Online Casinos in Ireland
Online casinos, also known as virtual casinos or internet casinos, are online versions of traditional brick-and-mortar, land-based casinos. They enable gamblers to play and wager on casino games through the internet. Among the most popular online games are blackjack, roulette, baccarat, slots and the online craps game.
Jackpots and potential payouts attract many players to play the online casino games for real money. Online casinos generally offer odds and payback percentages that are a little bit higher than land-based casinos. There may be small differences in payback rates between casinos.
Gambling in online casinos in Ireland is perfectly legal. Irish legislation offers strong player protection, allowing different types of gambling activities and obliging operators to obtain proper licences. First regulations were introduced in 1956, when the Gaming and Lotteries Act was released. According to this Act, gambling was totally unlawful. In 2001, Irish residents were allowed to gamble online. In 2013, gambling was totally legalised. Both local and international operators can organise legal licensed businesses in Ireland. To operate any of the gambling activities, one needs a licence. Bottom line, the Irish gambling industry counts as reputable and reliable by all means.
How to find the best online casinos in Ireland
First of all: you should always visit secure Irish casino sites which are licensed by competent authorities. On this page you can learn how to recognize these sites.
Below we present some criteria that will help you finding the online casinos that suit your preferences.
Bonuses
Every online casino offers bonuses, for example in the form of a welcome bonus or loyalty programme.
Not all of the available bonuses are beneficial for you. In order to determine whether a particular bonus is worthwhile, check the wagering requirements and terms & conditions.
Deposit and withdrawal options
What payment methods and currency options are available? Undoubtedly, you’ll want to use a payment solution that you already trust. You will also appreciate transfers of funds to happen quickly and securely.
Customer Support
What to if you have a complaint or questions? It’s reassuring to know that your online casino provides reliable assistance in a timely manner, 24/7 available via phone, chat or email.
Supported Devices
You like to play on mobile devices? Check if you’re able to play instantly on your mobile phone by simply accessing the casino website via your preferred browser.
Range of games
You want to play all kind of different games? Check which of your favourite games the online casino offers. Some casino sites are better for table games, while others offer many slots games.
High roller or occasional player?
Are you a high roller looking for attractive VIP programmes in the best online casinos in Ireland? Or looking for low limits and lots of free spins?
Finally: don’t think that online casinos provide an easy way to quickly win lots of money… All online casinos use wagering requirements. They make it almost impossible to get a really serious edge, for example by taking advantage of signup bonuses.
How to Recognize Reliable Operators?
Many people are hesitant to provide personal details when creating an account to play at an online casino. One will have to deposit money into the online casino account, so you want the operator to be trustworthy and not some crook who tries to steal your money. You’re looking for the best online casinos in Ireland. How do I recognize safe and trustworthy online casinos? Below, I’ll share with you the most important features that truly safe online casinos have in common.
Licensing
Trustworthy online casinos are licenced and regulated by a recognized Gambling Authority. Every licensed online casino must adhere to a set of rules and standards if they want to stay in operation. Only play at these licensed online casinos. Before signing up, make sure you carry out the necessary research.
Encrypting
Data encryption should be used as a means to secure clients’ personal details and financial information. Data encryption scrambles the information that is transferred over the internet. This allows the data to only be used and understood by those who are authorized to do so.
Privacy
Personal information like name, address, phone number and financial transactions are never shared with any third party. Safe online casinos must keep details of their clients private.
Payment methods
Although the casino platform may be secure, you should also make sure that you use a trusted payment method. Look for the best-known brands, for example Visa, Neteller, MasterCard or Skrill. These options are fully licensed and have years of experience.
Most popular online casino games in Ireland
Online casinos won’t share detailed information about their businesses. Nevertheless, it’s fairly safe to assume that online roulette, online slots and online blackjack are among the most popular games played online in Ireland.
Online casino bonuses
Online casino bonuses fall into several categories. Below, you will learn about some frequently-offered bonus types. Have a closer look at them, so that you understand them well and make the choices that fit your prefences best.
Welcome Bonus
Online casinos use this type of bonus to attract new players. You generally have to deposit some of your own money in order to unlock the bonus. For example, you might find a 100% welcome bonus up to €400. That means you would receive €800 to play with if you deposited €400 of your own money. Always check the wagering requirements and read the small print before you decide.
Free Spins
This type of bonus allows you to have a number of free spins on online slot machines. Again, read the small print to determine the value of these free spins, the wagering requirements and possible other limitations.
Reload Bonus
Basically, the reload bonus gives you an added incentive to keep playing. Casino sites use it to keep customers loyal. It is generally smaller than the welcome bonus.
Loyalty Points
Many online casinos allow you to collect loyalty points as you play. You can exchange these loyalty points for free bets or free spins, for example.
VIP Bonuses
Players that place large wagers or a high volume of wagers (the so-called high rollers) benefit from a VIP programme. For example, VIPs can expect tailored bonuses, improved customer service or hospitality invites.
Mobile Casino Bonuses
Some online casino operators offer bonuses specifically for mobile users. Mobile gaming is getting increasingly popular over the past few years. Therefore, many casinos adopt a mobile-first strategy, so you can benefit from many mobile casino bonuses when using a smartphone or tablet.
Payment methods – deposits
There are many ways to fund your online casino account. Below you’ll find an overview with the most well-known methods.
Card Payments: Credit and debit cards are the most common deposit methods. They are available to almost every user and offer a secure and fast way to deposit. The provider may levy a charge for credit cards. Well-known brands are Visa and Mastercard, providing 24/7 service.
E-wallets: Online payment methods that can be used for safe and quick payments. Skrill and Neteller are well-known examples in the online gambling sector.
Bank Transfers: You can initiate a bank transfer if you don’t have a card or e-wallet. An Irish bank account will do. The bank may charge you for such a transaction.
Prepaid Cards: These cards work just like debit/credit cards, but they are not attached to a bank account. Basically, they work in the same way as top-up phone cards: you add cash to them and then spend it until it’s gone.
ecoPayz: An online payment service that gives players many options to pay for online services. It does not require a bank account.
PaySafeCard: A prepaid card that doesn’t require a credit card or bank account. It is just as safe and easy to use as options like Skrill and Neteller.
Withdrawal requests
Collecting what you have earned while betting online is quite simple. To submit your first withdrawal request, you need to sign in and visit the cashier section of the online casino. Next, you click on the withdraw button in order to load the methods the casino supports for cash-outs. After having selected the withdrawal method, you put in your banking details and confirm the amount you want to cash out.
The withdrawal will take some time as the casino needs to verify the request in order to ensure the player is indeed eligible for a cash-out. On average, a withdrawal request takes one to five days. This delay enables gambling operators to make sure they are sending the right amount of money to the right person.
It’s important to realize that the lack of face-to-face interaction on internet gambling platforms makes it easier for fraudulent users to play on these sites without detection. Online gambling casinos can turn over millions of euros a day, making them an attractive target for money laundering.
Processes that aim to verify that a customer is who he claims to be, are known as ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) processes. They are important for online gambling entities because money laundering is often undertaken on an international basis. Online casinos often enable gamblers from various international jurisdictions, so stringent safety measures are needed to prevent illegal activities from leaking across borders.
As you will understand by now, KYC policies work both in the interest of players and online gaming providers.