The Irish betting market is one of the most lucrative and progressive in Europe, with this relatively small country accounting for just under 40% of the continent’s total gambling revenue.
However, this has created an incredibly competitive market in which it may be hard to identify the best sportsbooks, particularly with licensed operators available from Ireland, the UK and across the length and breadth of Europe.
BetinIreland has produced a list and comprehensive reviews of the best betting sites in Ireland, but how do they rank their operators and what are the most important metrics? Let’s find out!
1. The Level of Reactive Customer Support on Offer
Given the amount of money wagered by some players through online sportsbooks, it stands to reason that operators should offer constant and reactive customer support wherever possible.
More specifically, you should note how stressful it can be when you’re temporarily unable to credit your account or withdraw funds, so it’s important to resolve such issues as quickly as possible through a casino’s customer support team.
The type of support on offer and its accessibility is definitely a key metric when gauging the efficacy of customer service teams, with the best and highest ranked sites typically offering 24/7 customer service and the quickest response times across email and live chat channels.
Of course, betinireland comprehensively tests each site’s quality of customer support, but it’s also worth checking this out yourself as a potential customer. Simply register for an account and create a mock query before you complete your first deposit, before checking how quickly they respond and the nature of the answer that they provide.
This will give you an insight into the level of support available through your preferred channel, while it will also help you to determine whether answers are provided within the published opening times.
2. Does the Site Offer Live Streaming?
While we can’t imagine betting on which Euro 2020 coach is the most handsome, the world of in-play wagering has definitely opened up a whole host of markets for punters to explore.
Operators have sought to capitalise on this by integrating live streaming technology into their platforms, so that their customers can watch real-time broadcasts while simultaneously placing in-play bets that are informed by the action as it unfolds.
It’s definitely advantageous for sportsbooks to livestream events, especially when you consider that approximately 70% of all wagers in Europe are placed in-play. So, this is undoubtedly one of the most important metrics when comparing sportsbooks, as it enables you to enjoy an optimal viewing and gambling experience in real-time.
Currently, a host of operators offer live streaming across a broad range of sports and disciplines, including Bet365, Ladbrokes, William Hill and BetVictor.
Each of these sportsbooks is also ranked well by betinireland, so they should definitely top your list if the majority of your wagers are placed during live events.
Some operators are even tapping into the concept of micro wagering, which refers to the process of targeting specific in -play events just before they occur. For example, you could wager on the next cricket delivery in a game of cricket being a no-ball, or bet on Tiger Woods to sink his next putt on the green.
Of course, this requires significant scale in terms of the technology used and the accumulation of real-time data, but it’s sure to add a fascinating dimension to in-play betting in the future.
3. The Welcome Bonuses
Betinireland also reviews each site’s welcome bonus, with this type of offer continually tweaked and updated to reflect specific events and shifts in demand.
As a general rule, sportsbooks incentivise new players by offering them a ‘free’ bet, which is subject to meeting a minimum first deposit requirement and initial wagering commitment.
For example, a sportsbook may offer a free bet worth £10 to new players, so long as they credit their account with at least £10 and wager the same amount on individual sports bets. Similarly, the qualifying wagers must usually be placed at odds of evens or greater, while the offer may expire anywhere between seven and 30 days depending on its value.
Such bonuses may also be subject to wagering requirements, which stipulate how much players will have to play through before withdrawing their winnings. However, wagering requirements are usually quite low in relation to sports bets, while some operators decide to eschew these entirely.
You can use the Betinireland site to compare and review Irish operator’s real-time welcome offers, enabling you to make informed decisions based on the size of your bankroll and your preferred sporting disciplines.
