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UK vs Ireland: what casino games are the most popular?

The demand for casino gaming is on the rise globally, and both the UK and Ireland are home to many passionate players.

In fact, the total gross revenue of the gambling industry reached €16.4 billion in the UK in 2019, while the Irish gambled a total of €9.8 billion in the same year. 

When it comes to the popularity of different game categories, the players in both areas share many preferences. In this article, we will cover the types of games that really stand out in each of the territories.

Most popular casino games in Ireland

First, let’s go over some of the casino games that are in heavy demand in Ireland:

Blackjack

As one of the oldest, and one of the most popular casino games in the world, blackjack has also risen to be one of the favourites among the Irish. 

In fact, it has become so popular that players are not only looking for ways to play it in land-based casinos but are also turning to online sources.

That is why more and more individuals are looking for reputable casino-related websites in order to choose their most reliable casino provider.

Therefore, for example, portals like Irish Luck encompass some of the best reviews you can find on the internet.

Live casino games

After the world was faced with a series of lockdowns during the pandemic, many people changed their habits and developed new ones, including the Irish gamblers who got to know live online casino gaming. 

As live dealer games exploded in popularity, the top software providers also boosted their efforts and started launching a bunch of exciting new titles.

Since people started respecting the need for social distancing, they became more and more attached to the games that involve a human croupier which gave them a feeling of playing in real brick-and-mortar venues. 

In fact, when it comes to Ireland, it often happens that the players can recognize the croupier in a live game since the sessions are usually broadcasted from land-based establishments they used to visit. 

Slots

Slots have gained immense popularity all over the world, and Ireland is no exception.

The leading gambling venues in the country, both online and offline, showcase a wide range of attractive titles developed by the top software companies. 

On top of that, the Irish are always eager to try something new, which makes them an ideal market to test new titles, and that is how the Irish-themed slots developed and became one of the most popular niches.

For example, several progressive slots feature Leprechauns or motives from Celtic mythology, and players from Ireland and other parts of the world enjoy competing for their share of the big jackpot prize

The biggest casino games categories in the UK

Now let’s check out the titles that cause the greatest hype in the UK:

Roulette

Roulette has been around for centuries, and casinos in the UK are aware of its vast popularity among players, so they offer a number of variations on the traditional game.

However, the British have their favourite among the variants, as they prefer European roulette to American one because the latter gives a greater advantage to the casinos. 

The nation loves roulette because it’s fairly simple to play, and the results are immediate.

However, since the gameplay is pretty straightforward as all you need to do is bet on the specific place where the little ball will end up, many operators spice up the sessions with additional betting limits that make everything even more exciting. 

Blackjack

Just like the Irish players, the gamers in the UK enjoy a good game of blackjack, and they love engaging in it both in physical venues and through online platforms. 

The main reason behind blackjack’s popularity lies in its simplicity.

The game does not require any complicated strategies, and the players can join and have fun with very little experience.

All they need to understand is the basic rules, a little bit of card counting (beware not to catch you, tho), and how to make some basic decisions that will keep the game going.

Poker

Poker is another game with centuries-long tradition, and while it is another game of chance, it also involves skill and the use of different strategies that can significantly improve one’s odds of winning. 

Typically, poker is played with a standard deck that counts 52 cards, but today there are many other variants that involve different decks and numbers of cards.

Still, Texas Hold’em and Omaha remain the most popular variants.

However, no matter what title you pick, the goal is always the same – winning the money by betting on the values of your hand and the hands of other players. 

Finishing Lines

The gambling industry is thriving in the UK and Ireland, as players continue to indulge in their favourite game categories.

Traditional table games are high in demand in both areas, especially in the UK, while the Irish also often turn to slots, as well as modern options like live gaming. 

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