Ireland Gambling Sites, Laws and Player Taxes
In 1956, the government of Ireland instituted the Gaming and Lotteries Act which was intended to make casino gaming illegal.
The act obviously wasn’t well thought out as loopholes allowed for private establishments to operate casino-like businesses.
These clubs were virtually unregulated and the activities that went on in these places began to give betting a bad name.
In 2011, a new act was introduced, but several delays stalled its implementation. It was eventually put in place in 2015.
The Minister and Office for Gambling Control Ireland is now tasked with licensing and enforcement of regulations for all land-based and online betting establishments.
Several brick and mortar casinos now operate here and internet wagering, along with Ireland betting sites is licensed and regulated.
These amendments are expected to put an extra €25 million into government coffers through taxes and licensing fees.
The costs of operating online betting sites in Ireland are quite reasonable compared with other jurisdictions in the EU, which should attract a lot of companies.
The licensing process is strict and the regulations are rigidly enforced in an attempt to prevent crime, money laundering, and problem/underage gambling.
With the most recent amendments having just come into effect, it is hard to measure how successful these changes have been.
Top 10 Gambling Sites for Ireland in 21 November 2024 – Updated List
What are the Best Gambling Sites and Promotions for Ireland?
Ireland is among the world leaders in GDP and their citizens enjoy a very good quality of life with a fair amount of disposable income. The Irish also love to gamble, which makes Ireland a very valuable betting market. The world’s most reputable bookmakers by country are battling it out for their share of the market and Irish punters are the beneficiaries of some awesome betting bonuses.
Sports betting exchanges like Betfair and industry leaders like BetAtHome, and 888 offer their services to Irish casino players and they all offer very attractive bonuses. 5Dimes is a popular destination for Irish casino fans and this trusted site is giving away €50 in casino bonuses.
You can easily get your hands on €100 in bonuses at OptiBet, Casino Kings, and WhiteBet, as well as at Expekt, RedBet and Casino Floor. Looking for really big casino bonuses? For those who want even more, Play Grand Casino will give you up to $10,000.
Poker in Ireland is also participated in on a large scale and the world’s top-rated poker sites have some stunning bonuses. Irish poker players can hit the tables with €500 of bonus poker cash at Bet1128 and Bwin. BetAtHome, NetBet, and TitanBet each have an incredible €1,500 in bonus money waiting to be claimed and Winner and Ladbrokes do too.
Check out Gamblingjudge’s promotions section for the latest betting bonuses and incentives that are easily claimed.
How Regulated is the Irish Gambling Market?
The 2015 amendments to the Gambling Act modernized the betting industry in Ireland, as well as creating new revenue streams for the government. The Minister and Office for Gambling Control Ireland is in charge of keeping a tight leash on land-based and internet gambling. The Irish gambling market is now firmly controlled, as licensing requirements are stringent and the regulations are strictly enforced.
Is Gambling Legal in Ireland? What is the Legal Gambling Age?
Pretty much all forms of wagering are legal, licensed, and regulated in Ireland. Several brick-and-mortar gambling establishments, as well as mobile betting sites, are based here. If you are wondering how old you have to be so you can try betting on sports online in Ireland, the legal gambling age is 18, just like at the Paraguayan gambling sites. The Minister and Office of Gambling Control are very strict with enforcing the age limit.
Does Ireland Tax Gambling Winnings?
Ireland does not currently place a tax on gambling winnings. Betting establishments are subject to taxes and fees that generate tens of millions of Euros for the government. There have been discussions about taxing winnings but the idea appears to have been rejected in favor of extra taxes on betting businesses.
What Currency and Payment Methods do Irish Players Generally Use?
As a member of the EU, the official currency is the Euro, as well as the betting currency, although the Pound Sterling is used in Northern Ireland. When Irish online gamblers want to deposit or withdraw funds from bookmakers by payment methods there are plenty of options for them. Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro credit cards are accepted almost anywhere online as are many debit cards.
Prepaid methods like EntroPay and PaySafe are generally accepted and eWallets are also popular. Skrill, Neteller, and WebMoney are the most common. Bank and wire transfers are also a fast and secure option.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gambling in Ireland
You can bet online in Ireland at any of the bookmakers and gambling operators that hold a valid license.
Players are not taxed on the profits they make playing poker in Ireland, only the poker room is taxed.
You need to be at least 18 years old to be allowed to legally bet on sports at bookmakers in Ireland.
The official regulator of gambling in Ireland goes by the name of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.