Irish online casinos for Real Money

The Republic of Ireland’s gambling laws stem from the 1931 Betting Act, the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, and a series of amendments. Gambling has effectively been legal in Ireland since 1854. However, there are notable exceptions and loopholes that we need to cover.

Firstly, operating a land-based casino in Ireland is illegal. However, there are loopholes that permit slot halls, arcades, and other venues (even the odd bookmaker) to support gambling games that many would deem akin to casino games. A Gambling Control Bill was put forth in a bid to sort out this issue and legalise and regulate this sector, but that has failed to pass. While Ireland does talk of closing these loopholes for land-based betting, the current situation means that it is technically legal for you to gamble in these venues.

Now, onto online gambling. The situation here is a lot clearer. Ireland amended the Betting Act in 2015 to formally legalise online gambling. In theory, operators are supposed to obtain a license to cater to players in Ireland, but this is not as straightforward as it seems. For the time being, Irish players are invited to play at (theoretically) any licensed casino and sportsbook.

Other forms of online gambling (bingo, sports betting, poker, and lotteries) are also deemed legal in the country.

As touched on above, operators who wish to cater to players in the Republic of Ireland are supposed to obtain a license from the Revenue Commission. At least, that was the plan. To date, no licensing body has been set up, save for the Revenue Commission, which has been known to hand out licenses to selected sportsbooks.

Online gambling enterprises which haven’t obtained a license are supposed to be blocked by Ireland’s internet service providers. However, the country does adhere to EU gambling law here, which states that without a possible way to obtain a national (Irish) license, EU operators can offer their services to players in Ireland without one.

To combat this conundrum, Ireland does permit its nationals and residents to play at any online casino that is licensed in the European Union. You’re also permitted to play at UK Gambling Commission-licensed casinos as part of the many special agreements between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Between these options, Irish players have no shortage of top sites to join. In fact, many of the options at their disposal are amongst the best and most regulated online casinos (and sportsbooks) found anywhere in the world.

Ireland is a country which doesn’t seem to favour one type of gambling game over another. Both bingo and lotteries are immensely popular in the country, with Ireland being a participating nation in the Euro Millions lotto. At the same time, sports betting is huge in a country famed for its rugby team and Gaelic football. Some of the world’s most renowned sportsbooks have Irish roots.

It is worth noting that there aren’t any major Irish casino software providers, though. Precious few of these exist, and none have made it to the mainstream online casinos that cater to Irish players. Instead, Irish players tend to rely on games from UK and Scandinavian casino software providers at betting sites.

Irish players can choose from Irish licensed betting sites (but these are few and far between for now), UK casinos and sportsbooks, and those based in the European Union. In theory, they can play at offshore casinos (such as those licensed out of Curacao), but these are less regulated. Given the options, there is no reason for an Irish player to play at less regulated and certified casinos and betting sites when there are so many heavily regulated and well-respected ones for them to choose from. Both Irish licensed sites and those based in the UK and EU are generally accepting of players from each other’s countries, so you can play wherever you like, within reason.