PayPal is one of the most trusted payment methods in Ireland, which makes it a natural first choice when Irish players look to fund a foreign betting account. Unfortunately, PayPal's availability at international bookmakers is limited and inconsistent. This guide explains why, which sites do accept it, and what options give Irish players the same convenience with better actual coverage in 2026.
PayPal Availability at Foreign Betting Sites
PayPal support at international bookmakers is inconsistent. A small number of foreign operators do accept PayPal deposits and withdrawals, but the majority do not, because PayPal's gambling payment policy restricts it to operators in specific licensed jurisdictions (primarily UKGC and MGA licensed sites targeting UK and EU markets).
Why PayPal Has Limited Gambling Coverage
PayPal operates under its own acceptable use policy, separate from any banking or gambling regulation. It restricts gambling transactions to merchants registered in jurisdictions where PayPal has obtained the necessary gambling payment facilitator permissions. Most Curaçao-licensed bookmakers — which make up the majority of foreign sites popular with Irish players — do not meet PayPal's merchant criteria.
This is a commercial decision by PayPal, not an Irish legal restriction. There is no Irish law that prevents PayPal from processing gambling transactions.
Best PayPal Alternatives for Irish Betting Deposits
For Irish players who prefer PayPal's simplicity, the following alternatives offer similar or better functionality at virtually all foreign bookmakers:
Recommended alternatives to PayPal
- Revolut — closest to PayPal in user experience; widely accepted; instant deposits; EUR account; no gambling block by default
- Skrill — purpose-built for online gambling; accepted at essentially every major foreign bookmaker; fast withdrawals
- Neteller — same as Skrill; VIP programme for high-volume users; Mastercard linked
- Crypto (USDT/BTC) — maximum availability; fastest withdrawals; no bank involvement
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Visit Betlabel 18+ | Gambling involves risk | Play responsiblyPayment Method Comparison for Irish Players
| Method | Availability at Foreign Sites | Irish User Familiarity | Deposit Speed | Withdrawal Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Limited (select MGA/UKGC sites) | Very High | Instant | Hours–days |
| Revolut | Very High | Very High | Instant | Hours (where available) |
| Skrill | Excellent | Medium | Instant | Minutes–hours |
| Neteller | Excellent | Medium | Instant | Minutes–hours |
| Crypto | Good (crypto-friendly sites) | Low–Medium | Minutes | Minutes |
How to Deposit at a Foreign Betting Site Without a Bank Card
If your Irish debit card is blocked and PayPal is unavailable at your chosen bookmaker, the most straightforward path for most Irish players is:
Step-by-step for PayPal users
- Download the Revolut app and link it to your Irish bank account
- Add funds to your Revolut account via bank transfer
- Use the Revolut Visa/Mastercard as your deposit method at the bookmaker
- For withdrawals, request a bank transfer or check if Revolut direct withdrawal is available
Related Pages
- Betting sites accepting Revolut deposits — Revolut guide
- Payment methods overview for Irish players — all options compared
- Fastest withdrawal betting sites — speed comparison
- Crypto deposits and withdrawals — cryptocurrency guide
- How to register at a foreign betting site — registration guide
- Best foreign betting sites for Irish players — full overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Irish players use PayPal at foreign betting sites?
PayPal is available at some foreign betting sites, but its availability varies significantly between operators and can change without notice. PayPal's own acceptable use policy restricts gambling transactions in certain jurisdictions, which limits its availability at international bookmakers. Revolut, Skrill, and Neteller are more reliably available alternatives.
Why does PayPal block gambling transactions from Ireland?
PayPal's availability for gambling is subject to its own regulatory framework, which varies by merchant country of registration. Many international bookmakers are registered in jurisdictions where PayPal does not support gambling. This is a PayPal policy decision, not an Irish legal restriction.
What is the best alternative to PayPal for Irish betting deposits?
Revolut is the closest equivalent to PayPal in terms of simplicity and Irish user familiarity. Skrill and Neteller are purpose-built gambling e-wallets that work at virtually every major foreign bookmaker. Both are faster for withdrawals than PayPal typically is.
Are PayPal deposits eligible for welcome bonuses?
At bookmakers that accept PayPal, deposits made via PayPal may or may not qualify for the welcome bonus. E-wallet deposits are sometimes excluded from bonus eligibility. Check the promotion terms before depositing via PayPal if you intend to claim a bonus.