Ireland competes in esports at national level through representative teams in games including Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), League of Legends (LoL), Rocket League and other titles at the Intel World Open and European competition level. For punters, esports betting under the GRAI framework in Ireland is now a fully regulated activity.
Ireland Esports at National Level
Ireland sends national teams to international esports events through organisations including the Irish Esports Association and participation in the European Esports Championships. The team competes across multiple titles, with CS2 and League of Legends the most prominent internationally.
At club level, Irish esports organisations compete in European and global league structures for games like VALORANT, Rocket League and FIFA/EA Sports FC. Some Irish clubs have competed in top-division European leagues.
Betting on Ireland Esports Under GRAI
Esports betting is explicitly covered under the GRAI framework as a regulated form of sports betting. GRAI-licensed bookmakers are legally permitted to offer esports markets. See our full esports betting guide for a complete breakdown of CS2, LoL, Dota 2 and VALORANT markets.
Key Markets
- Match winner: Primary market for all esports matches
- Map winner (CS2 and LoL): Individual map results within a best-of series
- Tournament winner: Outright championship markets
- Live (in-play): Round-by-round and map-by-map betting during matches
Frequently Asked Questions
Ireland Esports: Teams, Games & Betting
| Game | Irish National Team | Competition | Betting Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counter-Strike 2 | Ireland national | ESIC European | Match result |
| FIFA/EA FC | FAI-backed | UEFA eEURO qualifying | Match result |
| Dota 2 | Various amateur | ESL regional | Limited |
| League of Legends | Amateur clubs | Amateur leagues | Very limited |
Esports Betting in Ireland: What to Know
- GRAI-licensed bookmakers offer esports betting – regulated under Gambling Regulation Act 2024
- Minimum age 18+ applies; proof of age required as with all online betting
- Esports margins tend to be higher than mainstream sports (8–15%)
- Live in-play esports markets available at select GRAI-licensed bookmakers
Ireland Esports: Competitive Scene and Betting
Ireland has a growing esports competitive scene, with Irish players competing across multiple titles at international level. The main governing body is Esports Ireland.
| Game Title | Irish Competitive Level | International Context |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA / EA FC | Active — Irish leagues exist | Irish players at FUT Champions level |
| CS2 (Counter-Strike) | Club and national teams | European qualifier appearances |
| Valorant | Growing — Irish teams | EMEA competitions |
| League of Legends | Limited domestic scene | Few players at professional level |
| Rocket League | Active Irish community | European regional competitions |
Betting on Esports in Ireland
- Esports betting is legal in Ireland under existing betting legislation and covered by GRAI from 2026
- Major GRAI-licensed bookmakers offer CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, and Valorant markets
- Ireland-specific esports markets (national teams) are very limited — most betting focuses on international leagues
- Key leagues: ESL Pro League (CS2), LEC (League of Legends EMEA), VCT EMEA (Valorant)
- Bet types: match winner, map winner, total rounds, handicap, first blood
- Responsible gambling: esports events run very frequently — set deposit limits when betting on esports
18+ only. Gambling Awareness Trust: 1800 753 753 · gamblingcare.ie
Yes. Esports is treated as a sport under the GRAI framework, and esports betting is fully regulated. Bookmakers must hold a GRAI Remote Betting licence to offer esports markets to Irish customers.
CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, VALORANT and Rocket League are the most widely covered esports titles at GRAI-licensed bookmakers.
Ireland participates in European esports competition at both national and club level. The Irish Esports Association manages national team participation.
Look for an Esports section in the sports menu at your chosen GRAI-licensed bookmaker. Major events including ESL Pro League (CS2), Worlds (LoL) and The International (Dota 2) are typically featured.