited odds for sports bets.
- Payment methods & currency – Ideally the site supports deposits and withdrawals in EUR (euros) and local payment methods (Irish banks, Debit/Visa/Mastercard, e-wallets).
- Customer support & dispute resolution – 24/7 live chat and email support that reply promptly are crucial to a safe gambling experience.
- Responsible gambling tools – Self-exclusion, deposit/lose limits, reality checks and access to Irish gambling-harm resources.
Gambling laws in Ireland
In Ireland, gambling is regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), with this body enabled by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, with this established on a statutory basis in March 2025.
Irish residents must ensure any online gambling or betting site they use is legally authorised to accept players from Ireland. Offshore and unlicensed operators carry higher risk: no regulatory oversight, limited player protections and potential issues with withdrawals or unfair practices, although the reality of global gambling is that most websites are safe, even if they are based outside of Ireland and don’t have licensing.
This relatively new gambling legislation in Ireland governs both online betting and real money casinos, and provides stipulations around things like advertising, taxation, responsible gambling and money laundering practices.
Older gambling legislation, that pre-dates the internet, in Ireland include the Betting Act 1931 and Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, with both of these still active, but updated via amendments and other legislation.
You must be 18 years or older to gamble legally in Ireland. Always check the operator holds a valid licence suitable for the Irish market.
Types of gambling available in Ireland
Real money gambling sites offer various forms of real money gambling in Ireland, while there is also betting shops, and small casino-like gambling shops, where you can play real money games. These are often frequented late at night, with their licenses often allowing them to stay open later than other venues.
Some of the most popular types of online gambling in Ireland include online slots and table games, with these making up a large percentage of the total play at online casinos in this part of the world. Other popular forms of real money gambling include poker, sports gambling, virtual sports, lottery betting and horse racing.
Gambling Guides
Slots, table games and sports gambling are all very popular in Ireland, use our expert guides to find your way.
Online Poker
Online poker is popular in Ireland and some top pros come from here, including Andy Black and legendary father-son pair Donnacha O’Dea, and Eoghan O’Dea
Casino Games & Rules
Do you need to learn the rules, before you play? Our casino guides and game rules are written by players, for players.
Sports gambling
Sports betting can be done via retail shops or online. Popular sports gambling includes football (soccer), Gaelic Football, cricket and athletics.
- Irish betting sites
- Football betting
- Basketball betting
- FIFA World Cup
- Tennis betting
- EPL betting
- Sports betting
Live gambling sites
Irish online casinos have live dealer player available, including roulette, blackjack and baccarat. Get insight in our live dealer guides.
Horse Racing
Ireland has a massive history in horse racing, with top horses and trainers both cutting their teeth here. Legendary names include Dermot Weld and Aidan O’Brien, who is now training with his son, Joseph.
Traditional gambling games in Ireland
The WGL team always likes to take a look at what unique games have been played for real money, and Ireland has a deep history of wagering on card games and sporting events. Surely there is no other country globally that has Irish Road Bowling — what a truly nuts concept.
Twenty-Five (25)
Twenty-Five, often simply called “25,” is a traditional Irish card game that has been played for generations in pubs and homes across the country. It’s a trick-taking game usually played with four players using a standard 52-card deck. The objective is to be the first player to reach 25 points, which gives the game its name. Each trick is worth five points, and the five of trumps is the highest card in the deck, followed by the jack, ace, king, queen, and so on.
The game’s roots stretch back to the 18th century and it’s considered the ancestor of the North American game “Forty-Fives.” 25 is especially popular in rural Ireland, where it remains a social pastime often accompanied by small wagers or friendly stakes. Its blend of luck, strategy, and bluffing has helped keep the game alive as a cultural tradition rather than just a gambling pursuit. There is even a group dedicated to keeping the cultural phenom alive, with their Youtube channel garnering many views.
Irish Road Bowling (boll chumann)
Irish Road Bowling, known in Irish as boll chumann, is a traditional sport played mainly in County Cork and County Armagh, with roots stretching back several centuries. The game involves competitors throwing a small, heavy iron ball—called a “bullet”—along a winding country road, aiming to complete the course in the fewest number of throws. Players take turns hurling the 28-ounce ball underhand, using skill, strength, and strategy to navigate hills, bends, and uneven terrain.
Spectators often walk alongside the competitors, cheering them on, and it’s common for wagers to be placed on who will win or how far a player’s next shot will travel—adding a distinct gambling element to the tradition. Matches are typically organized by local clubs under the Irish Road Bowling Association, which preserves and promotes the sport. Today, boll chumann remains a lively social and cultural event, blending competition, community, and heritage.
Banking at Irish (EU) gambling sites
Irish gambling sites have various different deposit options to fund your account, with these ranging from credit and debit cards, right through to web wallets and payment processors. The most popular EUR payment options at online casinos include Visa, Mastercard, Paypal and Neteller.
Most payment options at Ireland’s legal gambling sites are instant, meaning you can register an account, fund it, and begin playing all within a few minutes. These instant payment options include web wallets like Paypal and popular cards.
Most withdrawals at Irish gambling sites are processed via bank transfer or back to a web wallet, although some operators will allow you to cash out back to a card that you have funded your account with.
The full list of IE gambling payment types includes:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Paypal
- Neteller
- Skrill
- Entropay
- Paysafecard
- ecoPayz
- Bank transfers
Ireland gambling site withdrawals
While deposits are generally free to make to Irish gambling sites, there is often a small slug charged for making a cashout or withdrawal, but this will depend on method that you use.
The most popular ways to cashout at Irish gambling sites is via bank transfer, or withdrawing back to a card, but across the industry there are various methods that you can use, including web wallets and cryptos.
Another thing to be aware of when cashing out from Ireland’s gambling sites include hidden fees, minimum withdrawal amounts and document request policies, or Know Your Player documents. These are an effort to stamp out practices like money-laundering.
Irish gambling FAQ
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Is sports gambling legal in Ireland?
Yes, sports betting is perfectly legal in Ireland, with various betting shops and online wagering options available.
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What is the legal gambling age in Ireland?
You must be aged 18 years or older to gamble in Ireland.
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Are offshore online gambling sites legal?
In 2025 new legislation is being rolled out, which will stamp out offshore gambling sites, and implement a regulated industry. As of October though, Irish gamblers are free to play with offshore operators.
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Can you fund gambling sites with Paypal in Ireland?
Yes, web wallets are one of a number of available payment options available at gambling and betting sites in Ireland.
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Are gambling winnings taxed in Ireland?
In Ireland, gambling winnings are not subject to income tax, whether from sports betting, casino games, poker, or lotteries. This exemption applies to both online and land-based gambling, meaning players keep 100% of their winnings.
