Playing casino games is a popular and fun pastime in Ireland. These days, there are two main choices: visit one of the country’s popular land-based casinos or fire up your computer, smartphone or tablet and try one of the many online options.
Which is the better option, and of that option, which venues or sites are best? Let’s find out.
Land-Based or Online Casinos: Which Is Better?
There are benefits to choosing either option. Here’s a breakdown:
Land-Based Casino Appeal
- Atmosphere: There’s buzz, glamour, live performances, fine dining and face-to-face interaction.
- Social Play: You interact alongside others—personal exchanges with dealers and players are a core part of the appeal.
- Amenities: Dining, shows, exclusive VIP rooms and tailored experiences are added attractions over online play.
Online Casino Appeal
- Convenience: Play anywhere, anytime. No travel, no dress code and no closing hours.
- Game Variety: Online, you have access to thousands of slots, live dealer tables and unique digital games.
- Bonuses and Promotions: Online sites frequently offer welcome bonuses, reloads, cashback and ongoing rewards—ideal for new players and bonus-hunters.
- Privacy and Flexibility: Perfect for players who value low-key wagering or want to try games without fanfare.
Once you’ve decided which style suits you better, check out our top picks in each category below.
Best Land-Based Casinos in Ireland
While many people visit land-based casinos to play games of luck and skill, many establishments offer more than just gambling. The newly formed Irish Gambling Commission is making changes, but for now, here are the three best, based on visitor reviews and testimonials.
The Sporting Emporium Casino – Dublin
The Sporting Emporium Casino is considered by players to be the best casino in Dublin. The modern, stylish surroundings with an emphasis on service make a night here feel classy. The staff are widely praised for their professionalism and friendliness.
Entry requires a one-off €25 membership, but this is returned in chips and includes complimentary drinks at the tables. The club caters to both casual visitors and casino regulars and offers game lessons for new players. All guests must be 18 and over and carry a current ID with them.
The Sporting Emporium Casino has a broad game selection, including roulette, blackjack, poker (with tournaments), Punto Banco (Baccarat) and slots. It’s the only casino in Dublin to offer Sic Bo. The poker room action is known to get quite lively, though usually small (1–2 tables at a time).
The minimum bet is €1 for roulette numbers, but columns/dozens and colours require higher minimums, so novice players might burn through their chips quickly.
There is no on-site restaurant; however, the casino is surrounded by eateries and bars. The Sporting Emporium Casino is open daily from 8 pm until 6 am.
Macau Casino Club – Cork
Macau Casino Club on the River Lee in Cork is more than just a casino. It’s a luxury destination offering fine dining, concerts and special events. While gambling is the main draw, there’s plenty for others to do. This venue suits everyone from newcomers to seasoned players.
The casino rooms feature classic games such as blackjack, roulette, poker (both cash games and tournaments), Punto Banco and a range of slot machines with progressive jackpots. Members enjoy a loyalty program, VIP access and discounts on food and drinks.
Mint Restaurant offers hearty Irish fare, Asian fusion and traditional Cantonese food.
Macau Casino Club in Cork is open daily from 2 pm until 6 am.
Star Leisure & Casino – Bray
Star Leisure & Casino is an entertainment complex found right on Bray’s seafront. It attracts a broad range of visitors, including casual gamers, families and tourists. Newcomers especially praise how the friendly staff help them with tickets and games.
Star Leisure & Casino has a wide variety of entertainment: slot machines, classic table games, poker, electronic gaming and even arcade-style amusement games. This venue also provides children’s activities, located outside the gambling areas.
The location on the promenade makes it a fun seaside day out with easy access to restaurants and beach walks. What makes Star Leisure & Casino unique among Irish casinos is the frequent live events, shows and carnival-like feel. The emphasis is as much on fun and entertainment as it is on gambling.
Star Leisure & Casino opens daily from 9 am until 2 am.
Best Online Casinos in Ireland
With over 20 to choose from, it isn’t easy to narrow down the best online casinos in Ireland. Thankfully, Casinos.com is up to the task. Here are three that are highly recommended based on player reviews, platform features, game variety and payout speed.
Dragon Slots
Coming in at number one is Dragon Slots. It offers a wide variety of slots and casino games with enticing bonuses and promotions. It’s the most popular one with players due to game variety, a user-friendly platform and solid customer service.
Dragon Slots has over 6,500 slots and more than 500 live games. The maximum bonus is €2,250, and the value per free spin is €0.10. It has a 40x wagering requirement to cash out bonus winnings.
WPT Global
Widely regarded among Irish players, WPT Global is an international online casino brand with poker and casino offerings. It offers live poker tournaments and a wide range of games—ideal for serious players due to its World Poker Tour affiliation. Players rate WPT Global highly for its live events and comprehensive poker platform.
WPT Global has over 1,100 casino games with 100 slots and 140 live games. There’s a minimum deposit required of €30, the maximum bonus is €1,500 and the value per free spin is €0.10. To cash out bonus winnings, there’s a 30x wagering requirement.
Cashwin
Cashwin is available to Irish players and features localised promotions. Many Irish players favour this site for its accessible range of slots and table games. The site is straightforward to navigate, and players appreciate the fast payouts.
Cashwin offers bonuses and loyalty rewards to all its players. The site has a whopping 5,000 casino games, of which 4,350 are slots and 445 are live. The value per free spin is €0.10, the maximum bonus is €1,000 and the wager requirement for cashing out after a bonus is 35x.
The Choice Is Yours
As the player, it’s all up to you. Do you feel like dressing up and making a night of visiting one of Ireland’s land-based casinos? Or would you rather dress down in your most comfortable pyjamas and dive into a rabbit hole of online entertainment while lounging on your couch? Whatever you prefer, you’ve got plenty of options.
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