Ireland Gambling Statistics 2026
Comprehensive data on Ireland's online gambling market. Ideal for researchers, journalists, policymakers, and industry professionals.
Verified Irish Gambling Data
The figures below are drawn directly from published, third-party sources — the ESRI, the Health Research Board and the Revenue Commissioners. Each card links to its original source so you can verify it independently.
Market Overview
Indicative market-size estimates compiled from public operator disclosures and industry commentary. Treat these as directional context rather than official figures — the verified data above is the citable basis for research.
Most Popular Games
Source: Irish Fortune research, Q1 2026
Payment Method Usage
Based on Irish player preferences
Key Trends 2026
Player Demographics by Age & Gender
| Age Group | Male % | Female % | Total % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 18% | 12% | 30% |
| 25-34 | 28% | 15% | 43% |
| 35-44 | 22% | 18% | 40% |
| 45-54 | 15% | 14% | 29% |
| 55+ | 10% | 8% | 18% |
Note: Percentages represent share of total online gambling population
Irish Gambling Industry Timeline
Health Research Board records ~49% adult gambling participation (National Drug & Alcohol Survey 2019–2020)
COVID-19 restrictions accelerate the shift to online gambling
Gambling Regulation Bill 2022 published
ESRI estimates 1 in 30 adults affected by problem gambling
Gambling Regulation Act 2024 signed into law (October)
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) formally established (March)
GRAI begins accepting first remote betting licence applications
Sources & References
Measuring the prevalence of problem gambling in Ireland (2023) — commissioned by the Department of Justice and the GRAI implementation team; representative sample of 2,850 adults.
Gambling findings from the National Drug & Alcohol Survey 2019–2020 — Ireland’s most recent national prevalence baseline (5,762 respondents aged 15+).
Betting Duty rates and Exchequer receipts — official excise data for retail, remote and intermediary betting.
Ireland’s statutory gambling regulator under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 — licensing framework and consumer protections.
Methodology & Citation
This page synthesises publicly available, third-party data on gambling in Ireland — principally from the ESRI, the Health Research Board, the Revenue Commissioners and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland. Every headline figure is attributed to its original source and linked above for independent verification. It is a synthesis of existing public statistics, not a primary survey; where we show market-size ranges, these are clearly labelled as indicative estimates rather than official data.
Citing this page:
Irish Fortune. (2026). Irish Gambling Statistics 2026. Retrieved from https://irishfortune.ie/statistics