WhichBookmakerHead to head · Ireland · verified August 2026
bet365 vs Paddy Power
bet365 takes it by 1.0 points overall, but Paddy Power still wins specific cases.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | bet365 | Paddy Power |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Typical margin | Around 4–5% on major football match odds — competitive but not the sharpest | Around 5.5% on major football — you pay for the promotions |
| Licences | UKGC (UK), iGaming Ontario (CA), MGA (Malta), multiple national licences | UKGC (UK), Irish licence |
| Min. deposit | £5 / €10 equivalent | £/€5 |
| Sports | 30+ sports, with exceptional depth on football, tennis and horse racing | 25+ sports, heaviest on football, horse racing and Gaelic games |
| Features | Live streaming, Cash Out, Bet Builder, Edit Bet, Early payout | Money-back specials, Bet Builder, Cash Out, Acca insurance |
| Founded | 2000 | 1988 |
| Best for | In-play betting, Market depth, Live streaming | Irish racing, Promotions, Gaelic games |
What the price difference actually costs
bet365 builds about 4.5% into its prices; Paddy Power about 5.5%. That gap of 1.0 percentage points is not an abstraction — it is money that leaves your account on every settled bet, win or lose.
Indicative cost of the gap
Stake €5,000 across a season and the difference between them is roughly €50 — in bet365's favour.
A simplified illustration on total turnover, not a prediction. It ignores which bets you win, because the margin is charged either way — that is precisely the point.
A welcome offer is paid once. This gap is paid every time you bet, which is why we weight price at 30% of the score and most comparison sites do not weight it at all.
Our verdict
Choose bet365 if you want in-play betting · market depth · live streaming. It comes out ahead on odds, trust, markets, platform, payouts in our scoring, and its licensing position in Ireland is UKGC (UK).
Choose Paddy Power if you want irish racing · promotions · gaelic games.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, bet365 or Paddy Power?
bet365 scores higher overall (9.0 vs 8.0). Paddy Power can still be the better choice for irish racing.
Is bet365 safe and licensed?
bet365 holds these licences: UKGC (UK), iGaming Ontario (CA), MGA (Malta), multiple national licences. Our trust score for it is 9.5/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.
Is Paddy Power safe and licensed?
Paddy Power holds these licences: UKGC (UK), Irish licence. Our trust score for it is 9.0/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.