SPORTS betting sites are easy to find in Ireland, but figuring out which ones are worth your time is a bit trickier.

That’s why we’ve decided to create this list. We are going to show you our list of the best platforms on the market, where you will be able to bet on different sports. If you want to know more about the best deals and bonuses for sports betting sites, keep reading our guide.

Our list of the best sports betting sites

1. LeoVegas
2. 10bet
3. 888sports
4. kwiff
5. Luckster
6. bet365
7. Novibet
8. Bethard
9. Netbet
10. Tonybet

Facts about sports betting in Ireland

• 12% of adults gamble in bookies at least once a week
• 70% of all bets placed in Ireland are on Horse Racing
• The largest bookie in Ireland is Paddy Power
• According to the Irish Bookmaker Association there are 768 betting shops in Ireland
• The average sports bet placed in Ireland is €10

Full review of the top Irish sports betting sites

1. LeoVegas

LeoVegas’ stunning choice of markets and promotions, as well as its coverage of GAA sports, is excellent. Customers have access to all of the help, support, and safe gaming tools they need, whether via the website or the seamless LeoVegas app, and there are various options to deposit money and withdraw funds safely and promptly.

Pros:

• Regular promotions and bonuses
• Quick withdrawals
• One of the best online bookies for football 

Cons:

• No BetFinder
• Not a lot of live-streamed games

2. 10bet

10bet offers new clients a hefty welcome offer and an easy interface with an excellent customer experience each time you log into the website.  

10bet is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission and it offers a wide range of sports to bet on, including football, basketball, tennis, and horse racing. Launched in 2003, it’s got decades of experience with providing punters the best possible betting experience around.

Pros:

• Esports betting
• Easy to use interface
• Daily offers and bonuses
• Great mobile app

Cons:

• Some bonuses have high wagering requirements

3. 888sport

888sport is a popular brand and a household name in the world of sports betting, with almost 30 betting markets to choose from. This bookmaker is well-known for its extensive expertise in the betting sector, and there are few better online betting platforms for sports and racing fans. 

The site not only offers tons of sports and sports betting options, but also offers players services like live streaming and a free online betting calculator. 

From the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), greyhounds, golf, and Rugby Union to lesser-known sports, politics, and, of course, the Eurovision Song Contest, you can wager on it all and more! 

Pros:

• Nice Welcome Bonus
• Easy to use interface
• Live streaming available

Cons:

• Have been known to close accounts that are not very active 

4. kwiff

Unibet co-founders Karl Engström and Anders Ström established their new online gambling platform Kwiff in 2015. Not shortly after its inception, the sports betting and casino brand made its debut in the highly competitive UK market, first as a mobile application and later as a desktop website. 

Kwiff is a trustworthy betting platform for Irish people since it is owned by Eaton Gate Gaming Limited, which is licensed and approved by the Revenue Commissioners in Ireland. The site sportsbook offers everything a good one should have from many sports and betting markets to solid promotions and great selection of in-play bets. 

Pros:

• Original design 
• Large variety of bonuses
• Generous welcome bonus

Cons:

• Limited Live streaming on Horse Races
• No GAA betting

5. Luckster

Luckster is one of the best online bookmakers, and it has become a prominent platform throughout Europe. In addition to serving many non-Irish customers, they also attract many Irish ones. 

First, they offer their clients reasonable odds. On top of that, there is sufficient interest in the sports they highlight. Moreover, they provide premium live streaming, which is highly sought after by Irish gamblers.

Pros:

• Great Live streaming
• Some of the best odd on the market
• Many sports to wager on 

Cons:

• Limited horse racing
• Limited greyhound racing

6. bet365

bet365 has everything you could want in a betting site, including an incredible amount of betting markets, tons of live streams, and an easy-to-use interface. You may, for example, bet on and watch games from every major football league in the world, every NBA and NHL game, tennis events like the French Open, and much more. No one can match bet365 in terms of market depth. 

They provide the most wagers on every sport, both major and minor. The site avoids flashy marketing in favour of a straightforward display of games and odds, enabling ease of use for its players. 

Simple features like the option to mark various sports and events as favourites are really useful. bet365’s success stems from the company’s distinct approach and vision of the betting industry, as seen by the popularity of betting features like live streaming and Bet Builder, as well as by doing simple things better than other bookies. 

Pros:

• Mobile App
• Large selection of sports and bet types 
• Good variety of bonuses 

Cons:

• No VIP programme
• Have been known to limit player accounts 

7. Novibet

Founded in 2010, Novibet has over a decade of experience and a loyal following among Irish and UK bettors. Its user-friendly platform and a wide range of sports markets make it an excellent companion to any punter.

Expect frequent promos and a great sportsbook in addition to Novibet’s excellent customer support who really went out of their way to answer all of our questions.

Pros:

• Regular promotions and bonuses
• Quick withdrawals
• One of the best online bookies for football 

Cons:

• Not enough banking methods

8. Bethard

This user-friendly, lively betting site has been around since 2014 and it operates under a Malta Gaming License, which ensures that it adheres to strict standards for fair play and security.

It has an extensive sportsbook with plenty of betting markets ranging from football, table tennis, and basketball, to volleyball and fun sports like ice hockey.

If you need a good casino website, Bethard also offers casino table games, live dealers, and slots.

Pros:

• Esports betting
• Easy to use interface
• Great offers and bonuses

Cons:

Website is a little cluttered

9. Netbet

Netbet is a sports betting company that was created in 2001. The sportsbook separates itself from the competition by providing smooth user experience and a varied betting market with great betting options. There are no lack of sports to wager on and bets to make, especially for football. 

Netbet also has a great mobile app for punters on the go, and there are plenty of banking options to choose from.

Pros:

• Huge sportsbook
• Great customer experience
• 24/7 customer support

Cons:

• Withdrawal times should be faster

10. Tonybet

Established in 2011, Tonybet is a well-known name in the industry because of its excellent reputation. The website is available on both desktop and mobile and you can download Tonybet app for your phone

Sports betting features pre-match football markets, horse races every day, and versatile betting tools. 

Pros:

• Extensive sports book
• Good mobile app
• Large selection of payment methods

Cons:

• Higher bonus rollover requirements than competitors

How we ranked the best bookies in Ireland – Criteria

When we choose what are the best bookmaker websites, we are following strict criteria, to be sure that you see the best bookies on the market. 

• Sign-Up Offer and Promotions
• Variety of Sports and Betting Markets
• Betting Features
• Mobile
• Payment Options
• Support
• Odds

How to choose the best sports betting sites online

When you are choosing which bookmaker you want to use, make sure to take several factors into consideration. You have to think about what sports you want to bet on, what are features that you are searching for, do you look for horse betting, whether you are a fan of football, and also, be sure that your favourite payment method is accepted. You also need to make sure the site is licensed by a recognized gaming body. Check whether the site has good deposit bonuses, what the bet wagering requirements are, and what deposit methods are available to customers. If the wagering requirement for your 1st deposit is too high, you might want to think twice. 

Customer support is also one of the biggest factors when you decide where you want to play, so make sure to do your research before you register. Find betting sites with customer service that has 24/7 live chat if you can. 

Most popular sports to bet on in Ireland

Football bets aren’t the only popular type of betting. Here are some of the sports that Irish punters enjoy:

• Horse racing
• Golf
• Football
• Gaelic Football
• Darts
• Greyhounds
• MMA
• Golf
• Rugby
• Boxing
• Baseball
• Snooker
• Cricket

There are also specific events such as the Cheltenham festival, the Premier League, and Champions League that are popular to bet on, and a lot of these competitions will have special offers for players. You can read about operators in this review and find yourself the best betting sites with excellent bonuses for your favourite sports.

What are the most popular sports betting markets in 2023

Here are some of the most popular sports betting markets for different sports matches: 

• Straight bets (winner) 
• Over and Under (totals)
• Proposition bets 
• Accumulators 
• Futures 
• Asian Handicaps 

As you can see, you can make all sorts of different sports bets. If you have an issue placing the bet you want, contact customer service to help you with the website’s specific betting rules.

How to place a bet online

Step 1: Register into a bookmaker’s website

Step 2: Input the required information and verify your account

Step 3: Make a deposit with one of the available payment methods

Step 4: Choose the sport that you want to bet on

Step 5: Take a look into the odds and decide where you want to put your money

Step 6: Place your bet!

1

How do odds work?

Online bookies use fractional, decimal, and moneyline odds In Ireland, fractional odds are most often used. They are denoted by a slash (/) between two numbers. The denominator (the number on the right) is what you need to put to win, and the numerator (the amount on the left) is what you could win. For example, odds of 7/2 mean that you must put in €2 to win €7, for a total return of €9. 

Decimal odds are expressed mathematically, such as 2.00. Moneyline odds are used to wager on the outcome of a contest. The teams or player/players are represented by a plus (+) or a minus (-) sign. The – signifies the favourite in the event and the + signifies the underdog. 

Which bookie has the best odds?

While doing our research we found that 888sport has some of the best odds on the market. 

What is a free bet offer?

A free bet offer is a bonus where a bookie will give you a free bet. They often come as a welcome bonus or part of it or a stand-alone bonus. Sometimes to get a free bet you will need to make a deposit. Also, not all bets are qualifying ones for a free bet and they always have minimum odds. 

Which bookie has the best welcome offers?

It is a common practice for new customers to get some kind of welcome bonus when signing up with a sportsbook. Free bets, risk-free bets, and no-deposit incentives should also be available to reward every punter. From out research LeoVegas really helps new players with a great betting offer.

How fast does it take to withdraw my winnings?

Different bookmakers and payment methods have different withdrawal times. That’s why you always have to do your research before creating an account and a deposit in a bookmaker. 

The best platforms on the market have rather quick withdrawal times and the times will depend on the banking method used. On average you can usually get your funds within 2-5 days.

What payment methods are available at Irish sports betting sites?

On the best sports betting websites you should be able to do deposits with most of the available payment methods. Such are credit and debit cards, eWallets, such as PayPal and Paysafecard, and bank transfers. 

Which bookie has the best betting app?

Most of the best sportsbooks these days also have a mobile app or website. Betting applications will work with both iOS and Android devices and have a few advantages over desktop sites. Super-fast page loads, live streaming of special events, and even offers available only via mobile devices are all things to anticipate while betting on the go. Our top picks for mobile sportsbooks are all right here for you to use. 

bet365’s mobile app is perhaps the finest in the industry since it provides users with access to all of the app’s features in a streamlined interface.

Which bookie has the best live-streaming options?

While we were researching these betting platforms, we saw that Bwin has some of the biggest selection of events when it comes to live-streaming. 

How long does it take to open an online betting account?

Opening an account on a bookmaker’s website is quick and easy. You just choose the right platform for you, open up the website, click on the register button, and fill out your details like name, email and phone number. 

After that you will be asked to verify your account, that’s usually done with a photo of your ID, and then once your account is verified and you make a deposit you can start betting! 

How safe is sports betting for Irish players?

Safety is our number one priority when it comes to online betting. That’s why we only recommend bookmakers that are authorised by the respective authorities and have the needed licences to offer this kind of service. Sports customers need to be on the lookout for licenses from bodies such as the Malta Gaming Authority before they bet on any sporting events if they want to stay safe.

If you stick only to legitimate websites you won’t have any issues. 

Our top tips for sports betting in Ireland

1. Set a budget

When you start online betting it’s going to be easy to stop keeping track of your wins and losses. That’s why we recommend the players set a budget and never go over it. 

2. Make bets while the odds are still high

If you wait until the last possible second to make your bet, then chances are you are not going to have the best odds. Betting as early as possible will typically bring you better odds. 

3. Search for the best odds

When you want to bet on a certain game or event, make sure that you are going to get the best odds. With so many bookies, there is a chance that you will find someone who has better payouts. Before continuing with the sign up, check whether there are any game restrictions, sportsbook restrictions, country restrictions, or withdrawal restrictions you aren’t ready to deal with.  

4. Do some research before placing a bet

Before making a bet, it’s wise to arm oneself with as much information as possible. You may follow your gut, or you might see what the data says, which can lead you in a different direction.

5. Choose the right bookmaker for you

Before even starting to bet, you need to make sure that the bookmaker that you chose covers all of your standards, has all the games that you are searching for and has the best odds. You should also take a look at the welcome bonus and other offers. For example, the bookie could have excellent price boosts for your favourite events. You can also read reviews from other players to get a more complete picture and see whether the reviewers enjoyed any particular website specials. If you like casinos, you can also check whether the bookmaker has any quality casino bonuses.

Final remarks

Sports betting is something that has entertained sports fans all over the world for centuries. With so many bookmakers out there for Irish players it might be difficult to choose the best one. That’s why we created our article and we hope that after you go through it, it will be easier for you to start betting on your favourite sports! 

Responsible gambling

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
• Extern Problem Gambling – www.problemgambling.ie
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Help with gambling addiction

If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who does, help is out there. Extern Problem Gambling is the leading provider of information, treatment, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling harms across Ireland.