WhichBookmakerHead to head · Ireland · verified August 2026
Paddy Power vs Pinnacle
Pinnacle takes it by 0.7 points overall, but Paddy Power still wins specific cases.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Paddy Power | Pinnacle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.0 | 8.7 |
| Typical margin | Around 5.5% on major football — you pay for the promotions | Roughly 2–2.5% on major football — the lowest margins in the industry |
| Licences | UKGC (UK), Irish licence | Curaçao eGaming, MGA (Malta) for selected markets |
| Min. deposit | £/€5 | $10 equivalent |
| Sports | 25+ sports, heaviest on football, horse racing and Gaelic games | 25+ sports with very high limits on major leagues |
| Features | Money-back specials, Bet Builder, Cash Out, Acca insurance | Winners welcome policy, High limits, Full API access, Closing line archive |
| Founded | 1988 | 1998 |
| Best for | Irish racing, Promotions, Gaelic games | Value bettors, High stakes, No account restrictions |
What the price difference actually costs
Paddy Power builds about 5.5% into its prices; Pinnacle about 2.3%. That gap of 3.3 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 €163 — in Pinnacle'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 Paddy Power if you want irish racing · promotions · gaelic games. It comes out ahead on trust, markets, platform in our scoring, and its licensing position in Ireland is UKGC (UK).
Choose Pinnacle if you want value bettors · high stakes · no account restrictions. It comes out ahead on odds, payouts in our scoring, and its licensing position in Ireland is Curaçao eGaming.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Paddy Power or Pinnacle?
Pinnacle scores higher overall (8.7 vs 8.0). Paddy Power can still be the better choice for irish racing.
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.
Is Pinnacle safe and licensed?
Pinnacle holds these licences: Curaçao eGaming, MGA (Malta) for selected markets. Our trust score for it is 8.6/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.