Online betting is a popular activity in Ireland, and there are hundreds of sites to choose from. But it can take time to choose which one best suits your needs. On this page we will provide you with our expert opinions and guide you in picking the best betting sites in Ireland. Read on to discover what makes a betting site stand out, and why you can trust our reviews.
This is the Gambling Zone list of the best betting sites in Ireland. All are licensed. We regularly add new bookmakers for even more choices.
Picking a betting site can be tricky, but it is important to get it right. At Gambling Zone, we strive to provide impartial and honest reviews so that our readers can make informed decisions when choosing an online betting site in Ireland.
Our team of experts carefully evaluate each betting site before giving a verdict – we look at everything from licensing and regulation to customer service and payment options.
Here we look at the key criteria we assess betting sites against to help you make an informed decision.
The number of betting markets is important when looking for a betting site in Ireland. Popular sports like football, horse racing, eSports and ice hockey should be well represented with a wide selection of markets across each sport. Not only this but market depth should also be taken into account; for example, football may have hundreds of different bets available on any given match day but if there is no real variety then it will not be as beneficial. Make sure the betting site offers a good blend of markets and depth.
Sports welcome bonuses are designed to entice new customers so tend to be highly attractive. While the amount of a bonus may be appealing, it is important to understand the terms and conditions associated with it before signing up for an account. Types of bonuses offered include free bets, matched deposits, enhanced odds and money-back offers. All of which will come with their own conditions. The best betting sites typically offer generous welcome bonuses with easy-to-understand terms, allowing you to make the most of your deposit.
The best betting sites in Ireland are fully licensed by proper licencing authorities such as the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). This is a regulatory body that sets standards and rules for gambling operators in Ireland, ensuring fair play and responsible gambling. Here at Gambling Zone, we only ever recommend licensed sites, so you can trust they are legit. As well as the GRAI we also look for sites licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). In the UK it is imperative to have a UKGC licence and in the province of Ontario all operators must have a licence issued from AGCO.
One of the benefits of playing at the best betting sites is the user-friendly experience. Sites have intuitive layouts and clear navigation, making it easy to track down markets and types of bets. The best Ireland betting sites also offer a range of features to help players find their desired bets quickly, such as search filters, quick links, market sorting and bet recommendations. The best betting sites use cutting-edge technology to provide a smooth and speedy experience. They make loading times fast; meaning users can access their favourite markets instantly without any delays.
Existing customers also benefit from ongoing promotions which the best betting sites in Ireland offer. This could be anything from free bets, enhanced odds on selected events, or loyalty points. In our experience, a ‘bet and get’ offer is a very popular option. A player is rewarded for placing a bet with a free bet. Often this will be placing a pre-match bet and receiving an in-play free bet. We like this offer as it rewards you for your regular betting pattern. We highlight the type of offers you can expect from a betting site in our reviews.
Mobile betting is hugely popular, therefore the best betting apps need to offer the same functionality as the desktop site. This way, bettors can place bets quickly when out and about. This includes in-play markets, live streaming, cash out options and more. The best betting sites also ensure their mobile platforms are intuitively laid out with easy navigation tools. Mobile versions of the best betting sites also make it easier for players to manage their finances through payment options like Apple Pay.
Streaming means you can watch live events from your laptop, or smartphone for free. This makes it a convenient and affordable option for those looking to stay up-to-date with the latest action. Not only does streaming allow users to keep track of their bets but it also offers insight into trends and strategies of fellow bettors. Plus, this type of viewing is often more immersive than just simply watching highlights as you can experience the action as it happens – allowing you to make smarter bets. You will have to have a bet on an event to be able to watch the stream.
Responsible gaming is an essential aspect of assessing the best betting sites in Ireland, as it ensures that players gamble in a safe and secure environment. Responsible gaming practices should include measures to help players stay in control of their gambling activity, minimise any potential harm, and prevent underage gambling. The best betting sites should have a range of self regulating tools. At Gambling Zone we are committed to promoting responsible gambling and highlighting any issues we see. We also recommend all players make use of the tools available.
Bet builders are an innovative tool offered by betting sites that allow players to create a custom bet combining different selections from one or multiple events. This allows users to combine multiple markets into one single bet, with the potential for higher returns than single bets. For example, you might choose to back the winner of a tennis match, the total number of games and the player to break serve first in the same bet. If all three selections are correct then you will be rewarded with a much higher return than if you had placed individual bets on each component. This is different to standard accumulator bets, as you can only place those on separate events.
Players need to be able to deposit and withdraw their funds with ease and security, so the best betting sites should offer a range of popular banking methods for Ireland customers. In Ireland, some of the most popular banking methods include debit cards, e-wallets such as PayPal, Trustly and Skrill, and bank transfers. It is also important to look out for sites that offer fast payouts. We cover this topic in detail in all of our reviews.
Cash out is a feature that allows bettors to take their winnings or cut their losses before an event is finished. This gives users greater control over their bets and makes it easier to manage their funds. The best betting sites will also offer partial cash out, which allows players to take a portion of their winnings and leave the rest of the stake on the event to run until its conclusion. Partial cash out is great for those who want to feel a sense of security in case the bet does not turn out as expected.
Players need to be able to access help whenever they have any questions or technical issues. To ensure that the best betting sites meet this need, they should offer multiple options for customer support including live chat, phone support, email and social media. Live chat is often the best option for customers as it offers real-time communication with a support agent who can provide assistance right away.
Most Ireland betting sites offer both pre-match and live betting options. Pre-match betting allows players to place bets on events that have not yet started, while live betting allows punters to place wagers on ongoing events as they progress. Live betting offers a much more dynamic experience, as the odds adjust in real-time and bettors can take advantage of changing conditions to maximise their profits. The best sites ensure their odds are updated quickly, and wagers taken in a timely manner. Due to the nature of live betting it is best suited to those with a good understanding of sports and familiarity with betting markets.
One of the key elements to consider when choosing a betting site is its offering of competitive odds. The best betting sites will be the top price on many markets, giving more value for money. Remember, the better the odds means higher potential returns.
Hundreds of sports betting sites are competing for your attention with bold bonuses. At Gambling Zone, we give you access to the very best of these with our recommended betting bonus sites. We provide insight into which betting sites have bonuses that are actually worth taking advantage of, as well as those that should be avoided. We always provide our honest opinions and guide you into making the best choice for you.
It is important to consider not only the size of a bonus but also its terms and conditions so you know exactly what you are getting into before committing your money. Our best betting bonuses guide not only presents offers, and terms, but also explains the steps you need to take to claim one, and the pitfalls to avoid.
Football betting is hugely popular in Ireland. When betting on football in Ireland, there are a number of markets available. These typically include bets such as match result, goalscorers, total goals scored and team statistics such as yellow cards or corners won. In our experience, football tends to dominate betting sites with thousands of markets daily. So, if you are looking to get started with betting on football, you have plenty of choices.
Horse racing has been part of Ireland’s culture since before the 1600s, and betting on the sport has been a popular pastime since the late 1700s. Racing is still very popular today, with many of the best stables and trainers based in Ireland. Horse racing betting offers a variety of bets, from a simple win or place bet to those involving multiple horses and complex rules such as exactas or trifecta bets. Of course, there is an element of luck but many consider horse racing betting to be a skill. There is more to this sport than simply picking a horse.
Online betting sites can be a great choice for many reasons. They are more convenient than betting shops since you can bet from anywhere. Bonuses are another obvious advantage. However, there are also some disadvantages to consider. At Gambling Zone we provide the full picture to allow our readers to be able to make an informed decision. As we see it, these are the pros and cons of betting online.
Convenience
Winnings are not returned instantly
Can bet on the go via mobile
No personal interaction
Improved odds due to reduced overheads
Need to do research to make sure a site is safe
Specific sports related bonuses
Never miss a bet
Stats readily available
Variety of markets
Online betting sites offer a range of types of bets. When you bet at an Ireland betting site, the odds you place are fixed odds in most cases which means if your bet wins, those will be the odds you are paid out at. This is also true for the best betting sites Ontario has to offer. But what are the betting options?
In this section, we will look at the five most common bets.
An each-way bet is made up of two bets, a win and a place. Half of your stake is that your chosen horse or team will win and the other half is that it will finish in the top few places. If your chosen horse or team wins, you get paid out for both bets. If they come second, third, fourth or fifth, (depending on the terms), then you only get paid out on the second part of your bet. It sounds complicated, but it is a great way to spread your betting. Although you will win less if your ‘win’ bet does not land, you still get a return.
An accumulator bet is when you combine two or more selections from different events into one single bet. If all your selections win, then you will be paid out the combined odds of all your selections. However, if just one of the legs of your bet lets you down, then the entire bet is lost. System bets are a form of accumulator bet where you choose more than three selections, and as long as two of your selections win, then you will receive a payout. These are very popular in football betting when there are many fixtures to choose from.
These are when you bet on whether the total number of goals, points or runs scored in a match will be over or under a certain amount. There will usually be a few of these to choose from with popular football markets over/under 2.5 goals for example. Because this type of bet is a yes or no the odds are quite short. However, they are popular to place in accumulator bets.
A correct score bet is where you predict the exact outcome of a match or game, for example, 2-1 to team A. The odds for these bets are usually decent, but this does depend on how likely it is that your predicted score will happen. If you are betting on an outrageous scoreline of say 6-0 then the odds will likely be long. This bet is popular with the bet builder feature mentioned above.
This is the most straightforward bet and the most common by far. A match-winner bet is when you bet on who will win a match. It can also be known as a 1X2 bet. With X representing a draw, and 1, and 2 as the teams involved. It is similar to an outright winner bet, which is for an overall winner of a tournament as opposed to a single match.
Listed below are the most common questions asked about online betting sites.