Ireland is home to famous pubs that stock the renowned whiskey, Guinness, and dry stouts. It is also renowned for the gambling activities of different sorts that take place all throughout the year in different parts of the country. Among the various gambling activities, Greyhound racing and horse racing are the integral activities of Irish life.
If you are visiting Ireland, you get multiple options in terms of gambling activities such as:
• Horse racing
• Greyhound racing
• Brick and Mortar Casinos
• Poker Rooms
• Online casinos
• Bingo Halls
The best thing about gambling in Ireland is that all of the above activities are legal.
As you can see, you have multiple options in Ireland if you like games of chance, and the best part is this they're all completely legal.
If you look at the history of Irish gambling, read the following-
Irish people have had a long connection with gambling. The affection of the Irish people for betting is quite famous.
Beads and dice made of bones and glass were found at multiple historical sites, and the experts believe they have something to do with gambling.
Horse racing was the first sport that became popular in Ireland. Soon, the other games caught up with horse racing, such as the roulette and the blackjack. No strict regulations have been passed for governing gambling Ireland.
Best 5 Brick and Mortar Casinos in Ireland
The Irish iGaming market flourishes in the shadow of Ireland both figuratively and physically. The Emerald Isle flaunts the impressive online gambling called GGY. This is mostly unpinned by the liberal regulatory method of the country which makes sure that around 40 per cent of the population in Ireland gambles once every month.
There are more than hundreds of bricks and mortar casinos available in Ireland and choosing the best one may be a challenging task, especially for the tourists who are entirely new to the place. To make things simple for you, we have listed the best five brick and mortar casinos in Ireland so that you can have the best time here-
1. Gold Rush Casino
Address: 21 Academy St, Centre, Cork, T12 CV02, Ireland
https://www.goldrushcasino.ie/
Gold Rush Casino is a part of casino chains in Ireland, located in 3 places in the busy city centre of Cork. There are two more casinos in Dublin, and each of them provides an excellent and full-of-life casino experience to the loyal patrons.
Moreover, the chief focus is on the slot machines with a wide variety of Gold Rush Casino. The slot machines are of different sizes and shapes. The casino also offers conventional fruit machines and traditional video slots. Hence, this place is perfect for casual and avid gamers who are looking for a happening night out.
The business model of Gold Rush Casino brings in gamblers from across the city for championship or competition with amazing price funds occasionally. The events generally host quite a different variety of card games. The entry fee is nominal, and it is worth it because the prize funds may peak at about €7,000.
2. Penthouse Casino and Card Club
Address: Airside (next to Wright Venue club) Swords Dublin Ireland
If you are looking for the best brick and mortar casino in Ireland, the Penthouse Casino and Card club should be on your top 3. This casino boasts its name, which is slightly misleading since the establishment is not really a penthouse.
The Penthouse Casino is located on the fringes of Dublin in the bustling Airside Retail Park, and it is only 15 km from the main city. It claims to provide a perfect balance between the size and the location of the establishment.
The style of the casino is quite contemporary. The structure is covered in shinning glass panels and fully packed with luxury fittings and fixtures. It opens every day at 6 pm, and the main focus is on the table games. Gamers can access 13 iterations of roulette, baccarat, and blackjack at any time.
If you are a serious gambler, you must be interested in visiting the Penthouse Casino and Card Club. More so, because the tables are famous for providing high-stakes games.
3. The Westbury Casino
Address: An Faiche, Malahide, Co. Dublin, Ireland
The Westbury Casino is a slightly remote establishment located peacefully in a picturesque and small town called Malahide, in Dublin. It takes around 15 minutes from Dublin International Airport. You can either take the ferry from England or fly to the airport and then drive to Malahide.
The location may seem a bit unusual, given that it is located remotely from Dublin. Still, the water bodies adjacent to the casino make it an excellent backdrop for gamers across the gambling boards.
The casino also offers hotels too, and it is perfect for couples who love to gamble and want to spend a romantic night by the waterside.
The establishment has three main games, blackjack, poker, and roulette. You also get several snooker and pool tables in the Westbury Casino. Both traditional and electronic roulettes are available. The casino offers special tournaments, events and the ordinary cash games. Blackjack is also a popular gambling choice here, offering various bet limits. The casino also offers electronic games such as slot machines, electronic baccarat and blackjack, and video poker.
Worth mentioning, this place is typically packed with gambling enthusiasts, especially at the weekends.
4. Fitzpatrick's Casino
Address: 78 Aungier St, Dublin, Dublin 2, D02 EE97
https://fitzpatrickscasino.com/
The Fitzpatrick's Casino, formerly called the 78 Club, is situated at the heart of Dublin and the larger-than-life branding of this casino attracts professional gamblers from every corner of the city. There are six casinos under Fitzpatrick's Casino, and Fitzpatrick's Casino Group is one of the most popular casinos in Ireland. They offer supreme prizes and best experiences.
If you are taking a leisurely walk down the Aungier Street, the casino will certainly tempt you to visit the bright red establishment, irrespective of your experience in gambling. The casino is certainly fun for casual players, and it boasts a diverse variety of slot machines as well as the low-stakes roulette boards that can be accessed by up to 8 players.
The casino is open 24*7, unlike many casino outlets. So, you can enjoy and gamble avidly at any part of the night or even day. This is indeed a great boon for those looking for extended sessions of gambling or regular socializing. Other than the slot machines and roulette tables, they also have a vast option of live games, blackjack, live roulette, Texas Hold'em, and also poker.
5. Macau Sporting Club
Address: 16 St Patrick's St, Centre, Cork, Ireland
The Macau Casino Club spans nearly about 13,000 square feet and exudes an endless buzz in the middle of slot machines and casino tables. If you are in the bustling city centre of Cork and looking for a touch of Vegas, this casino is a must-visit for you.
China is home to Macau, which is the largest gambling hub in the world. Irish players are well aware of this Macau Sporting Club situated in the heart of Cork. The impressive large establishment is just beside a picturesque riverside.
The establishment opens every day at 2 pm and lets the players gamble for a small hour while offering them access to crap rooms, poker, and high-stake table games.
You also get a long chain of slot machines in this casino, whereas the tables for shooting pools are available in one of the extravagant inclusive suites.
The restaurant and bar offer outstanding food at the Macau Sporting Club, and it is one of the best casinos for couples who are looking for fun night outs and also for hens and stag events.
Best 3 Online Casinos in Ireland
There are many safe online casinos in Ireland, and you can find a list of the best at https://www.onlinecasinos.net/ireland/ but here is our list with the top 3
1. Spin Casino
Spin Casino is an online platform that recreates the feeling of gambling in an actual casino. Operating for a long time now, Spin Casino is opened to gamblers across the world.
However, the online casino is not accessible to all countries. The target audience is definitely the people of the United Kingdom and the majority of Europe. Belgium has been denied access to play along with the United States.
If you do not belong to the above-mentioned countries, you could easily play online. All you need to do is go to Spin Casino's Homepage and get yourself registered to check if you are restricted or not.
This online casino is also concerned with the welfare and interests of its gamblers. It openly promotes assistance and resources by BeGambleAware, which is an agency that is committed to helping individuals avoid or overcome the addiction to gambling.
Spin Casino provides different slots divided by section. You can get progressive jackpots, 3-reel, 5-reel games, and many more. There are additional games that are simple to access and equally well-organized. The good game selection is what makes Spin Casino highly enjoyable and functional to play.
2. Betway Casino
If you are looking for the best online gambling, Betway Casino has a lot to offer. There are more than a hundred table games and slot games offered by the top and exciting gaming providers. The remarkable Evolution Gaming powers the live casino and you can enjoy a bingo game, or maybe hit a tournament for poker and also place a bet at the sporting events.
Once you log into Betway Online Casino, you will get more than 750 games to enjoy. Most of their game selection available on its site are made of slots. You may choose from the video slots like the Highlander, Immortal Romance, or the Jurassic Park or the classic three-reel slot machines. In both downloads and browsers, you will get to access jackpot slots including the Mega Moolah.
Besides this, you can choose from more than 25 roulette tables that include Multi-Wheel Roulette Gold and European Roulette, and 87 online blackjack games that include Super Fun 21, Double Exposure, additional 14 table games like 3 Card Poker, Baccarat, Craps, Sic Bo and 69 video poker games.
3. JackpotParadise Casino
JackpotParadise.com Online Casino is a part of the progressplay group, and if you are a fan of online casino gambling, you must be aware of this online casino. There are 500 plus exciting games that are exceptionally large in terms of the number of online casino games.
It does not matter if you are a veteran or a beginner, if you bet for something small or big or you prefer table games or slot games, Jackpotparadse.com offers all sorts of gamblings for your bankroll and taste.
If you are a fan of slot games, you get options like the classic 3-reel slots, 5-reel video slots such as Street fighter 2 slot, Starburst, or the Ozzy Osbourne and Pub slots. You may also try the Microgaming's fantastic and progressive slots such as the Major Millions, Mega Moolah, or the King Cashalot. These are the popular games that could bring you incredible jackpots.
For roulettes, you can play the live dealer European roulette, the French roulette, multi-wheel roulette, Premier roulette, or the progressive Roulette Royale.
Best 5 Horse Racing Places in Ireland
Horse racing in Ireland comes with a long history that is deeply engraved in their culture. Irish horse racing attracts many people from across borders who are interested in seeing the top thoroughbreds compete against each other. If you are in Dublin, you must visit and feel the racing atmosphere, since it is a must-watch.
1. Curragh Racecourse, Co. Kildare
Address: Newbridge, Co. Kildare, R56 RR67, Ireland
Curragh Racecourse is one of the prestigious racecourses, and it offers all 4 Classics - Irish Oaks, Irish Derby, Irish 1000 Guineas, and Irish 2000 Guineas. The fantastic atmosphere and the top 3-year-old European thoroughbreds battle is yet to figure out which one is the greatest of the generation.
If you are betting on the candidates of these prominent races, you may want to carry out some research first. A NAP is provided by the Winners Enclosure every day as to which horse is more likely to win. You may also sign-up with the bookmaker when you want to place a bet before they arrive at the tracks.
2. Ballybrit Racecourse, Co. Galway
Address: Ballybrit, Galway, H91 V654, Ireland
If you are a fan of National Hunt horse racing, where they jump over fences or hurdles, Ballybrit may be the right racecourse for you. This horse race takes place during a 7-day festival every year, in August. It never fails to attract a massive audience for the entire racing week.
The Galway Festival is the favourite week for most horse-racing fanatics. This racecourse is quite popular since on these tracks, Pope John Paul II carried out Mass in 1979, and round about 280,000 people attended the Mass.
3. Laytown Racecourse, Co. Meath
Address: Strand Rd, Ninch, Laytown, Co. Meath, Ireland
If you are in search of the best and most uncommon place to attend horse racing, then the Laytown Racecourse must be in your top 3. This fantastic racecourse is situated near a beach in the east of Ireland, called County Meath. It has been sanctioned as the first and only racecourse to be put under the Rules of Racing.
Horse racing at County Meath has been taking place since 1868, but nowadays, they are held only once a year in September. The courses are straight, and it is 7 furlongs distant from the beach. The racecourse is supported and maintained by the country's best trainers and jockeys.
4. Leopardstown Racecourse, Co. Dublin
Address: Leopardstown Racecourse, Foxrock, Dublin 18, D18 C9V6, Ireland
Leopardstown is undeniably the best racecourses in Ireland, located about 8kms south of Dublin. It consists of uniquely significant tracks in the whole of Ireland where they can hold both National as well as Flat Hunt racing on the same tracks. The top horses and jockeys from Ireland and the UK come to Leopardstown every year, and the racecourse holds many group races throughout the year.
Magical Galileo won the Irish Champion Stakes in 2019, and it was by far, the biggest race held at this course. The Irish Champion States takes place once a year in September. You can easily reach the Leopardstown racecourse by public transport. The facilities provided here are top-notch since the racecourse invested hefty amounts just to make sure that the race-goers get the best racing experience during their visit.
5. Punchestown Racecourse, Co. Kildare
Address: Punchestown, Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Punchestown is known as the home to both on the track and off the track winners. It is the best racecourse for National Hunt racing in Ireland, and they are most famous for putting up the greatest festival of the year in April. The meeting is held a month post-Cheltenhammmediately. Many rivals of each division compete with each other for one last time just when the season is about to end. The highlight of the race during that week is the Punchestown Gold Cup where the top chasers come together to compete for 3 miles and one furlong. Kemboy won the horse racing contest in 2019. So, if you are taking a trip to Naas to view the best racecourse in Ireland, visit Punchestown in Ireland where you can place your bets and make payments by cash or card. You can also book your bets in advance by using online bookies like betway88.
Best 3 Greyhound Racing Places in Ireland
1. Clonmel Greyhound Stadium
Address: Davis Rd, Raheen, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 EC43, Ireland
Greyhound racing in Clonmel has been taking place since 1931. This is why the Clonmel Greyhound Stadium is considered to be one of the most iconic and oldest tracks in Ireland. The racing track is situated in Clonmel, in County Tipperary, more to the south of Ireland. Greyhound racing is held every Friday night and Saturday night. It attracts a massive crowd where both tourists, as well as locals, come to experience the racing track's delights.
This racing track is famous for hosting three biggest races in Ireland, which include the Oaks, St Leger, and the National Produce Stakes. All of these three races have been taking place since the 1930s, which is why these races have been the longest-running racecourse in this country.
The Clonmel Greyhound racing track closed down in 1998, due to a dispute over the lease and payment of the land. But it reopened in 2003 when the track was taken over by Davis Road Greyhound company by investing over €1million to replace the old grandstand and make a fresh one. This move was massively popular among the local community.
2. Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium
Address: Curraheen Rd, Bishopstown, Cork, Ireland
https://www.igb.ie/go-greyhound-racing/our-stadiums/curraheen-park-greyhound-stadium/
Greyhound racing in Curraheen, Cork dates back to 1928, and it has been a very long tradition. There are two sites, the Western Road Stadium and the Cork Greyhound Stadium and it is Curraheen Park stadium's duty to hold greyhound racing in Cork.
The track is relatively new since it started in 2000. The old track was sold to Irish Greyhound Board, and they established this brand-new stadium with an investment of €8.5million.
Among all the races that take place at Curraheen, the Laurels is the most popular one and has been won by Ardkil Jamie, Razldazl Rioga, and Sonic Flight. However, in 2017, the most prestigious award of the Grand National Race, which was running here since 1928, was transferred from Harold's Cross Stadium in Ireland.
3. Dundalk Stadium
Address: Racecourse Rd, Dowdallshill, Dundalk, Co. Louth, A91 FFP3, Ireland
Dundalk Racecourse is one of the famous racing tracks for greyhounds in Ireland. What makes this racecourse unique is that it offers both greyhound racing and horse racing on the same site. The ability to offer two racing courses was made possible only in 2003. It was specially designed to accommodate the two racing courses.
The stunning looks of Dundalk showcase brilliant architecture and the whole project cost around €35million. If you are looking for the biggest greyhound race in Ireland, the Dundalk International is the place to be, which attracts the best and the biggest dogs in the whole of Ireland.
Best 3 Poker Rooms in Ireland
Gambling in Ireland has always been a smooth rollercoaster ride. Different kinds of gambling have been legal only for the last 75 to 80 years.
Out of the different gambling methods, poker is the most popular form of gambling in Ireland, including the online poker rooms. We have listed the three best poker rooms in Ireland that is absolutely legal.
1. 888 Poker
888poker.com was launched in only 2002, which is a Gibraltar-licensed poker room, introduced by 888 Holdings plc.
The online poker channel has delivered Omaha, Stud Action, and Hold'em consistently over the years for both tournament and cash game players, thereby earning an extremely solid position in the famous iGaming industry.
888poker provides the best bonus, requiring no deposit. Additionally, being extremely soft, the players have a good shot at clearing the bonuses.
2. TigerGaming
TigerGaming Poker rooms are by far the best poker rooms you will find online, especially because it caters to recreational and casual players. A skilled poker player can play for high-stakes or for the relatively competitive level of poker rounds. If you are seeking an affordable, friendly, non-intimating gaming atmosphere, TigerGaming is the best option for you. There are a few players who are impatient. They want to win as soon as they get into the poker rooms. But TigerGaming Poker offers a slow start which requires you to play and act for higher stakes only when you are absolutely ready.
TigerGaming offers several special promotions and tournaments, so you will never get bored on this particular poker room site. You will also get an adjoining casino, and if you ever get bored of playing poker and want a break from it, you can play the amazing casino games too.
3. Party Poker
PartyPoker is an online poker room that was developed by PartyGaming in 2001. It was considered as the best and most famous online poker room in the entire world. An Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act was forwarded in 2006, which forced PartyGaming to withdraw their online poker room from the market in America. This forced them to lose their PokerStars title. Currently, the poker room site is being operated by GVC Holdings. This online site is available in 14 languages. The PartyPoker has the softest games in the poker industry.
Best 3 Bingo Halls in Ireland
Bingo is another gambling style that involves an exciting and fun game. The game is widely famous among all kinds of gamers, both young and old. Ireland is home to more than a hundred Bingo Halls. Many online friendly casinos also offer Bingo that can be played online. Here are the three best Bingo Halls in Ireland -
1. Let's Bingo
Address: Racecourse Rd, Dowdallshill, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland
http://www.letsbingo.ie/index.html
Leinster, Let's Bingo Club is located in Dundalk, and it is one of the most famous and luxurious bingo halls in Ireland. It is opened on all nights, with an interchangeable Pongo and Bingo game segments. It offers €50,000 in pay-outs every week. They are known to play in an old-fashioned way. In the electronic form of Bingo, all you need to do is hit the button that says "Auto Dab" and watch how the rolls in.
There are about 500 seats for the bingo players who can also get their hands on the Arcade games available here. You can also enjoy the food and drinks at the entirely stocked Bar and Hot and Cold Food Cafeacute.
2. The George
Address: South Great George's Street South Great George's Street, Dublin 2, D02 R220, Ireland
http://thegeorge.ie/whats_on/sunday/
George is the most famous and oldest gay nightclub or bay in Dublin. On Sunday nights, famous drag queen, Shirley Temple Bar presents a bingo show at the George. This longest-running bingo hall started in 1997. The show offers traditional bingo along with cabaret that creates an unforgettable night, attracting tons of visitors and regulars.
You can also participate to win spot prizes, weekly prize, or for delightful drags and lots of drinks with absolutely No Cover Charge on Sundays. On Bank Holidays, you may be charged €5 or €10 if you come at 10 pm or 12 am, respectively.
The Bingo Game consists of 2 different games: Snowball and Full House. Full House is the typical bingo game, where the players need to shout out once they complete either a full card or a horizontal line. The Snowball game is quite similar to the Full House but comes with a small twist. You need to finish a Full House within a particular set calls to win a jackpot.
3. Caesars Palace
Address: 202 Upper Salthill Road, Salthill, Co. Galway, H91 XC96, Ireland
The Caesar Palace needs to separate mention. It is situated in the seaside resort in Salthill, Galway, offering bingo halls and arcade games. It is open every day throughout the year from 9 am in the morning till late at night. The Palace provides more than 200 seats for bingo players.
You also get to play different arcade games with lots of jackpots that may extend up to €3,000 or even more. So, you get a great opportunity to win serious money at the Caesars Palace Bingo Hall.
The Palace offers promotions, Spot Prizes, and Daily Draws to make things more interesting. Both electronic and book bingo are also available. If you want to take a break from playing Bingo, the amazing arcade provides a variety of interesting casino games. You could also get free coffee, tea and biscuits, widescreen TVs, and free WIFI.
To sum up, Ireland hosts multiple options for gambling enthusiasts. There are several horse racecourses, greyhound racing courses, casinos available both online and offline, poker rooms, and also bingo halls. If you are a fan of gambling, you must visit this country to have the best gambling experience of all time.
And last a good gambling help link in Ireland https://www.problemgambling.ie/
