Country guide
Betting sites in Ireland for 2026
Online sports betting is legal in Ireland and is moving onto licences issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. Independent scoring, sources cited, prices from live feeds when available. This page is informational and does not list a scored operator roster for Ireland.
Legal status
Sports betting law in Ireland
Online sports betting is legal in Ireland and is moving onto licences issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
| Regulator | Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) |
|---|---|
| Statutory age | 18+ |
| Currency | EUR (€) |
| Tax on winnings | Betting winnings are not taxed in the hands of Irish players; the duty is charged to the bookmaker instead. |
- The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was enacted on 25 October 2024 and created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland as the single statutory regulator.
- Licence applications for business-to-consumer remote betting opened on 9 February 2026 and the first licences were issued from 1 July 2026, with other categories phased in later.
- The Act provides for a National Gambling Exclusion Register that will let a person block access across all licensed operators with a single request.
Sites
Sports betting sites for Ireland
We publish a scored review only for operators whose current local licence we have verified against the regulator, or whose own terms do not restrict Ireland readers. That check has not cleared for Ireland yet, so no ranked roster is listed on this page. Read the methodology for how we score, or open the reviews index for markets where the check has cleared.
Methodology
How we rank sites for Ireland
Every scored review on the site follows the same eight-check rubric. Nothing on this page is a paid placement.
- Licensing and safety. We verify the operator is currently licensed by the local regulator, and we cite the regulator record.
- Mobile experience. We test the mobile site or app for load speed, sign-up flow, deposit flow and place-a-bet flow before we score it.
- Offers and terms. We read the full terms behind any welcome offer or free bet, and we score it against the visible headline.
- Reputation and complaints. We read the operator record with the regulator and check independent complaints trackers for unresolved issues.
- Price competitiveness. We compare the operator’s current prices on a fixed basket of markets against the market median and against the sharpest published book.
- Market coverage. We list the sports, competitions and market types the operator offers and flag notable gaps.
- Payments and speed. We test deposits and withdrawals on the payment methods that most readers in the market use.
- Customer support. We test live chat and email response and check the operator publishes a UK-style dispute route or its local equivalent.
Sports
Popular sports for betting in Ireland
Ordered by domestic attention, based on published participation and viewership data. Full sources are cited at the foot of this page.
- Gaelic football (GAA All-Ireland Championship)
- Hurling (GAA All-Ireland Championship)
- Horse racing
- Premier League football
- Six Nations rugby and URC
- League of Ireland football
- Greyhound racing
- Golf
- Boxing
- Darts
Major events readers follow
- Cheltenham Festival (Annual)
- All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (Annual)
- Six Nations Championship (Annual)
Offers
A note on promotional offers in Ireland
Local rules limit the kind of promotional wording an operator can use for Ireland. This site does not list welcome offers or free-bet claims for readers here.
Payments
Payment methods used for online betting in Ireland
Availability and speeds are typical for the market and vary by operator.
| Method | Type | Speed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Debit | card | Instant | Cards dominate Irish online payments, with over 60% of all card transactions. |
| Mastercard | card | Instant | Standard card option at Irish-facing operators. |
| Revolut | e-wallet | Instant | Revolut has more than 3 million Irish users and is the most used digital payments provider in Ireland. |
| Apple Pay | e-wallet | Instant | Apple Pay and Google Pay covered 21% of Irish e-commerce payments in 2023. |
| Google Pay | e-wallet | Instant | Apple Pay and Google Pay covered 21% of Irish e-commerce payments in 2023. |
| PayPal | e-wallet | Instant | Common wallet option at Irish-facing sites. |
| SEPA bank transfer | bank transfer | Same day | Instant settlement is available on SEPA transfers in Ireland. |
| Open banking / Trustly | instant bank transfer | Instant | Account-to-account payments are an established Irish online payment category. |
Identity checks
KYC and identity verification
Licensed operators must verify a new account before it can deposit or withdraw, and must run anti-money-laundering checks throughout the account life. Expect to submit a government photo ID, a proof of address dated within the last three months, and a proof of the payment method you plan to use. Underage accounts must be identified and closed. Winnings from an unverified account cannot be paid out.
Safer gambling
Safer gambling in Ireland
18+. Gamble responsibly. Free confidential support 24/7 on 1800 936 725.
Helpline: National Gambling Helpline (Gambling Awareness Trust), 1800 936 725, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Website
Self-exclusion: National Gambling Exclusion Register. Being established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 to let a person block access across all licensed operators through a single request. Learn how it works
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Online sports betting is legal in Ireland and is moving onto licences issued by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.
The statutory minimum age for online sports betting in Ireland is 18.
Betting winnings are not taxed in the hands of Irish players; the duty is charged to the bookmaker instead.
Every licensed operator holds a record on the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland register at https://www.grai.ie/. Check the operator name against that record before you register.
Yes. Licensed operators must verify a new account before it can deposit or withdraw, and must re-verify if the account changes materially.
Sources
References
- The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland regulates remote betting under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, applications opened 9 February 2026 and the minimum age is 18.
- The GRAI lists the Gambling Awareness Trust National Helpline on 1800 936 725, available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- GamblingCare.ie states that the legal gambling age in Ireland is 18 and is funded and administered by the Gambling Awareness Trust.
- Revenue charges Betting Duty at 2% on bookmaker bets with persons in the State and Betting Intermediary Duty at 25% of commission.
- Gaelic football accounted for 34% and hurling 23% of Irish sports-event attendances, and horse racing is the second most attended sport after Gaelic games.
- Cards make up over 60% of Irish card transactions, Apple Pay and Google Pay covered 21% of e-commerce in 2023, and Revolut has over 3 million Irish users.
- Revolut is the most used digital payments provider in Ireland according to a BearingPoint survey.
- The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 is available in full on the Irish Statute Book.