The Irish approach to gambling is very similar to the British approach. There is a reliable protection of players and a large number of regulatory entities, which gives way to various types of gambling activities and obliges operators to purchase licenses. New laws and restrictions have brought positive changes to the current situation with online casinos, since for a long time the situation with the legality of casinos in Ireland has been somewhat confusing. We will discuss this further below.
In this article we will look at the details of online casino in Ireland, describe local laws, and also explain the criteria by which you can choose an online casino that is trustworthy and worthy of your time.
How We Rate Online Casinos for Ireland
We carefully and thoroughly collect our selection of the best online casinos in Ireland. Of course, when it comes to choosing a casino, players must rely entirely on their own tastes and preferences. Our goal is to provide a list of the most basic and necessary criteria that will help users find for themselves a gambling website worthy of trust. This list of criteria is given below. Summing up these parameters and considering all details, we draw up our detailed reviews on the best online casinos.
License
The availability of a gaming license is a mandatory minimum for our review of an online casino in Ireland. The license is the main anchor of trust for users, demonstrating that players will be able to entrust their data to the gambling website, as well as seek expert help in case of problems.
In Ireland, online gambling regulated by the Betting (Amendment) Act 2015, an amendment to the 1931 Act. As well as the 2003 Gaming and Lotteries Acts, which reinvested and collected laws from 1956 and 1986. In 2024, a new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) was released, which will review and simplify the regulation of gambling in Ireland. We will elaborate on these legal entities below.
Game Selection
It is unlikely that anyone would be interested in a casino with a poor selection of games. Just as it will not become an interesting online casino with a huge but boring selection of games. We carefully consider and evaluate the full range of both slots and live games, as well as fast games and various entertainment variations for players. We also pay attention to the list of providers, as their reliability is the main point of operation of the casino. After all, if a casino works with low-quality or questionable providers, it means that the games on the site are full of bugs and may spoil the overall player’s experience. Also a good bonus if online casino sites have compatibility with mobile format.
Safety & Security
First of all, online casinos must comply with local legal regulations. This confirms that they have sufficient operational and technological capacity to provide the necessary levels of data protection for users. It is important to ensure robust security when it comes to sharing data and making a deposit. After all, from this moment on information about bank cards and personal details of users will be in the hands of online casino sites. Therefore, we pay close attention to the availability of quality certificates, audits and data encryption.
Payment Methods
A wide choice of payment methods is a certain big plus as well as an additional important detail that demonstrates the casino’s loyalty to its customers. However, at the same time, the presented payment methods should be reliable and safe. Online casinos are responsible for the comfort of its players. Below we will discuss the payment options available at Irish casinos, and in the meantime highlight this point as one of the important criteria in our reviews.
Withdrawals
Crucial point of our reviews is to check the transparency of the methods and time of processing withdrawal requests. The withdrawal period should not take too long, and this process should be conducted with maximum security to win. In our online gambling reviews, we maintain absolute transparency only in the methods and time of processing player withdrawal requests.
Promotions
The promotions help online casinos attract new players as well as diversify the experience already present on the site users. Various bonuses, promotions, and welcome gifts are an important part of any quality gambling site. Because what else can attract players and demonstrate casino loyalty better than good bonuses?
Loyalty Programs
Various loyalty programs and VIP programs are offered to players. We consider the full range of casino offers that are provided to the player – both existing and newly registered. We examine the bonus terms in detail and check whether the various loyalty programs offer rewards for reasonable bets.
Customer Support
Qualified technical support of online casino sites is defined by the following criteria. First, support must run in 24/7 mode to provide timely accurate assistance to players from around the world who can live in different time zones. Secondly, support should be provided by real professionals. We pay close attention to this. The quality of customer service depends on various factors: agent qualification, waiting time, and a variety of communication channels. After all, for some players it may just be uncomfortable to fill in the form presented on the site. This is not necessary, but is definitely a big advantage if online casinos can maintain their work in messengers or social networks.
Play Online Casino Games For Real Money
For Irish players there is a great choice if they are looking for the best online casino. Online casinos in Ireland are quite common entertainment. Relatively gentle legislation contributed to this, thereby allowing business to constantly develop. And gambling is a fairly popular activity right now – about 70% of the Irish population claim to have gambled at least once last year.
Below we will discuss the different types of online gambling preferred in Ireland.
Slots
Like all gambling activities, slots have migrated to an online format from traditional land-based casinos. If in its original version slot machines are those where you need to spin the reel for hitting a certain combination, then online casinos have greatly expanded the possibility and uniqueness of slots. This applies to various designs as well as innovations that hardware providers like to add to conventional mechanics.
The main task of players in slots is to choose the slot machine and decide how many lines they want to bet. Then place a bet and spin the reels. The main prize is the player’s multiplied bet, which is sent to his account balance. There are also slots where the main target is a constant hit in a combination.
Blackjack
Many may also know a blackjack by the name Twenty One. This game is a constant participant of any traditional casino, just like the online live casino games version.
The player who decides to try this game has to beat the dealer. This means that the player must score exactly 21 points, or make a card combination as close as possible to this value. If a player gains more than 21 points, or dealer gets close to the sum of values faster, their bet loses. If the sum of points on the dealer’s cards is greater than 21, then all bets remaining in the game win. Players who score more points than the dealer win and their bets are paid.
Roulette
Roulette is a relatively simple participant of live casino games with a low threshold of entry. This is not surprising because its mechanics rely mostly on luck. Players must predict the number that will appear on the roulette with numerical values. Winning number is determined by the small ball that is thrown on the roulette, while it begins to spin.
There are several versions of roulette. It is customary to distinguish between European, French and American. The European one is considered the “original” – here players just try to guess one of 37 numbers on roulette, fully relying on luck. In the French version, the rules become a little more complicated: one zero sector rate on equal chances with the two options. They are placed on the field until the next draw or, in case of repeated loss of zero or loss of bet, profits go to the casino. American roulette is close to European rules, but also has its own peculiarity. There are two numbers zero – double zero and ordinary zero.
Baccarat
In earlier times, baccarat was considered to be a game exclusively for aristocrats. The rules of the game remained very similar to blackjack: players dealt two cards per hand and had to score exactly 9 points. They can also request an extra card or opt out. As you can see, the rules are quite simple: an ace counts for one point, and cards from 2 to 9 count for their own face value, card’s symbols and tens give zero points.
Often online casinos provide the opportunity to play in their own version of mini-baccarat – against the casino itself. There are several types of this game. For example, with eight decks, different rules of hand and purchase, as well as various multipliers for winning bets.
Live Dealers
Live dealers, also known as live casino games, are a generic term that combines some of the above games. These are copies of games from traditional land-based casinos broadcast in real-time streaming format.
There is an opinion that live casino games do not have the needed level of immersion, because online broadcasting can hardly be compared to the atmosphere of a real casino with the luxury of their environment. However, the newest broadcast studios can easily beat this task, and the broadcast software is only improving over time. The line between immersion now is blurred more than before. In addition, live casinos can provide the user with a high level of comfort, as players access any preferred games only by clicking a key or tapping on the phone. The main condition is the presence of a permanent and stable Internet connection.
Top Payment Methods in Ireland
| Payment Method | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Visa & Mastercard | 💳 Widely accepted, convenient for most transactions |
| Bank Transfer | 🏦 Secure and reliable, suitable for large transfers |
| E-wallets | 📱 Instant deposits and withdrawals, added security |
| PayPal | 💼 Trusted payment platform, buyer protection |
| Interac | 🍁 Popular in Canada, fast and convenient transactions |
| Prepaid Cards | 💳 Control spending, no risk of overspending |
| Bank Drafts | 📄 Accepted for large transactions, physical proof |
Usually, online casino sites often offer players several most common payment options. In this section we are going to talk about some of the preferred ways to deposit and withdraw funds at online casino in Ireland.
By accessing the online casino site, you can immediately recognize the available payment methods. In some cases, they are displayed as icons at the bottom of the site, but site owners either do not update the relevance of this information or do not have such icons at all. The most reliable option is to visit the tab “Terms and Conditions” or “Deposit Methods” to see the full list of available deposit and withdrawal methods. You can also request this list from support.
To choose a convenient payment method, login to your account. When making your first deposit, as well as when withdrawing funds from your online casino balance, choose the preferred method. Once you have completed these simple steps, your transaction request will be sent to a processing. And after a while, the funds will arrive or, conversely, will be withdrawn from your account. Remember that casinos can set various limits and conditions on deposit and withdrawal.
Now let’s talk about payment methods.
Visa & Mastercard
This payment method is perhaps one of the most common and affordable, as it is difficult to find an adult who would not use debit cards on a daily basis.
Plastic cards and their online wallets are among the best ways from the point of view of security. In addition to the support system of the bank, the reliable best online casino uses digital 128-bit encryption (SSL) technology to protect users’ data from hacking.
Using this method is extremely simple. Players only need to enter their card details when choosing a deposit or withdrawal, and the online casino site will automatically remember them. Subsequent payment will only need to confirm the transaction either by a unique code or a three-digit pin on the back of the card. However, it is important to note that this payment method, while promising an instant deposit to your account, withdrawals can take up to several hours.
Bank Transfer
Although direct bank transfers can be conventionally called obsolete, especially given the spread of online payments and the increasing level of convenience in the use of bank cards, this method is not uncommon. Players can still visit the physical office of the bank and transfer the required amount to the account.
Such transfers are made through a payment account such as AIB Bank (Allied Irish Bank) or Bank of Ireland and any physical branches of local banks, as well as through various money transfer services.
However, the need to visit the physical office of the bank is the main drawback of this payment option. While most methods of payment do not require (perhaps, except the purchase of prepaid cards with a certain amount on them) even leaving the house, users of bank transfers will have to provide the cashier with details for the transfer (bills), pay the necessary amount, and then wait. The second problem follows: approval of a transaction by a bank takes longer than the same transaction, but carried out through online payments. Bank deposits and withdrawals are made within 2-10 days, but the range may increase to 5-28 days.
PayPal
Among electronic wallets, PayPal is definitely the leader and most frequently mentioned payment method in online casinos.
In most cases, PayPal guarantees instant deposit and withdrawal transactions. But this may depend on the type of account within the payment system and the bank of your card linked to the account. When debit cards are used, the transfer can be processed within 48 hours.
One of the main advantages of PayPal is security and anonymity, which is often compared to using Bitcoin. Payment information in this case remains between the user and PayPal when an online casino, as a third party, can only see account number and username.
It’s very easy to deposit with PayPal. All you need to do is select the “Deposit Funds” option on the online casino sites, then log in to PayPal with your password and confirm payment. When withdrawing funds, you must specify PayPal as your preferred option and log in as well. If you do not have an account, you can easily create it from any convenient place – computer or mobile device. The site operates almost worldwide, and the application is available on Android and iOS.
However, keep in mind that it can take up to 3 days to link the card to the electronic payment system account.
E-wallets
Among the alternatives to PayPal we can name Neteller and Skrill. These online wallets are fairly common around the world and also occur on many online gambling sites as a payment option.
The process of making deposits and withdrawals from online casinos is almost identical to PayPal. Within electronic payment systems there is also a system of account levels. For example, users can additionally participate in a loyalty program or VIP program. By selecting this option, transaction time is significantly reduced, as well as the size of a fee. Compared to PayPal it is much smaller.
This payment method has the same disadvantage as PayPal – Neteller and Skrill replenishment takes place instantly, but withdrawals can take up to 24 hours. However, this is a faster maximum delay time than PayPal.
Skrill also provides a prepaid card that works great with responsible gambling and allows users to control their online casino expenses.
The main disadvantages of both platforms are the low number of languages available and the absence of a dispute resolution system in case of a complaint against the e-bank.
Online Casino Bonuses
It should be noted that the ways of obtaining bonuses and types of bonuses are different concepts. The rewards will be presented as cash, free spins, or mixed options (cash + free spins). And the types of bonuses are what we list below – that is, in what form the player can receive or wager these bonuses.
There are also different terms and conditions for obtaining bonuses, which depend on the terms and conditions of certain online casino. Activation and bets are given for a limited period of time. If the player does not meet this time limit, all bonuses will be lost.
Let’s talk about types of bonuses available at online casinos.
Matched Deposit Bonus
Matched deposit bonuses are quite similar to deposit bonuses, but are granted depending on when the bet occurs. Basically, the matched bonus is a 100% deposit bonus. Online casinos will match the deposit percentage with the bonus amount.
You can only receive this bonus after the minimum wagering requirements have been met. The bonus is then credited back to the account with the winnings.
Free Spins
This bonus allows the player to spin the reels for free. Free spins are most often given for one or a limited number of slots, as well as a welcome no deposit bonus for new players.
For example, the casino may offer 100 free spins. Promotion should also set the value of each spin. Let’s say it is 10. This means that the player will spin the reels 100 times for free. The total amount of winnings in this case depends on the value of each spin, as the win in the slot is considered as a multiplied bet.
No Deposit Casino Bonus
No deposit bonuses are sometimes called welcome bonuses. They can be awarded to the player immediately after registering with an online casino. For this requires players not only need to register their account on the casino sites, but also to specify and confirm their contact details. If the player refuses to confirm contact information or it turns out to be unreliable, the bonus will not be awarded.
Usually players can get a free spins as a welcome no deposit bonus. No deposit bonuses are less common and quite smaller compared to deposit ones. But the terms of receiving no deposit bonuses are quite easier. Players can either find the bonus code in the promotional information, or contact support and request it there. A no deposit bonus can also be redeemed only for a certain period.
Cashback Bonus
Cashback is not a bonus in the classical sense of this word, but it can definitely help those players who lost much more than they could have won in different periods of account existence, up to one month.
To receive a cashback, a user must request a partial refund from the online casino if the result of all his recent bets and winnings is negative. This is automatically counted by the casino system.
The cashback percentage depends on the casino’s inner terms and conditions. It can be up to 20% of the total lost amount. Also, the amount of the cashback can be affected by the user’s participation in the loyalty program, the total time of activity on the site, the number of lost bets and so on.
Reload Bonus
This type of bonus is given to players for re-depositing their account. Online casinos can provide from 10% to 50% to the depositing amount as a reload bonus. Free spins can also be part of this bonus feature.
Although this bonus is given to all players, sometimes its higher values can be offered to players participating in the loyalty program or the VIP program of the online gambling site.
However, it is important to note that reload bonuses are not granted to players with withdrawals exceeding their total deposit. This should be addressed in the terms and conditions of a particular casino.
Is Online Casino Legal in Ireland?
Gambling legislation in Ireland can be a bit confusing. Over the past few years, it has undergone many changes mostly because of developing the new regulatory framework. Although it is difficult to keep up with all these changes at the moment, Ireland is trying to do everything possible to be as responsible and fair in regulating this business. Government trying to eliminate outdated legislation and regulations.
Gambling regulation in Ireland began to take shape with the introduction of the Betting Act of 1854, which is now being actively redeveloped by modern structures. Gambling was not heavily controlled until 1956 in Ireland. That same year, however, the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 banned commercial casinos in Ireland.
In 2013, an attempt was made to legalize gambling, as well as provide infrastructure for playing casino games. It was a bill developed by Alan Shatter, called the Gambling Control Bill of 2013. However, it has not yet been passed by parliament.
As for online casinos in Ireland, it is legal. Allowing the game in online format is one of the amendments to the old Acts, so it is absolutely safe to play there today.
In 2003, Ireland adopted the gambling concept more fully and some steps were made to integrate local licensing for online casino sites.
Gambling Regulation Agencies in the Ireland
The main laws governing land and online casinos in Ireland are Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 as an amendment to the Act of 1931 and Gaming and Lotteries Acts 2003 – an amendment to the laws back from 1956, 1986, 2003.
Betting (Amendment) Act 2015 is also responsible for regulating online gambling, but this law applies mostly to bookmakers and brokers. These Acts allow advertising applications to be made in two daily national newspapers in Ireland, as well as control the advertising of gambling for ethics and frequency. There is the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, which allows some forms of gambling. For example, lotteries (except National Lottery), controlling the amount of gambling games on money. The National Lottery in that exceptional case is administered by the National Lottery Authority (ORNL). The organization monitors the lottery, approves new games and controls the prize pool.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is scheduled to enter in 2024 as the new statutory body to regulate the licensing and regulation of gaming services in Ireland. Its functions will be completely independent, and regulation of online casinos is included.
FAQs
Gambling regulations in Ireland may be a bit confusing, but there are many regulatory authorities responsible for that business. In addition, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) will unify the online casino control system in 2024. So yes, playing online casino in Ireland is safe and legal.
There is currently no unified regulator in Ireland where users can check the list of official casinos. However, you can always examine the details of the casino on the site, verify its validity in reviews and view our top legal casinos in Ireland.
There is no such thing as free games at an online casino. Users can try some of the games in their demos, but in this case, the game is not played for money, but on the domestic currency of the game – a system of familiarization with the options and features.
There is no credible answer to this question, as we do not provide ultimatum strategies for instant enrichment. That simply does not exist, and such recommendations are not true. The main feature of the casino is the complete dependence on luck and chance.
Among the popular payment methods at online casinos are VISA and Mastercard as well as PayPal are quite popular payment methods at Irish online casinos. You can also use prepaid cards or other electronic payment systems like Neteller and Skrill.
Online casino in Ireland provide users with all known bonuses at the moment. Among them are deposit, no deposit, welcome bonuses and so on.
