Which online casinos are licensed in Ireland?
Online gambling is regulated by the GRAI, which was created by the Gambling Regulation Bill of 2022. This law allows players in the country to bet on poker, bingo, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and even slot machines online. But of course, the sites that 'buy' the Irish licence and thus have the right to advertise in the country, have to pay taxes levied in Ireland, which greatly reduces the rate of return of winnings to players.
The list of approved operators in Ireland is available here: oireachtas.ie
Is online casino legal in Ireland?
Online casino gambling is legal in Ireland, governed by various laws and amendments that have evolved over the years. The foundation of gambling regulations in Ireland was laid by the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, which, interestingly, prohibited commercial casinos but allowed other forms of gambling. This Act has been supplemented and updated by subsequent legislation, including the Betting (Amendment) Act of 2015, which specifically legalized online sports betting and included regulations for remote operators.
Despite the prohibition of commercial casinos under the 1956 Act, legal casino gambling has found a place in Ireland through private gambling clubs. These clubs offer a limited range of gaming machines and table games, operating within the legal framework by exploiting loopholes in the 1956 law.
In Ireland, sports betting, both land-based and online, is legal and regulated under the Betting Act 1931 and its amendments. Online casinos and other forms of online gambling, including poker and bingo, are also legal. These online gambling activities are regulated to ensure player protection, responsible gambling, and adherence to financial and security regulations.
The Irish gambling landscape emphasizes the importance of licenses for all gambling operators, both land-based and online. Regulatory bodies, including the Revenue Commissioners and the National Lottery, oversee these operations, ensuring compliance with the laws.
What are the options for Irish players?
The online casino is part of the GRAI regulation. However, Irish players are finding their way to so-called unlicensed sites. The GRAI estimates that there are more than 500,000 Irish players seeking pleasure on foreign sites.
However, the foreign market is also well regulated. Certain gaming authorities issue licences that guarantee the reliability of operators. Among the most renowned are Curaçao and Malta, for example.
Before choosing an online casino, you should not only check whether it accepts Irish players, but also take a look at its gaming licence. Each casino must be recognised by its country's gaming authority. This is the ultimate precaution that all Irish players must take to ensure they don't have any bad experiences later on.
List of casinos with foreign licences:
N°1
Serious and comprehensive
| Minimum deposit: €10 |
| €1,000 |
| 100% on the first 4 deposits |
This is one of Curaçao's oldest licensed online casinos. It offers a wide range of games and, above all, the operator takes good care of its players.
No KYC
| Min. deposit: ₮20 |
| USDT 100 + 100 spins |
| 100% of first deposit |
Very complete and entirely in crypto (no verification)
Huge bonus
| Minimum deposit: ₮50 |
| USDT 3000 |
| 300% on the first deposit |
Accepts Irish players on hundreds of direct registration games. 100% cryptocurrency casino, very complete.
