While lotteries and online casinos operate legally in Ireland, none of these iGaming sectors can compare with the Irish online sports betting market, at least in terms of popularity.
According to a report published by the European Gaming and Betting Association, sports betting accounts for around 41% of the total Irish iGaming market share.
According to the same report, over 44% of online wagers placed by sports bettors are made via mobile devices, which suggests that mobile gaming is dominating the industry as well. When it comes to Irish gambling laws and regulations, the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956 is the main piece of legislation. This legislation prohibited commercial land-based casinos from operating in the country.
At the same time, gambling clubs can offer their services and products. When it comes to online gambling services, companies licensed by respected iGaming authorities, such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission, can operate freely in Ireland. With online sports betting being perfectly legal in Ireland, Irish sports bettors have various gaming options at their disposal, but not all of these options are worth exploring.
When it comes to picking the right online sports betting site, there are several crucial things to keep in mind, as will be explained in the following sections. If you are looking for the best betting sites in Ireland, check out this extensive list of operators. The list includes all top-ranked sports betting options for Irish bettors, as well as quick links leading to their sites. This leads us to the most crucial factor to consider when looking for your online bookmaker: licensing.
• Look for Licensed, Trusted Sites
Whenever you put your hard-earned money on the line, trustworthiness and reliability must come first. Essentially, when looking for your new online bookmaker, you need to look intoits licensing. If an online sports betting site is licensed by gaming authorities such as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission or the Irish Gambling Commission, you can rest assured that the site is reliable and trustworthy.
None of the most reputable gambling regulatory agencies license operators that do not comply with their strict security and other protocols. If an online site is licensed, all crucial information about its licensing body is displayed somewhere on the homepage, usually at the bottom, alongside other certificates the site has.
• Check Out Online Reviews
When looking for an Irish online sports betting site, you also want to check online reviews published by affiliate sites, as well as other bettors. According to this report by the Irish Department of Health, scratch cards and lotteries are the most common gambling forms among Irish players. Online sports betting follows, so you should be able to find numerous reviews left by other Irish sports bettors online.
Aside from checking online reviews, you should also consider talking to other fellow punters. You can ask them about their experience betting at a particular site. Ultimately, if you want a real insight into using an online sports betting site you are thinking about joining, this is the best option to get it.
• Check Out Bonuses and Promotions
Seasoned sports bettors understand the importance of claiming bonuses and promotions. In fact, the availability of different bonus offers makes a massive difference to your bankroll. Therefore, you want to join a site that does not lack special bonus offers.
When looking into the availability of different bonuses, first check whether your potential online bookmaker offers a welcome bonus. If there is a welcome bonus, make sure you look into all essential terms and conditions, including wagering requirements and minimum qualifying deposit. Being able to benefit from special promotions, such as free bets and odds boosts, is another factor to consider. Hence, before making your first wager, make sure your online bookmaker does not lack regular promos.
• Look into Available Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Another crucial factor to consider when looking for a new Irish online bookmaker is the availability of popular, widely-useddeposit and withdrawal options. Since you want to make payments using your preferred banking options, make sure your online sportsbook accepts a wide range of options, such as e-wallets, bank transfers, prepaid cards, and of course, credit and debit cards.
• Check Out Betting Odds and Sports Market Coverage
Finally, you want to check out different bookies’ betting odds since the competitiveness of betting odds is crucial if you’re going to get the most value for your money. Betting on football matches remains the most popular sports betting activity, but you want your bookmaker to offer a wide range of betting options on other sports you enjoy. Even if you are not a fan of live betting, the availability of in-play betting options is yet another crucial factor to consider.