As a nation, the Irish are famous for their love of gambling and this takes many forms such as betting on horseracing, other sports, and of course spinning slots at online casinos. So, it may come as a surprise to discover that this island has some archaic gambling laws that have only just been updated.
Like many countries in the western world, online gambling has become a popular hobby amongst the masses and Ireland is no different. It is thought that up to 10,000 euros a minute are spent in Ireland on online gambling and much of this is on free spins no deposit slot games.
Cause for Concern?
Like most countries in the western world, the gambling facts and figures have caused some concern for the authorities. This has led to recent law changes being stepped up to protect the public from the lure of slot games and gambling in general. It is thought that there are more than 29,000 gambling addicts in Ireland, but for many, spinning the reels continues to be harmless entertainment.
Despite this, they have been calls to limit bets on slots to 100 euros a spin and to ban gambling with credit cards. Casino sponsorship deals with sports teams have also been questioned along with targeted advertising by casinos on certain websites. Mobile slot sites are of particular concern as they have been described as turning people’s smartphones into pocket casinos.
Slot Playing Continues to Grow
Despite some worrying statistics slots continue to prove popular in Ireland and slot site advertising has become mainstream. More online casinos are opening to meet the demand from the public. Even Irish-themed slots are becoming one of the most popular slot niches and this is because they tap into the rich folklore of this island. The myths, legends, and characters that inhabit this world have become customer-friendly characters that revolve around the luck of the Irish and lucky charms.
Rainbow Riches
The Rainbow Riches series of slots are thought to be some of the earliest and most popular games to have utilized Irish culture and in particular its folklore. These have proved to be a huge hit spawning other versions of the original game. This brand of slots is extremely popular in Ireland, but also around the world and it has proved that there is a market for Irish-themed slots across the globe.
Final Thoughts
Online slots have mass public appeal in Ireland and the popularity of this form of gambling has brought many new customers to online casinos. For the most part, these new players remain in control of their gambling habits. However, just like in the UK, the move of online slots gambling into the mainstream has come with certain concerns and problems, such as gambling addiction. The Irish government has been forced to act because of this and they aim to pass laws that mirror those of the UK. This includes the creation of a body like the UK Gambling Commission that can regulate all online slot sites in Ireland, thus improving player safety.
