Online Betting in Ireland

BettingGuide has a team of experts from around the world creating comprehensive guides for online betting. You will find step-by-step guides about everything related to gambling legally in Ireland, using safe and trusted online betting sites.

Written by Conor Murphy
Verified by BettingGuide team
Last updated 3/7/2024

Betting Sites Reviews for Ireland

bet365
  • #1 Best Betting Apps in Ireland
  • Free Live Streaming
  • World's Biggest Bookmaker
Read review
BoyleSports
  • High Odds
  • Great Sign Up Bonus
  • Top-rated Mobile Betting Apps
Read review
Quinnbet
  • High Odds
  • 100's of Betting Markets
  • Pool/Tote Betting Available
Read review
Coral
  • Great Betting Apps
  • Loyalty Cashback
  • Massive Jackpots
Read review
Ladbrokes
  • Wide Selection of Betting Markets
  • Fantastic Betting Apps
  • Great Promotions
Read review

Online Betting in Ireland

Betting in Ireland is very popular and just like in the UK, there are rules and regulations that bookmakers must adhere to. To further streamline the latter, the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) has been voted through and this new statutory body will come into effect sometime in 2024.

In short, safety is at the helm of betting in Ireland and this means punters won't have to worry too much about the legitimacy of a bookmaker. Given that obtaining a license is quite costly, most betting sites also have a certain standard sportsbook-wise and although there are exceptions, you can't go wrong with most bookies.

On the other hand, with betting sites battling it out for new customers, there are a plethora of welcome offers on display and this can make things confusing. Some have better terms and conditions than others, while some practices might not be fair even if the betting site has the necessary license.

This is where BettingGuide comes in, shedding light on everything you need to know about a certain bookmaker, welcome offer or whatever it might concern.

Why Should You Trust Our Betting Advice?

BettingGuide consists of betting experts from all over the world, operating across several different markets such as the UK, Japan and Canada to name a few. We pride ourselves on providing the readers with quality content, both up-to-date and accurate, to guide them towards the best betting experience possible.

Having been in the industry for a long time, we know the ins and outs of the betting industry, shedding light on everything that might not be obvious to the average punter. Since the Irish betting scene is regulated, it can paradoxically be even tougher to identify when a site acts in poor faith, as most look proper at face value.

In short, your security is our top priority and that is always factored in when we review bookmakers, betting apps, welcome offers and more. If you would like to read more about how we go about reviewing betting products, we have an additional page dedicated to exactly that.

How to Open an Online Betting Account in Ireland

Follow our simple step-by-step guide for creating a betting account from Ireland:

  • 1

    Choose a Betting Site

    First things first, you need to choose a betting site and there are plenty of good options in Ireland. The easiest way to find these is by browsing our page dedicated to the best bookmakers in Ireland. Tap on the 'Bet Now!' button for the bookie that appeals to you the most, and this will bring you to the registration.

    best irish betting sites
  • 2

    Complete the Registration Form

    Every betting site has a registration form that you must fill out, providing details such as your full name, date of birth, telephone number and more. As you can see in the image below, we picked Ladbrokes and the registration is very straightforward.

    ladbrokes registration final
  • 3

    Verify Your Account and Identity

    The betting site will use the details provided during the registration to confirm your identity automatically. However, in some cases, additional documentation will be needed and it's important to provide this as soon as possible. Failing to verify your identity could result in suspension, or issues withdrawing winnings.

    You will usually need to upload one copy of the front and back of either your:

    • National ID or Passport
    • National Driving License
    • Proof of Address (a utility bill or bank statement)
  • 4

    Make Your First Deposit

    Once the account and identity have been verified, you can make your first deposit and start betting. The minimum deposit amount is usually set at €10, but some betting sites accept deposits as low as €5. Popular payment methods include debit card, PayPal and Apple Pay, but keep in mind that you must use the same method for withdrawal.

    Ladbrokes deposit

    It's possible to withdraw to another method, but you will first have to withdraw at least the deposit amount to the same method. This is due to money laundering regulations and betting sites strictly follow these, as breaches result in heavy fines.

Responsible Gambling in Ireland

As per the regulations, betting sites have a certain responsibility against their customers when it comes to safe and responsible gambling. Several practices have been put into place in recent years to avoid gambling addiction, with new customers now urged to set deposit limits, spending limits and more on almost all betting sites.

These tools, which also include reality checks and time-outs, can go a long way in ensuring that gambling remains a fun and safe activity. However, that won't always be the case and that is why punters also have the option to 'self-exclude' from a betting site. With the establishment of the aforementioned GRAI, exclusions across all licensed bookies will also be possible in the future.

If you would like to read more about responsible betting in Ireland, we have put together a guide on how to stay in control of your betting and thus preserve it as a fun activity.

Should You Claim a Welcome Offer?

Yes, is the short answer. However, you should always double-check the terms and conditions before claiming a welcome offer. This is because some betting sites may be inclined to omit some details from the flashy promotional banner, referring to the T&Cs with the hopes that few punters will actually read it.

To combat any mishaps, we have put together a page of our favourite welcome offers where the details of the sign-up deals are made clear. Having said that, most of them are very good and should be claimed by new punters since it's essentially 'free' money if you intend to place a bet with the bookie anyway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Online betting is legal in Ireland as long as you gamble on operators with an Irish gambling licence. The operators can be either domestic or remote, but they need to have valid gambling licences.

Yes, all of the online betting sites on BettingGuide are safe, legal and licensed. But, there are plenty of illegal and unlicensed betting sites, and we do not recommend signing up for any operators that are not do not feature on our site.

Online betting sites accept several different payment methods, and we recommend using your debit card, or e-wallets such as Neteller or Skrill.