A – Accessibility
One of the best things about online casinos is that you can access the games anytime and anywhere through various devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets. This convenience is a clear advantage over offline casinos, and you never need to worry about the dress code!
Another aspect of accessibility is affordability, and you will find gambling options with various stake levels at an online casino, from penny slots to high roller live Roulette tables. This allows all players to have fun, whatever their budget, and we have found the Irish online casinos with the lowest minimum deposits.
B – Bonuses
We LOVE bonuses, and are always on the hunt for the biggest and best promotions Irish casinos have to offer. Online casinos provide bonuses both to attract new players and reward loyal customers. The bonuses you will find on our site include the latest no-deposit bonuses, free spins, and welcome bonuses.
The average Irish casino will reward new players with a 100% match on their first deposit, and often throw in 100 free spins to sweeten the deal. You can find out more in our complete guide to Irish casino bonus offers.
C – Customer Support
When you are playing casino games or slots for real money online you want to know that help is at hand if something goes amiss. So, the availability and quality of the customer support is something we take into account before we recommend a site to you.
Reliable online casinos have multiple channels for customer support, including live chat, email, and phone, to assist players with any queries or concerns. We also value sites that have a comprehensive FAQ section, and high-quality casino guides for different game types. You will find a thorough assessment of the support available in each of our online casino reviews.
D – Deposit Methods
You will find a wide range of secure and convenient banking options at Irish casinos online. This includes debit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, prepaid cards, and even the option to pay by phone bill. Due to current legislation players in Ireland are unable to use credit cards for online gambling, and most licensed sites only take crypto currencies via other forms of payment such as e wallets.
We take into account the choice of deposit methods available when we rate an online casino, and how easy it is to make a withdrawal as well as the average payout speed. You will find more information on all of this on our real money casino pages, like our list of the best Paypal casinos.
E – Encryption
Reputable online casinos use the latest advanced encryption technology to safeguard your personal and financial information. This is one of the conditions to get an Irish licence, and the Gambling commission are very strict that casinos must ensure a secure gaming environment.
Every single online casino we recommend to you has implemented robust security measures, including SSL encryption, firewall protection, and strict data privacy policies, to ensure the safety of both your money and your sensitive information.
F – Fairness
If you read player reviews of online casinos the number one complaint is that the games are not fair. But these players were normally just unlucky, as trusted online casinos use random number generators (RNGs) to ensure fair and unbiased game outcomes.
Casino RNGs are provably fair, as they need to be tested annually by an independent testing agency, like eCogra, in order for a site to keep their licence. Casinos also have to be transparent and publish the return to player rates (RTP) for all of their online games – see O = Odds for more information.
G – Game Shows
One of the latest trends in online casino games is the Live Game Show titles that are created by developers like Evolution Games and Playtech. Many of these are based on classic games, such as Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal, and Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt.
These online casino games provide unique and engaging experiences with interactive elements, entertaining hosts, and the opportunity to win big prizes with some epic multipliers.
H – HD Video
Many online casinos have a Live Casino section where you can enjoy real-time, high-definition streaming of table games with professional dealers. This is an immersive and interactive gambling experience like no other, and the use of new technology opens up new and exciting ways to pay with more betting options, bonus rounds, and random multiplier drops.
Popular live casino games include Lighting Roulette, Quantum Blackjack, and Speed Baccarat. You can find out more about the best sites for Live HD Games in our complete guide to live dealer online casinos.
I – Instant Play
In 2024 almost all online casinos offer instant play options, allowing players to enjoy games directly in their web browsers without the need to download any software. This is a massive advance in i-gaming, and makes it quick and easy to enjoy your favourite games from any device, especially real money mobile casinos.
J – Jackpots
Irish players love jackpot slots, and the online casinos feature some of the biggest progressive jackpots in the world. With these games a small proportion of every bet placed goes into the prize pot, so this continues to increase until a lucky player hits the winning combination. These prizes can run into six figure sums, potentially leading to life-changing payouts.
One of the most popular titles is Microgaming’s Mega Moolah, and you can read more about this and other big money games in our guide to progressive jackpot slots.
K – Know Your Limits
Playing real money games can be a lot of fun, but we cannot over stress the importance of responsible gambling and playing within your limits.
Reputable online casinos promote responsible gaming by providing tools for players to set deposit limits, session time limits, and self-exclusion options like the GAMSTOP scheme.
If you feel like your gambling is getting out of hand, or that you are prioritising playing over other commitments, interests or your loved ones, please seek support. The National Gambling Helpline is free to call on 0808 8020 133 and open 24/7. For more advice please visit gambleaware.org.
L – Licensing
Licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland is currently based on several pieces of legislation. The new legislation, which will establish the Gambling Regulatory Authority in Ireland (GRAI), will repeal existing laws and will streamline the approach to licensing and regulation of gambling in Ireland. This means that they operate within the Irish legal framework, and adhere to strict standards of fairness and player protection.
You should only ever play at a trustworthy online casino with a valid licence, from reputable regulatory authorities. All of these details are easy to find at the bottom of the casino’s website, and can be easily verified online.
M – Mobile Gaming
Did you know that well over half of all online casino players prefer to spin their favourite games on their mobile phones? That is why we fully test out the performance of a casino site on a range of smartphones and tablets to make sure that they work well on smaller screens.
Many new casinos are designed on a mobile-first principle, and there are some really well-designed casino apps that make it even easier to play real money games on the go. Find out more in our full guide to the best mobile casinos for Irish gamblers.
N – New Releases
Don’t worry about getting bored of the selection of games at an online casino, as most sites regularly introduce new titles from top-notch software providers every week. This keeps the gaming experience fresh and exciting, and you can often find free spins for the latest games.
There are also new casino sites opening in Ireland every month, with new designs, the latest games, and some of the biggest bonuses. Stay up to date with our frequently refreshed list of new online casinos for Irish players.
O – Odds
Online casinos provide transparent information about game odds to help players to make informed decisions when selecting games. You will find this information expressed as the return to player (RTP) percentages for all online casino games and slots.
If a game has a 96% RTP you can expect to get back 96 cents for every euro you wager, as an average return over time. These odds are based on statistics of very long time periods, and are in no way a guaranteed return. There are other factors you need to consider like the volatility, or whether the game pays out small wins frequently (low volatility), or big wins less frequently (high volatility).
If you want to find the sites with the best odds, read our guide to the highest paying Irish online casinos.
P – Payouts
Most of the questions we get about online casinos are about the payouts – which is understandable when you are playing real money games! What are the highest paying online casinos? Which sites have a fast payout? How do I collect my winnings?
The best Irish online casino operators strive to offer competitive payouts to players, and make sure that your withdrawals are paid out promptly and efficiently. Bear in mind that you will need to confirm your identity with the casino before you can cashout, so we recommend sending in your documents to complete the KYC process early.
If you are after instant payouts check out our guide to the fastest withdrawal online casinos.
Q – Quality Software
Modern online casino games look and sound fantastic. The top online casino operators partner with reputable software providers to offer high-quality games with impressive graphics, smooth gameplay, and immersive sound effects.
Some of the most well-known software developers include Microgaming, NetEnt, and Pragmatic Play. There are also hundreds of smaller studios creating exciting new casino games, and pushing the boundaries of what an online casino game can be.
R – Responsible Gambling
Gambling can be addictive, and responsible gambling means keeping control of your game play, so that it doesn’t cause any problems or harm.
All the online casinos we list promote responsible gambling by providing tools and resources that help you monitor your gaming, such as deposit limits, reality checks and the option to self-exclude. This can help you manage the amount of time and money that you put into playing online.
S – Slot Games
Online Slots make up the majority of games at most Irish casino sites, and they come in all shapes and sizes. You will find old-school three-reel slots, modern five-reel video slots, and genre-breaking multiways slots with thousands of ways to win.
You will find slots in various themes, including mythology, animals, space, music, and popular TV & films. Basically, if you can imagine it, there is probably a slot game about it. Read more about the top 20 slots in Ireland.
T – Table Games
An online casino wouldn’t be a casino without table games, and you’ll find all the classics like Blackjack, Roulette, Poker, and Baccarat, at the best online casinos. One option is to play video versions of these games, like Vinnie Jones Blackjack, where the outcome is decided by a Random Number Generator.
The more popular option in 2024 is to play live online casino games, with professional dealers using actual cards over a video stream in real time. Find out more about the possibilities of live casino games in our ultimate guide.
U – User-Friendly Design
When you are playing online casino games it is easy to underestimate the importance of a good site design, until you realise that you can’t find the slot you loved playing last week. When we test out an online casino, we spend a lot of time navigating the site, to make sure that all the key features are easy to find, that you can access the information in your casino account quickly, and that there are no broken parts of the site.
The best online casinos have websites and apps that have user-friendly interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate, enhancing the overall gaming experience for players. Good search functions are a must, as is making information about slot game payouts and features easy to find.
V – VIP Programs
Many online casinos offer VIP programmes or loyalty schemes, rewarding players with exclusive benefits, such as personalised offers, faster withdrawals, dedicated account managers, and special events.
One of the most well-known of these is the Casino Rewards group that includes the legendary Zodiac Casino. Our favourite new casino reward programme is from Voodoo Dreams Casino, as they let you collect XP and cast “spells” to unlock the bonuses.
W – Wagering Requirements
Almost all online casino bonuses will come with wagering requirements. This condition specifies the amount of money you need to playthrough before you can withdraw and winnings from the bonus.
The average Irish online casino wagering requirement is 35x, but this rate can go as high as 200x. A growing number of sites will give you a bonus without any wagering at all, essentially letting you keep what you win! Examples of these forward-thinking no wagering online casinos include Pokerstars Casino and Mr Q Casino.
X – eXcitement
We love casino games because of the exhilarating possibility of winning big amounts of real money, no matter how small the odds are.
If that isn’t enough for you, most online casinos frequently run other exciting promotions like tournaments, must drop jackpots, and prize wheels, to keep players engaged and entertained. This is especially true around the holidays, so keep an eye on our list of seasonal casino bonuses.
Y – Youth Protection
You must be over the age of 18 to gamble in Ireland. Responsible online casinos prioritise youth protection measures, including age verification processes and responsible gambling initiatives, to prevent underage gambling and promote a safe gaming environment.
Z – Zero Distractions
Many players love the fact that online casinos allow you to focus solely on the games without the distractions commonly found in land-based casinos. You can get in the zone and enjoy your card games, or slots, without the noise, crowds, or other pressures of a busy venue. Plus, you can leave the game to grab snacks, or use the toilet, without being concerned about losing your place at the table.
BonusFinder’s goal is to provide fair and trustworthy online casinos for Irish players. Online gambling should be an enjoyable experience for everyone who decides to use their time and money on it. Our best advice is to only play with money that you can lose.
