18+ Sports Betting In Ireland

Find The Best Online Sportsbooks In Ireland For Bettors 18 And Older
Learn The Difference Between Offshore And Domestic Betting Options
Discover Irish Sports Betting Apps For Apple And Android

Ireland has one of the richest sporting traditions in the world, and that passion for sports betting is long-standing. Whether you are looking to back your favorite GAA club, find value on a weekend of Premier League action, or place a wager at the legendary Cheltenham Festival, understanding the legal landscape is essential.

As of 2026, the Irish betting market is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. With the implementation of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, the nation has moved toward a modernized, unified system designed to protect players while maintaining a fair and competitive environment for bettors aged 18 and over.

While new national regulations, including the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), have introduced stricter rules for domestic operators, Irish bettors still have access to a variety of world-class betting platforms. On this page, we break down the best 18+ sports betting sites that accept Irish players in 2026, explain the latest legal updates across all provinces, and show you how to safely navigate the current transition in Irish gambling law.

Why Trust Our Recommendations?

Legal Clarity: We provide the most up-to-date information on the GRAI licensing rollout.
Market Variety: Our list includes top-rated offshore sportsbooks that remain unaffected by local law, offering competitive odds and unique markets.
National Scope: From the streets of Dublin to the rural parishes of Kerry, we cover how betting laws apply uniformly across Connacht, Leinster, Munster, and Ulster.

The Best Irish Sports Betting Sites For 18+ In 2026

Bonus	Rating	Visit
125% Bonus Up To $3,125	4.8/5	Visit Site Review
25% Bonus Up To $500	4.1/5	Visit Site Review
50% Bonus Up To $250	4.2/5	Visit Site Review
50% Bonus Up To $250	4.1/5	Visit Site Review

Is Sports Betting Legal In Ireland?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Ireland, but it is currently undergoing a major transition.

As of January 2026, the industry is moving from an older, fragmented system to a strict, modern regulatory framework governed by the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

Current Status of the Law

Legal Age: You must be 18 years or older to place a bet.
National Regulator: The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is now the official watchdog. While the GRAI was established in 2025, it is expected to be fully operational with its new licensing regime by the middle of 2026.
Existing Operators: Major bookmakers are still legal and continue to operate under their existing licenses until the new GRAI licenses are issued. International sports betting sites are also able to accept local wagers due to a lack of prohibition in current laws.

Key Changes You Should Know

The 2024 Act introduced several “player protection” measures that are being phased in during 2025 and 2026:

Ban on Credit Cards: It is illegal for local betting operators to accept credit cards for deposits; you must use debit cards or cash. Offshore operators will accept deposits using credit cards.
Advertising “Watershed”: Gambling ads on TV and radio are banned between 5:30 am and 9:00 pm.
National Exclusion Register: A new system is being built to allow you to “self-exclude” from all licensed betting sites at once, rather than having to contact each company individually.
No “Free Bets” or VIP Incentives: The new law prohibits operators from offering “free bets” to individuals or giving “VIP treatment” to high-volume gamblers.

Where Can You Bet On Sports?

High Street Bookmakers: Physical shops are legal across all counties and parishes.
Online/Mobile Apps: Remote betting is legal as long as the provider holds an Irish Remote Bookmaker’s License.
On-Course Betting: You can legally bet at horse and greyhound tracks.
Offshore Sportsbooks: Web-based international operators allow 18 and older gamblers to place wagers across the entire country. Ireland is one of many sports betting countries that do not forbid international gambling sites.

Ireland map

Is Sports Betting Legal In All Irish Provinces?

In short, yes. Sports betting laws in Ireland do not vary by parish.

Gambling and sports betting in the Republic of Ireland are regulated at the national level, primarily under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. This recent overhaul replaced a “patchwork” of outdated laws with a single, unified framework that applies nationwide.

Offshore sportsbook sites are unaffected by Irish law and are able to serve local players over the web because they are based in countries where online sports betting is legal.

Why the Law is Uniform Across Ireland

The GRAI: A new national body, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), was established in 2025 to oversee all licensing and enforcement. They issue licenses that are valid nationwide, rather than being issued by local parishes or counties.

National Licensing: Whether you are in a rural parish in Kerry or a busy street in Dublin, the rules for “Business to Consumer” (B2C) betting, online remote licenses, and advertising are the same.

Online Betting: Since most sports betting now happens via mobile apps, local parish-based laws would be nearly impossible to enforce. The 2024 Act specifically addresses “remote betting” to ensure consistent experience across the state.

Exceptions

While the betting laws are the same, you might see small local variations in how gambling exists in a community:

Planning Permission: If a bookmaker wants to open a physical shop, the Local Authority (County Council) decides on planning permission. They may consider the proximity of the shop to schools or churches within that specific parish.

Charitable Lotteries: Small-scale “parish draws,” or local sports club raffles for charitable purposes are exempt under the Act (usually for prizes under €2,000), but these rules are still set by the national government, not by the parish itself.

Note on Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the UK and has its own separate legal framework (the Betting, Gaming, Lotteries and Amusements Order 1985.

Why I Choose Offshore Sportsbooks In Ireland

Choosing an offshore sportsbook in Ireland is a common move for punters who prioritize flexibility, better value, and privacy, especially as the domestic market becomes more heavily regulated under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

While major Irish-licensed brands are excellent for local sports, offshore platforms offer several distinct advantages:

Better Odds and “Reduced Juice”

Offshore sportsbooks often operate with lower overhead costs and different tax structures than domestic companies. They frequently pass these savings on to the player in the form of “reduced juice” or lower commissions.

Massive Bonuses and Loyalty Rewards

Ireland’s new laws have placed strict limits on how domestic bookmakers can offer “free bets” and targeted inducements. In contrast, offshore sites are famous for:

Huge Welcome Packages: It is common to see 100% or 200% sportsbook bonuses and deposit matches that significantly exceed what is available on the Irish high street.

Crypto-Specific Promos: Many offshore books offer even larger bonuses if you deposit using Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Reload Bonuses: Frequent rewards for existing players that have largely disappeared from regulated domestic apps.

Cryptocurrency and Fast Payouts

One of the biggest shifts in 2026 is Ireland’s ban on using credit cards for gambling. Offshore sportsbooks fill this gap by supporting Bitcoin, Litecoin, and stablecoins like USDT.

Privacy: Crypto allows you to keep your betting activity separate from your primary bank statements.

Speed: While a bank transfer from a local bookie might take days, crypto withdrawals from offshore sites are often processed and in your wallet within minutes or hours.

No-Download Mobile Access

Instead of forcing you to download a heavy app from the App Store (which requires constant updates and location tracking), offshore sites typically use Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). These are highly optimized mobile sites that run directly in your browser. They take up zero storage space, offer better privacy, and are compatible with older devices that might not support the latest version of a domestic app.

Niche Markets and Higher Limits

If you want to bet on more than just the Premier League or GAA, offshore books provide much deeper coverage of:

US Sports: Massive prop bet selections for the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
eSports: Comprehensive markets for CS:GO, League of Legends, and Dota 2.
Politics & Entertainment: Wagers on global elections, the Oscars, or reality TV that are often limited on domestic platforms.
Higher Stakes: Professional bettors or “high rollers” often prefer offshore books because they tend to have higher betting limits and are less likely to “limit” winning accounts as quickly as retail bookmakers.

Irish Betting Apps

When exploring the world of Irish sportsbook apps, punters are increasingly looking beyond the domestic high-street names toward offshore platforms and highly optimized mobile web interfaces that require no download.

These 18-friendly sportsbook apps are browser-based and provide a lightweight, storage-friendly alternative to native downloads, ensuring that players don’t need to sacrifice device memory or constantly manage app updates to place a wager.

Because these offshore sites operate under international licenses, they often offer a significantly broader range of betting markets than local operators, including deep coverage of US professional sports, global esports, and unique entertainment or political props that are frequently restricted within the domestic Irish framework.

These platforms also excel in universal device compatibility, running smoothly on older smartphones or tablets that might struggle with the hardware demands of modern native apps, while simultaneously offering a higher level of privacy since they do not require invasive device permissions or persistent home-screen icons.

The Most Popular Betting Sports In Ireland

Soccer (Football)
Horse Racing
Gaelic Football
Hurling
Rugby Union
Golf
Greyhound Racing
Boxing
MMA (UFC)
Darts
Snooker
Tennis
Cricket
American Football (NFL)
Basketball

FAQs

Can I use Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to bet in Ireland?

Domestic Irish bookmakers do not accept cryptocurrency due to strict central bank regulations. However, many offshore sportsbooks available to Irish players fully support Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies for both deposits and withdrawals.

How long do withdrawals take from Irish sportsbooks?

If you are using an offshore site with cryptocurrency, withdrawals are often processed within minutes or hours. Fiat methods generally take the longest, usually 3–5 business days.

Can I bet on Irish politics or entertainment events?

Yes. While many domestic books focus on sports, offshore sites frequently offer deep markets on politics, Irish General Elections, the Eurovision Song Contest, and various reality TV outcomes, providing more variety for non-sporting bettors.

Do offshore sites offer “Best Odds Guaranteed” on Irish Horse Racing?

Many international sportsbooks offer “Best Odds Guaranteed” (BOG) for major Irish and UK race meetings. This means if you take an early price on a horse and the Starting Price (SP) is higher, you will be paid out at the bigger odds.

Can I set my own deposit limits on these platforms?

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, all Irish-licensed sites must provide “Responsible Gambling” tools, including deposit limits and time-outs. Most reputable offshore sites also provide these features voluntarily to help players manage their bankrolls.

Do I have to pay taxes on my sports betting winnings in Ireland?

No. In the Republic of Ireland, gambling winnings are currently tax-free for the player. The government collects revenue through a betting duty paid by operators (bookmakers), rather than by individual punters.