Top Online Casino Games in Ireland (2023)

Online Casino Games

In this guide, we will also teach you how to play free online casino games, real money casino games, and some tips and strategy for each game.

Online casino games can be a great form of entertainment. Players can play for fun with free casino games or aim to win big with online casino games that pay.

The most popular games are easy to learn and exciting to play. When playing casino games online, be sure to consider each game’s return to player percentage (RTP), to get the best bang for your buck!

You will find a wide variety of online casino games at all of the casinos on BettingGuide. Generally, online casinos are split into two sections, the live casino, and casino. You can find 40+ live casino games on some of the best online casinos and 100's of casino games using the regular online casino section.

Online Live casino - Live casino games allow players to play with a real dealer via video. Players can experience a more life-like casino feel with live dealers on several casino games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, teen patti, and many more.

Online Casino - Casino games that run using a random number generator (RNG) and no live dealers.

Here are some of the main games that can be played at online casinos in Ireland.

• Slots 
• Roulette
• Baccarat 
• Blackjack 
• Live casino

Some Irish online casinos might focus on one type in particular. As an example, slots casinos are very popular, offering hundreds if not thousands of different slots to try. Other online casino sites might be run in a more general way, giving players a range of options.

Deciding which casino game to play can be a head-scratcher for newcomers, but there are a couple of things to think about. One of them is value, which can be found by examining the house edge of casino games.

Playing Casino Games for Free at an Online Casino in Ireland

Need practice and don’t want to spend any money? Most casino games can be played for free online. In fact, taking time to play free casino games is a good idea before betting real money.

Some online casinos even offer sign-up bonuses which include house money. This allows players to use online casino software and practice playing their favourite games with no risk and no pressure. You can also claim free spins bonuses or no deposit casino offers which allows you to play certain games for free with no deposit needed.

To play free casino games in Ireland, look for specific sites that offer free games only. Or check with the best online casinos in Ireland to see if they offer any free play.

Many casino sites allow their slots to be played in demo mode. Naturally, when not playing with real money it is not possible to win cash. But demo mode is a good way to test a few different slots out and try to find a favourite game you might later want to play on with your own money. 

Slots are not the only casino game that can be played in demo mode. It depends on which online casino site you join, but there are almost always different options for playing for free.

Many people join online casinos and actually never risk their own money on games. But others will find it tempting to move up to real money games at online casinos eventually.

Real Money Games at Irish Online Casinos

After playing in demo mode for a while, it is time to try real money games at online casinos. To do this, you will need to deposit into your new online casino account. Once you have successfully deposited, simply decide which game you want to play and select it, then you will have the chance to set your stake.

For newcomers, it is recommended to start with small stakes while building up confidence. Those who have more experience playing games like roulette and blackjack might be happier to bet more. But there is nothing wrong with starting small and working up to larger stakes.

Bonus: registering as a new player at an online casino will earn you free real cash bonuses. Often, these bonuses are given in the form of a percentage of your deposit. This means the bigger your deposit, the bigger your bonus. Keep in mind, however, that winnings made with these bonus funds will only be available after wagering a certain amount. 

Tip: before joining an online casino, consider which site has the best bonuses.

Mobile Casino Games  

All of the best mobile casinos offer a wide range of casino games optimised for mobile, apps and a mobile optimised site.

Device compatibility, graphics and banking options are all considerations that should be made when choosing mobile casino games or apps.  

To play online casino games in Ireland on your mobile device or tablet, you can download an app or use the online casino’s mobile-friendly website. 

A few things to keep in mind when using mobile casino games and apps: 

1. Use a secure WiFi network 
2. Keep track of your data usage 
3. Make sure your phone battery is always charged 
4. Visit only trusted casinos 

House Edges for Popular Casino Games

All casino games have what is known in the industry as a house edge. Put simply, this is in place in order to protect online casinos in Ireland.

The house edge tells you two things: 

1. The payout of each game over its lifespan 

i.e. online casino games with a high house edge will pay out less over time compared to ones with a low house edge 

1.  How much return a player can expect on their bets  

Without a house edge, there would be no guarantee that they can come out on top against the player. While this may seem unfair to casino customers, without a house edge it would be far too risky to run a casino.

Casinos are businesses and making money is the reason that they exist. So in the same way that wagering requirements are something of a necessary evil, the same is true for the house edge.

The good news is that not all casino games have the same house edge. Actually, house edges at online casinos in Ireland can vary by a surprisingly large amount. This means those players who want to maximise their chances of winning by finding the top value can select those games with the best house edge.

Games with a high house edge can still be fun to play, but it is harder to make a profit when playing these at your chosen online casino in Ireland. Let's examine the house edge of some of the top online casino games in more detail next.

Some of the most popular casino games online also have the best odds. The most popular games, and their approximate odds, include:

• Blackjack - 99.5% RTP 
• Video Poker - 99% RTP 
• Baccarat - 98.95% 
• Roulette (European) - 97.3% RTP  
• Slots - 95% RTP

Knowing which games give the house the greatest advantage (signified by a higher house edge) is beneficial. For example, video poker and blackjack have low house edges (under 1%), while Keno and Sic Bo can see a house edge of over 30%. This means that the house has a greater advantage in online casino games like Keno and Sic Bo.

The house edge can, therefore, be used to find out which games are the most profitable. Players can use this information to leverage their winnings and get the highest payouts when gambling online. 

The house edge can also be used to find the game’s RTP or return to player percentage. If you know an online casino game’s house edge you can calculate the RTP by subtracting the house edge from 100. The same is true if you know the RTP. The house edge can be found by subtracting the RTP from 100%. 

For example, if a game’s RTP is 99.6%, the house edge will be 0.4%. That is, 100% - 99.6% = 0.4%. 

Here are some common online casino games in Ireland and their respective payouts:

Video Poker House Edge

Depending on which type of poker game you choose to play, video poker can offer an RTP of around 99% and a house edge of 1%. 

Tip: Consider playing these poker games which have the highest payout ratios:  

• Jacks or Better 
• Double Joker Poker 
• Deuces Wild 
• 7s Wild 
• Aces and Faces 
• Double Bonus Poker  

Baccarat House Edge

Baccarat is one of the oldest casino games in the world, but it is still a very popular choice at online casinos. One of the reasons this is the case is as baccarat has a very low house edge. 

It is fair to say baccarat does not have the same public profile as other casino games. Roulette, poker and blackjack are a lot more famous in most parts of the world.

So many people may be unfamiliar with how to play baccarat, which is sometimes known by the name punto banco, even though it is very simple. Betting on a game of baccarat is actually almost comparable to gambling on the toss of a coin.

House edge in baccarat depends on the bet that is chosen by the player. If you decide to have a bet on the banker winning, then the house edge will be just 1.06%. It is hard to find any another bet at an online casino in Ireland that has such a low house edge. 

Betting on the player to win in baccarat has a house edge of 1.24, which is still pretty good. Ties are rare in baccarat and the house edge for this bet rockets up to 14.36% - very high.

Blackjack House Edge

Unlike baccarat, which is a game of pure luck, blackjack involves skill from the player. Luck is still involved, of course, due to the fact it is impossible to predict what card comes out next, but skilled blackjack players are very likely to win more money than beginners. 

House edge in a game of blackjack at online casinos depends on a couple of factors. One is the skill level of the player. Another key factor is whether a blackjack strategy is used.

Blackjack is known to have a low house edge and a high payout percentage. Online blackjack may be even more enticing since it usually only uses two decks, compared to the eight decks used in a land-based casino. 

Online blackjack provides a return to player percentage (RTP) of around 99.5% and therefore a house edge of approximately 0.5%.

This means that blackjack is one of the best value games to choose at an online casino. However, there are a few varieties of blackjack games that can be played at online casinos in Ireland. What this means is that the house edge in blackjack can be quite variable.

How many decks of cards are in play also affects the house edge in blackjack casino games. The fewer the number of decks being used in a blackjack game, the lower the house edge.

Types of blackjack game can also change the house edge. For example, a 6:5 blackjack game has a much higher house edge and it can therefore be a good idea to avoid this type of game.

Slots House Edge

Not only do online slots offer the most variation when it comes to online casino games, but they also offer the most variation when it comes to payout. For players looking for exciting and new casino games, slots also offer the most frequently updated games. 

House edge on slots is not calculated in the same way as on other casino games like baccarat and blackjack. Instead, a slot game's house edge is displayed as a percentage.

This is known as return to player - usually shown as RTP for short - with games that have a higher RTP percentage having a lower house edge as a result.

Generally speaking, players will see more value from playing an online slot with 97% RTP than they will if they select a game where the RTP is only 95%

It might sound like a small difference but the higher the house edge retained by an online casino site, the harder it is going to be for a player to come out on top. RTP on online slots is key, but so is variance, which explains how often the game pays out.

Poker House Edge

House edge is also different when it comes to online poker. The house does not actually have any involvement in a game of poker due to the fact players are facing off against each other. Instead, casinos in Ireland offering poker make money by taking a cut of the pot in cash games.

Poker is a highly skilled game that it can take a long time to master. Some say it can take as long as three months of intense practice, with the help of a coach, to master poker. But the lack of a house edge means a lot of people will try their luck at the poker table at their chosen casino site.

Roulette House Edge

The last casino game we are going to look at here is roulette, where the house edge can vary. One thing to be mindful of while playing online roulette is the difference between American and European roulette.

In American roulette, the wheel contains two green (0) pockets, whereas in European roulette there is only one green (0) pocket. Although the difference may seem slight, this can have a major impact on your RTP. 

With American roulette, the casino advantage sits around 5.26% and an RTP of 94.74%. On the other hand, with just one (0) pocket, European roulette has a house edge of approximately 2.7% (an RTP of 97.3%).

European roulette, therefore, offers better odds. When possible, players often prefer to play European roulette.

How to Play the Most Popular Casino Games Online 

Although there are some strategies for online casino games, winning cannot be guaranteed. But there are some things players can do to improve their chances of winning when they select online casino games.

The first is to pick games with the best house edge, as detailed above. Bad value games make it a lot harder to make a profit and come out on top against the house. Slots fans should select games with the highest RTP they can find, as this indicates it will pay out more regularly.

For skill-based games like blackjack and poker, learning about strategy will improve a player's chances of winning at their favourite online casino site.

How to Play Online Slots 

With any online slot machine, you can expect to see:

• The reels of your slot machine 
• “Spin” and “max bet” options 
• A bankroll in the corner of your screen 
• A paytable showing you how much each symbol is worth 

Here’s how to play: 

1. Choose how many paylines you want and how much you’d like to bet 
2. Click the “spin” indicator (“max bet” will result in a spin at the highest possible bet) 
3. If you’ve won, your winnings will be displayed on the screen 

How to Play Roulette

A classic, roulette is simple. To play just spin the wheel and see if your number comes up.  

1. Place Your Bet - select the chip size you’d like to bet with 
2. Dealer Spins the Wheel - click the “spin” button 
3. The Outcome - the ball will stop on a number. If that’s your number - you win! 

How to Play Blackjack  

Blackjack is a popular game among online players. In blackjack, players have two goals: 

1. Try to get as close as possible to 21 without going over  
2. Aim to have a higher hand than the dealer  

If the dealer or the player goes over 21, they bust and lose the game. If no one goes over, the person (or bot) with the highest hand wins. 

Here are some terms and tips you’ll need to know when playing online blackjack: 

• Stand - this signifies to the dealer that they should not deal you another card and should move on to the next player. Tip: if the sum of your cards is greater than 17, you will likely want to stand. 
• Hit - this is how you ask the dealer for another card. Tip: if you know another card won’t cause you to bust (go over 21), or you’re willing to take a risk, then hit. 
• Splitting your hand - another option you can take in blackjack is to split your hand. If you receive two cards of the same value in your first hand, you may split the cards into two separate hands and then be dealt an additional card for each hand. To do this, the player must place an additional bet on their new hand that is equal to their original bet. Tip: always split aces and eights. Never split tens, fours or fives.  

How to Play Poker 

Using an online platform, a player can choose to play free poker or poker for real money.  

Free poker provides an opportunity for players to practice and improve their skills. On the other hand, real money poker can offer big wins, if played well and with luck on your side.

A game of poker occurs in several rounds.

1. Place your bet - betting starts to the left of the dealer and continues around the table. Players may put in the same bet (ante) as other players or increase the amount. 
2. Cards are dealt - players receive two cards face-down. At this point, players decide whether they would like to check (turn down the opportunity to start betting), bet (match another player’s bet) or fold. Once a player has made a bet, subsequent players must match that bet.  
3. The flop - players are dealt a third card (face-up) and another round of betting takes place. 
4. The turn - a fourth card is dealt followed by another round of betting. It’s important to remember that only five cards are dealt with when placing bets.  
5. The river - the fifth and final card is dealt. Players have a final chance to bet now that they can see their completed hand.  
6. Winner revealed - each player reveals their hand to see who has the best hand. In the case of a tie, the highest card wins.  

Before you play, be sure to familiarize yourself with winning poker hands. 

Poker hands include:

• Royal flush - this hand is made up of an ace-king-queen-jack-10 all of the same suit. 
• Straight flush - this hand contains five consecutive cards all of the same suit. 
• Four of a kind - players must have four cards of the same value. 
• Full house - a full house contains two cards of the same value and three cards of another value. 
• Flush - for a flush, the player must hold five cards all of the same suit. 
• Straight - a straight is made up of five consecutive cards of any suit. 
• Three of a kind - three cards of the same value must be present in the hand. 
• Two pair - the player must have two different pairs of cards. In other words, two cards of the same value and two cards of another value. 
• Pair - this can be any two cards with the same value. Typically, poker players will want to focus only on pairs of jacks or better. 

How to Play Video Poker

Video poker is another popular online casino game and is much like regular poker. The difference between poker and video poker is that video poker occurs in one round. Video poker players are given only one chance to hold cards and to draw new ones. After this single decision, their hand is final. 

If you want to try it out, here’s how to play:  

1. Choose how much you’d like to bet 
2. Hit the deal button - your cards will be dealt either face-up or flipped one-by-one 
3. Decide which cards you’d like to hold - cards you don’t choose to hold will be replaced by new cards  
4. Draw - hit the draw button and cards that were not held will be replaced. This is now your final poker hand. 

There are various types of video poker games that can be played online. Therefore, a winning hand may vary between different games. However, all winning hands will be based on a typical poker hand.  

How to Play Baccarat 

Baccarat is a fairly simple game. Online players can expect to see various versions of baccarat, including mini-baccarat, punto banco, speed baccarat and baccarat squeeze.  

The steps for playing a standard game of baccarat are: 

1. Decide whether you will bet on the bank or the player 
2. Both the bank and the player will be dealt two cards face up 
3. A third card will be dealt depending on the hand total - if your total is in the range of 0 to 5, a third card will be dealt. If you have a total of 6 or 7, you won’t receive a third card. If you’re holding 8 or 9 you’ve won!  

The winning hand is the one that is closest to 9. 

A few things to keep in mind when playing baccarat: 

• Face cards have a value of 0 
• Aces are worth 1 
• A hand greater than 9 resets back to 0 - baccarat is a single-digit game 

How to Play Craps 

Craps consists of two phases. 

1. Come out roll - This is the first part of a craps game. For this first roll, players place a bet on either the Pass Line or the Don’t Pass Line.  

The shooter (the person rolling the dice) is aiming to roll a 7 or 11 in this phase. If those numbers are rolled, bets on the Pass Line win. If 2, 3, or 12 is rolled, the game is over, and the original shooter is replaced.  

In the case that any other number is rolled, that number becomes the point for the game.  

1. Point Phase - In this phase, the shooter needs to roll the point number established in the previous roll. They must roll this point number before they roll a 7 for Pass Line bets to win.  

If the shooter rolls a 7 before the point number, bets on the Pass Line lose and bets on the Don’t Pass Line win.   

There are several betting options available when playing craps. The various wagers, and outcomes, include: 

• Pass Line Bet - This bet is made on the come-out roll (the first roll of the game). For players betting on the pass line, if a 7 or 11 is rolled, they win. If a 2, 3, or 12 is rolled (known as “craps”), they lose. 

If the come-out roll results in any other total this number becomes the point. Keep in mind, for players betting on the Pass Line to win, this point number must be rolled again before a 7 is rolled. 

• Don’t Pass Line Bet - a Don’t Pass Line bet is the exact opposite of a Pass Line bet. If you bet on the Don’t Pass Line and the come-out roll is a 7 or 11, you lose. If the roll is a 2 or 3, you win and if it is a 12 a tie results. 

In the case that a point number is established, players betting on the Don’t Pass Line will lose if the point is rolled and win if a 7 is rolled. 

• Come Bet - a Come Bet can only be placed after the come-out roll if the shooter has rolled a point. When wagering on a Come Bet, players win if a 7 or 11 is rolled and lose if a 2, 3 or 12.  

If any other number is rolled, this becomes the player’s come point. This come point must be rolled again before a 7 is rolled in order for them to win. 

• Don’t Come Bet - like a Come Bet, a Don’t Come bet is made after the come-out roll when the shooter must roll a point number. However, with a Don’t Come bet, the player wins if a 2 or 3 is rolled, ties if a 12 is rolled and loses if a 7 or 11 is rolled.

Any other number will become the player’s come point. With a Don’t Come bet, if the come point is rolled, the player loses. On the other hand, if a 7 is rolled they win. 

To start a game of craps: 

1. Become familiar with the table layout and terms 
2. Place a wager  
3. Decide where to put your chips 
4. Roll the dice 

After the dice are rolled, all winning bets and ties are paid out. 

How to Play Jackpot Games 

Online jackpot games are very diverse and may involve global participation.  

When playing a lottery-style jackpot game, players simply purchase a ticket and numbered balls are drawn at random. The more numbers you match, the more you win.    

To play a lottery-style jackpot game: 

1. Register with an online lottery site 
2. Choose the country you want to play in  
3. Choose which lottery you wish to play 
4. Pick your numbers 
5. Check the results 
6. Collect your prize money! 

How to Play Live Dealer Games 

Live dealer games are the choice of many online gamblers, as they offer a more realistic experience. Players can enjoy the same experience they would get at a land-based casino but in the comfort of their own home!  

These games use an interface that allows players to communicate with one another, as well as with the dealer in real-time.  

You can find a variety of games online with live dealers. Some of the best types of casino games with live dealers include: 

• Baccarat 
• Blackjack 
• Roulette 
• Hold’em

This guide should have told you everything you need to know about online casinos in Ireland. You will now therefore be ready to start playing - so good luck!