Online Casino Guide for Irish Players
In Ireland, the players are luckily situated where online gambling is not illegal - and any regulated or licenced off-shore casino that accepts Irish players is fair game! With many options available for your favourite casino games, check out our reviews and top lists to find the right casino for Irish players.
Irish casinos allow players to play the best online slots or card games, live table games, progressive jackpot slots, baccarat, keno, craps, video poker, high rollers tables and other casino classics.
Recommended Casinos For Ireland in September 2023
There are plenty to pick from, but here's a deep dive into the best operators we think players should try. These are just a few of our recommendations. We believe these operators shine out of all the options due to their superior user experience, a mix of games, and the high casino rating we have given them.
1. GGBet Casino - Best for Sportsbook
Best known for its premium sportsbook with betting options, including the biggest markets for football, eSports, Rugby Union games, and more, GGBet also has a great casino site. They offer hundreds of the best games, ranging from slots and table games to live casino games that give players the real-life casino experience from the comfort of their homes.
Please read our full GGBet review to determine how you can get in on the action.
2. Jackpot Village Casino - Best for Online Slots
As one of the biggest online gaming names online, Jackpot Village is an obvious choice for players who want an established casino to game at. Irish players are no exception, and there is a reason why this operator is wildly popular for online casino gamers. Pick from table games like roulette, blackjack, and poker, or give the slots a spin - and as the name implies, you could be in with a chance of winning the huge jackpot on offer.
If you're interested in having a spin on this casino's slots, read our full review on Jackpot Village to help you decide if it's the one.
3. Ice Casino - Best for Welcome Package
Frosty in design but heating up with gaming excitement as you play, Ice Casino offers a whopping 3500+ slot games, superior customer support, and secure payment methods for your deposits and withdrawals. Overall a top-tier casino has been crafted to give players everything they could need, from the most popular and latest casino games to big wins and a helpful loyalty program if they want to keep playing there.
This iceberg is one to check out - our complete casino review for Ice Casino should help you decide if this is the one you want!
4. VulkanVegas Casino - Best for Safety
VulkanVegas is one of the oldest established online casinos out there, and they've survived all this time for good reason! Selecting only the best of the best in casino games gives players a huge choice and a huge range of great bonuses. Pick from a generous welcome bonus, cashback bonuses when you play, or even weekly tournaments that net you a bit extra if you're lucky!
See if VulkanVegas matches your gameplay by checking out our complete deep-dive into this online casino.
5. JustCasino - Best for Live Casino
Bringing the best of the bets, JustCasino has a massive range of slot games to pick from, sports betting, and generous bonuses for new and old players. Their live casino section is expansive, with lots to pick from, meaning you'll never get bored even if you're done with slots! Their VIP program is one to watch, too, with perks for players well after their initial registration.
Check out the full range of what JustCasino offers by checking out our full casino review.
What Makes a Great Irish Casino?
When finding a casino online, it would be best to look for a few things. Not all casinos are created equally, but we have assembled the best in our top lists. Our rating guidelines for casinos are strict, and we cover all aspects, such as fast withdrawals, a good selection of games, and whether the casino is secure.
After all, if you trust a casino with your money, it must tick all the boxes of what makes a good casino great. Our casino experts write our casino reviews after a series of gameplay, website, and customer support tests. Here are a few things we mark them on when we are reviewing each site.
Valid Casino Licence for Ireland
Worried that the casino you're about to register at is not legitimate? All you have to do to find that out is to check whether it has the appropriate licenses from the proper authorities. You will usually find all the licence details on a casino's terms and conditions page. If the casino is listed on our website, you can rest assured that it is licensed and regulated.
Casinos available in Ireland will not have an Irish licence. Instead, it would help if you looked out for a good one, such as from the UKGC or the MGA, as these are reputable licensing bodies that regulate operators within the UK and much of the EU, respectively.
Accessible Customer Care
Top Irish casinos tend to take good care of their customers, with most offering live chat services 24/7, making it relatively easy to reach a customer care representative. If live chat isn't available, we expect casinos to have an easily accessible email or phone option. A casino's FAQ page should also answer the obvious or common questions. Most importantly, you can reach them and speak English to get your query answered.
Irish Online Casino Games and Slots
Typically, each casino has a great range of games in its portfolio, but some have an even more extensive game selection, with a few casinos having thousands. Slot games will be the most popular, but each casino will choose table games, and some will have a live casino games option.
Top-notch software developers produce the games you play from casinos listed on our websites, like NetEnt, Microgaming, Yggdrasil and Quickspin. The high-quality games promise entertaining themes, excellent payouts and promised fun. Here are some of the top casino games in Ireland. Here are some of the best Irish casino games:
Irish Casino Payment Options
Each casino will have several reliable deposit methods, like Skrill, Neteller, Cryptocurrencies and prepaid options like Paysafecard. These methods are safe and secure and allow you to withdraw your winnings as easily as you deposited.
Most casinos will list which banking options they have available, how fast a withdrawal can be, if you can benefit from instant withdrawals or if they will take a little longer. The most common banking methods for Irish casinos are generally:
- Cards: Mastercard, Visa, and other debit cards
- Bank Transfer: Through your online bank of choice
- Ewallets: Paypal, Skrill, and more
- Cryptocurrency: Bitcoin, Litecoin, and other tokens
- Prepaid cards: Paysafecard and other similar options
To put your mind at ease that your money is safe, reputable casinos use SSL encryption to encrypt your data and keep it secure. As a result, there's a layer of security in the payment method itself and on the casino's side.
Withdrawing Winnings at Irish Online Casinos
If you've made your deposit of an amount at the casino, played some games and got some rewards, the most obvious next step is withdrawing your cash. This is generally pretty simple, but keep these pointers in mind before you play.
Make sure that the money you are trying to withdraw isn't subject to a wagering requirement. This is usually due to bonus funds, which you can check in the terms and conditions of any bonus you may have redeemed. If it's not subject to these, that's great - you can withdraw your winnings!
Make sure you have verified all of your documents with the casino as part of their KYC checks and that you are following the casino's withdrawal requirements. Usually, there is a maximum amount you can withdraw, and there may be differences between payment options. For the most widely-used deposit options like debit cards, bank transfers, eWallets, and cryptocurrency, there is usually no problem when making these withdrawals.
Withdrawals at Irish casinos are processed quickly, but the speed depends on your payment method to take the money out. Times can vary from almost instantly to as long as 72 hours, but this will all be explained on the payment methods page of the casino.
Is it Legal to Gamble in Ireland?
Yes, and no. Online gambling is legal in Ireland, so long as the casino is based abroad. Irish players can at least enjoy the fantastic online selection available on the hundreds of great casinos we have listed on our site from the comfort of their homes.
If you are unsure whether a casino will accept Irish players, check their terms and conditions. Usually, they will list any restricted countries (countries they do not take) on this page. You should also be physically present within the republic if you try and play at a casino - using VPN software will more often than not disqualify you from playing and forfeit any of your winnings or bonuses.
When it comes to offline play, if you want to play Poker offline, you can play it in a few officially licensed poker rooms across the country. If you are a sports betting or racing fan, you will have better luck, as this has been legal in Ireland for many years. It was regulated in the 1930s and has remained legal since then. You can also find several gaming rooms in the country, though it's less convenient to visit them than to play online.
The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
As of 2023, Ireland approved a new regulatory body responsible for licensing and regulating operators within the Republic. This was approved in 2022 and will likely be established in 2023 or soon after. This new authority will be the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland.
For an online casino to offer its services to Irish players, it must be registered with the Revenue Commissioner as an online operator accepting wagers from Irish citizens. They will also have to register with this new regulatory body. Local land-based casino operations also have win and wagering requirements and limits for Irish casino players. This new set of legal changes followed the gambling act 2005, which itself started to regulate some aspects of Irish gambling.
While Ireland does have specific gambling regulations, laws and amendments in place, Irish punters are free to gamble at any regulated and licensed offshore online casino that holds a European-based licence (Usually granted by the MGA or UK Gambling Commission) and accepts Irish players, for now.
Any online casino can offer its services to Irish players as long as the online operator pays tax in Ireland. However, many different gaming regulators across Europe are very reputable.
The market will be fully regulated in the future, and online casinos must apply for an Irish gambling licence to offer their gaming services to Irish residents. This makes online gambling much safer, but it will also allow the country to collect respective tax money owed by operators.
Gambling Laws in Ireland
Gambling is legal for all Irish citizens, and most casinos are licensed by international gaming commissions such as the Malta Gaming Authority or any European-based legislative body. Citizens over 18 can gamble on slot machines and other games of chance.
Players do not need to pay taxes on their winnings, and online operators need to part with a 1% tax on their revenue if they are offshore providers. Online Poker and sports betting solutions are also legal, meaning players will have the full range of gambling options.
However, no locally-licensed casinos offer online betting to Irish customers. This means that the casinos you should be looking for are those with the licences above and those operating within the EU. They will also offer Euro as a payment method and e-wallets as a payment method, which is great for new customers.
If you find a local sportsbook or bookmaker in Ireland, it'll just be a land-based operator that doesn't have an online casino site counterpart.
Gambling in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and would usually fall under the UKGC's remit in gambling legislation enforcement. However, gambling regulations in Northern Ireland fall under neither the laws enforced in the Republic of Ireland nor the UK Gambling Commission's legislation policy.
The gambling laws for Northern Irish citizens were revamped in 2022 by the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Bill. This has updated several aspects in the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries & Amusements (NI) Order 1985.
This billing update made several changes, including license levies and a code for licence holders, age restrictions on gaming machines, and differing opening hours for land-based casinos and game rooms. However, despite these changes, it does not change the existing laws and regulations as determined by the UK government and the UKGC.
However, it is up to the online operator to accept players from Northern Ireland.
We urge everyone to gamble responsibly. Please refer to our responsible gambling guide for communication and helplines if you need further information.
Games at Irish Online Casinos
With the best online casinos offering a massive range of games, it can be a little daunting to pick what you like - especially if you're a new player. We've created a roundup of some of the major game categories you'll find. The game availability for casinos in Ireland is just as varied as in other countries, with no real blocks on operators and what they can offer. So whatever your budget for cash stakes is, you can find options to play a round or two.
- Slot Games: This is the biggest game category you'll find at an online casino in Ireland. They come in all sorts of game types and variations, including classic slots like you'd find on a fruit machine, video slots designed to be played online only which come with high-quality design and gameplay meant for mobile and desktop play, and more. New developments in the world of online slots add an exciting extra dimension to slot gameplay, such as Megaways slots, 3D slots, and Drop 'n Wins.
- Bingo Games: Bingo, as a community favourite, is available not online in land-based bingo halls but also online! You can pick from different number bingo ball games, and even chat with other players while you're waiting for the numbers to be called. The minimum wager for bingo games tends to be very low, allowing players to have a go at filling out their card without needing to spend a fortune as a buy-in. There are hundreds of bingo games available at Irish online casinos, with titles from well-established companies - making them safe, fun, and a great option for members.
- Table Games: Table games are a casino game staple for a reason, with roulette and Blackjack being one of the gamblers' most common online games. Live dealer games are just as popular as virtual setups, so you can find whichever one works best for you. Once you've gotten your gaming strategy down and you know what you want to play, simply pick from some of the best operators online and play your stake - maybe the cards will be dealt in your favour if you're lucky! Payout rates at table games tend to be quite good if you stick to the safer games like Blackjack, but you should pick whichever you feel happiest playing.
- Instant Win Games: Scratchcards aren't just relegated to the shops or gaming halls - you can play using scratchcards at your favourite online casino too. Unconstrained by traditional scratchcard format, these tend to give you different fun and exciting game formats which still use the same underlying mechanism that you expect from a scratch card or instant win game. These are great for a quick game anywhere, with the short game time and the ease of play making it a great option for all players.
- Live Dealer Games: Being able to play at a casino is half the fun - with the glitz and glam and the fancy environment, with games hosted by patent professionals. Live casino games give you that and more, with games hosted by professionally-trained croupiers and game hosts. The biggest provider for this kind of experience is Evolution Gaming, but you can find many games hosted by other developers such as Playtech.
Irish-Themed Games
Ireland is known for the "luck of the Irish", so it's no wonder that many online games have been developed to have an Irish theme! With a leprechaun front and centre, lucky four-leaf clover, games featuring a pot of gold and a whole host of other pop-culture Irish references, these games may not appeal to Irish players just due to their design.
The real draw of these games is when it comes to St. Patrick's Day, with many bonus package deals and free spins being earmarked specifically for these themed games. This is the real charm of Irish-themed slots, as you can get a bit more for your money as you go.
Best Irish Bookmakers for Sports Betting
Sports betting is popular in Ireland, and for a good reason – it's exciting and fun, with the outcome never set in stone! Luckily, many online betting sites have perfectly mobile-optimised options for on-the-go use. Casinos like William Hill, 22Bet and Rizk Casino offer great online sportsbook solutions with live odds and updates of ongoing matches.
With many sites offering markets for betting up until the danger zone of a match, the opportunities for betting practically never stop! You can also place multiple / parlay bets before a game or tournament kicks off to see how your changes pan out throughout a match or cup. Many sportsbooks will also create a special bonus offer or tournament event for the biggest games on the calendar, including the Premier League, the World Cup, and any other huge crowd-drawing event.
Several gaming markets are available at Irish online sportsbooks, including betting on sports such as football or even placing bets on virtual greyhound racing, horse racing, and more. Sportsbooks and betting sites will sometimes offer a match bonus when you make your first deposit - so get a match on your match bet! Check out the terms and conditions when you register.
Irish Casino Bonuses
The welcome bonus offer is one of the best things about joining a casino. If you do your homework well here, you might enjoy some fantastic bonuses to amp up the casino experience.
New players in Ireland will find casinos offering a wide range of bonuses for them - deposit bonuses to give them a little extra when they top up their casino wallet, as well as promotions for existing players that give them a little extra when making payments or playing their favourite slot game.
The casino's promos can improve your gaming experience, allowing you to try out games without making stakes with your own money, rewarding you for continuing to play at a casino, and giving you something extra just for registering.
You can read up on the types of bonuses at our dedicated bonus pages to help you decide when faced with various options.
Best Mobile Casino in Ireland
In Ireland, players can access various casinos from some of the best brands. With plenty of the biggest and best mobile casino apps or mobile-first sites, options for playing on the go are fantastic for Irish players.
Playing on your mobile device or tablet means you don't have to get out of bed or off the sofa to continue having fun, and these site options make it a seamless experience with no lag, errors, or poor sizing on the site itself when playing on your smartphone.
The mobile casino is available for both iOS devices and Android devices. You should ensure that your device is up to date and that you are using the app's most recent version. If you're unsure as to what to look for in a mobile casino, some important features to check for are:
- A secure and up-to-date app or a well-optimised website for mobile;
- A full selection of games that matches what's available on the site;
- Fast loading speed;
- Games optimised for mobile play;
- A good range of payment methods which are useful for mobile users.
You're in good hands if a casino site offers these features for their mobile gaming customers!
Recommended Irish Online Casinos
Here is a list of our editor's choice online casinos available for gamblers in Ireland. We have checked these casino sites for the criteria we lay out above, including casino bonuses, customer support, ease of deposits and withdrawals, and top-tier gameplay.
Responsible Gaming in Ireland
Irish casinos value player safety - and whichever license they are operating under requires them to consider gambler safety. This means preventing a gambling problem from being enabled by their platform, and as a result, they will have several different options to help people establish if they can play at these casinos in a fun and safe way. A few options you might find on a responsible gambling at Irish casinos page might be:
- Self-exclusion: This option allows players to lock themselves out of a casino operator or casino under a special licence. This can be temporary for a set amount of time or permanent.
- Loss limits: Players can set this limit on their accounts to add a maximum cap to their losses. As a result, if someone is playing, but they don't want to lose too much, the site will prevent them from playing more once they hit this limit.
- Deposit limits: Limiting the amount a player can send to their account limits the maximum amount they can play. Some payment methods like PayPal will allow players to block payments to gambling sites from their side too, so players have multiple options.
- Reality check: This simple check is a timer showing players how long they have been on the casino site - either as a popup or a timer on the site's pages.
If a player feels like they're not playing for fun, and are continuing to play because they have to, they must use these tools on the sites themselves. They can also connect with problem gambling organisations and charities such as Gamcare, Gamble Aware, and others. They will give them tips to help control their gambling and any information they need to take advantage of these responsible gaming tools on the casino sites themselves.
