Ireland

Online sports betting in Ireland - Changes are looming

Similarly to many other European countries, The Emerald Isle also has a long history of gambling, dating back to 1854 when The Betting Act of 1854, Ireland's initial gambling regulation, established rules for gambling venues and operations, shaping the country's gambling landscape for over a century.

Later, in 1931, The Betting Act of 1931 was amended following the evolution of the sports betting space. This piece of legislation regulated all sports betting activities in Ireland until 2015, when the government amended the Betting Act of 2015 to extend regulations to cover all remote online operators accepting bets from individuals in Ireland, regardless of their location.

Online sports gambling is a vast, multi-million euro industry in Ireland. The residents can enjoy betting markets daily on several events, ranging from horse racing to football and anything in between. So, it truly is no surprise that the licensed sports betting apps and sites in IE include many top-rated online sportsbook operators globally.

The bottom line is that online betting in Ireland is currently legal, and bettors are free to place bets in the comfort of their homes using licensed sports betting apps or websites. For now, offshore sportsbooks can also accept wagers from Irish bettors if these operators just hold at least one valid gaming license from a reputable regulatory body like the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). Therefore, the total number of sports betting sites and apps available for Irish bettors is endless.

However, IE has had debates regarding the regulatory framework, and it won't be a surprise if this leads to amendments in the future. The Gambling Regulation Bill is especially something Irish bettors should notice, as it is set to reform the regulation and advertising of gambling in Ireland completely.

Sports betting legislation in Ireland

Since the original Irish sports betting laws were formed in the 1800s and mid-1900s, they became pretty antiquated as the unstoppable force of the Internet started changing the entire world. However, although The Emerald Isle’s gambling laws have been subjected to multiple changes and amendments over the years, the country still has relatively flexible gambling policies.

Irish bettors can place wagers on any market offered by licensed sportsbook operators, and as Ireland has many legal bookmakers, punters have numerous sports wagering events to bet on and betting apps to choose from. With this in mind, bettors can place online wagers safely if they are of legal age – 18 years of age and older.

In addition to the online landscape, other forms of sports wagering are also entirely legal, including in-person, horse racing, and eSports betting. For example, over 700 retail bookmakers, so-called "betting shops," can still be found scattered across the country, and the Irish government still pulls millions of euros of revenue from these establishments alone.

Recent updates from the Irish sports betting scene

• January 18, 2024: BoyleSports, an Irish betting firm, announces a new three-year partnership with Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Racecourses, which manages racecourses across Ireland.

• December 19, 2023: James Browne, the Irish minister responsible for regulatory changes in the gambling sector, emphasizes the need to tackle gambling-related harm. He refutes claims that new regulations will lead to people being jailed for betting-related posts, labeling such accusations as scaremongering.

• December 8, 2023: Flutter Entertainment, known for its dynamic and recognizable brands in online sports betting and gaming, is set to cease trading its ordinary shares on Euronext Dublin by January 23 as it gears up to join the New York Stock Exchange. Earlier in the week, the company's UK and Ireland division pledged to allocate up to £8 million ($10 million) towards charitable causes in 2023.

• October 11, 2023: The Irish government releases its latest budget, delaying a critical choice on raising the betting levy. Initially proposed by the Labour Party, the potential increase would raise the tax rate from 2% to 3%. The Irish Bookmakers Association (IBA) opposed the potential raise, claiming it would hurt the retail operators.

All legal gambling options in Ireland - Online is where the magic happens

In 1956, Irish lawmakers introduced the Gaming and Lotteries Act to address casino gambling, among other things. However, retail casinos in Ireland were deemed illegal back then, and unlike in many other European countries, they are still illegal in the country now.

With this said, Irish individuals can participate in fun gaming options, such as online poker, bingo, lotteries, and many types of online casino games. Here is a quick summary of all the legal gambling options in the country:

• Sports betting (Both in-person and online)

  • Including horse and greyhound racing, as well as eSports

• Casino games (online)

  • Including table games, poker, and slots

• Bingo

• Lotteries