How We Pick the Best Irish Online Casinos

There are many criteria we look at when trying to find the best Ireland casinos online. Besides having the latest slots and casino games, we also make sure that our recommended sites have fair bonuses, popular payment options, site security, and more. 

We go into detail for each criteria below, but if you prefer having a full overview, you can also check out our review process page. 

Real Money Online Slots and Casino Games

To be in the chance to win for real, you’ll need to make real bets. All the Irish casinos we list here feature a variety of real money slots, progressive jackpots, and casino games. No matter your budget, you'll gave plenty of options at top online casinos.

Top slots include Microgaming’s Immortal Romance, NetEnt’s Mega Fortune, and IGT’s Wheel of Fortune, which all have an RTP over 96%. Other casino games which are big in Ireland include online poker and bingo, as well as sports betting. Besides table games like online blackjack and online roulette, live casino tables are also popular at Ireland online casinos. 

We also look for the best game makers in the industry. Popular ones with Irish casino players include NetEnt, Microgaming, Play’n GO, and IGT slots and casino games. If you’d like to try any games for free before placing a bet at an online casino, you can do so right here in our VegasSlotsOnline library. 

Note: Remember that you should only gamble for fun. Please play responsibly with money you can afford to lose.

Welcome Offer and Casino Bonuses

As a new player, you should be able to claim a generous welcome offer at a top casino online in Ireland. So for example, you can benefit from a first deposit bonus of 100% up to €100 and 300 Free Spins. This means that if you deposit €100, you’ll get another €100 back in bonus money. As for the free spins, you’ll be able to play these on a pre-selected slot or series of slots as chosen by the casino. The most common slot here is NetEnt’s Starburst, but you can also find titles like Play’n GO’s Book of Dead and Barcrest’s Rainbow Riches. 

After you’ve claimed your welcome bonus, you’ll also benefit from recurring casino promotions. For example, many players look for an online casino Ireland with no deposit bonuses. This allows you to test out the casino and the games without using your own cash. Other casino bonuses we look for include:

• Reload bonuses
• Cashback bonuses
• No wagering bonuses
• Low wagering bonuses
• High-roller bonuses

Instant Deposit and Withdrawal Methods 

Knowing which payment methods are available at your chosen online casino Ireland helps you understand how fast you can add money to your account and how long it will take you to cash out any winnings. The most popular methods with Irish players are cards, pay by phone options, prepaid vouchers, and e-wallets.

For instant and fee-free casino deposit methods, we suggest debit cards like Visa and Maestro. However, you might not be able to cash out using these cards at an Irish online casino. If you’d like an option which supports both, we recommend e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. Withdrawing with e-wallets is the fastest way to get your winnings back. And for easy on-the-go deposits, we recommend mobile billing methods like Boku.

Player Safety and Site Security

We only recommend the best online casinos which make player safety their top priority. Ensure you check for a trusted gaming license before opening an account at an Irish casino site. Such licenses include ones by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). 

Besides having a license to operate, top Irish casino sites should also have SSL encryption. This means that any data you share with the casino stays private. Other security measures at safe online casinos include:

• Fair games that use RNGs
• Transparent terms and conditions 
• Responsible gaming tools
• Problem gambling help
• Formal complaint procedures
• User-friendly and smooth navigation

Mobile Casinos and Gambling Apps 

Since most gamblers prefer playing on-the-go from mobile devices and tablets, our review experts give brownie points to Irish online casinos that feature a mobile casino. You can play in your mobile browser just as you would on desktop, and you won’t use up any storage from your phone. Mobile casinos can run on any software including Android and iOS.  

Some casinos also feature a mobile gambling app. While you’ll have to download this to your phone, there still are benefits to casino apps. You can load your favourite slots faster and the graphics will be sharper than in browser. However, no matter which option you go for, you’ll have access to mobile slot games like NetEnt’s Dead or Alive and Microgaming’s Mega Moolah.

The Latest Irish Online Casinos

When we review online casinos, we like to make sure that there's a healthy mix of established and new casino sites. While established operators have been around for a while in the industry and built a great reputation, we like to see what brand-new online casinos bring to the table.

Players can expect the latest trends here. You'll find more interactive games, world-class software, a sharp focus on mobile gaming, and instant payment methods. Other reasons to try new casinos include the great selection of live dealer casino games, progressive jackpot slots, big welcome bonuses, and bonus spins on your favourite slots.  

If you’re ready to try something new, head over to our best online casino Ireland.

Gambling Regulation in Ireland

While gambling in Ireland isn’t illegal, the laws surrounding it can be quite confusing. Land-based casinos were prohibited through the Gaming and Lottery Act of 1956, but nowadays there are around 14 land casinos throughout the country. Instead of commercial casinos, these present themselves as gambling clubs to get around the law. One of the main disadvantages is that the casino games are limited, and you'll mostly find roulette and poker games besides slots. This is why most opt for online gambling. 

And while there’s no proper legislation in place for gambling online in Ireland, Irish players can gamble for real on online slots and casino games at licensed local and foreign sites. Reputable licenses include ones from the MGA, UKGC, and the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC). Just remember that you need to be over 18 years old to gamble at an online casino Ireland.

Other Forms of Gambling

Sports betting, specifically on horse racing and football, is very popular throughout Ireland. You can bet on sporting events at racecourses or through local sportsbooks. However, Irish players can now also access licensed online sportsbooks, including foreign ones. These were legalized in 2015 through the Betting (Amendment) Act. 

It’s also legal to play the lottery in Ireland. There are 3 games you can play: Lotto, EuroMillions, and Daily Million. These are all regulated by the Irish National Lottery. You can also play bingo at licensed bingo clubs throughout the country, as well as poker at the gambling clubs we previously mentioned. Poker is big in Ireland, with some of the largest tournaments held here. 

Land-Based Casinos for Irish Gamblers

Even though the laws surrounding gambling in Ireland are complex, the country has a few brick-and-mortar casinos available. They’re only allowed to operate if they’re presented as private clubs, where only club members can gamble. You’ll find most land-based Irish casinos in Dublin. Other popular locations include Cork and Limerick. 

Check out the table below for a brief overview of our top 5 brick-and-mortar casino picks: 

The Future of Irish Online Gambling

Currently, there’s no central gaming authority that regulates gambling and online gambling in Ireland. The government is looking to change this. The plan is to have something similar like the UKGC, and this would also help to reinforce responsible gambling at Irish casino sites. If this happens, commercial land casinos could operate and the licensing system for online casinos would be updated.  

It seems like the casino industry in Ireland, including Irish online casinos, is set to become more accessible to players in the next few years. We’re excited to see how this plays out, especially since gambling is a considerable part of Irish culture. It will also bring in a lot of revenue for the country.