Ireland Online Sports Betting Websites & Apps
The online sports betting industry in Ireland has been growing steadily in recent years, and for good reason. It is widely considered to be one of the most reliable and advanced in Europe.
Horse racing and Irish GAA sports (hurling, Gaelic football and camogie) are particularly popular in Ireland, and the variety of relevant online betting markets and number of operators targeting Irish gamblers reflects this.
Sports Betting Regulations in Ireland
In late 2022, the Irish Government approved the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022.
This set out the framework and legislative basis for the establishment of a new, independent statutory body which is known as the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). The first CEO of the new regulatory authority, Anne Marie Caulfield, was appointed in September 2022. However, the regulator will only come into its full powers when the bill is enacted in 2023.
The Gambling Regulation Bill completely changed the Irish gambling landscape and there is now much more focus on the protection of customers against the harms of gambling.
Key changes made include:
- Licence holders must ensure that customers can set monetary and time limits on gambling activity
- Ban on use of credit cards for gambling activity
- GRAI has powers to limit customer lodgements
- GRAI can set times when gambling cannot be provided by remote means
All sports betting, both online and retail, is now regulated by the GRAI and must adhere to the guidelines and rules as set out by the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022.
October 2024 saw the successful passage of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 through both Houses of the Oireachtas.
This landmark legislation established a new independent statutory body, Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), and introduces a modern licensing and regulatory framework for both in-person and online gambling.
Bill Highlights:
- Creation of the National Gambling Exclusion Register.
- New regulations on gambling advertising.
- Establishment of a Social Impact Fund to support awareness campaigns, education, and problem gambling treatment.
- Measures aimed at addressing black market operators.
- Custodial sentences for unlicensed gambling violations.
- GRAI to prescribe the times, place and events where gambling advertising can be broadcast, displayed or published.
Variety of sports betting markets in Ireland
Having a variety of options to bet on is hugely beneficial for both experienced and casual gamblers. Different bookmakers may offer unique markets, such as Bet365’s Asian handicap markets for football betting. However, most Irish sports fans would be more interested in GAA betting markets and coverage of local horse racing or even rugby union. Believe it or not, these aren’t always covered by online sportsbooks even if they have a presence in Ireland, so it’s worth checking this out before signing up for an account.
Regulated Online Gambling Websites & Apps in Ireland
Sports betting is hugely popular in Ireland and even after the Irish Government introduced the industry has continued to grow. Gambling is worth an estimated €10 billion in annual revenue with as much as 26-30% of that figure coming directly from sports betting and horse-racing betting.
With such huge demand for sports betting, many of the industry’s major players have established a foothold in the Irish gambling market. While this is great news for punters, it also means that picking the right online bookmaker can be tough. That’s why our reviewers have compiled a list of the best online sports betting sites in Ireland.
It’s important to note that as bonuses and free bets will soon become illegal in Ireland, we have based this list solely on the licensed bookmaker’s reputation and the variety of sports betting markets available on their app / website.
Bet365
Established in 2000, Bet365 is the largest bookmaker in the world. The company began with a focus on sports betting and quickly became one of the most popular bookmakers for English football. The founders of Bet365 also own the English Championship team Stoke City Football Club, which plays at the Bet365 Stadium.
Paddy Power
Regarded as one of the best bookmakers to come out of Ireland, Paddy Power is one of the most popular betting brands in the country. A merger with betfair betting exchange in 2016 resulted in the creation of Flutter and as a result, Paddy Power has become a leading brand globally. The company is considered one of the best in the industry at marketing its sports betting services and also offers an extensive range of betting markets across both international and Irish sporting leagues.
Betfair
As part of the Flutter group Betfair now operates the world’s largest online betting exchange. Founded in the UK in 2001, Betfair has grown exponentially in the last two decades and is now considered a leader particularly in the horse racing field. Betfair is known for its wide range of sports betting markets and its relatively low commissions on many of its offers.
BetVictor
Originally founded in 1946, BetVictor is a stalwart of the sports betting industry. Its online bookmaking operations started in 1999 and since its humble beginnings it now offers sports betting products and services in over 150 countries. BetVictor is well-known for giving the best prices on sports with the most competitive odds in the industry.
888Sport
As part of the 888 group, 888Sports is one of the most recognisable brands in the world of gambling and while not on the same level as the likes of Paddy Power, this Irish betting site is still quite popular with local sports fans. Known for its huge range of sports and betting markets, 888sport is perhaps one of the best all-round online sports betting sites in Ireland.
BoyleSports
BoyleSports is Ireland’s leading independent bookmaker. Established in 1989 and headquartered in Dundalk, County Louth, it operates 300 betting offices throughout the UK and Ireland and launched its online betting site in the early 2000s. The online sports betting operations are run by a subsidiary based in Gibraltar. BoyleSports holds licenses from the Gibraltar Gaming Commissioner and UK Gambling Commission.
QuinnBet
QuinnBet is one of the smallest companies on our list and is second only to BoyleSports as one of Ireland’s best Irish-owned bookmakers. This online bookmaker launched in 2016 and caters to sports fans in both Ireland and the UK. As a result, QuinnBet tends to be one of the better bookmakers for local sports betting markets.
BetDex Exchange
In May 2024 BetDex announced the launche of the BetDex Exchange – a sports betting exchange offering odds for a variety professional sports, such as soccer, NFL, baseball, hockey, cricket and more. With fees of 3% on net winnings – bettors only pay if they win.
Most popular sports at Irish online bookmakers
From local sports to horse racing, here are the most popular sports and some of the features we look out for when recommending the best Irish online bookmaker for each sport.
Best Irish football betting sites
There are several key factors that we consider when reviewing and comparing football betting sites. Firstly, a reputable sports betting site should offer a wide range of markets to choose from.
The top football betting sites we recommend offer traditional markets like win/draw/win, first goalscorer, and anytime goalscorer, as well as options like both teams to score, half-time/full-time, and handicap betting. In addition to these, the best Irish football bookmakers online offer numerous other fun markets and betting options.
Other important features to consider include in-play football betting, live streaming, cash out, and competitive odds. When evaluating a football betting site, we also compare and contrast each welcome offer, free bet offer, and other promotions to ensure that football bettors are getting the best deal possible.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, are the football leagues and competitions covered. Irish soccer fans follow the English Premier League and Championship as well as the Scottish Premiership, but it’s equally as important that an online bookmaker offers odds on the League of Ireland and the FAI Cup.
Bet365
✓ Most extensive cover of overseas soccer
✓ Huge range of markets for local Irish league and cup soccer
Paddy Power
✓ comprehensive English football betting markets
✓ Great live betting options
Horse racing betting sites in Ireland
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on globally, and there are many Irish betting sites to choose from. That’s why our team of horse racing betting experts has done the research for you. We know which bookmakers offer the most competitive odds and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the online sports betting industry.
In addition to established betting sites, we also keep track of new ones to ensure that they are included in our list of the best horse racing betting sites if they provide top-quality service for horse racing fans. We also make sure that any betting website we recommend is safe, legal, and regulated. When evaluating the best betting sites, we pay attention to features like live betting and streaming, which are important to many horse racing bettors.
Betfair
✓ Extensive coverage of worldwide racing events
✓ Betfair SP offers better odds
QuinnBet
✓ Great coverage of local horse racing
✓ Competitive odds for all events
Top GAA online bookmakers
This is where you can access all crucial information to place bets on competitions in Gaelic football, hurling, Ladies Football, and camogie. Irish betting websites provide various options for match betting, player-specific specials, and outright markets throughout the GAA schedule.
Betting on hurling and football is available year-round, with bookmakers providing markets for competitions such as the All-Ireland Senior Football, Hurling, and Camogie Championships, the Allianz Leagues, and the All-Ireland Club Championships.
Paddy Power
✓ Coverage of all major GAA events
✓ GAA tips and analysis available on Paddy Power blog
BoyleSports
✓ Odds for wide range of GAA events
✓ In-depth analysis from former GAA players
Best Irish Rugby betting sites
Rugby union is by far the most popular of the rugby codes in Ireland and the four provinces of Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connacht compete regularly on the European circuit. When choosing the best rugby betting sites, it’s important to look for competitive odds as well as the range of markets covered.
Our top Irish rugby betting sites offer odds for the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup as well as the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup. While not as popular, there are also betting markets available for Rugby League in England and International Rugby League tests.
888Sport
✓ Best all-round rugby coverage
✓ Extensive rugby league and NRL markets
BetVictor
✓ Wide range of betting markets
✓ Competitive odds
Bonus offers and free bets at Irish online bookmakers
Following the publication of the Irish Gambling Act 2022, it was revealed that online bookmakers would no longer be allowed to offer free bets or bonuses as an inducement to gamble. The text of article 148 of the law uses broad enough language that could be seen to apply to all forms of promotions for gambling businesses.
“A licensee to whom this chapter applies shall not offer an inducement to a person to participate, or continue to participate, in a relevant gambling activity.”
While bets and bonuses will be offered by international sports betting sites operating in Ireland, it’s important to note that any betting site doing so following the enactment of the bill in late 2023, will likely be in breach of regulations.
All online sports betting providers in Ireland who are licensed to operate in the country will need to remove these offers from the betting sites and mobile apps or they could face financial penalties or possible suspension of licenses.
Payment options at Irish sports betting sites
The majority of Irish online bookmakers offer standard payment options that cover most banking methods. These can vary from bookmaker to bookmaker.
Deposit methods
- PayPal
- Debit cards
- Online bank transfers
- Apple Pay
- Cash at retail bookmaker
- Skrill
- Neteller
- paysafecard
Most deposit methods are instant, however, some bank transfers may take a little longer depending on the bank in question.
Withdrawal methods
- PayPal
- Debit cards
- Online bank transfers
- Apple Pay
- Cash at retail bookmaker
- Skrill
- Neteller
- paysafecard
Withdrawals can take anything from a hour to five business days depending on the chosen method. Cash at a retail bookmaker is the only instant option available but is only offered by select bookmakers.
Many online betting sites in Ireland stopped accepting credit card payments ahead of the enactment of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 in late 2023. The bill places an outright ban on borrowing to fund gambling activity.
How to spot a licensed Irish sports betting site
Following the enactment of the Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 which comes into effect in 2023, online bookmakers in Ireland must be licensed by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). Prior to this, all betting sites in Ireland operated under international iGaming licenses issued by regulators such as the Gibraltar Gaming Commissioner and the Malta Gaming Authority.
Identifying a licensed Irish online betting site is as simple as checking the licensing information listed on the site itself. This should be clearly visible in the footer section of the bookmaker’s website or app at the bottom of the home page.
Once the GRAI has launched its own licensing process, we will provide more information on the listing of licensed sports betting operators on the regulator’s official website.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.
