Gambling Industry In The United Kingdom And Ireland – What’s The Difference?

Let’s Compare the 5 Top Real Money Online Casinos in Ireland

Let’s have a quick recap of our top 5 picks.

Jackpot City: Jackpot City is home to some of the world’s biggest payout slots, including Mega Moolah and Major Millions. And with super-generous promos, it’s no surprise that this established Irish casino is a major hit. Overall score: 99%

Magic Red: With over 1,000 slots in its library, Magic Red is ideal for anyone who loves variety. You can also play a range of other games here, and there’s a fab loyalty program that rewards you for regular play. Overall score: 97%

Spin Casino: Whether you want to play games on desktop or your mobile device, Spin Casino has you covered. There’s a top-rated mobile app available for iOS and Android, over 450 games to choose from, as well as daily jackpots that can exceed €1,000,000. Overall score: 95%

TonyBet: TonyBet is one of Ireland’s most complete online casinos. You can play thousands of games as well as bet on sports all week long, both pre-match and in-play. Cryptos are accepted and this casino has been serving customers for almost two decades. Overall score: 94%.

Leo Vegas: Launched over ten years ago, Leo Vegas continues to refine its offering to Irish punters who are looking for an established casino site. There are over 1,000 games to play and you can play the best bonuses here. Overall score: 91%

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With a name like Bethard, it is easy to think that the site’s branding is inspired by the concept of putting your cold, hard cash on the line when laying down some wagers.

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4.6 / 5

Bitcoin wagering in Ireland

Cryptocurrency gambling in Ireland: not specifically regulated

As of now, Ireland does not have any specific laws regarding bitcoin gambling. However, bitcoin, litecoin, ethereum an other virtual currencies are also not accepted as legal tender, therefore none of the land-based gaming venues in Ireland accept cryptocurrencies.

Online bookmakers licensed in Ireland do accept crypto through the various payment processors they utilize.

The bitcoin casinos below accept players from Ireland.

Gambling in Ireland has become rather prevalent as a result of the nation’s efforts to modernize their regulatory infrastructure and amend, modify and expand gambling laws to more effectively participate and compete in today’s technology driven gambling industry.

The Irish have positioned themselves to engage in the multi-billion dollar industry beyond a domestic level, having become an active player in the global gambling market.  Smart expansion that is being carefully scaled to remain consistent with their resources has enabled Ireland to successfully catch up with and keep pace with the rest of the European regions.

You will find a healthy selection of gambling opportunities throughout the country, ranging from pari-mutuel wagering to lottery, casino games and poker, among others.  You will also find that remote interactive gambling has found a place among the Irish through domestically licensed gambling sites as well as legally licensed online gambling sites regulated offshore.

This guide was designed to provide insight into the gambling market, opportunities and legalities afforded to Irish citizens and visitors.  Though various forms of gambling are legal in Ireland, understanding the gambling laws and how to navigate your options is a little more on the complex side as compared to some other countries offering legalized gambling entertainment.

Here we will break the wealth of data down for you in a manner that makes it easy for you to make informed decisions regarding your level of involvement in gambling entertainment.  We cover online and offline gambling that is licensed by the Republic of Ireland as well as legally licensed and regulated offshore gambling options available to Irish citizens.

5. Dream Vegas: Most generous welcome package of all Irish online casinos 

Pros:

• Up to €2,500 welcome bonus
• 50 free spins with the welcome bonus
• Licensed in Malta

Cons:

• Not the best option for poker players

What if we told you you could get 200% back on your first three deposits up to €2,500 plus 50 extra spins? That kind of bonus is so big that it’s hard to believe, but it’s perfectly real at Dream Vegas.

There aren’t a huge amount of games to play once you’ve done that, though. Dream Vegas hosts just over 500 games in total, and that’s a lot less than some of the other online casino sites from our top picks.

We found that the Dream Vegas website looks great at first glance, but once you start to search around, it can be quite hard to use.

That said, the mobile app is really good. We preferred to use Dream Vegas on a tablet or a mobile phone instead of with the desktop site.

Overall score: 4.65/5

The Dream Vegas bonus makes it worth signing up for in the first place, but you’ll soon find plenty more reasons to stay around. It’s just a shame there aren’t many games.

Find out more about Dream Vegas and its bonuses by clicking here.

The Future of Gambling in Ireland

It’s still unclear what the future holds for the overall gambling scene in Ireland. Having said that, some improvements to fight fraud and rogue casinos are underway. Following the gambling statistics published by the Department of Health in 2019, the government took it upon themselves to modernise the outdated Irish gambling regulations. The authorities have agreed that the statistics, showing that more than half of the Irish population engage in one or more forms of gambling, call for some serious amendments to the existing Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956.

Gambling License. Do Online Casinos Need to Obtain?

Yes, each Irish casino must get a license from the government to operate in the Emerald Isle. As mentioned, this was sanctioned by the Irish Betting Amendment (or Bill) in 2012. Based on the Betting Act of 1931, the Bill was meant to fill the gap left by the ages-old Act.

Online casinos in Ireland are free to offer their services as long as they obtain a license. No tax law or any kind of regulatory framework applies to online gambling in the Emerald Isle. Many parties are pushing for such a law, yet legislation is yet to see the light of day.

Our list of top online casinos in Ireland features only licensed web joints where you get to play the best games. Spin slots or hit the tables if you’re feeling lucky today – with Lugh by your side, you may find the pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow.

Best online casinos in Ireland and online gambling in Ireland: FAQ

Online Gambling

Online gambling is currently legal in Ireland, which is one of the first countries considered to be the most liberal when it comes to making Internet-based gaming operations legal.

Web-based gambling operations were officially legalized in 2003, and the first bookmaking website was launched in 2004. Soon, it was successfully followed by other gambling operators in Ireland.

To date, the Irish Government is the one that issues licenses to web-based gambling operators that allow them to run their activities in the country. It is also legal for Irish citizens to engage in interactive casino games at domestic certified online gambling sites as well as through legally licensed offshore sites.

There was no tax or regulatory framework that would exclusively apply when it comes to online gambling in Ireland. After a certain period of consideration, the country's government made the decision to change the status quo. The Irish Betting (Amendment) Bill was published in 2012 and focused especially on filling the gap of the online gambling legislation left by the existing Betting Act of 1931.

According to the provisions of the Bill, all bookmakers that accept bets from local residents are required to obtain an Irish betting license. In addition, a “remote bookmakers” license is required from operators that accept wagers over the Internet and generate more than €200,000 or 10% of their overall turnover online, no matter if they are based in Ireland or outside the country. Bookmakers and online casino operators that do not hold a license are subject to criminal charges.

As of 2020, a 1 percent turnover tax applies to bets taken from Irish customers by both retail and remote bookmakers. Additionally, a 23 percent VAT (value-added tax) charge applies to any gaming revenue supplied electronically to Irish customers.

There was also a proposal for increasing the taxation of online gambling activities in the country. However, authorities revealed that the proposal will not be developed any time soon. The delay was announced by the country's Minister of Finance. Still, the move has found a plausible explanation, as it was a chance for bookmakers to take advantage of a grace period before the new taxation rules come into effect.

The new rules of taxation have been planed by the local authorities for several years now, but the legislation procedure was put off until it was brought to a dead end.

💶 Welcome Bonus

Start your online casino Ireland experience with a bang! Reputable Irish casino providers offer this bonus as an incentive to attract new players. At the same time, players can reap the rewards along way! The welcome match deposit bonus can be used on select games or any of your favourite games, depending on the conditions set by your casino. For example, if you deposit €100 you can get a match up bonus of another €100. Just make sure that you take the time to read all T&Cs before you commit to anything.

The Size of Ireland’s Online Gambling Sector

Because Irish Gaming Law doesn’t allow an onshore Irish casino online network to be established, 25 land-based casinos have been built. But to stay within the law, these venues are not described as casinos, but as private clubs. 20 of these “clubs” are located in Dublin. The online gambling community in Ireland, which can legally access offshore online casinos that welcome players from Ireland, is strong and growing all the time and the online gaming sector is valued at €230 million. Being home based, these online bettors are spread across the country, but with concentrations of more highly populated towns and cities such as Dublin, Cork, Dundalk, Galway and Limerick.

12 Best Online Casinos in Ireland - Top Irish Online Casino Sites for 2022

4. Tonybet – Best Irish Online Casino Site with Sportsbook

Pros

– 100% match + 120 free spins– Amazing selection of Drops & Wins jackpots– Solid sportsbook– Great mobile optimization

Cons

– No live chat for support– Winnings from free spins limited to €50

When we stumbled across Tonybet’s sportsbook, we just knew they had to be in our top 5 Irish online casinos. We were thrilled when we discovered that the rest of their site was similarly exciting.

Welcome Bonus – 4.5 / 5

Tonybet features two different welcome bonuses, both of which are sure to put a smile on the face of Irish gamblers everywhere.

Their casino deposit bonus sports a great 100% match bonus up to €120 plus 120 bonus spins on the fun Cowboys Gold slot game.

Sports bettors will be thrilled to see Tonybet’s 100% match bonus up to €100. To claim this bonus, you must place 1 or more qualifying bets with a total stake of 5x your initial qualifying deposit with odds of 1.5 on a single bet or on multiple bets with cumulative odds of 1.7 or higher.

Returned or canceled bets do not contribute to the wagering requirements.

Game Selection – 4.6 / 5

Tonybet has a bold selection of live dealer and online casino games, the breadth of which would make even the pickiest Irish casino players happy.

In their casino, you’ll see popular titles like Aloha King Elvis, 10,001 Nights, and Big Bass Bonanza, so you know they’ve teamed up with some of the best software providers.

What really made us stand up and take note of Tonybet, however, is the sportsbook.

Not only will you find great odds on a number of live sports events, but they have betting markets for just about every major sport as well as a solid selection of eSports.

The whole sportsbook is easy to navigate and looks absolutely killer on their mobile app. Honestly, if you’re a sports fan, you’d be mad to pass on this sportsbook.

Safety and Reputation – 5 / 5

Tonybet is licensed and regulated and features solid customer service and fantastic end-to-end encryption, so you know every transaction you make and every bit of sports betting you do is protected from prying eyes.

If you’re ready for the best online casino bonus Irish sports bettors could ask for, get started at Tonybet.

Device Compatibility

The best casinos offer you to place bets via a desktop site. But such a platform will also be available while you’re gambling on the go.

All the high-quality projects are mobile-friendly and let you play with no need to download apps. They allow you to play via a site opened on your smartphone or tablet via a suitable browser.

The most trustworthy operators never require creating a separate account. They have the same bonuses for desktop and mobile gamblers. Since they provide only certified games, this software operates perfectly, regardless of the device size and its model.

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Lotteries and Gaming

This category is mainly subject to the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. The Act, in general, makes gaming illegal, unless it is included in certain exemptions.

The latter is also divided into two types. One is associated with gaming that takes place at carnivals, circuses, or traveling shows. The second type of exemption is related to the way in which gambling activities and games are operated.

The Act of 1956 cannot be directly related to online gambling, but some provisions are considered technically applicable to such types of operations. Still, some serious legislative changes are needed in order to transform the Act and make it more flexible in order to cover online gaming, too.

Online Roulette

Step into a fantastic world of online roulette you join Betiton™ because all the variants of the game are inside ready to entertain you. American Roulette, French Roulette, European Roulette and many others are available both in virtual and live gaming formats.

Roulette is often the first game new players go to, to experience traditional, classic casino gaming because of how simple it is without needed to learn anything other than the task is to predict what number the ball will land on, or if it will be black or red, odd or even, plus dozens of other betting options which makes this game so rewarding to play.

We highly suggest playing online roulette in demo mode first before enjoying it with real money. This will help you get a hang of all the different bet options you can find in the game as well as the different payouts you can receive from them. Once you get used to what bet options you can play, then you’re ready to play real money roulette!

We tailor-made a list of excellent blackjack games, all produced by top game developers are mentioned below if you’d like to try them out. These are the finest best games to try as a start, whether you want to play for fun or for real money at our Betiton™ Online Casino.

Types Of Legal Gambling Options In Ireland

Ireland to Launch its First-Ever Gambling Regulatory Authority

For several decades Ireland has offered a safe haven for gambling companies looking to reach customers without being dragged down by hoards of red tape. Laws were relatively lax when compared to the UK, and over the last few years, the Irish government has begun to see the consequences of this, as levels of addiction rose. Pressure on the police also increased, as a quirk of Irish gambling legislation meant that with no official regulatory body it was left to the police to enforce gambling industry legislation. Now, after many months of lobbying and discussions in parliament, Ireland is about to see the country’s first-ever gambling regulatory authority launch in the coming months.

What Do We Know About the Gambling Regulatory Authority So Far?

Earlier this year the news leaked that a search for the regulator’s CEO was underway. The new organisation is expected to launch in early 2023, although many campaigners have been lobbying for a 2022 launch date in response to the rise of problem gamblers in recent months.

The new regulatory body will unify the current disjointed pieces of gambling legislation into one cohesive set of regulations. The organisation will be given powers to set and enforce strict rules on the gambling industry, including the ability to both grant gambling licenses and revoke them if necessary.

One of the new regulator’s most pressing issues to tackle will be that of advertising and sponsorship. Current law states that marketing communications and advertising should not “portray, condone or encourage gambling behaviour that is socially irresponsible or could lead to financial, social or emotional harm”, according to the Irish Advertising Standards Agency.

 What Changes Can Be Expected?

The new regulatory authority will certainly affect these online casinos in Ireland, and it is still unclear as to how that will be the case. Under suggested changes, gambling TV adverts could be subject to heavy restrictions surrounding suitable broadcasting times. There have also been discussions around banning betting shops or advertising near Irish schools. The regulator is also likely to discuss imposing a limit on the frequency that bookmakers are allowed to advertise on each media platform per day. Labour senator Marie Sherlock said that she thought that legislation should go even further, with an outright ban on gambling advertising in Ireland. She said, “ultimately we have been talking about better regulating gambling in this country for a long period of time and we have yet to see comprehensive and firm action”. She then added, “we believe the government needs to go much further and actually have an outright ban on gambling advertising, both online and on our broadcast media”. Senator Sherlock also called for a ban on bookmakers near Irish schools after claiming to receive reports of children in school uniforms entering the establishments.

One of the more controversial powers that the regulator is likely to be granted includes the ability to block remote or online access to any provider’s service in the county, or completely shut down operations, along with freezing or blocking accounts, assets or payments if companies don’t comply with regulations.

Justice Committee Oireachtas also called for a ban on all forms of gambling advertisements after they released a report highlighting the impact that currently legal advertising has impacted young people. At the time of the study, the report concluded that over 3400 15 and 16-year-olds were engaging in problem gambling in Ireland.

The report, which is expected to heavily influence the new regulator’s decisions, recommended an evaluation between sports and gambling advertising, particularly in the racing industry where high-profile figures had been used in promotions. The report suggested that using celebrities and high-profile sports personalities could be driving the increase in underage gambling. Some representatives from the health industry argued that it’s “hard not to see a gambling advert when turning on the radio, TV, or when browsing social media”.

Some critics argued that advertising “is an important tool for operators to communicate with customers” They also said that “a right to advertise by regulated operators should form part of the regulatory framework around gambling”.

Despite anonymous critics that are rumoured to be linked to the industry itself, there has been an overwhelming amount of support for the launch of the new gambling regulator, as well as for the potential tightening of regulations. With a rise in problem gambling across the country and an increase in underage gambling, it’s no wonder that so much of the Irish population agrees with the suggested changes.

The Future of Gambling Regulation in Ireland

Although we don’t yet know exactly how a Gambling Regulatory Authority in Ireland will pan out, we do know that the UK has strict gambling rules but still manages to be a thriving industry. The chances are that much of what we see in the UK regarding advertising standards, gambling ages and even what gambling operators need to do in order to protect vulnerable gamblers. The UK is currently undergoing its own gambling reform which has been delayed, but this is likely to bring with it a number of changes in order to keep up with gambling technology and the way gamers are accessing gambling products. It is likely in the future any gambling authority in Ireland will need to carry out similar reviews of laws and ensure that any regulations put in place are up to date too.

Technology means that the way people gamble and what online gambling platforms can offer is always changing and therefore, laws and regulations can quickly become outdated. The UK has been accused of being slow in the introduction of new laws, so any Irish gambling authority will need to be quick off the mark if they want to escape the same criticism. The truth is that gambling throughout Ireland is increasing in popularity and therefore it is important that something is put in place to keep consumers safe and ensure that gambling operators have guidance on how they should be offering their services, and if the rumours are true then this will be in place and operational next year, so let’s see what changes that comes with it.

In the modern age, Ireland has become a popular tourist destination with its green countryside, ancient castles, and rich culture. What many people do not know, is that Ireland is suffering from a gambling problem.

• Ireland has the third-highest gambling losses per adult, in the world.
• According to the Department of Health, Ireland has in the region of 30,000 people with gambling problems (aged 15 and over).
• Fewer than 1% of people who would benefit from problem gambling treatment receive it.
• According to the Institute of Public Health in Ireland, gambling addiction affects young people at 2-3 times the rate of adults.
• Over €5bn each year is gambled in Ireland - that's €10,000 every minute.
• 12% of Irish Adults bet with a bookmaker on a weekly basis and 2% bet regularly online.

"The absence of gambling regulation in Ireland negatively impacts on roughly 300,000 people, in the form of direct and indirect gambling-related harm.  As there is no Regulator, we cannot have a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme - either for land-based or online gambling.  This greatly increases the risk of relapse in Ireland, compared to countries where regulation exists.  There is also no legal requirement for affordability checks or source of wealth checks - which exist in other jurisdictions.  This greatly increases the risk of people gambling beyond their means or with stolen funds.  Credit card gambling, which has been banned in the UK, is still legal in Ireland - meaning that most of the people we work with, will end up with substantial credit card debt, as part of their gambling-related debts.  We urgently need to see a gambling Regulator in this country in order to minimise the harm and potential harms associated with problem gambling." - Barry Grant, Extern Problem Gambling Project