How we rank the best bookmakers

There are a number of things to consider when heading to a bookmakers in Ireland to place a bet. Some things are obvious: what the odds are like, how much bonus funds are on offer, and does it offer the sport I want to bet on? But there are also numerous other considerations that need to be factored in. We employ a robust and thorough assessment process of the bookmakers in Ireland, recommending you only the best.

Extensive markets and events	Any betting site worth their salt need to offer punters a range of their favourite sports and markets to bet on, ranging from staples like football, horse racing, and tennis to more niche events such as e-sports or even Eurovision.
Bonuses and promos	Bonuses and promotions are the bread and butter of a bettor looking to maximise their winnings, so a Ireland-based good bookies will dish out valuable offers. That includes welcome bonuses, enhanced odds, cashback offers, free bets and more.
Fair terms and conditions	With bonuses and promotions comes terms and conditions. We expect to see T&Cs that are achievable and fair so that any bonus funds can realistically be converted into cold hard cash. They should be highly visible and accessible when accessing any bonuses, promotions, or other features that require them.
Odds and margins	Better odds means more winnings, simple as that. There are so many betting sites to choose from in the current climate that bookies need to compete to stay top-of-mind with bettors. We shop around for value, so punters don’t have to.
App experience	A betting site should offer a user-friendly and smooth mobile app which has all the markets, events, features, and ways to play that the site does. This means punters can bet on-the-go and have convenient access to all the information they need. We’ll recommend sites that offer great experiences on their apps.
Reputation and licencing	A site, as standard, should have a UK Gambling Commission licence and be properly regulated. Without it, they won’t come close to being recommended. This is one of the first things we look for.
Customer support	It’s not the most exciting thing in the world, but good customer support can make or break a bettor’s experience. Responsive and helpful customer support agents should be on hand 24/7 via live chat, email and a toll-free telephone number. We review the responsiveness, knowledge, and friendliness of the customer service team to determine how reliable they can be.
Great features	Stats and insights, calculators, odds comparison tools, bet builders, cash out options and more are all features we’d expect to see on a worthy bookmaker’s site. These are tools that are in-demand by bettors as they go a long way to enhancing their experience and enabling them to make informed choices.
Live betting and streaming	These features go a long way in significantly enhancing the betting experience. Live streaming brings the action to your screen while keeping an eye on your bet, while in-play betting enables you to wager as the action unfolds. This holistic experience is a great way for bookies to rank highly.
Responsible gaming tools	A Ireland-based bookmaker’s that provides responsible gaming tools is crucial. Tools like self-exclusion options or daily or monthly limits on deposits and bets help bettors control their betting, enabling them to set boundaries and develop or maintain decent betting habits. Bookies that promote these tools show that they care about their customers.
Security and safety	It’s not something bettors themselves regularly think about, especially when everything is going right, but we look to see that bookies are employing the latest and best security measures to safeguard their sites. Things like SSL encryption, anti-fraud measures, and a best-in-class cybersecurity solution will all be looked at. Peace of mind is paramount, especially when people’s money is in the conversation.
Payment options and payout speed	Bettors utilise their funds in different ways and a bookies that caters to these needs show that they care about their customer’s differences. Having a diverse range of payment methods, including staples like debit and credit cards, e-wallet solutions (think Apple Pay and Google Pay), and then PayPal or Skrill, adds a level of convenience that sets bookies apart when they offer it. Equally, payout speeds should follow a similar approach, so that funds are easy to withdraw and quick to land in bettors’ bank accounts.

Just like around the UK, betting in Ireland has been growing rapidly in recent years. According to some sources, the number of people betting on a daily basis is as high as 15% of the population. With this in mind, the number of services offering a sportsbook has increased in order to cope with demand. Nowadays, there are around 300 different so-called ‘bookmakers’. Although betting apps and smartphones have brought betting to the masses, it actually has a long history in Ireland. For example, betting was prominent over one century ago (even before independence!). Of course, Ireland is also home to Paddy Power, one of the largest betting operators in the continent. While some people bet on football and horse racing, others stick with traditional sports like hurling, Gaelic football, and camogie. Within the last decade, the betting law has been amended and this is information we’re going to bring you today. As well as talking about the law, we’ll touch on some more statistics, how tax works, how we judge and compare bookmakers, and how you can choose a reliable partner for your betting needs.

Betting Laws in Ireland

Ultimately, the 1956 Gaming and Lotteries Act still governs the gambling industry. Therefore, it’s fair to say that other countries in the West are further ahead in this regard. However, the act has been adjusted in recent years. In 2010, the whole law was reviewed. Five years later, a Betting Amendment came after the rise to prominence of betting services in the world of sport. What does this mean? Well, no remote operator can serve customers in Ireland without an appropriate license and without paying the expected taxes. While this change might have been frustrating for the companies, it brings a boost in revenue to the country of €25 million each and every year. As a side note, the Horses and Greyhounds Racing Act was the first to mention online gambling in 2001. Of course, online gambling now exceeds traditional forms of gambling when it comes to sports. In the 2015 Betting Amendment, online gambling became legal right across the country and for all sports.

Taxes in Ireland

For the longest time, there has been debates regarding tax laws and betting. Today, it’s still true and the unclear trading laws haven’t helped. While winnings are never taxed, those getting a steady income from the hobby are under slightly different restrictions. If you ever get a regular income from betting, we highly recommend speaking to a tax advisor so that you don’t fall foul of the law.

Popular Irish Bookmakers

Loyal and proud, Paddy Power is the most popular bookmaker in Ireland. After merging with Betfair not so long ago, it’s thought that a little over 16% of the market belongs to Paddy. Elsewhere, the top ten is dominated by other British and Irish names. This includes:

• Bet365
• 888sport
• 10Bet
• William Hill
• Betway
• Unibet

Currently, the only name in the top ten not to come from the UK and Ireland is Bwin.

How We Rate Bookmakers

Before we look at the future of the Irish market and how you can find a reliable bookmaker, we first want to make a small note on how we judge a bookmaker. What separates the brilliant from the average? What features are most important for a positive experience? Firstly, we get a good idea of how well received a bookmaker is from their reviews online. If the reviews are mostly negative, we know that the bookie perhaps isn’t worth our time. From here, we assess a number of different factors. For example:

• Navigation
• Appearance of website/app
• Banking methods
• Special offers
• Odds
• Customer support
• Experience
• Markets

By looking at all these different factors, we get a full overview of the service and can then decide on whether they would provide a positive or negative experience for our readers. If we spot any problems, or anything we think will affect the experience, we simply won’t recommend it. Therefore, you can always be sure that you’re getting the best recommendations.

The Future of the Irish Market

Just a couple of years ago, the Irish industry took a huge step forwards when it decided to add extra regulation to the online market, following in the footsteps of the UK. With the sheer amount of competition, the players are still in control and we don’t see this changing for some time to come. Elsewhere, we’ve seen the introduction of minimum age requirements and this should help with underage betting and even underage betting addiction in the country. Also, the many Responsible Gambling campaigns will undoubtedly help with this problem. At the moment, many are concerned about youth gambling addictions so this is a battle that will rage on for many years. Finally, what will happen with the proposed Betting Act alterations? What changes will come and how will this impact the industry? Only time will tell!

Choosing a Bookmaker

As promised, our final section is dedicated to those currently in the market for a new bookmaker. First things first, understand that this is very much an individual decision. Just because one person recommends a platform, this doesn’t mean it will be right for you. Therefore, you need to consider YOUR needs above everything else. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best bookmakers so that you have a shortlist to start your search. From here, you’ll see all the main features and why you should get involved with each bookie. With our many brilliant guides, you have all the information you need to make a sensible decision. With any luck, you’ll get it right first time and partner with a bookmaker for the next few years. Do you value navigation? Do you want the best odds? Are you looking for the bookie that rewards loyal players? Do you need lots of banking options? Are you hoping for a variety of sports and markets? Once you answer simple questions like this, you’ll understand what’s important to you and choosing a bookmaker becomes much easier!