Sports betting is popular in Ireland with punters placing bets as a hobby. Unfortunately, a segment of punters has gone overboard into addiction raising concern as to the lax regulation of the sector. Critically, the participation of underage children in betting activities is a cause for concern. The government has put in place laws to govern the industry in a bid to promote social responsibility by the betting companies. Discussed below is an overview of sports betting in Ireland.
Betting Laws in Ireland
Ireland betting laws came to the fore in the 1930s with the enactment of the Betting Act of 1931. This law majorly covered the regulation of bookmakers as well as the aspect of taxation. Much later, in 1956, the Gaming and Lotteries Act was passed. This legislation made the operations of casinos illegal while allowing sports betting. The Act has been overtaken by events and is generally considered unsuitable for the regulation of gambling in the modern era. For this reason, the Gambling Control Bill of 2013 was created to bring the betting laws in Ireland up to speed.
Deposit Alternatives
Sports punters in Ireland have a variety of options for placing their wager in a bid to cater to the diverse customer base. Bookmakers across the globe competing for a piece of the Irish pie have accelerated the deposit methods to include cheque system, bank transfer, debit and credit cards. What attracts customers to the different payment methods is the level of security and convenience of placing a wager.
Popular Sports in Ireland
Betting on sports in Ireland attracts several sports. Top of the pile is Gaelic football, an age-old game in the country. Football is also attracting a fair share of punters. The popularity of football may be attributed to famous footballers who ply their trade in the Ireland Football League and who have gone on and done the country proud across the shores in the English Premier League.