How do the Irish Like to Gamble in 2026? (A Market Explainer)

Ireland has one of the more enthusiastic gambling cultures in Europe. Although relatively small in population it has a long history of horse racing and sports culture, which has today morphed into a significant modern gambling sector. Total gambling operator revenue in Ireland reached €2.5 billion in 2025 and roughly 49% of adults gamble at least once a year. But what exact kinds of gambling are involved?

Irish betting habits in 2026 cross four main areas – horse racing traditions, sports betting, high-street bookmakers, and rapidly expanding online casinos. This article will break down the important stats from each segment of the market, for a detailed overview of what’s happening right now and where things might go in the future.

Sports Betting is the Most Popular Form of Gambling, Racing and Football are Top

Ireland has never really gone in for large destination resort casinos of any kind, or even smaller venues. For decades now, sports betting has been the biggest sector of Ireland’s gambling market. Football is the dominant sport for bettors, especially the English Premier League, but horse racing, rugby, Gaelic football and even hurling are also popular with bettors here.

According to one 2024, around 60% of the Irish population placed at least one sports bet that year. The per capita numbers are also higher, with the Irish spending more per head on sports betting than the neighbouring Brits.

However, despite the size of the market – around 3 million people – sports betting accounts for only around 15% of yearly operator revenues at about €389 million. This is far outstripped by online casinos, although they (for the moment) have fewer players.

Online Casinos are the Fastest Growing Market Segment

While horse racing and sports betting are still going strong, the fastest growing sector of the Irish gambling market is online casinos. Slot machines and live dealer table games are now more popular than ever on the Emerald Isle, partly spurred on the by the rise of mobile casino gameplay in the past decade.

Some 96% of gamblers in Ireland now use mobile accounts, even if they prefer to bet at retail bookmakers. Online casinos specifically have some 500,000 players and research suggests that number will continue to grow by around 10% yearly over the next five years.

Online casinos now account for €1.42 billion of the €2.5 billion annual total market worth. Younger Irish people in particular are more likely to use online casinos, although even older sports bettors are now engaging with mobile platforms.

Competitive Markets Mean Players like to Compare Offerings and Bonuses

Some 10% of Irish gamblers have more than three different online gambling accounts, showing just how competitive the market has become. Operators use bonuses and promotions to bring in players all over the world, but they are particularly active in Ireland given its small but potentially lucrative market. Bonuses are now a core part of the player experience, and Irish bettors are happy to shop around for the best value.

Given that, customers increasingly look to-third party comparison sites to determine what the best casino bonuses actually are. For example, the top Irish gambling offers according to Casino.org change on a regular basis as operators update their promotions. These expert review platforms also offer important information on game selections, user experiences and payment processing, allowing potential customers to compare between casinos in one place.

High Street Bookies and Horse Racing Still Strong but on the Decline

Walk through any Irish town, from Wexford to Bray, and you’ll likely see at least one bookie on the high street. Bookmaker Paddy Power – now part of global gambling giant Flutter Entertainment – is still headquartered in Dublin and operates hundreds of retail bookmakers across the country.

Horse racing also remains popular, with a long history across Ireland. The Galway Races attract hundreds of thousands of visitors yearly, and have been running since 1869. Over all of Ireland’s two dozen racecourses, it is estimated they bring in more than a million visitors a year. And a key attraction to the races, of course, is having a flutter.

But are these venues generally representative of how the Irish like to gamble in 2026?

In 2005, Ireland had over 1000 licensed betting shops. That number has fallen to less than 800 in 2026, suggesting some movement in how people gamble. Mainly, that they are moving online.

Around 12% of Irish adults still bet on the horse racing at betting shops in a weekly basis, and this number does increase during high profile race meets or other sporting events. The local bookmaker remains a social hub for many older gamblers in smaller towns and more rural communities, especially during popular race meets.

Some €81.3 million was gambled at Irish racecourses in 2025, according to recent industry data.

Put together, on track horse race betting and physical betting shops across Ireland make about €640 million in annual revenues. Which, while impressive, is still well behind the fast-growing online casinos market.