With new years come new beginnings and, sometimes, new assessments about existing issues. The start of the year is a great time to address existing problems and ‘future-proof’ things for the upcoming 12 months. With 2026 right around the corner, what does the future look like for Ireland’s burgeoning online casino scene?
In this article, we’ve collected some of the most important casino predictions for Ireland in 2026. From game trends to tech advancement, the TonyBet team is here to help you explore everything you need to know as the new year begins in earnest.
Introduction of mobile-first gaming
As Ireland gains its footing in a new, more commonplace and recognised casino industry, the number of players flocking to online operators increases day by day. They come from a variety of backgrounds, some without routine access to a desktop computer. Still others have plenty of access to even advanced technology but simply prefer one kind of device over another.
Smartphones are quickly becoming the gambler’s tool of choice. Ireland’s relatively new casino sector is turning increasingly to gaming that prioritises mobile devices rather than seeing them as afterthoughts.
We think that one of the biggest shifts in the Irish casino industry in 2026 will be an increased focus on mobile-first providers. The country is uniquely positioned to make this move sooner rather than later thanks to its rapid growth and new, evolving player base. We expect to see new and current providers expanding their app offerings to prioritise users on mobile devices via full-featured support, easy-to-understand design, and reliable gameplay on both slots and RNG-based games and live table games.
Utilisation of optimised coding
As we’ve mentioned, the casino industry in Ireland is growing by leaps and bounds. This has become especially apparent within the last few years, with prior years offering more measured growth. Many casino websites and apps weren’t designed for an unexpected influx of people. Coding isn’t necessarily where it needs to be to accommodate increased demand on servers, in other words, and Irish operators are working quickly to implement more efficient solutions.
We see these efforts continuing well into 2026. More specifically, we anticipate seeing Irish operators opting for significant technology and coding overhauls to ensure smooth gameplay without significant lag or delays. Designs that work seamlessly across devices and platforms will also be a prominent feature of the coming year. Expect responsive design and instant-play apps to become the norm. We also think that we’ll see cross-platform compatible technologies utilised to ensure reliable play regardless of the device being used, be that iOS, Android or Linux, across both portable devices and desktop computers.
Improved real-time gaming
While slots have long been one of the most popular casino games available, classic table games and game shows are rapidly rising to the top. Blackjack, poker and roulette are making a comeback among younger gamblers, with live tables frequently sitting at maximum capacity at popular operators. The same is true of game shows, though they’re experiencing less of a ‘comeback’ and more of a genre-defining implementation.
There are a few reasons why live games are so popular. One of the most important of them is fairly straightforward: human connection. Many gamblers prefer to play with other people, and often trust human dealers more than computers. It makes sense that, as the player base grows, Irish operators would face a rising demand for casual, VIP and high-stakes tables along with a variety of real-time shows combining slot mechanics and prize wheels.
If 2026 is anything like 2025, we expect to see reputable Irish operators expanding their live offerings by quite a bit. We expect this to include a renewed focus on high-quality streaming and dedicated studios with experienced hosts and dealers.
Selective use of AI
AI has been a game-changer in the online casino sector, as it has in so many industries. It allows operators to track player habits and preferences, and automatically recommend relevant games and promotions. This allows for a highly personalised casino experience that’s a bit different for every player. Given how useful this is for player retention, it’s no surprise that operators around the world are using AI and machine learning in their daily operations. But will Ireland reflect this trend?
Irish authorities are a bit dubious of AI’s place in online gambling. They are especially concerned about promotions tailored to user preferences. AI can be used to help with customer support and, at the time of writing, even game recommendation. It cannot, however, be used to create user-specific promotions that might encourage problem gambling behaviour.
We believe that Irish operators will implement AI in a few different ways in 2026. More rigorous customer service offerings are important due to the sheer number of new players entering the market, for example, and basic chatbots might not be enough to meet the rising need for competent care. Operators will likely implement more advanced AI customer service care teams. This includes utilising user questions to develop FAQs and ensuring that 24/7 chatbots understand and accurately respond to more rigorous questions beyond basic information.
Enhanced focus on problem gambling
We’ve touched on this before in other articles, but with gambling in Ireland on the rise, regulators are focusing more attention on problem gambling. The lack of a centralised licensing authority has effectively left operators to their own devices, but with the establishment of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) in March 2025, this is quickly changing.
In 2026, we expect to see the GRAI focus on unsafe gambling habits even more than it has in 2025. This includes things such as advertising restrictions, enhanced identity and age checks, and, potentially, an increased reliance on AI. Algorithms are surprisingly accurate at catching warning signs before they become a serious issue and alerting operators to the potential problem. This typically triggers automatic cool-down periods and, in some cases, self-exclusion prompts.
Machine learning is an increasingly large part of the online casino market, and we expect Ireland’s operators to make full use of it in the coming year.
Are you interested in what 2026 has in store for Irish gamblers? At Tonybet, we not only have all of the latest news, but also the best game catalogue around! Don’t hesitate to see everything we have to offer today!
