Best Irish Bookmakers

Ireland has a very long history of gambling, as the first Betting Act was established back in 1931. Nowadays, Irish punters like to place their bets on a regular basis. Popular sports include football, horse racing, rugby and various Gaelic games like football, hurling and handball. A significant grey market used to exist in the country. However, in 2015 the Betting (Amendment) Act came into effect and managed to regulate the local betting landscape.

For the time being, the Department of Justice serves as the domestic gambling regulator, and the Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the issuance of betting licenses. Nonetheless, the authorities are not actively blocking foreign online operators from offering their services to Irish bettors. Thus, punters have plenty of decent options at their disposal and are free to opt for the Irish bookmakers they prefer.

Best Betting Sites in Ireland

The following shortlist contains the top online bookies Ireland has to offer in 2023. We have reviewed their odds and betting markets on football, Gaelic football and horse racing. Plus, we have tested them in terms of services and credibility.

5 Things to Know About Bookies in Ireland

• 1
  More than 15% of the population bets on a daily basis
• 2
  Currently, 50+ regulated online bookies operate in Ireland
• 3
  Sports betting winnings are tax-free. The law is unclear regarding spread betting
• 4
  MMA betting is on the rise thanks to Conor McGregor's popularity
• 5
  The minimum age for betting stands at 18 years

How Irish Bookies Operate

The transparent regulation and low taxes for operators have resulted in a thriving betting market in Ireland. There are 800+ licensed land-based betting shops located around the country, with most of them belonging to BoyleSports and Paddy Power and the rest to minor operators.

The Revenue Commissioners has issued more than 50 online betting licenses. All the online bookmakers in Ireland who wish to apply for a license have to pay a €10,000 fee in order to acquire one for a period of 2 years. On top of that, they have to pay a 2% betting duty, as well as a 25% betting intermediary duty that goes directly to the state.

Irish bookies that operate without a license are subjected to a €150,000 fine that can be doubled for repeat offenders. Despite speculation for significant changes in the Betting (Amendment) Act in 2019, the date was pushed back, with the only recent alteration having been the rise of minimum age requirements from 16 to 18 years.

What Should Players Know about Irish Online Bookmakers

Similar to other countries, the high number of available operators means that punters can easily find bookies in Ireland that offer high odds. You should bear in mind that winnings deriving from Irish bookies online are tax-free. However, the legal framework on how to bet on sports is unclear on "spread trading" (spread betting), as it is considered a form of a steady income and not a recreational activity.  

It is also worth noting that the vast majority of Irish bettors have turned their interest from land-based betting shops and race tracks to online bookmakers due to the odds, markets, and promotions that compete with the best UK bookmakers; something that naturally had a negative impact on traditional wagering turnovers.

What Sports Do Bookmakers in Ireland Offer?

The Irish are huge sports fans and among the most passionate bettors in the world. Sport plays a very important role in Irish society and is an integral part of the local culture. The most popular sports in Ireland are, by far, the traditional Gaelic games.

They include Gaelic football, Gaelic handball, rounders, hurling and camogie - which is the women’s version of hurling. The local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) manages all of them. Hurling markets, in particular, are widely available on Ireland bookies.

Other than the Gaelic games, the bookmakers that operate in the country also come with a wide range of markets for football, horse racing and rugby union; which are the sports that follow in popularity.

Irish punters love placing their wagers every time their national football or rugby team plays in big competitions. As for horse racing, the Irish Derby is the most significant domestic race, and bettors are keen on wagering on the event.

How to Deposit on Ireland Bookmakers

After taking a thorough look at all the aspects surrounding the online bookmakers Ireland has to offer; we will now refer to their payment methods. Remember that you can deposit and withdraw using practically every method when betting in Ireland. Debit cards, bank transfers and e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are widely accepted.

Google Pay betting sites have also become very popular among bettors in recent years. This applies to iOS users too, as Apple Pay bookies were also on the rise. Nevertheless, in late August 2021, all licensed bookies in Ireland, both land-based and online, decided to ban credit card betting. So, those who place their wagers on local licensees won’t be able to use their credit cards in order to fund their accounts anymore.

Where is the Irish Market Headed?

Ireland took the right step when it followed the UK's successful example to regulate its online betting market back in 2015. No tax on winnings and a wide range of betting options always work in favour of players, as increased competition leads to better odds.

The fact that minimum age requirements were raised is a positive factor in terms of keeping minors safe; however, Ireland must tackle its increased youth gambling addiction rates. What remains to be seen is what alterations will be included in the proposed gambling law.

More specifically, a new Gambling Bill is expected to be drafted sooner rather than later. It is going to reform the regulation of gambling activities in the country and introduce an independent Gambling Regulator. Till that happens, punters will keep on betting seamlessly on their favourite Irish bookmakers online.