Ireland—a proud land of green landscapes, Guinness stout, musical legends like U2 and The Cranberries, and Saint Patrick—is also home to a vibrant and competitive football league. In this guide to Premier Division betting, we’ll explore everything you need to know about wagering on this exciting tournament.
Champions of Ireland: Best Bookmakers for Premier Division Betting
The Premier Division continues to grow in popularity among football fans and bettors worldwide. Many top international bookmakers now include Ireland’s top-flight league in their schedules. After analyzing dozens of operators based on performance, odds, live coverage, and promotions, we’ve selected the five best betting sites for Premier Division markets.
❗ Remember: Gambling is only allowed for users over 18 and does not guarantee winnings.
Top 5 Betting Sites for the Irish Premier Division
| Bookmaker | Rating | Welcome Bonus |
| Ivibet | ★★★★★ | Up to $150 |
| BDMbet | ★★★★★ | Up to $200 |
| Sportaza | ★★★★☆ | 100% up to $100 |
| Velobet | ★★★★☆ | 50 Free Bets |
| Fat Pirate | ★★★★☆ | $10 No Deposit |
Other reliable options include:Emirbet, Efbet, Beteum, Kingmaker, 2Wonaco, Betspino, Supabet, Weltbet, Nova Jackpot, Nationalbet, BetRebels, Magius, Golden, Wild Robin, Ally Spin, Roby Casino
All selected platforms are licensed, secure, and fully equipped to offer a premium betting experience for Irish football—including live betting, early cashout, and boosted odds.
Why These Are the Best Premier Division Betting Sites
Each bettor has their own priorities. Some look for the highest odds, others prefer generous promotions, while many value live betting features or app usability. The bookmakers above were selected based on the following four core criteria:
Key Selection Criteria:
- Payout percentage and odds competitiveness
- Availability of football-specific promotions
- Quality of live betting and streaming
- Variety of markets (pre-match and live)
Some bookmakers may excel in just one of these, but the ones we chose perform strongly across the board, offering well-rounded services for fans of the Irish league.
The Importance of Payout Value
One of the first questions bettors ask is:
“How much can I potentially win?”
This is determined by payout percentages—how much of the wagered amount is returned to the bettor as winnings. We’ve run the calculations and present below the average payout range offered by the top sites for the Premier Division.
Average Payout Range for Premier Division (Generalized)
| Bookmaker | Payout Range (%) |
| Ivibet | 92.4% – 95.1% |
| BDMbet | 91.9% – 94.7% |
| Sportaza | 92.0% – 94.3% |
| Velobet | 91.7% – 94.1% |
| Fat Pirate | 91.5% – 94.0% |
Any payout above 90% is generally considered strong. These values make Irish league betting a worthwhile option, especially when comparing it with markets from other mid-tier European competitions.
Payout Ranges for the Irish Premier Division
| Bookmaker | Payout Range (%) |
| Ivibet | 90.5% – 92.3% |
| BDMbet | 90.3% – 91.9% |
| Sportaza | 91.2% – 92.5% |
| Velobet | 91.0% – 92.1% |
| Fat Pirate | 91.1% – 92.0% |
Although these numbers may be slightly lower than average football payouts—such as those in the English Premier League—they still offer generous returns, especially since none fall below the 90% threshold, and most hover close to 92%. That’s a positive signal for value seekers in Irish football markets.
Promotions for the Irish Premier Division
Promotions and bonuses can boost your potential returns significantly. While specific bonuses for the Irish Premier Division are not as common as those for higher-profile leagues (like the Bundesliga), reputable bookmakers still allow you to use welcome bonuses, cashback deals, and boosted odds on Irish matches.
For example, platforms like Sportaza or Ivibet occasionally include the big match between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk in general football promotions or combo bet boosts.
Irish League Promotions at a Glance:
- Access to combo boosts
- Welcome bonuses valid for Irish football
- General football promotions applicable to the Premier Division
- Live streaming and early cashout in selected matches
Live Betting on the Irish Premier Division
If you enjoy the thrill of in-play betting, the Irish Premier Division has you covered. Top platforms offer live odds, fast updates, and various markets for most matches—especially high-profile games. Some sites even stream the matches, making it easy to follow the action while betting live.
Whether you’re at home or at the pub sipping a pint of dark beer, live betting enhances the experience—particularly with matches involving top clubs like Derry City, Shamrock Rovers, or St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Number of Available Betting Markets
While the Irish league doesn’t offer the sheer volume of markets found in Serie A or La Liga, it still holds its own. On average, top bookmakers provide 30 to 50 betting markets per match.
Popular options include:
- Combo bets
- Goalscorer markets
- Bookings and red cards
- Halftime/Fulltime combos
- Multigoals or Total Corners
This range allows bettors to diversify their experience even in smaller leagues. For example, when Cork City plays St. Patrick’s, having more options makes the betting more dynamic and rewarding.
Most Popular Betting Markets for the Premier Division
Now let’s break down the most played markets in the Irish Premier Division. We’ll separate them into two main groups:
- Single match markets
- Futures (antepost) markets
These market types are great for both beginners and seasoned bettors. Even if you aren’t deeply familiar with the Irish league, the stats and trends shared below will help you bet with more confidence.
Single Match Betting Markets
The most common way to bet on the Irish Premier Division is to pick a match outcome. These markets are appealing even to bettors who may not follow the league closely but want to include a game in their weekend accumulator.
We’ve selected three of the most popular match markets in Irish football and will examine them in the next section, just as we did for other leagues like the South African Premier Division or the Estonian Meistriliiga.
Match Winner (1X2)
1 – 44.44%
2 – 34.45%
X – 21.11%
In 99 out of 100 cases, Match Winner (1X2) is the go-to market when betting on the Irish Premier Division. It’s straightforward: will the home team win, the visitors, or will the match end in a draw?
In the 2020 season, attacking football paid off: home wins occurred nearly 45% of the time, while away wins surpassed draws—a trend that sets the Irish league apart from more balanced ones like La Liga.
BTTS (Both Teams to Score)
Yes (Goal) – 34.44%
No (No Goal) – 65.56%
Just like Ligue 1 in France, BTTS – No dominated the Irish Premier Division in 2020. While teams may attack bravely, the numbers show that defensive strength wins out, with both sides scoring in just a third of games.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Over – 35.56%
Under – 64.44%
This market asks: will there be more or fewer than 2.5 goals in the match?
The Under is heavily favored in the Premier Division, reinforcing the previous BTTS trend. In fact, these stats are more conservative than those in the Dutch Eredivisie, where Over outcomes are more frequent.
Premier Division Futures (Antepost Betting)
If you’re confident in your knowledge of Irish football clubs like Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians, or Dundalk, antepost betting might be for you. These markets require long-term insight and usually offer higher payouts. The most popular ones are:
- League Winner
- Relegation
- Top Goalscorer
League Winner: Who Will Lift the Trophy?
From 2014 onward, Dundalk FC dominated Irish football—winning 5 out of 6 seasons until 2019. However, in 2020, it was Shamrock Rovers who took the crown, cementing their position as Ireland’s most successful club with 18 titles.
Relegation: Who Will Drop to the First Division?
Predicting who will have the worst season is tough in any league, especially one less followed. That said, this makes the relegation market one of the most rewarding due to high odds.
In 2020, Cork City finished bottom with just 11 points, while Shelbourne was relegated after losing in the playoffs.
Top Goalscorer: The Golden Boot Race
Finding the Premier Division’s top scorer is a Pro-Level challenge—many top Irish players play abroad, and the league’s stars may be unfamiliar to global audiences.
In 2020, Patrick Hoban of Dundalk claimed the title with 10 goals, proving once again that consistency matters more than fame.
Betting Strategy Tips for the Premier Division
Betting on the Premier Division takes work—but it can be rewarding. Use stats like those above to guide your strategy. For instance:
- Low goal averages = focus on Under 2.5 and BTTS – No
- Summertime (May–August) offers more match markets and betting opportunities
- Strong clubs like Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s often feature live betting options
Also, since this league runs from February to October, it fills the betting gap when most European leagues are off.
Premier Division Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Name | League of Ireland Premier Division |
| Headquarters | Dublin |
| First Season | 1921 |
| Number of Teams | 10 |
| Format | Quadruple Round-Robin (36 matches) |
| Season Duration | February – October |
| Most Titles | Shamrock Rovers (18), Dundalk (14) |
The League of Ireland Premier Division is the country’s top football competition. The current format includes 10 teams, playing 36 matches in total. The champion qualifies for Champions League qualifiers, while 2nd and 3rd go to the Europa Conference League.
The last-placed team is relegated, and the second-last plays a playoff against a second-division hopeful.
Top Irish Football Clubs
Shamrock Rovers
Ireland’s most successful club with 18 league titles and 24 cups. The first Irish team to reach the UEFA group stage (2011).
Dundalk FC
14-time champions and 11-time cup winners. The team has been dominant in the past decade and has appeared 10 times in Champions League qualifiers.
Bohemians FC
With 11 league titles and a proud heritage, Bohemians is one of the oldest clubs in Europe, founded in 1890 by university students in Dublin.
Derry City
The only Northern Irish club competing in the Irish league. Derry is the only team to win a domestic treble (1989).
St. Patrick’s Athletic
Nicknamed the “Saints”, they have 8 league titles and 3 cups. Notably, they’ve made 11 Europa League and 4 Champions League appearances.
Betting in Ireland: Follow the Lucky Clover!
We’ve reached the end of this deep dive into the League of Ireland Premier Division. We covered top bookmakers, betting markets, club overviews, and strategies to help you bet smartly.
Now it’s time to follow the rhythm of the Pogues, aim for the pot of gold—and place your bet under the Irish sky!
Roy Keane “They talk about my off-field problems like they know me—but that’s just half the story. There’s a book to be written about all the scraps I’ve had, in Cork and on the pitch.”
FAQ – Irish Premier Division Betting
🔝 What are the best betting sites for this league? We’ve independently tested and selected the top 5 bookmakers that offer the best odds, markets, and features for the Irish Premier Division. Check the top section of this guide.
⚡ Can I bet live on this league? Absolutely. All major betting sites now offer live betting and cashout for Premier Division games, especially matches involving Shamrock Rovers or Dundalk.
🎁 Are there any specific promotions? While rare, general football bonuses like welcome offers and combo boosts can be used for this league. Some platforms occasionally feature Irish matches in weekly promos.
🔂 Can I bet on the relegation playoff? Most platforms only offer direct relegation bets. However, some sites include markets for the relegation playoff between the 9th Premier Division team and the second-tier playoff winner.
