England and Ireland are two neighbouring countries that even share a border known as the Irish border. But despite their cultural ties, the way they approach online gambling differs from each other.
Differences like player preferences and regulations in this space set these two nations apart.
Player preferences
UK
Slots are one of the top games for casino lovers in England because they are easy to play and have a high Return to Player (RTP) percentage. You’ll often see British gamblers choose fruit machines and jackpot slots as their preferred casino game.
Players here also enjoy playing bingo and poker. For this reason, most UK casino website features Texas Hold’em, a common variation of poker. This poker game offers great advantages for real-money players because it operates without any house edge. Players simply need to apply their strategies and skills to defeat other participants, which makes the game even more interesting. Other popular options among English gamblers include roulette, craps and blackjack.
Ireland
Horse racing is the leading spectator sport in Ireland. The nation is well recognized as one of the top producers and trainers of thoroughbred horses, so it’s no surprise that Irish players love to bet on the sport.
Blackjack is another popular betting choice for Irish players in casinos, and you’ll often find multiple versions of this classic card game being offered. The traditional version of blackjack and other variations like Spanish 21 and pontoon are very popular among Irish establishments. Roulette, baccarat and slots are also prevalent.
Adoption
UK
Online gambling is well adopted in the UK. Its online gambling market is a major player in Europe and accounts for over 30% of total online revenue. Unsurprisingly, data from 2024 shows that nearly 48% of Brits participate in gambling every month, which represents approximately 25.75 million people. The reason for this increased adoption is simple: the UK Gambling Commission has established a strong regulatory environment in which Brits can comfortably place bets.
Ireland
Ireland has many traditional gambling venues, but online betting through mobile and computer platforms is becoming increasingly popular. New reports suggest that 60% of Irish betting occurs via online platforms. This development has led to establishment of various trusted platforms such as Irishluck that compare and review different online casinos in Ireland, so it is easier for players to choose their preferred one.
Even more impressive is the fact that the Irish population ranks among the highest spenders globally on online casino games and betting platforms. Only Australia and Singapore spend more than them per capita. According to Statista, the online gambling market in Ireland is expected to generate US$1.29bn in revenue by 2025.
Legislation
UK
The United Kingdom is one of the first nations to implement legislative measures for online gambling. The Gambling Act was enacted in 2005 to initiate this process. Additionally, the UK government established the UK Gambling Commission, which has become a key licensing authority in the gambling industry. Online casinos that want to offer betting services to UK residents are required to secure a UK license. However, gamblers still have the option to play at casinos that are licensed by another recognized authority outside the UK.
Over the years, some aspects of the UK’s Gambling Act have been reviewed. For example, UK players can no longer use credit cards to deposit funds into their casino accounts. Authorities implemented this restriction as a protective measure against the emergence of addiction problems. Slot games have also been modified to eliminate auto-spin features, so players now need to pause for 2.5 seconds between each spin.
Ireland
Several legislative pieces form the basis for gambling licensing and regulation in Ireland today. Current gambling regulations are outdated, while several emerging betting and gaming formats lack any regulatory oversight.
But steps are being taken to rectify this. The Irish government introduced its first gambling act in 2019, but its implementation faced multiple delays. Later, the government released the Gambling Regulation Bill on 15 November to reform the legal structure governing physical casinos and digital gaming platforms. The goal was to revise licensing regulations while improving consumer standards and promoting safer gaming and operator conduct.
The establishment of a new regulatory body to be known as Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann or Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), is one step in this direction. This authority is a new statutory body being established under the Gambling Regulation Act 2024. The GRAI will determine which entities are eligible to obtain licenses for different gambling activities. They will also evaluate whether a body adheres to existing gambling laws when issuing or extending licenses.
Conclusion
Although England and Ireland share geographic proximity as neighbouring countries, their online casino sectors operate in distinctly different ways. The UK boasts a mature gambling industry that features strict regulatory frameworks and millions of participants. The Irish gambling market is experiencing rapid expansion as new legislation establishes safer and more structured gambling practices.
Slot machines and poker along with bingo are favoured by UK players but Irish players show more interest in horse racing and blackjack, together with other traditional casino games. Both nations present thrilling opportunities for online gambling enthusiasts, even though they differ in several ways. The outlook for online casinos in these nations is bright as regulatory systems keep advancing.
