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Online Betting in Iceland – Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome to the ultimate guide to online betting in Iceland. This page contains information on the legality of gambling in the land of fire and ice, a list of the best Icelandic betting sites, advice on which payment methods you should choose, information on the popularity of mobile betting in Iceland, and everything else you need to know.

Best Sports Betting Sites in Iceland – December 2024

4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 384 people this week
Up To $1000 Welcome Bonus
Terms and conditions: The bonus code is only valid for a new customer's first deposit and must be redeemed immediately after the deposit and before a wager has been placed. The sum of the deposit and the bonus are subject to rollover requirements of 8x at min. odds of -200 (1.5) before a new bonus can be redeemed or a withdrawal can be made. Max. $1000 of each bet count towards the rollover requirements. Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bank Transfer
Neteller
Paysafecard
Skrill
Bitcoin
+5

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • AUD
  • CAD
  • USD
  • Competitive sign-up and promotional offers
  • Excellent statistics section to aid customers
  • Pain-free deposit options
  • Accepts both high and low limit bettors
  • Lengthy and expensive withdrawal procedure
4.6/5
Rated by 165 users
Claimed by 330 people this week
Get 500% + 400 Free Spins
Terms and conditions: Terms & Conditions Apply. New Players Aged18+. Please Gamble Responsibly. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Bitcoin
Ethereum
TRON
Tether
Litecoin
Dogecoin
BitcoinCash
+5

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • ETH
  • USDT
  • LTC
  • Claim a huge welcome bonus
  • Lots of options from archery to Overwatch 2
  • Make use of fantastic in-game statistics
  • Get extra freebies through the YBS token
  • Deposit and withdraw using crypto
4.5/5
Rated by 267 users
Claimed by 265 people this week
125% up to $3,125
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bitcoin
American Express
Moneygram
Ethereum
Litecoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • ETH
  • Premier destination for US bettors
  • Racebook covering daily races
  • Esports and virtual sports markets
  • In-depth sports stats and tips
  • Intuitive live betting markets
  • Limited withdrawal options
4.5/5
Rated by 313 users
Claimed by 288 people this week
50% Up to $250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Amex
Bitcoin
MasterCard
Rapidtransfer
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Top-rated US online sportsbook
  • Mobile site for iOS and Android users
  • Diverse range of betting markets
  • Excellent customer support options
  • Lines come out very late in the day
  • Odds not as favorable as other books
4.5/5
Rated by 321 users
Claimed by 223 people this week
150% Welcome Bonus
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Neteller
Skrill
Paypal

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • CAD
  • AUD
  • USD
  • Claim an array of generous bonuses
  • Climb the VIP program for extra perks
  • Instantly withdraw cash via crypto
  • Bet on niche markets like X-Factor
  • Visit the statistics center for insights
4.6/5
Rated by 504 users
Claimed by 150 people this week
Get 125% Deposit Boost to bet on sports up to $1250
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Paypal
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Dogecoin
Ripple
+4

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • LTC
  • XRP
  • Deposit and bet using BTC
  • Choose from 25,000+ markets
  • Bet in-play on a huge range of sports
  • Get paid quickly with no fuss
  • Friendly customer support agents
4.57/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 138 people this week
100% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
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Payment Options

Bitcoin
BitcoinCash
MasterCard
Person to Person
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • LTC
  • USD
  • Generous bonuses and promotions
  • Great range of betting markets
  • Extensive racebook
  • Very good customer service
  • Only a few withdrawal options
  • Fees for withdrawing funds
4.62/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 196 people this week
100% Up to $1000 + $25 casino chip
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

VISA
MasterCard
Bitcoin

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BTC
  • Trusted by publications such as ESPN
  • Access a dedicated racing section
  • Crypto-friendly sportsbook
  • Adjust odds format and time zone
  • Support options include call back
  • Quite low sportsbook limits
4.5/5
Rated by 413 users
Claimed by 119 people this week
50% Up To $1000
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
Discover
MasterCard
Neteller
Skrill
+1

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • USD
  • Accepts players from all over the world
  • Known for their live betting offers
  • Lots of secure banking options
  • Great bonuses and promotions
  • High fees for some deposit options
  • Support agents are often slow to reply
4.5/5
Rated by 232 users
Claimed by 92 people this week
15% up to $600
Terms and conditions: Terms and Conditions apply. – Terms apply
Show More Details Show Less Details

Payment Options

Amex
Bank Wire
Bitcoin
Cheque
MasterCard
Neteller
VISA

Average Payout Speed

0 – 24 Hours

Currencies

  • BPS
  • CAD
  • EUR
  • Popular book that accepts large max bets
  • Huge focus on football and basketball
  • High-spec live in-play platform available
  • Downloadable client for Windows & Mac
  • Odds are not amazing on non-US sports
  • User interface could be improved
Flag of Iceland

Is Online Gambling Legal in Iceland?

Although online gambling is technically illegal in Iceland, the government seemingly has no interest in blocking international operators.

The upshot is that Icelandic bettors can access the best international betting sites, sign up and bet on their favourite sports without getting into any sort of trouble. With many sports betting sites available in Iceland, you can take advantage of generous bonuses and competitive odds.

Even though there is no licensing framework in Iceland, international operators are licensed elsewhere by regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Therefore, you can trust them to be fair, support responsible gambling (you must be over 18 years old), and look after customers with superior support.

Further good news for anyone betting in Iceland is that any winnings are not subject to tax, so every cent you make from is yours to keep.

The ability to access international sites, many of which are available in Icelandic, means you don’t have to rely on the state-owned lottery and fixed-odds betting site, which do not offer the variety you get elsewhere.

The Popularity of Mobile Betting in Iceland

Icelandic sports fans love betting. Approximately 70% of the country’s adult population enjoys betting on sporting action from around the world. Most citizens (80%) own a smartphone, so finding betting sites that work well on mobile is a must.

At SBO.net, we only recommend the best sites that support mobile betting. At one time, for any betting site to work well on mobile, it needed its own app. Some betting sites still have that option, as it’s a convenient way to get to place bets fast. Once you download and install the betting app on your smartphone, you’re just one tap away from the latest markets and odds.

In recent years, mobile technology has improved fast. The best sports betting sites in Iceland have been developed using HTML5 technology. You don’t need to worry about the technicalities. It simply means you can log in and bet on your favourite sports via the mobile browser, such as Safari if you own an iPhone.

Wooden gavel and flag of Iceland

Safe Payment Methods for Icelandic Bettors

It’s easy to fund your account and start betting online in Iceland. Sites allow you to choose from an impressive range of payment methods, from cards to e-wallets and more. In most cases, deposits are instant to ensure you never miss out on a betting opportunity.

Four of the most popular deposit methods at betting sites in Iceland include:

Debit/Credit Cards

Debit/Credit Cards

Debit and credit cards are widely accepted by sports betting sites. Mastercard and Visa are the two most popular brands. Making your deposit is much like any other online purchase. Simply enter your card details and the amount you wish to deposit.

The funds will appear in your account instantly, and it’s easy to keep track of your spending because the money comes straight from your bank account.

PayPal

PayPal

PayPal is widely used in Iceland and is accepted by almost all major sports betting sites. If you have a PayPal account and like the idea of using the digital payment service to bet online, sign up with one of our recommended PayPal betting sites.

Visit the cashier and click on the PayPal logo. Select your preferred deposit amount. Following a brief automatic switch to PayPal to confirm the transaction, you will be return to the betting site where your funds will be waiting.

Skrill

Skrill

Skrill is another popular e-wallet that operates similarly to PayPal. You can easily link your Skrill wallet to your bank account and add funds. After you select Skrill in the cashier, you then enter the email address linked to your Skrill account and state how much you wish to deposit. The funds will be available in seconds.

Skrill was initially known as Moneybookers, a brand that was established way back in 2001 to cater specifically for online bettors.

Direct Bank Transfer

Direct Bank Transfer

Some banks and quite a few online sports betting sites will accept direct bank transfers as a payment method. Thankfully, many banks in Iceland, such as Kaupthing Bank and Landsbankinn, have good online banking functionality and make it easy to deposit via direct bank transfer.

The process is instant, just like it is when you transfer money to friends or buy goods online.

Iceland fans in stadium

The Most Popular Sports for Betting in Iceland

Considering Iceland has a small population of around 360,000 people, many outsiders wrongly believe the country isn’t competitive in the sporting world. The freezing climate only adds to expectations that Icelanders would not be good at outside sports, except maybe skiing or ice-skating.

But in reality, Icelanders love watching, playing and betting on all kinds of sports. Athletes and national sports teams regularly compete at a comparable sporting level with countries that are 10 to 200 times larger.

Football

Football

Icelanders love football and keenly follow the top European leagues, including the Premier League in England and La Liga in Spain. Their top home-grown players nearly all play abroad. One of the country’s most famous sports stars was footballer Eidur Gudjohnsen, who played for elite clubs like Chelsea and Barcelona.

Although the Úrvalsdeild karla (or Men’s Select Division) isn’t the most competitive league in the world, Iceland’s national footballers punch above their weight in international competitions.

Iceland lost to France in the quarter-finals of the 2016 European Championships after knocking out England in the previous round. Remember the Viking Thunderclap being performed by Iceland’s passionate football fans during the tournament?

Handball

Handball

Iceland’s handball team is one of the best in the world. The country won silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze at the 2010 European Championships. The domestic Premier League is contended by 12 teams.

Icelanders enjoy watching the sport, and all good international sports betting sites offer lots of markets on handball fixtures from around the world.

The best betting sites in Iceland offer live streams on the top fixtures, meaning you can watch the action and bet in-play. To ensure you get the most competitive handball odds, it’s worth joining several sites so you can compare markets.

Basketball

Basketball

It’s not just popular in the US and some Eastern European countries – basketball is also a big part of Iceland’s sporting landscape.

The main domestic basketball league, the Úrvalsdeild Karla (or Men’s Premier League), is contested keenly by 12 teams, and there is a four-tier league system. The men’s international team has qualified for EuroBasket (European Basketball Championship) twice but has not made it to the FIBA World Cup.

Basketball fans in Iceland will be pleased to see that online betting sites give extensive coverage to the sport, with odds offered on fixtures from around the world, including the NBA.

Athletics

Athletics

Icelanders love athletics and have adored home-grown stars from track and field. The country’s record has spawned a keen interest in betting on athletics events.

Shot putter Gunnar Huseby was one of the country’s first big champions, winning gold at the European Athletics Championships in 1946 and 1950. Others saw success in the long jump and the decathlon. Vilhjalmur Einarsson was an Olympic and European triple jump medallist, while Vala Flosadottir won a pole vault medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Iceland has also appeared in all but one of the Winter Olympics, missing out only in 1972. But despite so much snow and ice, Icelandic athletes are yet to win a medal at the Winter Olympics.

The History of Gambling in Iceland

Gambling has always been popular in Iceland, with over 70% of adults admitting to betting on a regularly. Lotteries, sports betting and bingo are the most common betting activities in Iceland.

Like many other countries, gambling legislation is based on historical, outdated activity and has little relevance to the fast-paced and mobile sports betting action available online today.

Here’s a timeline to show you how gambling laws in Iceland have evolved since 1926:

1926 – Lotteries and Tombola Act

1926 – Lotteries and Tombola Act

The first gambling legislation in Iceland prohibited all gambling without prior permission from the Ministry of Justice, which was rarely forthcoming.

1933 – University of Iceland’s Lottery

1933 – University of Iceland’s Lottery

It might seem odd by today’s standards, but the university lottery was the first regulated gambling activity. The proviso was that 80% of proceeds had to be ploughed back into the university.

1972 – Expansion of Legal Lotteries

1972 – Expansion of Legal Lotteries

It took another 40 years for the Government to look at gambling again, this time allowing for pools-based sports lotteries. It was the first form of sports betting in Iceland.

1986 – First State Lottery

1986 – First State Lottery

The general national lottery began this year, and this state-backed draw grew into what we have today, a state-run online sports betting, lottery and bingo entity.

1994 – Green Light for Slot Machines

1994 – Green Light for Slot Machines

The first slot machines were allowed, but only if profits went to charity. This was the first time there was any nod towards land-based gambling because casinos and bookmakers remained unlawful.

2004 – Foreign Lotteries

2004 – Foreign Lotteries

European lawmakers ruled Iceland was breaking trade rules by banning foreign lotteries. They could now sell tickets so long as they gave proceeds to good local causes.

2016 – Updated Criminal Code

2016 – Updated Criminal Code

Iceland’s Criminal Code was introduced in 1940, but the additions of articles 183 and 184 state that it is illegal to engage in gambling and betting professionally.

And that is where we are today. You cannot be a professional gambler in Iceland, but no direct reference forbids placing a bet with international betting sites. Further, even if you were a professional gambler, who would know since you pay no tax on gambling winnings?

FAQs

What is the best betting site in Iceland?

Check out our guide to online betting in Iceland to find your ideal site. We only recommend trustworthy sites that have a reputation for offering generous bonuses, competitive odds, and an array of payment methods.

Which online bookmakers accept Icelandic króna?

Some of the best online betting sites accept Icelandic króna. Choose one of our recommended sites and sign up today to fund your account and bet using local currency.

Do you pay tax on gambling winnings in Iceland?

You do not have to pay any tax on gambling winnings in Iceland. Anything you win is tax free and for you to spend as you wish.
Q.

Can I go to jail for betting online in Iceland?

A.
No. Although it is illegal to bet online in Iceland, the government does nothing to prevent citizens from placing bets at international sports betting sites. Players are not prosecuted due to a 2016 EU Court of Justice ruling, meaning you are free to bet on your favourite sports.

About the author

Eric Roberts
Eric Roberts

Sports Journalist

Eric has been a sports journalist for over 20 years and has travelled the world covering top sporting events for a number of publications. He also has a passion for betting and uses his in-depth knowledge of the sports world to pinpoint outstanding odds and value betting opportunities.