One of the most significant advantages of using foreign betting sites as an Irish bettor is the pricing. Domestic bookmakers in Ireland typically apply margins of 8–12% across their sportsbook markets. The international sites accessible to Irish players in 2026 operate on margins of 2–5%, meaning every bet you place starts from a fairer position. Over hundreds of bets, that difference in margin compounds dramatically.
Understanding Overround and Why It Matters
Every bookmaker builds a profit margin into their odds, known as the overround, vig, or juice. When you add up the implied probabilities of all outcomes in a market, the total exceeds 100%. That excess percentage is the bookmaker's built-in edge on every bet placed.
Consider a coin flip market priced at evens (2.00) on both sides. A fair book would sum to exactly 100% (50% + 50%). A domestic Irish bookmaker might price both sides at 1.83, giving implied probabilities of 54.6% each — a total of 109.2%, meaning an overround of 9.2%. A foreign bookmaker might price both at 1.95, giving 51.3% + 51.3% = 102.6% — a much fairer market.
Why Foreign Bookmakers Have Better Odds
The business models differ fundamentally. Domestic Irish bookmakers have a relatively captive customer base and have historically relied on wide margins to generate profits. Foreign bookmakers operating in competitive international markets attract clients through price competitiveness. Their systems are built to process high volume with thin margins — a model borrowed in part from Asian betting markets where tight lines and vast turnover are standard.
Additionally, foreign sites do not restrict winning accounts (see our no-gubbing guide), which means sharp money flows to their markets and forces them to maintain competitive prices to attract and retain action. This creates a virtuous cycle: competitive odds attract volume, volume forces line accuracy, accurate lines attract more sharp bettors.
Signs a bookmaker offers genuinely competitive odds
- Football margins below 4% on major leagues (Premier League, Champions League)
- Horse racing margins below 8% on major meetings
- Asian handicap and over/under markets available with tight lines
- Odds move quickly after sharp money — indicating market efficiency
- Best Available Odds Guaranteed (BOAG) on horse racing at select sites
Additional source: Stetsports.com
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Margin differentials vary by sport. Here is how foreign bookmakers compare to domestic Irish sites across the markets most relevant to Irish bettors:
Football (Premier League, Champions League): This is where foreign bookmakers are most competitive. Major match odds and Asian handicap markets are typically priced at 2–4% margin. Domestic sites regularly exceed 8% on the same fixtures.
Horse Racing: Irish horse racing is a speciality market. Some foreign bookmakers now offer best-odds guarantees on Irish and UK racing, and their base margins are lower than domestic providers. For each-way bettors, the combination of better win odds and improved place terms can be substantial over a season.
GAA Football and Hurling: GAA coverage has expanded significantly at international sites. Margins can still be higher on niche GAA matches compared to major football, but for All-Ireland series fixtures in particular, the price differential versus domestic bookmakers is noticeable and favours foreign sites.
Bookmaker Odds Comparison 2026
| Bookmaker | Football Margin | Horse Racing | GAA Coverage | No Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betlabel | ~3% | Competitive | Yes | Yes |
| MrXbet | ~2–3% | Competitive | Yes | Yes |
| Maxibet Casino | ~4% | Available | Limited | Yes |
| 20bet | ~3–4% | Good | Yes | Yes |
| GranaWin | ~4% | Available | Limited | Yes |
| 22bet | ~2–3% | Good | Yes | Yes |
| Vave | ~3–4% | Available | Limited | Yes |
Best For
Related Pages
- How to choose a foreign bookmaker — full selection guide
- No-gubbing betting sites — bookmakers that do not restrict winners
- Horse racing betting sites for Irish players — full racing guide
- Sports betting at foreign bookmakers — sport-by-sport overview
- Best foreign betting sites for Irish players — full overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do foreign bookmakers offer better odds than Irish domestic sites?
Foreign bookmakers operating in competitive international markets typically run on smaller margins — often 2–5% — compared to the 8–12% overround common at domestic Irish bookmakers. They rely on high volume and fast line movement to profit, rather than padding each market with a large margin. The result is consistently better prices for bettors, particularly on major football and horse racing.
How is overround calculated?
Overround (also called the vig or juice) is calculated by converting all available odds to implied probabilities and summing them. A fair market sums to 100%. If a bookmaker's market sums to 110%, the overround is 10% — meaning 10% of all money wagered is the bookmaker's built-in edge. Lower overround means better value for bettors.
Do foreign bookmakers offer competitive odds on GAA?
Yes. Several foreign bookmakers now cover GAA football and hurling, including All-Ireland championship matches, provincial finals, and some league fixtures. Margins on GAA at foreign sites can be significantly lower than at domestic Irish bookmakers who have historically applied higher margins to domestic sports. Coverage varies by bookmaker, so comparing across sites is worthwhile.
What is the best strategy for consistently getting the best odds?
The most effective approach is to maintain accounts at several foreign bookmakers and use a comparison tool or odds aggregator to identify the best available price before placing each bet. Betting early (before lines sharpen) and targeting markets with naturally tight spreads — such as Asian handicap football — also improves your average odds over time.