The iGaming industry has been growing by leaps and bounds over the course of the last decade, with significant growth in the last five years. The iGaming market is comprised of multiple sectors, including online casinos and online sportsbooks. The fragmented online gambling laws in the United States and Canada have led to a lot of this growth taking place in Europe.
Dublin has developed a reputation as a tech hub since 2004 when Google moved its European headquarters to the city. Since then, many other tech giants have chosen to relocate to Dublin. This has created a vibrant tech sector nicknamed the Silicon Docks. The tech focus is even reflected in Dublin’s exciting music scene that has embraced the possibilities that the digital world has to offer.
The gaming industry – both traditional video games and iGaming – is part of this tech boom. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the gaming insights and statistics in Dublin as the industry continues to grow. Then we’ll look at some of the best new online casinos for players in Ireland to see how this growth is paying off in real terms.
Gaming industry in Dublin
The gaming industry has found its European home in Dublin. Numerous established studios and fresh startups are based in the city, and more are being launched on a regular basis. The concentration of studios creates a strong community that leads to improvements across the industry. This phenomenon is seen in other tech hubs like Silicon Valley and the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor.
One of the exciting recent developments from the scene is MixRift’s successful funding bids. This mixed reality gaming company has big plans for the future that we can’t wait to see. Mixed reality is the intersection of augmented reality and virtual reality, making it more accessible for players and more achievable for developers.
Dublin is also becoming an iGaming hub, with international brands choosing it for their European headquarters. This is an interesting development, possibly linked to the decreasing appeal of Malta as a base of operations. Some of the companies with offices or headquarters in Dublin include Flutter, Fanatics, Coastline Gaming and Betfair International. This has also led to the development of related industries, such as gaming tech recruiters, iGaming marketing agencies and game studios.
iGaming in Ireland
Ireland has always had a healthy gambling culture. Horse racing remains an important industry in the country, with some of the world’s best race horses still being bred here. Betting on sporting events, including horse races, remains one of the most popular forms of gambling in the country. After horse racing, rugby and football are the top betting sports.
According to a recent report, all types of online gambling have been growing in popularity in Ireland in the last decade and are projected to continue to do so. Online casinos are where most of the iGaming industry’s revenue is earned in Ireland, with online sportsbooks following and online lotteries rounding out the total.
Interestingly, the growing total revenue for the iGaming revenue is not from individual gamblers spending more. Over the last few years, Irish gamblers have been cutting down their spending on iGaming sites. This suggests that moderation is the name of the game, which is a positive sign and reduces concerns over problem gambling behaviours.
Below are some of the best new casinos in Ireland, taken from a list compiled by industry experts:
Lukki Casino
With over 14,000 games in Lukki Casino’s library, you could play a new game every day for 30 years and still not have played them all! They have an Irish theme without being tacky – the gold shamrocks are a classy touch. They also have a VIP program so that loyal players are rewarded. They accept a solid selection of payment methods.
Surprisingly, Lukki Casino doesn’t have a mobile app. Some of the requirements on the site are fairly onerous, so be sure to read the terms and conditions before signing up.
LuckyWins Casino
Since 2023, LuckyWins has been building an online casino that offers players a premier gambling experience. Their games library has 10,000 titles from many of the leading developers. They accept a wide range of payment options, including the top payment apps and digital financial service providers. They also accept Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum and Dogecoin.
The high minimum withdrawal amount is disappointing, making it difficult to access your funds unless you win big. While we all plan to win big, the odds don’t usually make that possible.
Happy Slots
Happy Slots has only been active since April 2024 but they’ve already built a solid fanbase. This is an ideal online casino for new players. They have a smaller library of 2,000 games (still plenty to choose from!) and a site that’s easy to navigate.
The wagering requirements on some games are unusually high, so keep an eye out for that. Hopefully, this is something they will adjust as they become more established, since many players are put off by high wagering requirements.
BetBeast
BetBeast have a monstrous 7,000 games in their library. They set themselves apart by offering a great VIP program and plenty of tournaments for players who have a competitive streak. They also have a sportsbook for gamblers who enjoy both gaming and betting.
There is a low monthly withdrawal limit, which is a serious downside for players who always like to be able to access their funds. BetBeast does require you to plan ahead a bit to manage your withdrawals.
Fortune Play
Fortune Play launched in 2024 and have an amazing 8,000 games in their library. Players can play on desktop or on mobile devices and they have a mobile app as well. Payment methods include bank card, bank transfer, paysafecard, numerous payment apps and certain cryptocurrencies.
They do have a high minimum deposit, so this may not be the first choice for new players who want to get a taste for the games before making a big financial commitment.
