Ireland's Homegrown Bookmaker 2026: What Irish Players Need to Know

Is It Available in Ireland?

Yes. Paddy Power is an Irish-founded bookmaker and is fully available to all Irish players. It holds a GRAI remote betting licence, which you can verify independently on the official licensing register at grai.ie. This means Irish players betting through the platform are covered by Ireland's new statutory gambling framework under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024.

The casino products are a different matter: Paddy Power's casino operates under a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence. This is entirely normal — the GRAI has not yet issued any casino or gaming licences. Zero GRAI casino licences exist as of November 2026. Casino licences from the GRAI are expected to become available from 2027 to 2028. The MGA licence provides strong protections in the meantime, including certified random number generation, formal complaints escalation, and player fund segregation requirements.

Irish Heritage

Paddy Power was founded in Ireland in 1988 through the merger of three existing Irish bookmaking businesses. The brand grew to become one of the most recognisable names on the Irish high street, with shops across the island of Ireland. It is now part of Flutter Entertainment, a global betting and gaming group, but its Irish roots remain central to its identity — Paddy Power is widely associated with Cheltenham Festival coverage, GAA markets, and irreverent Irish marketing that has earned it a devoted following among Irish bettors.

GRAI Licensing & Irish Player Rights

Because Paddy Power holds a GRAI remote betting licence, Irish players benefit from the full suite of statutory protections introduced under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. These include:

• Mandatory deposit limits: You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits and the operator is required to enforce them.
• NGEI self-exclusion: The National Gambling Exclusion Ireland (NGEI) register allows players to self-exclude from all GRAI-licensed operators simultaneously. See our NGEI Ireland guide for how to register.
• Formal complaint rights: GRAI-licensed operators must follow the GRAI's Alternative Dispute Resolution process. See how to make a GRAI complaint.
• Player protection standards: Anti-money laundering checks, responsible gambling tools, and fair terms requirements all apply. Read more on GRAI player protection.

For casino products: the MGA licence carries its own requirements, including certified RNG audits and an escalation route through the MGA's player complaints process. There is no GRAI casino licence to reference — none exist. See our MGA casino Ireland guide for what this means in practice.

For a full explanation of how the GRAI licensing system works, see GRAI licence explained.

Betting Markets for Irish Players

Paddy Power is well known for the depth of its Irish and UK-focused betting markets. For Irish players, the standout coverage includes:

• GAA: Football and hurling markets at All-Ireland, provincial, and county level. Paddy Power is one of the most widely cited names for in-play GAA betting during championship season.
• Horse racing: Cheltenham Festival, the Irish Grand National, Leopardstown, Punchestown, Galway, and other Irish tracks all receive extensive coverage with ante-post, day-of-race, and in-play markets.
• Football: Premier League, Champions League, League of Ireland, FAI Cup, and international fixtures are all covered. Same-game multiples and bet builders are available.
• Rugby & cricket: Autumn internationals, Six Nations, and international cricket series carry match, tournament, and in-play markets.

Cash Out is available on a wide range of markets, allowing bettors to settle early for a reduced return or to lock in a profit before an event concludes.

Deposit Methods

Irish players have a range of deposit options available:

• Revolut: Accepted as a deposit method. Irish players can fund their account directly from a Revolut account.
• Visa/Mastercard debit: Standard debit cards are accepted. Credit cards are banned for gambling transactions in Ireland under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 — only debit cards can be used.
• PayPal: Accepted at both deposit and withdrawal stage.
• Bank transfer: Available for larger deposits and withdrawals.

Minimum deposit is typically €5. Withdrawals are processed via the same method used to deposit, subject to standard verification requirements.

Casino: What Licence Covers It?

The casino products on the Paddy Power platform operate under a Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licence. This is the correct and expected position: the GRAI does not yet issue casino or gaming licences. As of November 2026, zero GRAI casino licences have been issued. GRAI casino licences are expected from 2027 to 2028, at which point operators serving Irish players will need to obtain them.

What the MGA licence provides for Irish casino players:

• Certified RNG: Random number generators must be independently audited and certified, ensuring fair outcomes on slots and table games.
• Formal complaints escalation: If a dispute with the operator is not resolved, players can escalate through the MGA's official player support process.
• Player fund protection: MGA licensees must meet requirements around segregating player funds, reducing the risk in the event of insolvency.

See our guide to MGA-licensed casinos in Ireland for a full explanation of what this framework covers. For context on GRAI casino licences and when they may be issued, see GRAI licence explained.

Frequently Asked Questions