Ireland Casino Bonuses

Welcome Bonuses

Welcome bonuses are offered to newly registered players at online casinos. Typically, they are a one-time promotion; however, some casinos provide multi-tier packages that award bonus funds for up to the first five deposits. A standard welcome bonus might be 100% up to $100 + 50 free spins, with 40x wagering requirements and a $10 minimum deposit. In this case, depositing at least $10 activates the bonus, while a $100 deposit would unlock an additional $100 in bonus funds. The 40x wagering requirement must be met before the bonus expires.

No Deposit Bonuses

No-deposit bonuses are among the most sought-after casino promotions, and Irish players should certainly take advantage of them. Casinos award either bonus money or free spins without requiring a qualifying deposit. Although smaller in size, these incentives give players an excellent opportunity to become familiar with the platform.

Cashback Bonuses

By opting for a cashback promotion, players recover a percentage of their net losses. These bonuses function like insurance; if players experience a losing streak, they can recoup part of their unsuccessful wagers. For instance, a 20% weekly cashback of up to $200 would return 20% of a player’s net losses for the week, capped at $200. While welcome bonuses can be claimed only once, cashback offers are available on a regular basis.

VIP Programs

Many online casinos feature a VIP program, also known as a casino loyalty program. Depending on the operator’s policy, the program may be open to all customers or reserved for high rollers. These programs consist of multiple tiers, and each successive level unlocks more valuable benefits. Players advance through the tiers based on the amounts they deposit and the wagers they place.

General Information

The Irish law distinguishes between the following gambling products:

• Gaming
• Betting
• Lotteries
• Social/Skill arrangements

As already mentioned, gaming products – including slots, table games, poker, and bingo – are not sufficiently regulated in virtual venues. Regarding their land-based counterparts, the only exception applies to bingo halls that fall under the regulation of the District Court.

Sports betting, including the ever-popular horse racing, is properly regulated, both land-based and online, by the Irish Revenue Commissioners. Fantasy betting, however, still needs to be regulated.

When it comes to the National Lottery of Ireland, its operations are monitored by the Regulator of the National Lottery. Lotteries, other than the national one, are supervised by the District Court.

Social and skill games fall outside the scope of Irish gambling legislation.

Gambling Legislation

The primary piece of gambling-related legislation in Ireland is the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. Under its original provisions, all casino establishments across the country were deemed illegal. Consequently, many businesses exploited a loophole by operating as “private gaming clubs”.

Recognizing the considerable potential of a properly regulated casino industry and the revenue it could generate for the Treasury, lawmakers introduced the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act of 2019. The amendment’s main objectives are to protect minors from gambling activities – including betting on the Tote – safeguard players’ rights, and standardize the application procedure for obtaining gambling licenses.

Continuing the march toward licensing, the Department of Justice published the General Scheme of the Gambling Regulation Bill in October 2021. The bill seeks to create the conditions for a regulated online gambling industry in Ireland. Once the sector is fully regulated, it will be subject to a 23% tax rate. The bill also designates the Gambling Regulatory Authority as the industry’s governing body.

The legislation is viewed as a long-awaited and much-needed change that will strike the right balance between preserving citizens’ freedom to gamble and providing a safe, transparent environment that minimizes the risk of gambling addiction.

Regulatory Authority

As already stated, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland will oversee both land-based and online gambling. Its primary mission will be to safeguard public safety and welfare. The authority’s powers will also cover the advertising of gambling services. It will be authorized to monitor compliance, conduct inspections, and request information in cases of breaches or disputes.

Another key function of the authority will be to maintain a National Gambling Exclusion Register, allowing gamblers who choose to self-exclude to enroll. In addition, gambling operators will be required to provide information about organizations that offer professional assistance with problem gambling.

Restrictions

In essence, the Gambling Regulation Bill seeks to modernize the licensing and oversight of the gambling sector in Ireland. Legislators aim to create a practical framework that meets the demands of the digital age while providing robust player protection.

The proposed regulation may introduce several restrictions, including a watershed banning all gambling-related ads from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. In addition, minors would be barred from entering premises where gambling occurs.

Regarding the financing of gambling accounts, the government plans to ban the use of credit cards and any form of credit facilities. Operators may also be prohibited from offering incentives such as free bets, VIP clubs, and other special promotions.