The Irish gambling laws are incredibly complicated. Owning and operating casinos is illegal in the country. In 1956, the Irish government passed laws prohibiting gambling and betting. So, casinos do not exist in Ireland. And yet, betting and gambling is still incredibly popular in the country. Loopholes exist in the law, that allows for the operation of betting establishments. And Irish people attend these establishments quite frequently.
As for iGaming, a 2015 law officially legalized the practice in Ireland. So, Irish residents and tourists are well within their right to play at any Irish online casinos without fear of reprimand. With the legalization of iGaming, the Irish online gambling industry has developed quite significantly in the past 8 years. Irish-themed slots have become incredibly popular. The clover leaf itself has become a symbol of casinos and gambling, due to its association with good luck. So, in this article, we would like to go over a few irish-themed slots, and point you to the best of the best.
Betrick: Son of a Leprechaun
The first in the Betrick series, Betrick: Son of a Leprechaun’s connection to Irish culture and folklore is self-evident. The game borrows heavily from legends of Leprechauns, the mischievous, little, gnome-like creatures who hide their pot of gold at the rainbow’s end. In this slot, a Leprechaun guides the player through the slot machine, helping them win the cash prize.
Betrick: Son of a Leprechaun is a pretty standard, and easy-to-understand slot, making it perfect for newbies, and experienced punters alike. The game features a 5-3 reel, and offers 20 different ways to win the max prize.
For any low-stake gamblers, the minimum bet required is only 0.2 Euros. So, you can have some fun without risking too much of your cash. However, if you are looking for some adrenaline-pumping action, you can bet as much as 80 Euros.
We mentioned before that there are 20 ways to win the maximum reward. But we never talked about how much that is. Well, in Betrick: Son of a Leprechaun, the maximum jackpot is six times your bet. With a low-to-medium volatility and a pretty standard Return to Player rate, the game is great for newbies, though might bore some experienced gamblers.
Lucky Money
Developed by Storm Gaming, Lucky Money is another slot that takes heavily from Irish folklore. Leprechauns, clover leafs, and lucky pennies, all are an important aspect of this game. While the game may look deceptively simple, it is actually a lot more complex than Betrick: Son of Leprechaun.
First of all, there are over 4000 winning combinations in this 6-4-reel game. And it doesn’t end there. While the minimum bet is still 0.2, the maximum bet goes up to 100 Euros. Furthermore, the grand prize is the bet x 10250. Meaning, a player could potentially win 102,500 Euros when betting on this game.
Now it is worth mentioning, that the volatility of Lucky Money is quite high. In other words, players might have some trouble getting a win. However, with an RTP of 96.54%, the game balances itself out. Still, newbies might want to skip this one. Though it will certainly appeal to experienced gamblers and high-stake bettors.
As far as symbols and themes go, Lucky Money is not as creative as Betrick: Son of a Leprechaun. However, the designers did put in quite a bit of effort. While it features all of the same symbols as most slots (10, Jack, Queen, King, Ace), it also does incorporate harps, beer mugs, and the face of the leprechaun mascot.
Not only that, but the game has quite an immersive score and audio effects, making the experience a lot better. So, if you are a fan of Irish culture, folklore, or just the pop cultural depiction of Leprechauns, check this one out.
Rainbow Stacks
Another excellent leprechaun-themed game is Rainbow Stacks. Like Betrick, Rainbow Stacks is a pretty simple slot, comprised of a 5-3 reel. The developers, Revolver Gaming, have managed to create a truly fascinating and unique game. The symbols are masterfully done, and surprisingly unique. From the game’s leprechaun mascot, to a fantasy-inspired smoking pipe, to a expertly drawn four-leaf clover, the symbols will all draw you into the game, and keep you interested.
And it isn’t just the visual effects that will enamor players. The music and audio effects are also extraordinary. Cheerful, relaxing music that will pull players deeper into the game’s world. Revolver Gaming have truly outdone themselves with the artistic side of Rainbow Stacks.
But, what most gamblers will care about are not the effects, but rather the mechanics. And the game’s mechanics are certainly something. A return to player rate of 94%, medium volatility, and 25 different ways to win the grand prize. On top of that, with a maximum bet of 250 Euros and a grand prize 2000 times bigger than the bet, a lucky gambler could, potentially win as much as 500,000 Euros.
On the other hand, the minimum bet of 0.25 Euros will certainly appeal to new players with not much experience. In other words, Rainbow Stacks is a game that will appeal to everyone, and is certainly worth a try for any fan of online slots.
Final Thoughts
Online gambling has come a long way. What started as a simple video poker industry, has now become a multi-billion-dollar business. Online casinos now operate on the same level as land-based casinos, and are just as successful. These operators organize fundraisers, tournaments, friendly competitions, and much more.
In Ireland, online slots were legalized in 2015. And since then, they’ve become a huge success. Unsurprisingly, slot game developers have begun creating slots that appeal to an Irish audience. Of the numerous Irish-inspired slots, the three we brought up in this article are certainly some of the best. However, if three aren’t enough, the following is a list of more Irish-themed slots worth checking out:
- Patrick’s Collection
- Lucky Oak
- Fairy Gate
- Spinning Beers
- Book of Clovers Reloaded
