Best betting sites Ireland

Irish bettors have access to most of the big European bookmakers, all operating under Irish remote licences with the new Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland taking over oversight. The question for an esports bettor is not which sites are available but which price CS2, League of Legends, VALORANT and Dota 2 properly, keep those markets open in play, and pay out without delay. The three below do.

How we rank the best betting sites in Ireland

Odds are 30% of the score, measured as the average margin on tier-one match winners across the same ten matches on every site. Markets are 25%: depth per match and how far down the event tiers coverage goes. Offers are 20%, scored on their value after minimum odds, wagering and expiry. Live betting is 15%: how long markets suspend and whether streams are offered. Payouts are 10%, tested by withdrawing €50 to a card and an e-wallet.

Licensed bookmakers and offshore sites

Betting site reviews

1. William Hill: Best for esports markets

Score

★ 5.0/5

Welcome offer

Bet €10, get €40 in free bets

Min deposit

€5

Payout

E-wallets same day

William Hill brings its full esports book to Irish players: match winners down to tier two, maps, rounds, totals and player props on the majors, all open in play. For anyone comparing online betting sites in Ireland for esports, that depth decides it, and William Hill has the most. The main-market margin is slightly wider than Betfair's. The welcome offer is a bet-and-get with minimum odds and an expiry that are stated plainly. Withdrawals took two days to a card and one to an e-wallet.

Pros

• Deepest esports market list of the three
• In-play on every tier-one match
• Irish-licensed with euro banking
• Acca boosts apply to esports multiples

Cons

• Odds on main markets are a touch shorter than Betfair
• Card withdrawals typically take a few days (our timing test is pending)

Claim Bet €10, get €40 in free bets

2. Betfair: Best for price shoppers

Score

★ 4.8/5

Welcome offer

Get €50 in free bets

Min deposit

tbc

Payout

1–36 hours

Betfair is two products on one account: a sportsbook and the betting exchange, where you bet against other users at prices with no bookmaker margin beyond commission. On the big esports events the exchange often offers the best prices, since there is no bookmaker margin beyond commission; on smaller matches it is thin and the sportsbook takes over. For top betting sites in Ireland on price alone, this is first. The sportsbook's esports list is shallower than William Hill's. E-wallet withdrawals are advertised as same-day; our timed test is pending.

Pros

• Exchange prices often beat fixed odds
• Sportsbook and exchange on one wallet
• Cash-out on esports in play
• Fast e-wallet withdrawals

Cons

• Exchange liquidity thins out on smaller esports matches
• Sportsbook esports depth behind William Hill

Claim Get €50 in free bets

3. Unibet: Best for cautious first bets

Score

★ 4.6/5

Welcome offer

Deposit €10, get €40

Min deposit

€10 (card)

Payout

1–3 banking days

Unibet's esports section is built as a product rather than a tab: schedules, form and streams sit alongside the markets, which makes it the easiest place to bet esports on a phone. Match-winner odds on CS2 were competitive with William Hill; prop depth is thinner. Among the best bookmakers for Irish players, pick it for the app. The welcome offer is a money-back-as-bonus on the first bet, with terms stated clearly. E-wallet withdrawals advertised as same-day.

Pros

• Dedicated esports section with schedules and stats
• Cleanest mobile app of the three
• Competitive CS2 match-winner odds
• Euro banking with same-day e-wallet withdrawals

Cons

• Fewer map and round props than William Hill
• Promotions skew toward football

Claim Deposit €10, get €40

Our top picks compared

Comparison

Bet types explained

Single. One selection, one margin: the cheapest bet type over time. Accumulator. Several selections multiplied; every one must win, and the margin compounds with each leg. Each way. Half on the win, half on a place, common in racing. Handicap. A virtual start for one side; Asian handicaps remove the draw. Over/under. Goals, points or maps, regardless of the winner. Exchange back and lay. At Betfair you can back an outcome or lay it (bet against it), paying commission on net winnings.

Esports betting in Ireland

Irish bookmakers price CS2, League of Legends, VALORANT and Dota 2, with depth that varies widely: William Hill goes furthest, with maps, rounds and props on the majors; Betfair's exchange has the best prices on tier-one events; Unibet builds schedules and stats into its esports hub. See our betting strategy guides for how to approach map and round markets.

Horse racing and GAA

Racing and GAA matter more in Ireland than almost anywhere. All three bookmakers cover Irish racing daily with best-odds-guaranteed offers on many races, and price GAA football and hurling through the championship. Compare each-way terms (places paid and fraction) before backing a horse.

Banking for Irish bettors

All three take euro debit cards, bank transfer and the main e-wallets; Revolut works everywhere. Credit cards are not accepted for gambling. Identity verification is required before the first withdrawal; do it on sign-up so a win on a Major final is not held up.

Betting duty and tax

Bookmakers pay 2% betting duty on stakes in Ireland; it is built into their margin. Winnings are not taxed for punters.

Self-exclusion and responsible gambling

Every licensed bookmaker offers deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. The 2024 Act sets up a national exclusion register through the GRAI that will cover all licensed operators at once. Problem Gambling Ireland: 089 241 5401.

Is online betting legal in Ireland?

Yes, with a licensed bookmaker. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 moves licensing to the GRAI, which will license betting first and gaming later.