The Irish regulations for online betting does not include its own license system. Instead the requirement for bookmakers wanting to operate in the Irish market is that they have some sort of foreign license, such as a UK or MGA (Malta) license.

Irish punters are welcome at most betting sites, but it can be tricky to figure out which suits your betting needs. We suggest you scroll back to the top to find the top choices, or continue to read to find something that suits you in particular.

There are a few things to consider when choosing an online betting site. In Ireland there are, however, not many restrictions or features that aren’t available. Which is great for Irish punters!

For beginners or hobby players there are a few things that are more important to consider.

• An easy-to-navigate product
• A helpful customer service
• Straightforward deposits and withdrawals

It is not easy setting out to learn anything. That also goes for online sports betting. It is therefore imperative that your betting site meets the needs you have in the beginning.

A lot of betting websites, both on desktop and mobile, can be tricky to navigate. The interface might not be very intuitive and it is hard to find what you are there for, placing bets.

When that is the case, you might turn to the support, and a helpful one will make sure you find what you like. There are really differences between bookmakers in this area. However, what we have noticed over the years is that some bookies we considered bad at customer support have had instances where they have helped punters out in a great way and vice versa.

A fundamental requirement for online betting are deposits and withdrawals. If this is a hassle, it will really turn punters off. Especially if they are hobby players looking to bet on their favourite team, and don’t have the patience to figure it out.

For more experienced, seasoned punters, other things than helpful customer service matters more, and the ability to get an edge is more important.

• Quality of odds
• In play betting
• Selection of odds and markets

Odds differ between bookies. For a beginner or hobby player, the difference is negligible, but not for those betting on a regular basis. If a bookmaker provides good odds is not something that is set in stone, however. It may differ between sports and betting markets within those sports. However, some bookies generally do it better than others.

In play betting is the key for success among a lot of professional punters. Being able to analyse the odds and find value depending on a game’s progression is a skill that separates pros from non-pros. Therefore, more and higher odds, along with quick loading speeds, play a big role in this area.

Then it is also the question of a great selection of odds. The more obscure leagues and games, the better for the more seasoned punters, who like to have a lot to scan for odds value and edge.

Another big part of online betting are the betting offers. No matter if we are talking about the sign up offer or offers for existing customers, this is important for many. And it is understandable. A nice sign up offer gives punters the chance to really try the product and see if it suits their fancy. It also means the chances of winning some money increases.

However, we always think of the betting offers as temporary nuggets, rather than a long term plan. It is always better to find a betting site to remain with for a long time.

That said, who can resist a good betting offer?

For Irish punters, bookies offer both generous sign up offers and also existing customer offers. Our favourite for offers is Betway.

A free bet is the most common type of sign up offer in Ireland, similar to the UK. The amount varies, but is usually in the range €10-€50. 

A free bet is fairly straightforward. You can normally place your free bet at any game or market, but you will only receive the winnings and not the stake. This is called a “free bet, stake not returned” and is by far the most common version.

In order to receive the free bet, you must in most cases deposit and/or place a bet for the same amount beforehand.

The legislation in Ireland is working well, and the market is in a good position. However, there are always things to improve, and several political parties in Ireland have expressed an interest to investigate what can be done to further evolve the market.

One thing that has been suggested is the banning of credit cards, similar to what happened in the UK in 2020. The reason being that those with gambling problems will not be able to deposit with money they don’t have.

For the most evergreen content on Irish betting sites, head on over to our sister site, My Betting Sites Ireland.

There you will find a team of betting experts that not only rank and compare the best bookies in Ireland but regularly update their lists with the top sign-up offers and betting promotions, too. Hop on over to learn more.