Ireland's Best Online Casinos

How We Review Irish Casino Sites

Wondering how we pick out the best from the rest? Our filtering process ensures you’ll be choosing from only the very best options that Ireland has to offer. This is a very important choice, and we feel that you should know all of the key reasons for how we make our selections. After all, once you know how we choose the best online casinos in Ireland, you will have more confidence in knowing what your chosen bookmaker will provide. Check out our selection process below.

Licence 

You won’t find an unlicensed operator listed on TopRatedCasinos.ie, so you can rest assured that, with any site you choose here, your funds will be lawfully protected and the games you play will be fair and regularly audited. While Ireland does not have it’s own gambling regulator, its licences are issued to sites holding permits from reputable bodies from abroad, such as the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authority.

Reputation

A site’s reputation and customer reviews are important to us and our review process — after all, player opinion is a great indicator of how strong an operator’s offering really is. We keep our ears to the ground to make sure any developments with a site’s reputation are factored into our reviews and rankings. 

Software Providers

We choose the Irish online casino providers that boast games from the best software on the market, including the likes of NetEnt, Betsoft and Microgaming.

Rewards

Whether it’s reload bonuses, weekly boosts, or progressive jackpots, we source casinos that reward players for their loyalty.

Games Library

Our featured casinos offer a jam-packed games library covering everything from classic table games and thrilling video slots to immersive live dealer games.

Deposit and Withdrawal Options

The best online casino platforms ensure players have a strong set of payment options to choose from, and we make sure to count and list each one available when settling on a score.

Bonus Terms and Conditions

Bonuses are a huge draw for new and returning players, and every operator approaches them differently. Not only do bonuses vary considerably between sites, but their terms and conditions do too. 

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements are attached to pretty much every welcome bonus. In essence, a wagering requirement is the number of times you need to play the value of your welcome bonus before you can make withdrawals. These can be anywhere from gentle to steep, so the player friendliness of each site’s requirements is always factored into our rankings.

Minimum Deposits

Many sites will only deliver a welcome bonus if your first deposit is over a certain threshold. These minimum requirements tend to be reasonable, especially if you’re getting a matched deposit bonus where it pays to take advantage of their maximum payout, but we take these into account nonetheless.

Game Weighting

Some operators vary the amount that wagers contribute to your wagering requirements by weighting specific games. For example, the site may restrict contributions from your sportsbook betting to 80% of the value of your bet, while slots only contribute 20%. If in this example, you’re mainly interested in playing slots, game weighting can significantly inflate the amount that you must pay in order to unlock withdrawals. 

Game Exclusions

In addition to game weighting, some operators will exclude certain games entirely from contributions to wagering requirements. 

Time Limits

Welcome bonuses can be as fleeting as they are tantalising, with many expiring before they’re used in full. Time limits vary between operators in both presence and scope, with bonuses occasionally needing to be used within 48 hours of signing up.

Payment Exclusions

On occasion, operators will block certain payment methods from welcome bonuses. Sites will always detail which ones are ineligible, so be sure to make your deposit with a qualifying payment option. These exclusions are also factored into our review process for bonuses

Payout Speed

Sites have varying payout speeds when players make withdrawals, with some being almost instantaneous and others taking several days to clear. This speed is factored into our rankings, as faster payouts are a great way to offer a player-friendly experience.

Support

Every so often, even with the very best sites, players may need to clear up an issue with their operator. Our favourite operators ensure support is available around the clock to ensure you can get the answers you need, alleviate any stress, and get back to enjoying the games on offer. As such, we always pay close attention to site support’s availability and the quality of their service.

Irish Casino Regulation

As of 2020, Ireland does not have its own regulatory framework for online gambling sites, although that doesn’t mean that operators can offer gaming services on Irish shores without a licence.

The 1926 Betting Act, later revised in the 1930s and again in 2015, stipulates that physical casinos are banned on Irish soil. A smattering of private clubs exist around the country whereby customers can legally play casino games once they become a ‘member’ of that club, and this is usually a free formality to meet the law’s requirements.

In 2015, the Betting Act was revised to reflect the enormous rise of online casinos, and it legalised online betting on both Irish-hosted and offshore betting sites. Any and every online operator must apply for a licence from the Irish government before offering services to anyone in the country. 

Onshore casinos must host their servers and client databases in Ireland, with licensees being subject to regular audits to ensure they meet the requirements laid out in their licences. Gaming systems and their software logs, along with full paper trails of customer actions on the website in question, must also be available for audit to ensure fair play and practice.

Offshore operators must be licensed within another approved jurisdiction in order to obtain a licence to operate within Ireland, thereby enabling them to provide services to Irish customers whilst remaining bound by the regulations laid out in their native licences. 

The 2015 reforms were enacted, in part, to enable the Irish government to claim tax revenue from offshore operators delivering gambling services in Ireland, with 1% of every bet entered into with Ireland-based players being recouped as ‘betting duty’.

Understanding our Casino Reviews

We work tirelessly to ensure that our casino reviews offer a fair and reasoned account of what each online casino has to offer. Before diving into the details, each of our reviews is headed by a simple ‘What We Like/What We Don’t Like’ table so you can quickly identify the main draws and drawbacks of the site in question.

Scoring System

Our scoring system is based on seven different factors, with the overall score being an average of all those factors’ scores out of 10. 

Bonuses and Promotions

First and foremost, what does an online casino have to offer players as they sign up, and what measures do they take to reward loyal members? Welcome bonuses, their wagering requirements, and promotions schemes are all detailed and assessed in our reviews, making it easy for you to see what’s on offer and how a casino’s offering stacks up in the market.

Slots

Slots are the bread and butter of any reputable online casino and, as the most popular casino game, you can expect top rated sites to offer a broad and varied selection to choose from. The selection of video slots and jackpots, as well as how easy it is to find the types of slot you’re most interested in, are all considered when rating a site’s slots offering.

Depositing at Irish Online Casinos

Making deposits at online casinos is an easy, straightforward process. Navigating to a site’s banking section, selecting your preferred payment method, entering your details, and selecting your deposit amount is all it takes to get started. Here’s a selection of payment options and the ins and outs of each one.

Debit or Credit Card

Debit cards are perhaps the most common and popular payment method. Simply enter your card information into the site’s banking page, and you’ll be set up to make deposits. Credit cards work in the same way, but some jurisdictions, such as the UK, have banned their use for online gambling and so they may not be an option with your operator of choice. Once you’ve made a deposit, your funds should be available for use instantly, with your funds generally taking 1-2 days to clear from your bank account.

E-Wallet

While licensed operators will provide transaction encryption in order to keep your details and payments safe, many players opt for e-wallets and their additional security layers over debit and credit cards. Not only do you get added security, but you only need to enter the email address linked to your e-wallet in order to set up transactions, sparing the need to enter your bank details directly into every site you sign up to. Deposits made via e-wallets are generally available instantly.

Prepaid Card

Prepaid cards are a great way to manage your spending and limit potential losses in the unlikely event that your account is compromised. Simply load up the card with the amount you want to spend, enter the card’s details into your site of choice as you would with a debit or credit card, and you’re set up to make deposits. Paysafecard is a commonly accepted prepaid card at online casinos, and its online account management system makes it a breeze to load up your cards and set your limits. Deposits made using prepaid cards are generally available instantly, but unfortunately, prepaid cards cannot be used for withdrawals

Pay by Phone Bill

A great way to streamline your payments is to link your deposits to your phone bill through a service such as Boku. If your online casino offers the option, you simply enter your phone number and deposit amount, a confirmation code will be sent to your phone, and following validation, your deposit amount will simply be added to your monthly phone bill. Deposits made in this way will usually be available for immediate use, with the payment coming out of your next phone bill. Bear in mind that you will have to use a payment method besides phone bills or prepaid cards when making withdrawals.

Bank Transfer

A straightforward method is to make a direct transaction using your bank account number and sort code. This method is simple but tends to have longer lead times for transaction processing, though these vary between banks and operators.

Withdrawing from Irish Online Casinos

Withdrawing funds from online casinos is also straightforward, although there are a few differences from depositing that you should bear in mind.

Withdrawal Speeds

Once you have requested a withdrawal from your operator, it will usually take some time for your withdrawal to be processed. This varies depending on the site you’re using, as well as the payment method you have selected, and can be anywhere from hours to 3-5 days. Instant withdrawals, however, are often available for players who opt for e-wallets. Some operators offer fast withdrawals as a key selling point, so we rank websites offering this benefit to identify the best options for you.

KYC Checks

Much as you needed to complete a KYC check to make a deposit, you will need to do the same before making a withdrawal. This is a quick and easy process, and it protects players by ensuring cash is being returned to the right person, as well as protecting the operator from potential money laundering and fraud.

Withdrawal Limits

There will be limits placed on how much you can withdraw in a single transaction, or over multiple transactions across a particular span of time. Depending on the casino, this could be a daily, weekly, or monthly limit. For example, you may have a weekly withdrawal limit of €5,000 at your operator of choice. The reason for this, as with KYC arrangements, is to protect users from fraud and to prevent money laundering. These limitations are at the casino’s discretion, and you might find you can withdraw over the limit if you’re a VIP member or if you have recently won a jackpot.

Best Online Casino Games

Online casinos in Ireland offer a wealth of different casino games. We tend to focus on casinos that cover all popular casino categories, such as slots, table games, live casino play, bingo, poker, and more.

Slots

Arguably the most popular online casino game, you should never be short of options for slots. There’s a wealth of different breeds out there, from classic three-wheel slots to the more modern five-wheelers, and from progressive slots to multipliers which offer tantalising paylines and bigger jackpots. 

Blackjack

A true casino classic, blackjack is one of the most commonly available casino games out there and it comes in a handful of flavours. Single deck blackjack, the simplest version of the game, is regularly joined by side bet blackjack and its bigger potential payouts, and live blackjack which brings the casino atmosphere closer to home.

Best Online Casino Software Providers

To reach the heights of the best online casino Ireland, casinos absolutely have to operate using the best software providers on the market. Having a good provider ensures that there will be a wider variety of games, better graphics and more exciting gameplay features.

Needless to say, our featured Irish online casinos operate using some of the best game providers out there, including:

Evolution Gaming

Evolution Gaming is one of the world’s most esteemed live casino developers, and was recently crowned the Live Casino Supplier of the year for the 11th consecutive year at the EGR B2B Awards. The company invests heavily in delivering a premier live gaming experience, with outstanding stream quality, product availability, and tailorability for individual casinos.

• CEO: Jens von Behr
• HQ: Riga, Latvia
• Founded: 2006

Dragonfish

Owned and powered by 888, one of the industry’s top operators, Dragonfish is a premier B2B developer. The company is mobile-first in its strategies, and has thus delivered a mobile casino experience that sets a high watermark for competitors to follow. Famed also for hosting the world’s largest bingo network, as well as its award-winning poker offering, Dragonfish’s name is a mark of quality for all of its casino games.

• MD: Gigi Levy
• HQ: Gibraltar
• Founded: 2007

NetEnt

Having launched operations in 1996, NetEnt is one of the longest-standing members of the gambling software community. Dedicated to growth for both itself and its operator partners, NetEnt works to solidify its position as the go-to software developer for the full suite of online casino games. With over 200 games, 200 global customers, and over 58.3 billion transactions handled by its systems in 2019, it’s clear that NetEnt is one of the most trusted names in the business.

• CEO: Therese Hillman
• HQ: Stockholm, Sweden
• Founded: 1996

Microgaming

Self-credited as the company to launch the world’s first online casino software, having done so in 1994, Microgaming also delivered the first mobile casino service in 2004. Its pioneering work has continued in the decades since. Having developed such favourites as Masks of Fire, Book of Oz, and branded games such as Game of Thrones, Jurassic World, and Lara Croft, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a top online casino that doesn’t feature a Microgaming game.

• CEO: John Coleman
• HQ: Douglas, Isle of Man
• Founded: 1994

Playtech

Playtech is a behemoth in the gambling software industry, employing around 5,900 people across 19 countries, and it develops software across the full gamut of gambling options. Online casino, poker, bingo, live games, casual and fixed odds games, and sports betting are all covered by Playtech’s product range, and its management system means operators can manage its services with ease to the benefit of their players.

• CEO: Mor Weizer
• HQ: Isle of Man
• Founded: 1999

Betsoft

Positioned as one of the leading iGaming developers around, Betsoft’s range of cinematic 3D games are among some of the best looking and most engaging available, such as Dim Sum Prize, The Hive, and Take the Bank. Betsoft’s casino management software, along with its commitment to both desktop and mobile games development, paint the company as one that keeps its finger on the pulse and strives to deliver cutting edge experiences for every partnered casino.

• HQ: Malta
• Founded: 2006

How to Choose Between the Best Irish Casino Bonuses

Matched Deposit Bonus

When you fund your account for the first time, a common welcome bonus sees Irish casinos offer a match deposit up to a certain amount. This kind of bonus usually ranges from 50% to 200%, with the maximum matched amount being specified along with the percentage. For example, you may see an offer of 100% up to €200, meaning you can receive a maximum of €200 free on top of a deposit of the same value.

Free Spins

The most common offer found in the world of online casinos is free spins. These can be redeemed on online slot games, with some operators specifying which slots are eligible for their use. Some casinos in Ireland will give free spins without the need for a deposit, but these usually carry high wagering requirements (the amount that you must wager before unlocking the winnings from the bonus). Other casinos will usually give free spins following a deposit or a specific wager minimum, such as €5 or €10.

Wager Free Bonus

Sometimes known as ‘no wagering’ bonuses, this kind of bonus isn’t attached to any wagering requirements. This means that any winnings you accrue from the bonus are available for withdrawal without having to meet any wagering targets. These bonuses tend to be quite small, minimising risk for the casino, but they’re a popular selection nonetheless. 

Reload Bonus

Once you’re through the door with your welcome bonus, your site of choice ought to reward you for your continued play. The best sites offer ongoing bonuses, or reload bonuses, for players after their initial deposit, rewarding you for wagering more of your own money with the site. There will generally be a minimum deposit amount required to qualify for a casino’s reload bonus, and on occasion it will need to be made with a specific payment method to qualify.

VIP Bonus

Online casinos are keen to reward its most dedicated players, rewarding high rollers with either a tiered VIP system available from the outset or an invite-only VIP members club. Once you’re in, or have progressed through to the top tiers, exclusive bonuses and promotions, higher withdrawal and deposit limits, and access to a personal VIP manager or assistant are all commonly offered for VIPs.

Rebate Bonus

A rebate bonus, or cashback bonus, reloads your wallet with a percentage of a losing wager. Losing is inevitable in any form of gambling, but reload bonuses can take a bit of the edge off when your luck hits a bump in the road.

No Deposit Bonus

A no deposit bonus is what you might expect: a bonus doled out without the need to make a deposit. As with wager free bonuses, these tend to be small, token bonuses that won’t stretch too far, but it’s definitely a player-friendly option.