Best Betting Sites in Ireland

The Republic of Ireland, which is known for its welcoming attitude towards local and offshore sportsbooks, encourages local punters to place their sports bets on licensed and regulated betting websites. If you want to try your luck at wagering on sports online, now is the time and place.

In this review, MightyTips will look closer at the state of the sports betting scene in Ireland in 2023 and reveal all the intricacies of the sports wagering process in the country. Follow along to find the widely recognised and trusted platforms for your online sports bets and give them a try right now.

The gambling and sports betting scene in Ireland has always been thriving. The very first official records of gambling activities in the country date back to 110 BC, when people were placing their bets on the chariot races popular among pre-Christian folk. Perhaps this is one of the factors that explain the reverence of modern Irish punters for horse racing matches.

It’s not surprising that, when the English Commonwealth re-conquered Ireland in 1649–1653, a lot of English gambling rules and statutes were applied to the country’s gambling activities. However, horse racing remained the main driving force of land-based gambling in the country. The leading bookmakers in the country have been offering excellent odds on horse racing events for years and even decades: Boylesports, Betfair, Paddy Power, 888Sport, Betway, Tonybet, Unibet, Spreadex, to name but a few.

The very first Betting Act saw the light of day in the Irish Free State in 1926 and introduced primary gambling regulations in the country. The Act gave foundations to the regulatory system of gambling and sports betting activities in Ireland. Plus, this system, although altered and amended, still stands in the country to this day.

On top of this, the Betting Act helped to eradicate illegal bookmakers and officially started issuing the very first gambling licenses in the country. Much later, in 1962, another Betting Act was passed, aiming to eradicate all illegal betting activities in Ireland.

The Betting Act of 1962 expanded the range of legal and safe betting services provided by Irish bookmakers and took sports wagering to the next level.

Here are some interesting facts about the development of the gambling scene in Ireland:

1. The most popular sports for betting in Ireland are horse racing, rugby, and football.
2. One of the biggest betting operators in the world, Paddy Power, was established in Ireland in 1988.
3. The total Gross Gambling Revenue in Ireland reached €1.7 billion in 2019.
4. Ireland is the third country in the world in terms of gambling and betting popularity, ranking behind only Australia and Singapore.

Given its impressive history of development, gambling – both online and land-based – remains a widespread and popular activity among Ireland’s adult population. Punters from Ireland regularly place their bets with both offshore and local bookmakers, contributing to the country’s impressive annual gambling revenue.

Our findings show that all forms of gambling activities in Ireland have been regulated by the government for almost a century now. The most important highlights were the Gambling Acts of 1926 and 1962, which targeted illegal gambling and sports betting and started issuing licenses to local bookmakers.

These were important steps that influenced the creation of some of the most widely known Irish bookmakers, like Paddy Power, at the end of the 20th century. However, gambling regulations in the country are being regularly updated even to this day.

Irish Gambling Control Bill

The Gambling Control Bill of 2022 aims at establishing the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (’GRAI’), which will become the main regulatory body of gambling activities in the country. Thanks to the establishment of GRAI, the control of all local bookmakers will be assigned to one single authority, which greatly simplifies the process of obtaining a license.

The license categories have been updated under the Bill as well, introducing such new license types as Business to Consumer, Business to Business, and Charitable/Philanthropic licenses. The Gambling Control Bill, as well as GRAI, are expected to enter into force by the end of 2023, replacing outdated gambling regulations.

Main challenges associated with the current gambling scene

Among the bullet points included in the agenda of the Irish Gaming Control Bill, the one that stirred debate was a relatively strict advertising ban. The ban on gambling advertising was first demanded by one of the Irish senators, Mark Wall, who believes that the amount of gambling ads in the country is particularly harmful to vulnerable individuals and people with recorded cases of past gambling addiction.

Even though the advertising ban is already underway, many local casino and bookmaker operators fear that such a decision will make it almost impossible to promote any services in Ireland, thus, significantly limiting their economic potential. Thus, additional protection should be ensured for businesses that can face grave financial consequences from the implementation of such a ban.

Initiatives that promote responsible gambling behaviour

The Irish Gambling Control Bill of 2022 also made some important steps in promoting responsible gambling behaviour in the country. Now, any third party needs to enter a written agreement with a licensee prior to advertising any gambling activities. Plus, all gambling advertising campaigns that encourage gambling addiction, gambling activities among children, or don’t provide sufficient information concerning the dangers associated with gambling are prohibited under the Bill.

In the list below, we’ve gathered the betting sites with the highest odds on the market. Compare the top 5 bookmakers we listed, check out their pros and cons for online wagering, and start betting right now.

Website #1 in Ireland – 1xBet

1xBet has been present in the sports betting arena since 2007 but it went online just four years after its creation, in 2011. The bookie has Eastern European roots but, to this day, it has expanded its services across the globe, now covering more than 100 countries in the world. 1xBet is a perfect sportsbook for football betting as it offers more than 500 football markets on a regular basis. Fans of other sports types won’t feel left out either, as the bookie’s sports coverage includes more than 50 various markets.

Website #2 in Ireland – Dreambet

Compared to our previous entry, Dreambet is a relatively new sportsbook that entered the market in only 2022. Despite this, Dreambet has already gained the trust of thousands of punters around the world. A range of 25 sports markets is available now on the market and punters can place their bets on more than 25,000 events each month. After you register with Dreambet, don’t forget to check out the bookie’s 1st deposit bonus, which requires you to enter a special promo code.

Website #3 in Ireland – Hot.bet

Hot.bet is a Curacao-licensed sportsbook that entered the industry back in 2020. One of the main advantages of this bookmaker is the speed of all transactional Hot.bet features, instant charge-free deposits, and withdrawals that usually take no more than 24 hours to be processed. On top of this, all withdrawal operations with cryptocurrencies are instant. So, if you’ve been looking for a crypto-friendly bookmaker in Ireland, then Hot.bet is your ultimate choice.

Website #4 in Ireland – Powbet

Powbet is still considered a new bookmaker, even though it’s been more than two years since its establishment. The bookie has a Curacao license, which is not the most trusted in the industry but still proves the credibility of Powbet for online sports bets. Among the primary advantages of Powbet is its impressive coverage of e-Sports and fast withdrawals via cryptocurrencies that take no more than an hour to process.

Website #5 in Ireland – Rabona

Rabona entered the market back in 2019 and is licensed by the Curacao Gambling Authority. The bookmaker has average odds for most sports types but they are lower on tennis matches, so be aware of this. At the same time, Rabona offers an impressive range of bonuses and promotions for all users. New clients can benefit from Rabona’s welcome bonus and, if they decide to stay with the bookie, can grab regular accumulator boosts.

Rabona primarily focuses on football wagering and offers more than 1,000 football events on a daily basis. Even though the sportsbook has an impressive selection of live matches to bet on, some of the crucial features, such as live streaming for in-play events, are currently unavailable at Rabona.

In order to pick the best of the best, our team of professionals thoroughly verifies each bookmaker at hand. Based on our observations, the majority of bookmakers popular in Ireland are offshore platforms. However, we also check local betting websites and compare all pros and cons to offer only the best and most trusted platforms to readers. Here’s how the process usually goes.

1. Odds

   First and foremost, we check out and compare the odds across all platforms. It’s crucial for a modern sportsbook to have strong odds, not only on the most popular sports types, but on the secondary markets as well. Besides, punters should be aware of bookmakers’ margins as, quite often, they are considerably higher for more anticipated events.

2. Mobile compatibility

   Many punters around the world are switching to mobile versions of their favourite bookmakers since mobile apps make it easier to keep track of all sports events and bets if you’re constantly on the go. Irish bettors are no exception. We make sure to find legit sportsbooks that can also offer a rounded and profitable mobile betting experience.

3. Available payment options

   Given that we often offer fast payout betting sites to readers, we also verify the range of payment services available for transactions. We understand that you don’t want to tinker with deposits and withdrawals for too long, so we only display bookmakers with both convenient and safe banking methods.

4. Bonuses and promotions

   If you’ve already come across our list of the best betting sites with jackpot options, then you must know how important it is for a bookie to have fair bonuses and promotions. Sports betting can become twice as profitable if you have an active bonus. Thus, we thoroughly verify all the relevant promos offered by each bookmaker.

5. Bet types

   Of course, it only makes sense to place bets on sports if you have a strong betting tactic at hand. In order to come up with one, first check the available bet types on your bookmaker’s website. Plus, we’ll make sure to provide you with bookies that offer both the most common and special bets for various sports events.

6. Support work quality

   According to our experience, even well-versed punters sometimes face difficulties placing their bets or activating bonus offers. In this case, every bookmaker should have a professional support team that is ready to give clients a helping hand at any time. Our reviewers check the quality of each bookmaker’s support work individually and rate each channel of customer support available, be it Live Chat, a support e-mail address, or a mobile hotline.

7. Trustworthiness

   Last but not least, each sportsbook we display in this review has an active and relevant license from one of the trusted international gambling authorities. Our main goal is to review only trustworthy bookmakers featuring high levels of customer security.

Mobile betting is not a novelty in the industry anymore. Mobile-friendly bookmakers continue to be relevant from day to day. Indeed, even those betting platforms that do not currently have their native apps have developed their fully mobile-optimised browser versions. What do they have to offer to Irish punters? Let’s break down the most popular options on the market one by one.

#1 Ireland betting app – Hot.bet

Both casino and sportsbook sections of Hot.bet are now available in the official mobile versions of the website. Even though you have to download and install an .apk file manually, it’s certainly worthwhile. Right after the installation, you’ll get immediate access to the full range of sports betting offers and casino games available at Hot.bet.

#2 Ireland betting app – William Hill

William Hill is a well-known and experienced bookmaker in the UK and Ireland that has been in the industry for over a decade. The bookie has developed its official Android and iOS apps, which have reached over one million downloads on App Store and Google Play. By joining the clients of William Hill from your mobile device right now you can bet on an impressive range of sports events, including major tournaments like the Premier League, the World Cup, the Champions League, Cheltenham Festival, and many more.

#3 Ireland betting app – 22Bet

22Bet is a robust market leader when it comes to sports coverage and the range of available betting options. If you want to switch your stakes to your smartphone or tablet, there are official 22Bet apps available for Android and iOS platforms. Register with the bookie from your mobile device right now and grab a generous welcome bonus.

The range of sports betting options available in the official 22Bet features more than 50 markets and over 50,000 pre-match and in-play events on a regular basis. With an inbuilt Quick Bet feature, players can complete the bet settlement process with just one tap on their mobile devices. Plus, the 24/7 customer support from 22Bet is accessible in the native app too.

#4 Ireland betting app – N1Bet

If you haven’t heard of N1Bet before, we’re here to update you. In fact, starting your acquaintance with this bookmaker by testing its mobile versions would be a good decision. N1Bet features high payouts, more than 40 sports to bet on, strong odds even on secondary bets, and a full cashout feature. All of this and more you can test right now in the Android or iOS versions of N1Bet.

#5 Ireland betting app – 20Bet

When talking about the most convenient apps for safe mobile betting, we cannot overlook 20Bet. Its official mobile app takes no more than a couple of minutes to download and install. After this, you can enjoy a variety of 30+ sports to bet on, live streaming, full or partial cashout, Quick Bet, and other useful tools for quick and effortless mobile betting. Also, thanks to the Fast Markets available for a selected range of sports, building up a strong betting strategy is easier and quicker than ever.

Don’t miss out on a perfect opportunity to place live wagers on the most anticipated events in the world of sports. Millions of Irish punters engage in in-play betting on a regular basis, as they enjoy a top-notch experience and access to some of the most profitable wagers. The most popular sports for live betting in Ireland are football, cricket, tennis, golf, and, of course, horse racing.

Luckily for punters who seek a true action-packed online betting experience, most bookmakers operating in Ireland feature a live streaming option. Thanks to this, you can watch live streams of selected ongoing matches and place your stakes as they progress without leaving the site. Additionally, live streams always come with additional info: live scores, schedules, team overviews, and regularly updated odds.

In-play betting can be extremely profitable as you get the opportunity to watch the odds change in real-time, so you can wait for the most favourable conditions while a sports match is still underway. Also, in case you’re afraid that you’ve placed your bet on a live event too early, your sportsbook might offer an Edit Bet feature, which is indispensable for in-play wagering. Edit Bet allows you to change your stake amount and add, swap, or remove selections in the Bet Slip section both pre-match and in-play.

We’ve already touched upon the most trusted new bookmakers in Ireland but what about the true industry leaders with their impressive sports coverage and true market depth? If you want to catch the strongest odds on your favourite sports types and the most anticipated matches, check the experienced bookies we’ve listed below.

#1 biggest Ireland betting site – Bet365

Play safe and become a winner with one of the oldest industry sports betting sites: Bet365. This bookmaker, which has existed since 1974, holds licenses in the UK, Malta, and Gibraltar. The current sports coverage of Bet365 includes more than 45 markets to choose from, an impressive range of in-play events with live streaming, and high payouts on Asian Handicaps and other popular football markets.

#2 biggest Ireland betting site – William Hill

William Hill is a bookmaker with impressive experience in the sports betting arena since it was established back in 1934. Licensed by the UKGC, William Hill remains a highly trusted and popular bookmaker in the UK and Ireland to this day. Alongside its high sports coverage, William Hill also offers a number of classic live dealer games in its casino lobby. Enjoy such games as bingo, poker, lotto, and even online slots while you’re waiting for your sports betting rewards.

#3 biggest Ireland betting site – 1Bet

1Bet is another Curacao-licensed bookmaker that complies with all industry standards. The bookie offers an impressive range of more than 70,000 monthly events across popular sports markets and secondary events. There are also super-fast withdrawals that don’t take more than one hour for most banking options. The available payment methods include Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, and many more.

In this section of our article, we’ll explore the most popular sports types for online betting among Irish punters. For the best user experience with an online bookmaker, you should find and settle with the strongest odds on your favourite sports type. Luckily, most popular markets have decent odds that can greatly increase your winnings over the long run. Explore the best betting opportunities in Ireland together with us.

The process of betting on sports in Ireland is pretty simple once you pick and register with the right bookmaker. Don’t forget that, prior to requesting a withdrawal of your bonus funds or winnings from a bookmaker’s website, you’ll have to verify your account by providing scan copies of the documents confirming your identity and sending them to your bookie via e-mail.

Stick to our instructions and get started with your favoured bookie right now.

1. Explore and pick a bookmaker from our list of Irish betting sites
2. Complete the registration process and create an account
3. Go through verification to be able to withdraw your winnings
4. Go to a pre-match or in-play betting section of your sportsbook
5. Check the betting lines and odds for different outcomes
6. Click on the outcome you wish to bet on
7. Enter the stake amount and confirm your bet in the Bet Slip
8. Wait for your rewards

There is always a variety of regular and time-limited bonuses bookmakers offer to their new and existing users. Irish punters can benefit from each bonus type and make their experience with a bookmaker not only fun but also extremely gainful. Take a look at the range of promos you can often come across on sports betting websites in Ireland.

Welcome bonuses

A welcome package is something you look for first and foremost after signing up with a new sportsbook. Moreover, a lucrative welcome bonus often becomes the reason to try one or another bookmaker in the first place.

But did you know that there is a range of different welcome bonuses that punters can benefit from upon their registration with a new bookie? Here are the most frequent welcoming perks out there.

First deposit bonuses

A bonus in your first deposit is an undying classic. Most often, a bookmaker will encourage you to deposit cash and place your first bet with a monetary reward. Such a bonus will play out in your favour but mind the bet wagering requirements and possible payment method exclusions for 1st deposit bonuses.

No deposit cash bonuses

Is it possible to grab a welcome bonus without depositing money whatsoever? Sure thing! From time to time, sportsbooks offer a welcoming bonus of a special value: just for your trust, they will reward you with a cash bonus or a free bet upon your sign-up without a deposit. Still, don’t hope for much: no deposit bonuses are, more often than not, very small amounts that you can use only on a limited range of markets or events.

Welcome free bet bonus

Welcome packages from bookmakers often include free bets. A free bet is a perfect way to spend your bonus cash within a bookie’s website and place an actual wager on sports without spending money. But keep in mind that, for the majority of free bet bonuses, you’ll still have to make a deposit first.

Ongoing promotions

If you decide to settle with a particular bookmaker, you’ll benefit from a range of ongoing promotions in the long run. We’ve listed the most popular types of ongoing sportsbook bonuses below.

Reload bonuses

Reload bonuses can be one-time, weekly, or monthly promotions. They are designed to make gamblers and punters stay with one particular sportsbook and usually include bonus cash that they can spend on placing further bets on the website.

Cashback offers

Cashback is a type of promotion that will save you a good share of money on losing bets with a sportsbook. If your bookmaker offers a cashback bonus, consider yourself lucky. Also, when cashback is regular, like a weekly or monthly offer, your luck is doubled. However, beware of the wagering requirements for cashback, as its rollover is often higher compared to other bonus types.

Accumulator Boosts

For all fans of accumulator bets, online sportsbooks often offer special boosts to encourage your betting. If you’re brave enough to place an acca bet on at least four selections, then an accumulator boost will give out additional rewards on each leg you add to your wager. Plus, even if one of the selections fails and your accumulator bet is considered void, then you can explore the Promotions page of your sportsbook for a so-called acca refund.

VIP and loyalty programs

As a means of encouraging and rewarding the most devoted customers, online bookmakers often develop VIP memberships and loyalty programs. The range of these programs includes point-based systems and high-roller promotions.

Point-based systems

The core of point-based VIP programs is rewarding punters for every bet they place on the website. As you wager on sports and place various stake types, you’ll gather special VIP points that can be exchanged for monetary rewards or free bets in the long run. Besides, if the VIP program includes levels then, as you climb up, your prizes will be multiplied.

High-roller promotions

Another type of VIP bonus is a high-roller promotion. If you don’t fear taking risks and betting on sports with comparatively big stakes, consider participating in a special VIP membership for high rollers. Your bookmaker will generously reward you for every high stake you place on the website but, obviously, you should be ready to deposit and bet more than other users.

Bonuses and Promotions for Online Betting in Ireland

Bookmaker	Bonus offer	Advantages	Find out more
	100% up to €100	Bonus for new customers 70,000+ games per month Reload bonuses Licensed in Curacao	Get bonus
	100% bonus up to €100	Variety of payment methods 24/7 support e-Sports bets available Bet builder function available	Get bonus
	100% bonus up to €100	Crypto-friendly 100% Sports and Casino bonus Instant deposits and withdrawals with crypto Convenient mobile version	Get bonus
	100% bonus up to €100	Great eSports coverage Accepts cryptocurrency Welcome bonus available Good variety of eSports markets	Get bonus
	100% up to €100	24/7 Polite Customer Support Variety of Football markets Generous Bonuses and Promotions Cash Out	Get bonus

Whenever you gamble or bet on sports online, you have to do so responsibly. Even though all gambling activities in Ireland, as well as in the rest of the world, are accessible only to legal adults, there are still categories of citizens who are particularly vulnerable and easily subjected to falling victim to an unhealthy gambling addiction. How is responsible gambling ensured on online platforms in particular? Here are some insights you need to know.

Deposit and Loss Limits

Deposit limits

The primary task assigned to every gambler is the wise management of their bank accounts. While players comply with certain rules and take advice as to how to allocate money for their gambling and betting activities, bookmakers, in their turn, tend to impose daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits. That’s right: if you try to deposit more money than is allowed by your sportsbook at once then there is a high chance that such a transaction won’t be approved.

Loss limits

Same as with deposit limits, bookmakers tend to limit their clients as to how much money they can lose at once. This tendency is particularly common for online casino games and slot machines, where a notification pops up once you’ve exceeded a certain time limit without accumulating any winnings. The same algorithm, though executed differently, is used by credible bookmakers that comply with all responsible gambling policies.

Self-Exclusion and Time-Outs

Even experienced gamblers can sometimes get carried away and forget about breaks, which are essential for any gambling activity. In order to even out your time spent on a betting website, you should resort to self-exclusion and forced time-outs.

Self-Exclusion

Whenever you feel like your gambling adherence is bordering on addiction and the line is getting thinner, then you can request a self-exclusion from a bookmaker or ask someone to do it for you. Self-exclusion is completed via a so-called multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, according to which sportsbooks and online casinos can limit your access to their websites for a stated period of time. Plus, you can always file a request to GAMSTOP, which excludes particularly vulnerable citizens from online gambling.

Time-Outs

If you need a break but can’t distract yourself from gambling or placing bets online, then a time-out from your bookmaker will be of help. On certain sports betting platforms, you can request a time-out of up to six weeks or even set a custom time-out period. After you confirm your request, the bookie will limit your access to its site and services until the end of the time-out period.

External Support and Resources

It would be a wise decision to get acquainted with responsible gambling policies prior to engaging in any sort of gambling activity online. If you want to try gambling but fear that it might turn harmful for you in the long run, then knowing your exclusion options and limitations will be of great help.

Essential info from licensors & licensees

First things first, all legit and licensed online bookmakers must provide their users with essential info on responsible gambling on their websites. Most of the time, you can find all relevant links at the bottom of the page. Before you register and start placing bets with any of the sportsbooks, we recommend you check this data thoroughly.

In the same way, if you’re familiar with the authority that issued the license to your particular bookmaker, then you can consult its website directly and read about all the responsible gambling resources applied.

International organisations against gambling addiction

Last but not least, being familiar with the dangers behind excessive gambling, there are numerous international establishments that provide support for victims of gambling addiction around the world. These organisations can help to block gambling activities in the early stages of addiction development or help those already affected:

• National Gambling Treatment Service
• National Problem Gambling Clinic
• Northern Gambling Service
• NHS – Help for problem gambling
• MoneyHelper
• Debt Advice Foundation
• Debt Support Trust
• National Debt Line
• StepChange Debt Charity
• Counselling Directory
• Samaritans

You didn’t expect us to skip over the vital security measures at online betting sites, did you? The main idea is pretty clear: any website you deposit and bet your money on should be legit, fair, and safe. However, there are several means of data protection that are widely used by sports betting operations online.

SSL Encryption

The 128-bit SSL encryption is a widely-known security method that is used on online websites to ensure the privacy, authenticity, and legitimacy of all Internet communications. The technology is implemented on sports betting websites as well, aiming at protecting any personal or financial data that clients share with their bookmakers.

Data protection

Thanks to SSL technology, all the data you share with your bookmaker is encrypted in such a way that makes it unattainable to any third parties. Your sportsbook should precisely state in its security policies that it’s using the 128-bit SSL technology, so make sure to check it out in advance before registering an account and filling in any of your personal info.

Payment security

Apart from blocking access to your account info from any third parties, the 128-bit SSL encryption makes all your deposit and withdrawal operations with a sports betting site completely anonymous. And if you’re gambling or betting on sports with a bookie that supports crypto, then all transactions made with cryptocurrencies will be additionally protected by blockchain technology.

Compliance with GDPR

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), first implemented in Europe in 2018, aims at enhancing your control over any data you share with land-based and online companies. According to the list of appropriate security measures under the EU GDPR, SSL encryption is one of the technologies that complies with all the regulation policies.

There are plenty of deposit methods and withdrawal services that you can use when betting on an online platform. In order to ensure the complete security of your transactions and top-up your account safely, pick only trusted and widely used payment methods.

Regardless of the type of funding service you’re used to, there will be a range of safe and legit options at your disposal. In the list below, we’ve gathered the most popular options among Irish punters.

• Skrill

  If you’re a fan of e-wallets and prefer to use them for online payments, then Skrill might be the most outstanding option so far. This digital payment service, first established in 2001, currently operates in 131 countries and provides its customers with digital wallets in 40 currencies. Given its popularity, Skrill is also one of the most frequently offered e-wallets on gambling and sports betting websites online.

• Visa

  If you’re not ready to exchange safety for speed, then you might as well stick with such classic and widely-used payment methods as debit cards. If you’re using your Visa card to top up your online betting account directly, then each one of your transactions will be secured twice: both by the banking service itself and the safety means applied by your bookmaker.

• Paysafecard

  Founded in 2000, Paysafecard has been operating worldwide for over 23 years now. This is a pre-paid online payment method based on vouchers with a 16-digit PIN code, independent of a bank account, credit card, or other personal or financial information. Paysafecard is a perfect choice of payment method for punters who don’t want to link any of their personal bank accounts to their digital wallets.

• MasterCard

  Same as Visa, MasterCard debit cards are widely accepted on betting sites in Ireland and can be used for fast, direct and completely secure money deposits with online bookmakers. Notice that, on most platforms, using credit cards for gambling and betting is banned.