Online Casino Legal In Ireland

  • Ireland’s national gambling laws do not prohibit online casino gambling. In fact, legal online gambling in Ireland is embraced. Both domestically licensed online casinos and legally sanctioned offshore online casinos are allowed to provide interactive casino games to Irish punters.
  • Are Online Casinos Legal in Ireland? Back in 1931, the ‘Betting Act’ was released in Ireland and this began to regulate the legalised gambling that occurred in the country. Of course, the introduction of the internet and various gambling platforms meant that this had to be updated and overhauled in 2015 but the same premise.
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Gambling is a popular activity in Ireland. Although the country is mostly known for horse and greyhound racing, there are other forms of gambling, which too are popular with the Irish public. The gambling laws in Ireland are governed by the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, which are slightly out of pace with other countries of the world. Ireland on this aspect has had to face criticism many times in the past and there was a review of the gambling laws in 2010, especially relating to online gambling and casinos. Here are the various forms of gambling in Ireland and the laws that govern them:

Horseracing and greyhound racing

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Irish men are known for their love of horses and this is a reason why horseracing is a popular sport in Ireland. The horseracing industry enjoys the patronage of the government and therefore, has the sanction of the state’s support for the industry. The Horse and Greyhound Racing Act of 2001, governs the rules of horse and greyhound racing. Although horseracing is legal in Ireland, the establishment of Fixed Odds Betting Terminals is not allowed in betting shops or public houses. The FOBTs are considered gaming machines and therefore, do not find a place in the public houses. However, the exception is limited to the Republic of Ireland only, as UK has allowed the establishment of such terminals.

Casinos

Under the purview of the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, casinos are illegal in Ireland. However, due to the existing loopholes in the law, the establishment of private clubs offering casino-like facilities is allowed. Therefore, private casino clubs thrive in Ireland whereas large casino establishments have been kept away. To become a member of any such club, an individual must be 21 years of age and has to provide his residence proof. Along with this, other membership approval guidelines are mentioned in the Gaming and Leisure Association of Ireland (GALA).

Poker

Poker is very popular in Ireland. Although it is legal, it is not without regulations. The banker or promoter of a game of poker cannot have any share in the portion of the pot. Other than that, there are other regulations governing the game of poker. Despite this, poker is very popular and Ireland has been host to some of the best tournaments in Europe. The Irish Open with a 3 million, prize pool is a coveted tournament.

Lottery and Bingo

Ireland supports lottery and there is the National Lottery as well. Although the lottery tickets in Ireland are the costliest in Europe, playing lottery is still very popular here. Bingo is another pastime of the Irish people. Both bingo and lottery are legal and therefore, enjoy the state’s support.

Online gambling

Although the pickup has been slow, yet online gambling is showing signs of becoming popular. The slow pace is attributed to the fact that legally, online gambling was not permitted until recently. It was only recently that the Horses and Greyhound Act of 2001 allowed the Irish public to bet online with other companies than those based in Ireland.

As stated by the gambling regulation its main objectives should be the following ones:

  • Protect the consumer, i.e. the player;
  • Protect the vulnerable, including children;
  • Prevent crime e.g. money laundering;
  • Protect Exchequer revenue (i.e. taxation) by ensuring a proper audit trail;
  • Ensure a future for gaming through appropriate regulation.

Legal bingo gambling initiatives in Ireland have faced the same challenges, short cuts and answers that the Ireland online casino and poker gambling venues have. With commercial bingo halls being prohibited by the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, bingo has primarily emerged through gambling clubs. These membership clubs are able to legally operate by taking advantage of a loophole in Ireland’s gambling laws that makes it legal to play bingo for real money in a members only club setting. Bingo is also legally played through licensed charitable gambling events.

For a time, bingo was being played at many Irish pubs across the region. In 2013, the Republic of Ireland decided to crack down on the popular wave of rogue bingo gambling that was spreading across the land, and proceeded to enforce the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956, which outlaws commercial bingo gambling. Pub bingo games came to a halt. Licensed bingo clubs are the only way to play live bingo for real money in Ireland.

Legal Online Bingo Gambling for Irish Players

Just like Ireland’s online poker and casino industries, online bingo is legal in Ireland from both a domestically licensed standpoint and from an offshore bingo site standpoint. In fact, online bingo in Ireland has gained tremendous momentum in the last few years due to the sheer range of bingo game selection, the ease of playing many cards at once with the automatic dauber function online, and the side games that can be played during and in between bingo games. Bingo requires virtually no skill and is very affordable to engage in, allowing the potential to win a sizeable jackpot for minimal investment. Irish punters can enjoy playing online bingo without violating any of the nation’s existing gambling laws.

Leading Online Bingo Sites Accepting Punters From Ireland

Here we’ve listed the top online bingo sites for Irish players. They each deliver a legally sanctioned, high quality online bingo experience complete with a wide range of bingo games, high end casino side games and some of the best chat games we’ve ever seen. They all offer new players a nice sign up bonus and their banking suite facilitates multiple deposit methods for players from Ireland.

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FAQs

What Bingo Games Can I Play Online In Ireland?

The most popular forms of online bingo (formerly known as pongo) in Ireland include 75 ball bingo, 80 ball bingo and 90 ball bingo. These three games can be transformed into hundreds of different games simply by changing the designated pattern of the card. In addition, most reputable online bingo sites also offer an array of casino side games, such as slots, roulette, scratchcards, blackjack and others. Probably one of the favorite side games available at online bingo sites are chat games. These games are played in the bingo chat rooms and are overseen by the chat room moderator. Players are able to interact with the moderator and each other during game play. These chat games are an opportunity to win additional money and prizes, and bring a refreshing social component to the online betting platform that casino and poker gambling don’t offer.

Are There Online Bingo Bonuses for Irish Players?

All of the bingo sites that we recommend in this guide offer a generous welcome bonus to first time players, as well as return player incentives. Like the other venues, online bingo bonuses are usually match deposit bonuses in which the bingo hall will match a specific percentage of your deposit. These bonus offers carry wagering requirements and terms that must be met in order to benefit from the offer.

How Much Does It Cost To Play Bingo Online?

Between daily promotions and the rock bottom pricing that is bingo, players can usually afford to weigh in pretty big during the games. Pricing on bingo card purchases will range from free up to high roller status. Many bingo cards cost only one penny, and you can purchase as many as you like since the automatic dauber will be doing the work of managing your cards for you. You can play for as little as one penny or for as much as a high roller.

How Do I Find a Reputable and High Quality Online Bingo Site Accepting Irish Players?

Our team of analysts has carefully reviewed and examined the available online bingo sites on the web, and has collectively concluded which options are approved as premium destinations for playing online bingo for real money. We examined each brand’s user interface, software solution, bonus offers, security profile, RNG technology, customer support, banking suite and bonus offers. We have carefully vetted each site for legitimacy (licensing and regulatory oversight) as well as performance and quality. By considering our feedback concerning which online bingo site you will visit, you are ensuring that you have access to a premium, high quality online betting destination that meets your needs, while effectively avoiding any type of questionable or low quality online bingo site.

How Old Do I Have To Be To Play Bingo in Ireland?

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Minimum gambling age requirement laws of Ireland indicate that the player must be 18 years of age in order to play bingo for real money. This requirement is absolutely non-negotiable and is enforced in Ireland. Most online bingo sites allow players to enjoy their online gaming services beginning at age 18.

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