Football is the dominant sport in the world, and in Ireland, it is no different. With 1 billion fans worldwide and Ireland being involved in the Nations League, along with a large following in the Premier League, it’s no surprise that football receives the most bets. But with the help of some Irish betting apps, what other sports are commonly bet on in Ireland?
Boxing
Ireland has always loved the physical sport of boxing. With the likes of Barry McGuigan, Jimmy McLarnin, and Steve Collins, Ireland has had some special talent of its own. PPVs always do well, with the likes of Tyson Fury, who is perhaps the greatest heavyweight boxer around today, being of Irish descent. So, you can bet that a lot of money is being wagered on Tyson Fury fights, among many others.
MMA
Some people group mixed martial arts in with boxing, but the sports are quite different. MMA has been a growing sport globally for a while now, and the UFC – which is the largest MMA company – continues to push betting adverts to fans, which is helping the sport become associated with gambling much like horse racing is. But of course, Conor McGregor is what really brought Irish eyes to the screen, who traveled around the world to see the Dubliner fight. Conor is undoubtedly the most famous MMA fighter of all time and was a double champion in his prime.
Gaelic football
Although not as popular, it’s worth mentioning that Gaelic football still exists in Ireland. The game has 15 players on each team, and the rules are somewhat between football and rugby. It’s a sport that has been around since the 19th century and does garner some betting, albeit not a lot. The Gaelic Games (GAA), though, are a big event and are rooted in resistance against British colonization.
Rugby
Rugby is a sport that Ireland is perhaps best at. As a result, it’s watched by the masses and frequently bet on. For example, Ireland comfortably beat England in the Six Nations last March, and this is an event that would have been watched (and celebrated) by most of Ireland. Not bad for a population of 5 million…
Golf
Golf is a sport that often gets overlooked, yet the viewing numbers can be surprisingly high. Golf is another sport that Ireland excels in, with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, and Darren Clarke getting a lot of Tour trophies over the years. Golf is also a fairly popular sport to bet on more generally, so it inevitably makes a list of Ireland’s most betted sports. It’s also a sport that experts feel they can get a good value on, compared to more seemingly random sports like football.
Final Word
Despite the exceptions of the Gaelic Games and their own sports, Irish sports betting reflects a similar pattern similar to its neighbors in Europe. With no interest in basketball or American sports, Ireland bets on football, rugby, golf, boxing, and MMA the most.
