Quarterly online bets top €1 billion in Ireland

The quarterly online spend for gamblers is at an all-time high.

Figures released by Irish Tax and Customs revealed that the value of regulated online betting exceeded €1.2 billion between January and March 2026, up 47 per cent on the previous quarter from €814.8 million.

Last year, the Central Bank of Ireland reported that gambling spending is “spiking” year-on-year by over 20 per cent.

‘Ruinous’

Consultant psychiatrist and addiction specialist Professor Colin O’Gara described the headline figure as just “the tip of the iceberg”. He explained: “Really, the story is here, if that figure is so high, what kind of revenues are being generated by unregulated actors.”

Prof O’Gara called for tighter controls on online betting incentives, such as “cross-offerings” — where gamblers are encouraged to try different products — and “free spins”.

Social scientist Frank Houghton, who works at the Technological University of the Shannon, stated: “The online gambling problem is just getting worse. Young adults, and those pretending to be 18 and over, are being bombarded by gambling advertising. Gambling can be both ruinous and highly addictive.”

Regulations

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024, betting companies will need to possess a Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) licence to run betting activities in Ireland. The statutory scheme is being rolled out on a phased basis.

At the beginning of July, the GRAI announced the introduction of remote betting licences, covering “betting services online and by other remote means, such as by telephone, as well as intermediaries facilitating remote betting between parties”.

Licensed operators must employ age verification checks “to prevent underage gambling”, ban credit card payments, and meet specified “requirements on closing accounts on request”.

GRAI Chief Executive Officer Anne Marie Caulfield warned gamblers against using unlicensed operators. She said: “When gambling is unlicensed, oversight is removed and the risk of harm is radically increased.”