Ireland’s online casino market is on track to reach €2.5 billion in revenue in 2025, cementing online gambling as the dominant force in the country’s betting economy. New market data shows that online casino games now account for the largest share of gambling activity, overtaking traditional retail formats and reshaping how Irish players engage with betting products.
Total gambling revenue in Ireland is forecast to reach €2.57 billion this year, with online casinos responsible for more than half of that figure. The shift reflects long-running changes in player behavior, driven by mobile access, broader game choice and the growing normalization of online gambling across multiple age groups.
Mobile platforms becomes the most popular way to play
Mobile devices remain the primary engine behind Ireland’s online casino expansion. Analysts estimate annual growth of around 10 percent, with smartphones now the default entry point for most players. Casino games alone are expected to generate more than €1.4 billion in 2025, underlining how firmly digital formats have replaced in-person experiences for many users.
The availability of thousands of games from more than 120 suppliers has helped reinforce this trend. Irish players can access slots, table games and live dealer products at any time, removing the geographic and time constraints that once limited player participation. For many users, gambling has shifted from a planned activity to something embedded in everyday digital routines.
This “always available” model has widened the gap between online and land-based revenue. While sports betting still plays an important role, it now represents a smaller share of overall gambling activity compared with casino products that encourage longer sessions and repeat engagement.
Middle-aged players drive the bulk of the market
Demographic data highlights clear patterns in participation and spend. Men make up just over half of online gambling users and spend significantly more per year than women. Average annual spending among male players is estimated at around €280, compared with less than €90 for female players.
The most active age group remains players aged 35 to 49, who account for more than half of total users. This cohort is followed closely by those aged 50 to 64, a reminder that online gambling growth is not limited to younger adults. While players raised with smartphones show high engagement levels, middle-aged users continue to generate the bulk of market revenue.
Looking ahead, analysts expect Ireland’s gambling market to grow at a more moderate pace of just over 2 percent per year through 2030. On current projections, total gambling revenue could approach €2.85 billion by the end of the decade, with average annual spend per user rising toward €500.
More accounts, less brand loyalty
Irish players are also becoming more selective. Around one in ten online gamblers now maintains four or more betting accounts, moving between platforms to compare bonuses, game libraries and withdrawal speeds. This behaviour has increased competition among operators and reduced brand loyalty, particularly in the casino segment.
Sports betting remains deeply woven into player’s daily habits, with surveys indicating that some players place bets during work hours and receive frequent push notifications designed to maintain engagement. Casino platforms have adopted similar retention tactics, using personalised offers and game recommendations to keep users active.
For operators, this environment rewards product depth and technical performance. Fast loading times, stable mobile interfaces and reliable payments are increasingly critical as players compare platforms side by side.
New growth brings tougher regulation into focus
The expansion of online casino play has also intensified concerns around gambling addiction, particularly among younger users. Research indicates that nearly a quarter of 16-year-olds in Ireland reported gambling for money in the past year, with boys accounting for the majority of excessive gambling cases within that group.
These concerns form the backdrop to Ireland’s recent regulatory overhaul. The Gambling Regulation Act, passed in 2024, created the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland, which became operational in March 2025. The Authority now oversees licensing, enforcement and consumer protection across the sector.
Key measures include a national self-exclusion register, restrictions on gambling advertising during daytime and evening hours, a ban on credit card gambling payments and limits on the presence of ATMs in gambling venues. Operators that breach the rules face penalties of up to €20 million or 10 percent of annual turnover.
All gambling providers serving Irish customers must now hold one of three licence types, marking a significant shift away from the lightly regulated environment that existed for much of the online market’s early growth.
Ireland’s casino market enters a new phase
With online gambling adoption approaching 96 percent, Ireland’s casino sector has moved beyond early growth and into a more mature phase. Mobile platforms continue to drive player participation, but future expansion is likely to be shaped as much by regulation as by innovation.
For policymakers, the challenge will be to balance consumer protection with the reality that online casinos are now a central part of Ireland’s entertainment economy. For operators, the focus will be on sustaining growth while adapting to stricter oversight and rising expectations around safer gambling.
What is clear is that Ireland’s online casino market has reached a scale that makes it impossible to ignore. At €2.5 billion and rising, digital casino play is no longer a niche activity but a defining feature of the country’s modern gambling landscape.
References:
- Legal Sports Report: Florida lawmakers advance bills targeting illegal gambling and non-tribal betting – https://www.legalsportsreport.com/127894/florida-lawmakers-illegal-gambling-bills-2025/
- Tampa Bay Times: Florida targets illegal gambling rooms and online betting outside Seminole compact – https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2025/02/14/florida-illegal-gambling-bills-seminole/
- Associated Press: Florida Legislature moves to strengthen penalties for illegal gambling operations – https://apnews.com/article/florida-gambling-illegal-machines-legislation-2025
- PlayUSA: Florida bills aim to shut down unlicensed gambling and grey-market betting – https://www.playusa.com/florida-illegal-gambling-bills-2025/
