Irish Sports Betting

Sports betting is legal in Ireland. The Irish Revenue Commissioners are responsible for issuing licenses to bookmakers and betting intermediaries. The market is open to competition from private operators. There are more than 1,000 betting shops throughout the country. The largest sports betting operator is Paddy Power.

As part of the general overhaul of Irish gambling legislation, the government is considering an amendment that will essentially repeal the 1931 Betting Act, which would then be rewritten and reenacted in the new law.

The proposed legislation would allow betting shops to open on Sundays, which is prohibited under current law. Fixed odds betting terminals, which are currently permitted in betting shops, would no longer be allowed on the premises. The bill was originally expected to pass in 2011, but has been postponed.