Ireland Gambling Statistics 2026

According to market forecasts, total gambling revenue is expected to reach approximately €2.5B in 2025, with online gambling generating more than €1.17B annually and the market growing near 2.1% per year through 2030.

Ireland Gambling Market Overview

The Irish gambling industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Traditional betting shops continue to operate throughout the country, but online gambling now represents a substantial share of total gambling expenditure.

Growth has been driven by:

• Mobile betting adoption
• Online casino expansion
• Faster payment technologies
• Increased digital engagement
• Sports betting demand

By 2030, industry forecasts suggest that Ireland's gambling market could approach €2.99B in annual revenue.

Ireland Gambling Revenue Statistics

The Irish gambling market continues to demonstrate steady growth despite increasing regulatory oversight.

2.50€B

2025

2.57€B

2026

2.63€B

2027

2.71€B

2028

2.80€B

2029

2.99€B

2030

Revenue Forecast

Online Gambling vs Retail Gambling

Online gambling has become the dominant growth engine of the Irish gambling market.

Market Comparison

Online vs Retail Gambling in Ireland

Online advantages

• Faster growth and larger share of new gambling spend
• Mobile-first access drives convenience and in-play betting
• Instant payments and broader game selection
• Easier to integrate deposit limits under GRAI rules

Online risks

• 24/7 access removes natural stopping points
• Higher problem-gambling exposure among young adults (ESRI data)
• Harder for regulators to monitor compared with retail shops
• Aggressive digital marketing and inducements (now restricted by GRAI)

Key trends include:

• Mobile betting now accounts for most online wagering activity.
• Online casinos continue attracting younger demographics.
• Traditional betting shops are experiencing slower growth.
• Instant payment methods have become increasingly important.

Gambling Participation Statistics

Research suggests that approximately 49% of Irish adults participate in gambling activities each year.

Participation by Gender

Gambling participation in Ireland is higher among men than women, with males significantly more likely to participate in regular gambling and face elevated risks of problem gambling. According to reports from the Health Research Board (HRB), men are approximately 4 to 5 times more likely than women to be at-risk or problem gamblers, with the highest-risk group being males aged 25–34.

Participation by Age

Middle-aged consumers remain the most active gambling demographic, while younger adults continue driving growth in online betting and casino gaming.

Young People Who Gamble in Ireland

Research from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) documents a sharp rise in online gambling among Irish young adults. Using longitudinal data from the Growing Up in Ireland study — covering more than 4,500 young people interviewed at ages 17/18 (2015–16) and followed up at age 20 (2018–19) — the analysis found:

• 9.3% of 20-year-olds were engaging in online gambling, up from 2.6% at age 17 — nearly a four-fold increase.
• 7.2% were gambling regularly at age 20.
• Among males, online gambling prevalence rose from 4.4% at age 17 to 15.8% at age 20; regular gambling reached 11.6% among males at age 20.
• Among females, online gambling rose from 0.9% to 2.9%, with 2.7% gambling regularly at age 20.

ESRI Research Bulletin 2023/01

MaleFemale

Online gambling, age 17

Male

4.4%

Female

0.9%

Online gambling, age 20

Male

15.8%

Female

2.9%

Regular gambling, age 20

Male

11.6%

Female

2.7%

Risk Factors and Team Sports

The ESRI study found that team sports participation is strongly associated with both regular and online gambling among young males — independent of socio-demographic and other risk factors. A longer period of team sports involvement was linked to a higher likelihood of gambling, suggesting social norms within male sports team environments may contribute to increased gambling behaviour.

Other factors associated with young people's gambling include:

• Prior online gambling at age 17 — a strong predictor of online gambling at age 20.
• Employment vs. education — being in employment (rather than education) was associated with more frequent gambling.
• Living arrangements — residing outside the family home was linked to a lower likelihood of gambling compared to living with parents.
• Alcohol and cannabis use — more regular consumption of both was associated with regular gambling.

Globally, problem gambling is estimated to affect 1–3% of the population, typically peaking before age 30. Young people represent the highest-risk cohort for exposure to and engagement in online gambling.

The findings informed policy discussions around Ireland's Gambling Regulation Act 2024, supporting targeted public education, community intervention programmes, and potential restrictions on gambling advertising in sports.

Sports Betting Statistics

Sports betting remains Ireland's largest gambling vertical.

The most popular betting categories include:

1. Football
2. Horse racing
3. Gaelic games (GAA)
4. Rugby
5. Esports

Sports betting accounts for approximately 41% of Ireland's online gambling market and continues to benefit from growth in in-play betting products. ESRI research further highlights the overlap between team sports participation and gambling engagement among young Irish males, reinforcing the need for targeted responsible gambling measures in sports-adjacent contexts.

Online Casino Statistics

Online casino gaming has become one of the fastest-growing sectors within the Irish gambling industry.

Industry estimates suggest:

• More than 470,000 active online casino players by 2028.
• Increasing demand for live dealer games.
• Growth in mobile-first casino platforms.
• Expansion of instant withdrawal solutions.
• Increased use of open banking technologies.

Gambling Regulation in Ireland

Ireland's gambling industry is regulated by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), established following the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

Major reforms include:

• New B2C licensing framework
• New B2B licensing framework
• National Gambling Exclusion Register
• Enhanced AML obligations
• Advertising restrictions
• Consumer protection measures

1. Oct 2024

   Gambling Regulation Act adopted

2. Mar 2025

   GRAI established

3. Jul 2026

   Remote licensing begins

4. Dec 2026

   Retail licensing transition

5. 2027

   B2B licensing rollout

Ireland Gambling Market Outlook

Several factors are expected to influence gambling industry growth through 2030:

• Continued mobile adoption
• AI-powered personalization
• Stronger responsible gambling controls
• Payment innovation
• Regulatory modernization
• Expansion of digital gambling channels

The market is expected to remain attractive for major operators despite stricter licensing and compliance requirements.

Key Takeaways

• Statista sizes Ireland's gambling market at ~€2.5B in 2025, rising to ~€2.99B by 2030.
• Online gambling generates more than €1.17B annually.
• 49% of adults participate in gambling.
• According to HRB reports, men are 4–5 times more likely than women to be at-risk or problem gamblers; males aged 25–34 are the highest-risk group.
• ESRI data shows online gambling among 20-year-olds rose from 2.6% to 9.3% between ages 17 and 20.
• Team sports participation is strongly linked to gambling among young males.
• Sports betting remains the largest gambling vertical.
• The GRAI licensing regime is reshaping the market through 2027.
• Total market revenue could approach €2.99B by 2030.

Methodology

Sources