Best Irish Gambling Apps

Why Choose a Gambling App?

If you’re someone who likes to play casino games and access sports betting markets via your mobile, it’s well worth making use of an app. While some newer operators may take time to develop their own native apps, all the big brands will have one available for download from the iOS App Store or Google Play store. The alternative is to play directly from your mobile browser, which will be laid out in a similar way to the desktop site.

Here at TopRatedCasinos.ie, we always recommend downloading a gambling app if there’s one available. Apps generally offer a better user experience than playing through the mobile site — both are optimised for smaller screen sizes to ensure navigation is a breeze, but you may find apps just that bit smoother. What’s more, by turning on push notifications, you can ensure you never miss out on bonuses and promotions.

Let’s break down the main pros and cons of using an app or a mobile site.

Gambling App Exclusions

With such a vast array of games and sports markets available on gambling sites, a key consideration is whether an app will offer the same collection. Many of the best gambling apps are able to offer the site’s full range of games, so you won’t have to worry about losing access to your favourite titles.

However, some sites may have a reduced games catalogue on the app. For example, while it’s common to see the full range of slot games available to play, some apps have a more limited array of live dealer games. 

This is often out of the casino’s control — iGaming software developers may not have optimised certain games for mobile play, or the functionality may just not be suited for mobile. So, be sure to browse the collection on both the app and desktop site to ensure you’re happy with what’s on offer before signing up.

Best Irish Gambling Apps

Which is the Best Gambling App For You?

With so many options out there for online casino and sports betting fans, it’s worth taking the time to consider what your priorities are. Here we’ll break down some of the key aspects to look out for when choosing your next gambling app.

Reviews

Here at TopRatedCasinos.ie, we review a range of Irish gambling apps — from new operators to established brands. Reading our reviews is a great place to start to get a feel for what a site is offering. You can also check out user reviews on the Apple and Google Play app stores, although bear in mind these may not always reflect the average player’s experience.

Customer Service Standards

A great thing to do before signing up and depositing with a casino or bookmaker is to get in touch with their customer support and ask a question or two. It’s important that you’re able to get prompt, friendly, and helpful answers to queries if an issue ever arises — by contacting them yourself, you can see first hand what the team will be like to deal with. The best gambling apps offer a 24/7 live chat service, as well as email support and an FAQs section.

Betting Selection

The best gambling apps double up as sportsbooks and online casinos, though many sites actually offer separate apps for each category. Either way, the best sites will offer a wide range of betting options. For sports betting, we want to see plenty of in-play markets, live streaming, and detailed selections for each game. Likewise, fans of casino games should have access to plenty of different variations of blackjack, roulette and baccarat, in addition to popular slots categories like Megaways and progressive jackpots.

Promotions

Every bettor has their own preferences when it comes to bonuses and promotions, but the bottom line is we want to see plenty of options for new players and existing customers. Be sure to check out the types of offers that are up for grabs before you sign up with a particular site — some gambling apps offer a ton of daily and weekly promotions for current players, while others stand out for their welcome offers, which may focus on big prizes or player-friendly terms and conditions.

Layout and Design

Again, there’s plenty of subjectivity involved when it comes to the design of an app. Some bookmakers go for a clean look while others lean towards the novelty side, with cartoon-style graphics and characters bringing a theme together throughout the different sections. The sports markets and casino games sections should be clearly labelled, with plenty of subsections to help find what you’re looking for — we’re always pleased to see a provider search option so you can easily find games by particular developers.

Ease of Use

Related to the layout and design is ease of use — deciding what to bet on by browsing the mobile sportsbook and games library should be an enjoyable part of using the app. If an app is laggy, doesn’t offer smooth navigation, and certain options are difficult to find, it’ll quickly get tiresome, regardless of how good its games and bonuses are.

Gambling App Bonuses 

The best gambling apps offer a great range of bonuses for both new players and existing customers. Sites that offer casino games and mobile sportsbooks capabilities may offer customers separate welcome offers for each area, so you can bag free bets for sporting events as well as free spins for slot games when you sign up and deposit for the first time. What’s more, some sites offer app-specific bonuses, giving you even more reason to download and play on your mobile. 

Matched Deposits

Matched deposits are a popular welcome bonus for new customers. When signing up via a mobile betting app for the first time, the operator will top up your account with additional bonus credit. Let’s say you’re offered a 100% deposit match and you add €50 to your account, you’ll then be given an additional €50 to bet with, subject to terms and conditions.

Bet x, Get y

With some offers, you’ll need to place a bet before the rewards come your way. These deals typically look something like, ‘Bet €10 on eligible sports markets to get €50 in free bets’. Be sure to check the T&Cs to ensure your qualifying bet meets the terms of the offer.

Free Bets

As well as featuring in welcome bonuses, free bets can also be dished out to existing customers. Mobile sportsbooks regularly offer free bets for big matches, such as a high profile Premier League game. They’ll usually be fixed to a particular value, such as a €5 free bet, and the stake won’t be withdrawable. The payout, on the other hand, is yours to keep if the bet comes in.

Free Spins

Free spins pop up just about everywhere on the best gambling apps. Whether you’re opting in to a casino welcome offer or special weekly promotion, free spins for slot games are one of the most common rewards. They’re generally only valid for selected slots, and the value will be set to the minimum for those games, usually €0.10. Still, they give you a risk-free chance to land cash prizes on the reels.

Best Gambling App Payment Methods

It’s worth checking out the range of payment methods on offer before signing up with an app, particularly if you’re keen to deposit via a specific e-wallet, for example. Here are some of the most common banking options available for gambling app users.

Debit Cards

Debit cards like Visa are ubiquitous when it comes to betting payment options, so if you’re happy using one there’ll be no need to create any additional accounts or download extra apps. What’s more, they’re always eligible for unlocking deposit bonuses, so you won’t miss out on any offers. On the downside, withdrawals can take up to five working days.

Apple Pay and Google Pay

Apple and Google Pay come in really handy for deposits and withdrawals via a mobile gambling app. Customers can confirm their payments with fingerprint or face ID and have the transaction ready to go in seconds.

e-Wallets

e-Wallets like PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are popular among players looking for fast withdrawals. Depending on the gambling app’s processing time, withdrawals to a digital wallet are usually completed within 48 hours, but can be faster in many cases. Watch out for bonus exclusions here though, as you’ll often need to use an alternative method when making a qualifying deposit.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards like Paysafecard prioritise safety over anything else. You’ll purchase a card from a shop with a particular value, and enter the associated 16-digit code into the gambling app to load your account with funds. This means no bank details or passwords are required, and each code expires immediately after its use. However, you’ll need to use an alternative method to withdraw your funds, which some customers feel defeats the point of using a prepaid card in the first place.

AstroPay

AstroPay offers virtual voucher cards, so you can top up your casino balance and keep track of your spending with ease. AstroPay accounts can also hold a balance, so even if you’d prefer to use the virtual cards for deposits to help stick to a budget, you can withdraw to your account like a conventional e-wallet, rather than having to use an alternative.

Cryptocurrencies

Crypto coins such as Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum can be used for deposits and withdrawals on a number of gambling apps. They offer greater anonymity than most other payment methods and fast withdrawals, generally completed instantly once the casino has processed the payment. However, be sure to research cryptocurrencies carefully before using them for gambling purposes, as their value is more volatile than fiat currencies.