Opening thoughts
Of all the changes that the online casino industry has enacted on the broader casino world, the fact that it has brought the industry under one umbrella while simultaneously becoming a global titan is quite the combination.
It’s an intriguing paradox that online casino gaming presents. Local land-based providers had to battle it out against global competition online if they wanted to remain as relevant as they had been for the best part of 50 years. Although this broadened the global market, the emergence of online casino platforms that crystallised at the top of the industry meant that they took a bigger slice of the pie and became the figureheads for the new frontier of 21st-century gambling.
So, while some thought that casinos in Ireland would lose some of the local charm and characteristics they had, it actually had the opposite effect, with Irish themes becoming prominent in global casino gaming, ranging from Irish-themed slots to Irish lotto competitions finding an international audience.
Basically, this is a long-winded way of saying that the best online casinos for Irish gamers are often highly sought after in other parts of the world, due to the nature of online casino gambling. Ice Casino and Spinoli are examples of Irish casinos that are a big draw in the Emerald Isle but are also growing in several other countries across the continent.
Factors to consider when deciding on the right casino for you
With so many online casinos out there, it’s very much a personal choice to decide on the one that is most up your street. The top providers in Ireland don’t have too much to separate them, but in all honesty, there’s a reason that they’re all there in the higher echelons of the Irish gambling hierarchy.
Online review sites aim to cut through some of the noise and save gamblers time when they’re looking for the highest-rated casinos. Review sites like https://www.irishluck.ie/ understand that there’s a strong element of personal preference when selecting the right online casino. However, with such a broad selection and new providers entering the equation every day, objective expertise is there to help and highlight those in the business with solid platforms and those needing improvement.
Foundations of a good online casino
Whether you’re choosing a gambling platform based on its revered name or gaming library, or whether it offers a range of promotions and bonuses for existing customers, some components are universal attributes of a good online casino.
Licensing
An online casino needs to have the correct licensing to operate in your country – this is non-negotiable. Those that don’t will face heavy fines, have their platform shut down, or, in some cases, be subject to criminal prosecution. Irish online casinos will brandish their GRAI accreditation and licensure, and those that don’t have it, whether through naivety or something more sinister, are not considered competent online casino sites.
Customer service options
Many of us don’t need to speak to the customer service department at an online casino; those with smooth service and an automatic registration and ID verification process are using increasing levels of biometric verification, as is the rest of the business world, ultimately requiring zero human oversight and no customer service.
However, if you need to speak to customer service and they only have an email address available and no social media presence, phone number or live chat options, these are red flags to bear in mind.
Site security
A quick check online will tell you whether an online casino has been subject to a data breach or has security flaws. In a world where at least one in two SMEs in the UK has been subject to a cyberattack, it might be slightly unfair to throw the book at a provider that might have had a breach a decade or so ago.
However, the harsh truth is that you want to find an online casino that can keep your information secure and doesn’t have a track record of cutting corners or being susceptible to cybercriminal attacks. The top providers in Ireland use either 128-bit or 256-bit encryption, both of which have never been penetrated.
Final thoughts
The vast majority of online casinos will have a solid foundation that keeps your details secure, offers a passable (at least) range of customer service options, and ensures they stay up to date with the right licensing and legislation.
As long as you know what to look for, you can then explore the other options that players cite as the essential criteria, whether it’s welcome bonuses and promotions, a more comprehensive range of slot games, a niche payment method you prefer, such as cryptocurrency, or a tried and trusted name that you haven’t had issues with in the past.
Finding the right online casino in Ireland shouldn’t be too much of a challenge if you ensure you don’t compromise your security or data, and undertake the correct level of research. There’s also nothing stopping you from shopping around, exploring welcome bonuses and then arriving at your decision after a few goes on different platforms, whether on a PC or laptop or your mobile device.
