Ireland has a unique affection for horse racing — and one operator has built its entire brand around it. This page compares the classic Irish racing-specialist model (think Paddy Power) with a modern GRAI-licensed alternative, covering the metrics that matter: racing margins, non-runner policies, Best Odds Guaranteed, ante-post depth and cash-out features.
Racing Product: Depth of Markets and BOG
Paddy Power is synonymous with Irish horse racing. It offers Best Odds Guaranteed on all Irish and UK flat and jumps races, non-runner money back as standard on selected races, and ante-post markets that open months in advance for the Cheltenham Festival, Punchestown and Leopardstown Christmas. Its margin on racing is competitive at 6–7% for standard win markets.
The GRAI-licensed alternative matches BOG on most Irish and UK races and runs a comparable ante-post range. Where it differentiates is on football margins (tighter at 4–5%) and withdrawal speed (same-day for e-wallets vs. 1–3 days for the racing specialist).
| Feature | Racing Specialist (Paddy Power-style) | GRAI-Licensed Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| GRAI Licence | ✅ Active | ✅ Active |
| Best Odds Guaranteed | ✅ Irish & UK racing | ✅ Irish & UK racing |
| Non-runner money back | ✅ Selected races | Selected races |
| Football margin | 5–6% | 4–5% |
| Racing margin | 6–7% | 5–7% |
| Ante-post depth | Extensive | Good |
| App rating | 4.4 / 4.2 | 4.5 / 4.4 |
| Withdrawal speed | 1–2 days | 0–24 hours (e-wallet) |
Non-Runner and Early Price Policies
Irish punters who bet ante-post care about two things: what happens when a horse is declared a non-runner, and whether early prices hold up. The racing specialist offers non-runner money back (NRNB) on most feature races — your stake is returned if your selection is withdrawn. The GRAI-licensed alternative also offers NRNB on major festivals but is slightly less consistent on midweek cards. If ante-post racing is your primary market, the racing specialist still leads.
Beyond Racing: Football and Other Sports
Where the racing specialist has historically lagged is football margins. With a large retail network to support, it cannot afford to offer the tightest possible football odds. The GRAI alternative runs 1–2% tighter on Premier League and Champions League markets — worth noting if you split your bets between racing and football.
Cash-Out and In-Play Features
Both operators offer full and partial cash-out on most pre-match and in-play markets. The racing specialist’s cash-out is well-regarded for racing (available on many ante-post markets); the GRAI alternative’s cash-out is strongest on football. In-play streaming: both offer live streaming on selected races and sports events, with the racing specialist historically covering more Irish racing fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Paddy Power holds a GRAI remote betting licence and is legally available to Irish customers. Check grai.ie for current licence status.
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) means that if the starting price (SP) on race day is higher than the price you took when you placed your bet, your winnings are paid at the SP. It is a free upgrade that benefits ante-post and early-price punters.
Yes. Each GRAI-licensed operator can offer a separate welcome bonus, and there is no restriction on holding multiple accounts. Read the wagering conditions on each before depositing.
Yes. All bets placed with GRAI-licensed operators, including ante-post, are covered by licence conditions requiring operators to settle bets and return winnings.
If you back a horse ante-post and it is subsequently declared a non-runner (scratched before the race), non-runner money back (NRNB) means the operator refunds your stake rather than paying you at the remaining field’s revised SP.