Top Casinos and Best Banking Options for Irish Players

We have to mention another piece of legislation which is the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act of 2019. The act was passed in 2019, but it came into effect on December 1st 2020. The main purpose behind it was to update the significantly outdated prize and stake limits, as well as introduce a standardised minimum age of 18 for all forms of betting. Another aspect of the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Bill of 2019 is launching a new regulator entity. Ireland’s Minister for Justice stated that the launch of the country’s new gambling regulator will be delayed until at least 2021.

However, in November 2022, the Irish Government approved the new Gambling Regulation Bill. The new legislation was approved to change and update outdated regulations. Firstly, it defines that the government agency Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, will observe gambling in the country. A new regulator will start working as soon as the new law officially comes into force.

The GRA will have the power to regulate online gambling, mobile apps, and advertising. Moreover, gambling operators who want to provide services in the country must register with the GRA. They can apply for three types of licenses: B2B, B2C, and licenses for charity. Finally, the new regulator will create a gambling self-exclusion program which will become available to players at all licensed gambling sites and even offline. A National Exclusion Register will enable gamers to exclude themselves from gambling if they need to.

Irish Market Updates

• December 2022: Irish Parliament publishes a new Gambling Regulation Bill, announced in November. The GRB is expected to become law in late 2023 when the Parliament approves it.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, gambling online is fully legal in Ireland. You can play blackjack, poker, slots, roulette and baccarat online while you are in Ireland, without having to worry about breaking any laws. While waiting for a governing body to be established in the country, Irish residents have access to casino operators based in the nearby UK, as well as other EU gambling hotspots like Malta. These sites are licensed and can be trusted, as they are internationally reputed online casinos.

Making a correct banking choice when playing online casino games can make or break your online gambling experience. That is why we pay special attention to this aspect of online casino sites. Each individual market comes with some locally accepted methods that players have rated as the most convenient and the easiest to use. Online gamblers from Ireland have a wide choice of alternatives when it comes to deposits and withdrawals to casinos on the web, but some of the methods that stand out more than others are PayPal, Paysafecard, Boku, Zimpler, Monzo, Payforit, Bitcoin, Revolut, Skrill and Neteller.

The Irish audience values electronic wallets, prepaid cards, mobile-compatible payment solutions, as well as the anonymity that comes with crypto. PayPal and Paysafecard are favoured in this part of Europe for their convenience and proven record with the users. Neteller and Skrill battle for supremacy with PayPal, but still have a loyal following in a lot of active players. The Monzo app has a tool to help people self-exclude from gambling when things start getting out of hand, which is a great feature. If you prefer pay-by-phone options, Boku is a fantastic method to benefit from. Also, Revolut provides a great deal of flexibility and has a growing list of features (such as buying cryptocurrency, for example).

Top ‘o the morning to ya! Believe it or not, brick-and-mortar casinos are technically illegal in Ireland. But wait, why are we even writing this section, then? Well, there’s a neat loophole in the 2013 Gaming Control Bill, which allows operators to run members-only gambling clubs. Of course, this is just a euphemism for brick-and-mortar casinos. Every venue is limited to just 15 tables, which gives Irish casinos a cozy and intimate atmosphere. If you’re planning to visit, you should stop by any of these five places:

Goldrush Casino Naas

If you’re in the Naas area, you’ll definitely want to check out Goldrush Casino. This sleek and stylish venue is packed with all your favorite games, including blackjack, roulette, and poker. The dress code is casual, so you can come as you are, relax and give everything a try. And most importantly, the employees are charming and helpful. And they’re very patient with demanding guests, too. But it’s not just the games that make Goldrush Casino a top destination. The casino doesn’t have any extra facilities, but it’s located in a spot from where everything is reachable. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a drink with friends, or a place to stay the night, this city of Naas has you covered.

Goldrush Casino Dublin Camden St.

While most people would find Irish gambling laws too restrictive, Goldrush actually thrives in this environment. Just like the Naas location, the casino at Camden St. thrives off its intimate atmosphere and a focus on electronic games. That’s right – the closest thing to traditional games are Goldrush’s digital roulette terminals. Don’t be discouraged, though. Not only are the software and UI immersive, but the casino accepts bets as low as 0.01EUR. Slots also have the same minimum bet, which makes this venue by far the best place for beginners. If you don’t want to feel pressured to spend money or dress like a snob, Camden St. is your destination.

Fitzpatrick’s Casino Limerick City

The biggest and oldest of all Fitzpatrick’s venues, this casino is still going strong. Unlike Goldrush, it’s more of a mid-sized venture. There’s enough space to move around and mingle, but the interior as a whole still exudes that iconic Irish coziness. And we have to say, hardwood floors and red carpets are a match made in heaven. As for the games, there’s a balance between modern and old-school influences. On one side, you have blackjack, and classic slots, while on the other, there are electronic versions of blackjack, poker and roulette. Recently, Fitzpatrick’s added an entire row of video poker terminals, further cementing the respect this venue garners amongst players.

The Sporting Emporium Dublin

When people say Irish casinos are all the same, we just point them to the Sporting Emporium Dublin. If you don’t mind dressing formally and walking under crystal chandeliers, then you’ll feel right at home. Underneath the shininess, though, is perhaps the best collection of games you’ll get to experience. This is probably the only casino to offer Free Bet Blackjack, along with a new roulette side bet called Prime Time. Three-card poker and baccarat are also worth checking out. But whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to join a poker tournament. They’re held throughout the week and often attract over 100 competitors.

The Jackpot Slot Club

Many of our readers play slots and nothing else, so we felt it was only right to include the Jackpot Slot Club. As the name suggests, there are no table games except for a couple of electronic roulette terminals. New players must get a membership, for which they receive free bets and a chance to spin the Wheel of Fortune. In terms of slots, this casino is unrivalled in all of Ireland. Whether it’s single-reels, video slots or even experimental releases – you name it, and the Jackpot Slot Club has it. And the best part? Every slot machine is connected to a central jackpot system, so you never know what might happen.