Ireland
Even though Ireland's online gambling laws are expected to be reformed somewhere during 2024, Irish bettors still have legal access to hundreds of sports betting apps, all providing tons of different wagering options.
🇮🇪 Legal sports betting apps in 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
| Is online sports betting legal in Ireland? | Yes |
| Is in-person sports betting legal? | Yes |
| Is daily fantasy sports legal? | Yes |
| Is horse racing betting legal? | Yes |
| Is political betting legal? | Yes |
| Is eSports betting legal? | Yes |
| How many legal sports betting apps are there in Ireland? | Hundreds |
| Legal age for sports betting in Ireland? | 18+ |
| Ireland's tax rate for betting/gambling winnings | 0% |
| Who regulates sports betting in Ireland? | The Gambling Regulatory Authority of 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 & gambling scenes
July 9, 2024: A recent review by the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) upheld complaints against several ads, including Conor McGregor’s Forged Irish Stout Instagram ad and Jesters Casino’s gambling ad featuring Santa Claus.
May 13, 2024: An individual from Dublin wins a $4.1M jackpot (almost €3,8M) with an Irish National Lottery ticket.
April 25, 2024: New changes were proposed to the new Irish gambling bill as the blanket ban on TV gambling-related ads would have a heavy negative impact on many sports clubs and gambling charities helping to raise money for different good causes. Thus, such charity organizations and actions were proposed to be excluded from this ad ban.
March 25, 2024: BoyleSports increases the Irish Grand National's prize pot for the 'Best Turned Out' horse to €1,000 ($1,084), further underlining the sports betting operator's role as the event's number one sponsor. BoyleSports currently offers a €500,000 ($542,000) prize pool for this historic horse racing event.
January 29, 2024: UK-based sports betting operator William Hill broadens its focus on the Irish horse racing market by adding four more brand ambassadors to its lineup. New ambassadors are Irish horse trainer Gavin Cromwell, jockeys J J Slevin and Sean Flanagan, and broadcaster Jane Mangan.
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.
All legal gambling options in Ireland
| Are online casinos legal in Ireland? | Yes |
| Are retail casinos legal? | No |
| Are social casinos legal? | Yes |
| Is online poker legal? | Yes |
| Is the lottery legal? | Yes |
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
Ireland - Some commonly asked questions (FAQ)
Are there any legal restrictions in the Irish sports betting landscape?
The gambling legislation is currently quite lenient in Ireland, and thus, pretty much all forms of sports gambling, including eSports wagering and in-game betting. Also, for now, offshore sportsbooks can legally accept wagers from Irish bettors.
How much do Irish people spend money on gambling?
Ireland's gross gambling revenue was approximately €2bn in 2022, and online gambling represents just under one-half of that. This means an average Irish person spends around €390 per year on gambling-related activities.
What are the most popular sports in Ireland?
Soccer is the most popular sport in Ireland in terms of participation, but Gaelic football tops the list when focusing on the attendance figures. However, these two sports are also the most favored among sports bettors.
What is the most painful moment in Ireland's national sports history?
The extra-time goal scored by France, which knocked Ireland out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is a strong contender, as the French star Thierry Henry handled the ball twice in the build-up for the goal, but the referee missed this, and the goal stood.
