Online Casino Reviews ☘️ 100% Independent

🔍 How We Review Online Casinos in Ireland

To create our unbiased casino reviews, we run each operator through our rigorous criteria, learning everything we can about the provider’s features, validity, safety, and overall experience for players. Our ratings are based on a 5-star scale, with each star representing one of the attributes listed below. Our study extends beyond that, but first, let's look at the criteria we employ to deliver our impeccable reviews.

🔑 Operator Licence and Fairness Certification

In order for a website to land in our casino site reviews it needs to hold an active and valid online gambling license (clearly displayed on the website) and a fairness certification from a third-party company, checking for the games’ unbiasedness. So how can you spot a legitimate gambling license? First, an active link and number will be provided on the casino website if you want to check the casino license. It should typically lead to a listing on the official gambling regulator website. Depending on where the website is registered, these commissions vary – Ireland’s online casinos are listed under the UK Gambling commission and also the Malta Gaming Authority. A gambling license is one of the first things necessary to start an online casino. Many governments require operators to get a license from their own regulators. However, a handful of offshore governments grant gambling licenses, allowing internet casinos and sportsbooks to access a global audience. Here are a few examples:

• Malta Gaming Authority
• Curacao Gaming Licensing
• Kahnawake Gaming Commission
• Gibraltar Licensing Authority
• Gambling Supervision Commission (for Isle of Man Licenses)
• Alderney Gambling Control Commission

In order for a website to receive such a license it needs to go through the application process, which depending on the license issued, may vary, but often features business plan checks, terms and conditions & policy checks, system review, and a compliance check, making sure the business is adhering to the necessary regulations. One of these checks is fair gaming testing, issued by an external company, which thoroughly checks the software purchased on the website, ensuring it provides random results during play and that it uses RNG (Random Number Generator) software.The most well-known official companies to do such testing are:

• eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation Assurance)
• iTech Labs
• TST (Technical Systems Testing)
• GLI (Gaming Laboratories International)

Take a look at this example eCOGRA certificate to gain an idea of what it looks like. Ones we can see that the online casino has both an operator license and fairness certification, we move on to the next step.

♻️ Bonus Promotions and Terms

The welcome offer, which frequently includes a substantial casino bonus offer, is one of the most important factors in convincing players to join a site. This handy function kickstarts your gaming and can even double your betting money in some situations. So, how exactly does it work? When a player first joins, the casino prompts them to make a deposit. If the minimum deposit requirement is met, voila – a casino bonus offer can be found in your member’s account. There are many bonuses to consider, but you’ll most likely come across repackaged versions of these three types:

🎁 Free Spins Bonus

The free spins bonus is what it says on the tin – a number of free spins that you can spend on slot games (virtual fruities) or progressive jackpot slots. Sometimes this bonus may limit you to specific titles, so do read the Terms and conditions before you claim any bonus to avoid disappointment.

❌ No Deposit Bonus

The rarest of them all, the no-deposit bonus is a customer favourite. It allows you to register with an iGaming site, and a sign-up offer is received without paying a dime into the casino. This is great for players because it allows them to browse the website’s functions and decide if they want to continue their stay. Our website has managed to find the best no deposit offers, so head over to our dedicated page to find out more.

💯 Deposit Match

Finally, the deposit match bonus will match the amount of money you deposit up to a specific percentage. This can be 100%, 150% or even 200% - it depends on the betting site. It’s a player’s favourite because it rarely restricts you to specific games, and you can spend it however you like.

⚖️ Bonus Fairness

Most casino review sites don’t discuss bonus fairness, but we do. We are well aware that the majority of gamblers do not read the Terms and Conditions of bonuses, and we are working hard to alter that. When you study the T&Cs, you might learn a lot about the fairness of a bonus. For instance, some bonuses could have expiration dates or wagering requirements that need to be met, before you are allowed to withdraw your earnings. In fact, 99% of bonuses will ask their players to bet a specific amount of money before they can withdraw earnings made with their deposit. It’s how much money they need to bet that determines if a bonus is fair. If say, a casino has a wagering requirement of x20 times your bet, that’s a pretty decent requirement for a minimum deposit of €10. We discuss these features in more detail in our casino reviews, so players know whom they’re signing up with. In addition, if you don’t feel like complying to the bonus you can always skip it and jump into playing your favourite games instead! Plenty of people forget that sign-up bonuses are optional.

💳 Banking Options and Transaction Speed

We believe great internet casino reviews need to do more than just mention the payment methods featured at a casino. While that’s a must-have information for players, it’s equally important to mention the speed of various transactions, if there are fees associated when banking with specific methods, and if the methods are available for both deposits and withdrawals. Needless to say, dodgy payment methods are a no-no, and we are more likely to recommend a casino if they use well-known payment options such as PayPal Casinos. In addition, to make it even more convenient for players, we also include payout times, so you can know up to how many days it will take for you to receive your earnings.

🕹️ Quality of the Games Library

You all join casino sites to indulge in some quality online gaming, so it only makes sense for us to closely examine the various titles provided by the operator. We are about to give you a few teasers of what you can expect when you sign up for an account with any one or more of the trustworthy online casinos that have been recommended by us before playing their extensive selection of games, ranging from the best top slots, intense table games, video poker machines, and new casino games online.

🎰 Slots Games

If slots are your go-to choice when it comes to online gaming, you’re in for a treat. Slot games provide more than half of the gaming market’s total yield, which wouldn’t be possible without their variety and abundance. You can come across slot games inspired by famous movies and stories, such as Book of Dead, Razor Shark, and Robin of Sherwood. There are many ways to rebrand slots and make them appealing to gamers, so worry not – you’ll certainly find ones that inspire you.

💰 Progressive Jackpot Games

Some casino slots can bring larger wins than others – they’re called progressive jackpot games. They work just like regular games, awarding you wins and bonuses, as you go along, except a small percentage of your bets, goes toward the overall prize pool. If you manage to trigger the right features in a progressive jackpot game, you may even win millions! Even if you don’t win the grand jackpot, you might end up snatching one of the smaller ones (that’s right, some games come with several jackpots). Our review website spends time reviewing slot games, so players can have a read and learn about the games’ volatility, RTP (Return to Player) Percentage and maximum win, amongst under useful information. If you’re wondering where to start, why not check out one of our free slot game reviews?

🎲 Table Games

Some players like to play casino classics, such as baccarat, poker and roulette. If you recognize yourself as this type of player, you’ll be glad to know all casinos mentioned on our websites will feature these games and some special versions, such as Lightning Roulette or Blackjack Double Exposure, and Deuces Wild Poker. There are hundreds of variations, with each gaming provider delivering a different twist in their games. Of course, nothing will ever top the live dealer experience.

📡 Live Dealer Casino Games

Live Dealer games are a relatively new genre, which transports the world of land-based casinos into the comfort of your home. Don’t worry, a croupier won’t start knocking on your door in a few minutes. Instead, the online gaming site you have selected will have a live casino section, where you can choose one of the many table games and game shows to play facing a live dealer. This dealer is situated inside a studio designed to look like a brick-and-mortar casino and uses real props to bring your favourite game to life.

📱 Mobile Compatibility and App

The last criterion to make up our 5-star rating is mobile compatibility. Extra points for the websites that choose to optimise their games and pages for mobile use. We know full well that our readers value on-the-go gaming, so we always mention in our reviews if the website is available on mobile, or if there’s a corresponding mobile app. Casino apps are becoming more and more common. If you’re interested in downloading a casino app, always download it from reputable sources – either the official website, or the application stores on your device, whether’ s the Apple App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android).

📋 Read The Best Online Casino Reviews at Betinireland.ie

📈 Important Metrics for Rating Online Casinos at Betinireland.ie

Now that you know the top five factors we consider when we write our reviews, let’s talk about some other important metrics that may not be as visible at first glance. These are just as important for your overall website experience but often disregarded by other casino review websites.

1️⃣ Website and App Security, Reliability and Speed

When writing our best casino sites reviews, we always consider website and app security, as well as speed. We make sure the website uses 128-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology when it processes your transactions. In addition, we always advise players to look for the padlock icon right next to the website URL. If you can see this sign, it means your passwords and credit card numbers are private when sent to this website. You can learn more about the website’s security and privacy details by clicking that icon. Needless to say, the websites we recommend at betinireland.ie are secure to visit. When it comes to reliability and speed, you also have nothing to worry about with the casinos we review. Most people neglect using casino apps because they think the app might freeze – and they will inevitably lose their progress or earnings. Worry not, even if an app freezes mid-spin, the RNG software has already predicted the outcome for your spin, and will award you accordingly once you restart the app. If you experience any issues using the app or website, you always have the option ot o turn the customer support for help.

2️⃣ Customer Support Channels and Response Time

Speaking of customer support, this brings us to our next point. Having reliable support staff a few taps away is super important. While we’d love to go around saying you will never experience any issues with these online casinos, we need to be realistic – sometimes errors occur, and it’s best to know whom to contact when stuck. Our reviews always feature the available options to contact staff on the website, as well as any emails and working hours featured.

3️⃣ Responsible Gambling Tools and Measures

Regulated and licensed online gambling sites will include responsible gambling tools on the website (especially websites regulated by the UK Gambling Commission). Responsible gambling advice and policies can be found usually at the footer of a casino page, while the tools need to be manually activated to work. Some websites prompt you to do this as part of their sign-up process, while others have this option available in your profile which can be switched at your own discretion. There are several types of responsible gambling tools, which we’ll cover briefly below.

4️⃣ Session Limits

If you feel like you’re spending too much time at an online casino, or if you simply want to limit the amount of time you bet, you can set up a session timeout, which can send you a notification several minutes before your time’s up, so you can bring your gaming to a close and log out of your account.

5️⃣ Betting Limits

When it comes to betting real money at online casinos, it’s a good idea to set up a budget and be honest about the money you can afford to spend on casino games. Remember that casino gaming should be done for fun, the same way you’d go to play laser tag and pay for entry – and not as a means of earning money. Setting a betting limit is an excellent way to tackle problem gambling in advance, yes, but to also stay on top of your spending habits.

6️⃣ Taking a Break

The best betting sites will allow you to take a break from your account for specific time period. For example, 888 Casino have this tool available for their members, where they can suspend their account between one day and six weeks. This can be done usually by contacting a member of the support team or from your profile settings.

7️⃣ Self-exclusion

Lastly, you may use self-exclusion if you decided it’s time to put your account to a close. This self-exclusion period is more severe than taking a break and starts at a minimum of 6 months. Your account will be closed and you will not be permitted to open a new account with any of the websites operated by the same company.

8️⃣ Problem Gambling Test

Some online casinos allow you to take a test and check if your gambling habits and behaviour are problematic. They’re completely anonymous and a good idea to be done routinely to see if you have changed your habits and are at risk of developing an addiction. Always remember you can contact begambleaware.org, if you’d like to seek help and speak to a professional.

• www.begambleaware.org

✅ When Do We Update a Review of an Online Casino?

We consider ourselves to be the best online casino review site, and as such we believe it’s our task to update the information on these pages on a regular basis, so our readers can stay informed and on the latest online casino topics and websites. Our team keeps monitoring the websites reviewed at betinireland.ie and updates the bonus information and other data when necessary.

🆕 New Offers and Conditions

Our team of experts always keeps their eyes peeled for new emerging websites and deals that might seem appealing to our readers. This includes promotions, welcome bonuses and their respective Terms and Conditions that may have changed since we last wrote our review. If some services change, we also reflect that on our website. Our best rated online casinos reviews are up-to-date and extremely thorough.

🔔 Change in Entertainment Services

We know Irish players love lotto and bingo, for example. Keeping in mind this information, we keep a close eye on the operators reviewed on our website, so if suddenly a casino has included an entertainment service that we know our players will love, we make sure to add that and update our writing accordingly – this may even bump that casino’s rating. in a similar fashion, if a casino suddenly includes sports betting or a mobile app, or the opposite e- shut down their live bingo rooms, we will reflect that ASAP in our reviews. The top online casino reviews are up to speed with the latest casino changes.

🥇 iGaming Awards

Finally, if a casino has been successful enough to win any awards, we always have the pleasure of including these in our reviews. That way we have another piece of proof to our readers that the website they’re learning about is as excellent as we have implied in our review. In addition, the presence of an award also brings up the online casino rating of this specific casino or bookie.

🚫 Fines, Revocations and Blacklisting

We will undoubtedly blacklist a casino if a player offers us serious, factual criticism of that website. Our blacklist is based on real player experiences. If an operator has betrayed their players’ trust or acted dishonestly towards its members, this is a serious issue. In addition, we do not tolerate unpaid customer awards, bad handling of customer complaints and inquiries, biased software, confusing Terms and Conditions, and, of course, unlawful services – and neither should you. In fact you can check out our review of bet365 and read for yourselves ho we didn't shy away from making it clear the bad experiences clients have been going through with that operator. You can make a complaint if a casino hasn’t been acting accordingly when you visit the official UK Gambling Commission website, and the casino may have to pay a fine and in worse cases have their license revoked. The UK Gambling Commission regulates online gaming in Ireland as well, giving licenses, advising gambling establishments in Britain, and supervising the activities of casino websites. You can seek guidance and file a formal complaint with the UK Gaming Commission if you've had a negative experience with an online gambling site if you visit this page. We monitor our online casino reviews closely and watch for news from gaming authorities about casino blacklistings and are not afraid to reflect that in our reviews.

✔️ Why You Can Trust Our Online Casino Reviews

We have been working on delivering the best casino sites reviews for a few years now. Our opinions come from people who genuinely love what they do - testing the games and platforms ourselves and being frank with our readers on our thoughts. Of course, we need to make a living somehow so we can confirm we receive a small remuneration for our reviews but this in no way affect our ranking and opinions. We want to be as transparent with you as possible, We are passionate about the iGaming industry and those involved in it. We hope that by using the impartial, unbiased testing and reporting framework we have set up, we can deliver the best casino reviews to our readers.

Author: Orla Byrne

Last Updated on 20/01/2023

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Online Casino Reviews