Compare the best spread betting brokers Ireland in 2025 

This guide shows you our expert recommendations for the best places to spread bet in Ireland. Read on to find the top Irish spread betting brokers and compare their best features.
Written by
Updated on Jul 19, 2024
Reading time 15 minutes

We compare all the top Irish brokers, providing the information and guidance you need to make the right decisions when it comes to spread betting. Our guide takes you through all the key criteria you need to know when picking the best account to spread bet the market, with a focus on regulation, design, and spreads. 

Best Ireland spread betting brokers overall for 2024

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  1. Plus500: Best for international trading*
  2. Skilling: Best app for mobile trading
  3. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading
  4. XTB: Best for offering global CFD markets to retail traders
  5. Pepperstone: Best low spread & no commission broker

What are the best Irish spread betting platforms?

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You can find a list of the best brokers below. Sign up by clicking the links in the table or read on to find out more about how spread bets work.

We found 8 spread betting platforms for users based in

Plus500 review
4.5
Plus500
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 2%
No. assets 2800+
Demo account Yes

Plus500 review

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

Skilling review
4.3
Skilling
Min. Deposit $100
Fees From 0.1%
No. assets 1200+
Demo account Yes

Skilling review

80% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

IG review
4.4
IG Markets
Min. Deposit n/a
Fees Spread only
No. assets 17000+
Demo account Yes

IG review

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Top 5 Ireland spread betting platforms, reviewed

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We found 8 spread betting platforms for users based in

1. Plus500. Best for international trading*

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4.5
Ratings

€100

Min. deposit

From 0.8%

Fees

2,800

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Plus500 because it is one of the industry’s most transparent and reliable brokers. Its fees are clear and you’ll know exactly what you will be paying before you make a trade. Its technology driven platform gives access to futures contracts for some of the biggest indices.

Plus500 has something for all types of traders, no matter what level of experience. Its low margin requirements (starting at $100) and different contracts make it a top choice for day traders. At the same time, its trading academy is packed with educational content, perfect for beginners just starting. 

For accurate instrument availability, visit plus500.com.

The fees: Plus500 charges a commission of $0.49 per Micro contract and $0.89 per Standard contract (per side). There is an Auto-Liquidation fee of $10 per contract. Other exchange fees may be applicable and can be found on the CME group website. 

*Based on a comparison of 60+ leading brokers and trading platforms.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

This information is NOT relevant to EU residents who are to be serviced by EU subsidiaries of the Plus500 Group, such as Plus500CY Ltd, authorized by CySEC (Reg. 250/14). Different regulatory requirements apply in Europe, such as leverage limitations and bonus restrictions.

2. Skilling. Best app for mobile trading

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4
Ratings

€100

Min. deposit

From 0.1pips

Fees

1,200

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Skilling because it’s a beginner-friendly platform that makes trading accessible to everyone. It offers a good choice of markets to trade via CFDs, with access to over 1200 instruments. Skilling allows you to trade 700 stocks from various global markets including the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. 

Skilling’s extensive selection of markets is complemented by its low spreads, fast execution, and choice of trading platforms, including MT4, cTrader, and SkillingTrader. In addition, its mobile trading app, available on both iOS and Android, allows you to easily trade on the go. 

What sets Skilling apart from the competition is its social trading platform, Skilling Copy. Here you can use its proprietary software to copy the trades of experienced traders. This makes it a perfect platform for beginners looking to learn from experts, or experienced traders looking to diversify into new markets. 

The fees: There are no fees for stock trading. Skilling makes its money on the Bid/Ask spread, and stock spreads start from 0.9%. Positions left open overnight will be charged swap charges, which vary depending on the size of the trade.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

80% of retail CFD accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

3. IG Markets: Best for trusted and transparent trading

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4
Ratings

€-

Min. deposit

Spread only

Fees

17,000

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love IG because it’s one of the most established and reputable names in the online trading industry, known for its reliability, comprehensive market offerings, and strong regulatory compliance. IG offers CFD trading in stocks, forex, commodities, indices, ETFs and more, with plenty of useful plugins and integrations to improve the trading experience.

One of the key strengths of IG Markets is its seamless integration with MetaTrader 4 (MT4), a popular third-party trading platform favored by many traders for its advanced charting tools, automated trading capabilities, and custom indicators. This integration allows users to leverage MT4’s sophisticated features while benefiting from IG Markets’ competitive pricing, reliable execution, and extensive market access.

Beyond its product range and platform integrations, IG Markets stands out for its commitment to education and customer support. The company offers a wealth of educational resources, such as webinars, tutorials, and market analysis, which help traders of all levels improve their knowledge and skills.

The fees: For most assets, you don’t pay a trading fee but will be charged through the spread instead. That’s the difference between the buy and sell price of an asset. IG’s spreads are competitive but variable: you’ll pay a smaller spread on popular assets compared to less popular ones. Share trading works differently, and you’ll be charged a minimum fee on each trade of at least $15.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 75% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

4. XTB: Best for offering global spread betting markets to retail traders

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3.5
Ratings

€-

Min. deposit

0.02 pips

Fees

2,200

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love XTB because of its extensive range of international spread betting markets, allowing retail traders to buy and sell popular financial assets at competitive prices. XTB offers over 5,900 instruments, including 3,000 stocks, 400 ETFs, and 2,300 CFDs across forex, commodities, and indices. 

This broad selection allows you to diversify your portfolio and explore several trading opportunities across different asset classes. Whether you are interested in forex, commodities, indices, or cryptocurrencies, XTB’s comprehensive offering means you have the tools and resources needed to trade effectively.

XTB combines beginner-friendly, introductory tools and resources with a scaling system of accounts that allow experienced traders to access high rates of leverage and advanced analytical tools. 

With more than 180 pre-installed indicators and chart types, its bespoke xStation platform allows for intricate analysis, while beginners can access its Trading Central service, where trade ideas, forecasts, and risk analyses are available for anyone to look through.

The fees: XTB’s fees start from 0.02 pips on forex pairs and 0.2 pips on stocks and indices CFDs. Commodities come with larger spreads, starting from 2 pips, while cryptocurrency spreads are significantly higher and start from 8.1 pips.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69-83% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

5. Pepperstone. Best low spread & no commission broker

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pepperstone logo
4
Ratings

€-

Min. deposit

$7 RT

Fees

1,200

No. assets

Yes

Demo account

Overview

We love Pepperstone because it is a low fee and low commission CFD brokerage, making it an excellent choice for traders looking to keep trading costs down. Pepperstone offers some of the most competitive spreads in the industry, with no commission on its Standard account and low commissions on its Razor account. 

Pepperstone is also well known for its top tier regulatory protection. The broker is regulated by both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), which means it follows stringent rules. Pepperstone also offers a good selection of markets, including forex, commodities, indices, cryptocurrencies, and shares, offering various trading opportunities.

One of the features we found most useful when using Pepperstone is the variety of trading platforms. You can choose from TradingView, MetaTrader 4 (MT4), MetaTrader 5 (MT5), and cTrader, each providing a unique set of features and tools. 

The fees: Forex trades are commission free, as Pepperstone makes money from the Bid/Ask spread. The spreads vary depending on the asset you want to trade. Razor (pro) account customers get significant discounts on the spreads. US stock trades are charged a $0.02 commission, for other stocks the commission starts at 0.07%.

Highlights

Fees & Costs

Pros & Cons

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81.7%of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Refer to our RDN and other legal documents. Pepperstone Markets Limited, SCB no. SIAF217.

What are Irish spread betting platforms?

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Spread betting platforms are companies that provide retail traders with access to online platforms that allow them to bet on the price movement of currency pairs. The best Irish spread betting platforms are easy to use, well regulated, and carry strong reputations acquired through years of steady operation and stellar customer service.

What is spread betting in Ireland?

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Spread betting is an investment vehicle that lets you speculate on the movement of currency pairs, without actually transacting in the financial market. The practice, which can be done for forex or other markets, consists of three main components:

  • The spread of the instrument
  • The direction of the trade, up or down
  • The size of the bet

In its most simple terms, a spread bet is when you decide which way the price of an asset is going to move and place a bet on the outcome.

How do Irish spread betting brokers work?

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These platforms enable clients to bet on the price of assets online or via a mobile app. Simply open your account, deposit funds, and you can start spread betting on the forex markets.

A broker offering usually provides two price quotes for a market, the bid and the ask. The gap between the bid price and the ask price is called ‘the spread’. Traders bet on whether the price of the market will be lower than the bid price, or higher than the ask price. 

For spread bettors, the narrower the spread is, the more attractive the market becomes. That’s because narrower spreads mean lower transaction costs for those wanting to enter and exit a trade.

Let’s use an example to illustrate how it works when you place a forex spread bet on a currency pair: 

Say a broker quotes you an ask price of 1.1155 on the EUR/USD (Euro/U.S. Dollar) pair, with a bid price of 1.1150. If you think the Euro will strengthen compared to the Dollar, you could bet €0.5 for every point (also known as a “pip”) the euro rises above 1.1155. 

  • If the EUR/USD pair climbs to 1.1165, you would earn a profit of €5 (€0.5 x 10 pips). 
  • If the price of the Euro instead falls to 1.1145, you would lose €5.

The better you get at spread betting, the more you might consider using leverage. This allows you to borrow money from the broker to place bigger bets than you would normally be able to make using your own money alone.

So I don’t own the assets I’m trading?

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Technically, no, you don’t own the assets; however, this is normal when spread betting in Ireland. In the same way that trading commodities doesn’t require you to actually own any of the commodities whose price movement you’re betting on, doing so with spread betting doesn’t require you to own any of the markets whose price movement you’re betting on.

Most forex trading is done using CFDs, which is a very similar process to spread betting. Rarely do you ever want to or need to own any of the individual currencies yourself. Spread bets are just a variation on the theme and allow you to bet on how you think markets are going to perform. 

You will, however, have to have money in your account in order to execute transactions. The currency you need usually corresponds to wherever the spread betting platform you’re using is located. For instance, a site in Ireland would require Euros (EUR) as capital.

What should I look for in an Irish spread betting broker?

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The best spread betting websites are regulated by legally recognised agencies, provide an intuitive design that makes it easy to open an account, simple to deposit funds, and helpful in its educational content. It pays to do your homework and find the best platform that checks as many of the boxes below as possible:

  • Look for regulated platforms. The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA) regulates brokers in Ireland. Make sure any platform you spread bet on is regulated by the IFSRA.
  • Good reputation. The best brokers should come with positive user reviews regarding such key criteria as opening trading accounts and seamless funds withdrawal. Awards, accolades, and positive publicity can also be useful markers when gauging a platform’s reputation.
  • Design and ease of use. You want a platform that makes the process of placing a bet as quick and easy as possible. Firstly, because you don’t want to get confused and make the wrong move. Secondly, because you’re betting on the very narrow windows between the bid and ask prices of currency pairs, making pinpoint accuracy essential. 
  • Analysis tools. Trading requires diligent analysis and tremendous discipline. Even with spread betting, the price changes are relatively small and it requires a lot of expertise to understand what moves the markets. The best trading platforms will offer advanced technical analysis tools to assist in key areas such as pattern recognition.
  • Customer service. You want to be sure you’re well taken care of on whichever platform you choose. That means insisting on live-chat capabilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and longer queries taking no more than one business day to produce a reply. Testing the broker’s customer service before depositing a large sum of money is a good idea.
  • Fees. This one is simple: The lower the spread-based transaction fees you have to pay, the better off you’ll be.

How to choose an Irish spread betting broker

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These features were unanimously chosen by our experts as features a beginner should look for in order to get the best and safest experience.

1. Look for a broker with low spreads

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If you are able to spread bet where you live, then low spreads are the next most important thing to look for. The spread refers to the difference between the ‘bid’ and ‘ask’ price for an asset. If a broker offers a bid (buy) price of 51 and an ask (sell) price of 50, then the difference – 1 – is the spread.

Spreads are effectively the trading fees for spread betting. The difference between the two prices is the broker’s fee. A broker where the spread is 1 is better value than one where the spread is 5. But be aware that you might not have much choice in the matter if there are only a handful of brokers that let you spread bet certain assets, like cryptocurrency or commodities.

2. Find the assets you want to bet on

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As there are strict limits on where spread betting is allowed, you need to spend more time researching which brokers offer betting on which assets. 

As a general rule, it’s easier to find platforms that offer spread betting on the stock market and forex compared to commodities.

Cryptocurrency is a different matter altogether, where the limits on spread betting are extremely strict, even in Ireland. You may have to prove you are a professional client to be able to bet.

3. Learn how a point is measured

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Spread betting price changes are measured in points and a point may mean different things depending on which asset you are betting on. For instance, in forex betting a price change is usually measured in pips – 0.0001 of movement. While in the stock market and gold betting a point normally refers to a price change of 0.1.

When you place a bet, payouts are based on the number of points of movement in the price. If you place a 5 bet on the price of gold, and the price increases by 0.5, you would earn 25. A 5 bet multiplied by 5 points of movement (0.1 x 0.5). It’s crucial to understand this so you know what needs to happen to be successful.

4. Use a demo account to practice

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The best way to get to grips with spread betting is by signing up with a broker and using a demo account to try it out before you start betting real money. Most brokers offer demo accounts, where you are assigned a set amount of virtual money to bet with.

Demo accounts not only teach you the basics about how a market works, but they also give you the chance to test out certain strategies. You could try betting on a few different assets to see which one suits you best, for example, before risking any of your own money.

Quick answers to key questions

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Will I have to verify my account?

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Yes. To open your online account, you’ll need to go through the verification steps to comply with financial service regulations. Verification will usually involve providing proof of identity, proof of address, and various financial proofs. 

This is often an automated process that will require you to upload documents such as a valid passport or driving license, bank statement or mortgage statement. In some cases, you might be required to take and upload a selfie too, for facial recognition purposes.

Is spread betting regulated?

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Yes, in certain jurisdictions spread betting is a regulated service. In Ireland, the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (IFSRA) regulates the spread betting industry, meaning you’ll benefit from added protection if you ever encounter major issues with your broker. 

Can you make money from spread betting?

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Yes, although it isn’t easy and there is a high risk of losing money if you’re inexperienced.. You need to be disciplined in terms of how you manage the size of your bets and when to cut your losses on a losing bet. Use stop-loss limits – automatic orders to close positions at a loss – to reduce the risk from volatile markets catching you out.

The volatility and danger of losing money is why our experts recommend starting with a demo account. You will get a better appreciation for the risks and rewards on offer, and how individual markets move, by testing it out rather than going in blind.

Is spread betting tax-free?

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Yes, it’s the biggest reason to choose spread betting over CFDs in the first place. In Ireland, spread betting is exempt from a Capital Gains Tax, which means any profits you make are tax-free.

The reason for this is that spread betting is classed as a form of gambling (the clue is in the name). Gambling is tax-free, whereas profits from investments like buying stocks or real estate investments are liable to taxes.

Should I spread bet or trade CFDs?

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The most important thing is what you want to bet on. If the answer is crypto, then you need to use a broker like eToro and trade it. Otherwise, you have options, and spread betting may well be the best choice given its tax-free status. Particularly if you plan on betting a lot.

Can I use leverage in spread betting?

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Yes, the ability to use leverage is one of the things that makes it more popular than simply buying and holding assets, like shares or cryptocurrency. You can normally access leverage up to 1:30 in Ireland, which is the maximum allowed under EU law for retail traders. Lets take a look that the available leverage from the top 3 spread betting platforms Ireland:

How long are spread bets open for?

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It varies but they can be open more or less indefinitely. Generally you can make spread bets that last until the end of the quarter, or you can make daily spread bets that keep rolling over indefinitely but are liable to overnight fees for each day you keep them open past 10pm.

Overnight fees are an important consideration because they can make spread betting much more expensive. They are charged because you use leverage and are thus borrowing the money to keep the bet open. The overnight fees are effectively an interest payment, but like all short-term loans they can be expensive: a few pounds a night even for a small bet.

Can I trade multiple currency pairs?

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Yes. The seven major forex pairs are:

  • The Euro/US Dollar Pair (EUR/USD) 
  • The US Dollar/Japanese Yen (USD/JPY) 
  • The British Pound Sterling/US Dollar (GBP/USD) 
  • The US Dollar/Swiss Franc (USD/CHF) 
  • The Australian Dollar/US Dollar (AUD/USD) 
  • The US Dollar/Canadian Dollar (USD/CAD) 
  • The New Zealand Dollar/US Dollar (NZD/USD)

However, many companies will let you bet on the price movement of 60 or more currency pairs. Heres a look at a few of the most common forex pairs available on the best spread betting platforms FX:

Will I be charged a fee to trade?

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Yes, although the charge is normally offered indirectly. Brokers make money through the spreads they charge clients, both when entering and exiting a trade. This is one of the main differences between spread bets and CFDs, because with CFDs you can expect to be charged a fixed fee or commission per trade. Here are the most common types of trading 

fees for spread betting:

In addition to the fees above, you may also be charged for other services and features, for example depositing and withdrawing funds. Below is a selection of other types of fees that may apply when you use the best spread betting trading platform Ireland:

How can I mitigate the risk of losing money rapidly due to spread betting?

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One way to mitigate risk is to implement stop-loss orders. With a standard stop-loss order, the order will close out your position at the best available price once the set stop value has been reached. 

Meanwhile, a guaranteed stop-loss order guarantees to close your position at the exact value you have set, regardless of the underlying market conditions. Guaranteed stop-loss orders typically incur an additional charge from your broker. 

You can also mitigate through the use of arbitrage, which is betting two ways simultaneously. Arbitrage lets investors exploit the difference in prices between two markets, specifically when two companies offer different spreads on identical currencies.

What are the advantages of using a spread betting service to trade?

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With spread betting you can trade around the clock and benefit from the fact any profits you make will be tax free. A good spread betting firm will offer all of the major and minor currency pairs, as well as some exotic currencies, so there should be a great range of ways to trade the markets.

However, Irish spread betting is not available in many countries around the world. Spread betting tends to be popular in Ireland but is not available in the United States and many other places, for example. So you may have to use CFDs to trade the currency markets if you live outside Ireland.

There are many similarities between spread bets and CFDs, such as the ability to go long or short and the fact you can use leverage. The main difference is in the cost of trading; you can place spread bets with no commission, whereas CFD trading normally comes with a trading fee.

And what are the risks of spread betting the FX market?

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Spread betting typically takes experience and significant attention to detail to do well. Also, buying any asset using leverage, be it foreign currencies, commodities, stocks, or others, comes with a high risk of losing money. If you bet wrong, you’ll owe a lot more than you would have if you had only invested your own money. 

Should I use an Ireland spread betting platform?

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Spread betting is a great way to trade the markets if you understand the vagaries of the market. The biggest incentive to use spread betting is its tax free status, which is not possible with any other method of trading currency markets.

One of the key benefits of spread betting in Ireland is the ability to avoid capital gains tax. 

Methodology: How we chose the best spread betting brokers

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Helping people make better financial decisions is at the heart of our mission at Invezz. 

We periodically test more than 63 spread betting brokers to provide our users with clear, accessible guidance on the investing options available. All testing is carried out by our panel of spread betting experts, analysts, and active traders who sign up to each broker, conduct research, and score each service.

Our tests are designed to find spread betting services that offer a beginner-friendly, secure trading experience at a fair price. To supplement our practical testing and experience, we research each service to gather any further relevant information. We read online customer reviews, app reviews on the Play Store and App Store, and conduct user surveys to get feedback from real people about what works, and what doesn’t.

Each spread betting broker is awarded a final score based on [130+] data points across 8 ranking categories: cost, reliability, user experience, deposit & withdrawals, investing options, range of products/markets, research & analysis tools, and the availability of educational & learning resources.

We work closely with individual brokers to ensure all factual information displayed here is accurate. All data is then fact-checked by an independent reviewer. You can learn more about our expert panel and how we test, rate, and review platforms in our review process.

FAQs

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01

Is spread betting legal in Ireland?

02

Can I use a spread betting platform on my mobile phone?

03

Can I remain anonymous when spread betting in Ireland?

04

Are there minimum and maximum deposit/withdrawal amounts?

05

Is it easy to switch brokers?

06

Do I have to pay tax on any profits made through spread betting?

07

Are forex spread betting platforms regulated?

08

Is online forex spread betting secure?


Fact-checking & references

Prash Raval

Prash Raval

Financial Writer

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Prash is a financial writer for Invezz covering FX, the stock market and investing. For over a decade he has traded spot FX full time while running an educational service helping novice traders learn the markets. He has a keen interest in micro and small cap stocks....