LiveScore Bet sister sites include Virgin Bet and the LiveScore media app itself. All of these brands are operated by LiveScore Group Limited, which sits within the Anzo Group of companies and holds licences from the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, and importantly for Irish players, the Irish Revenue Commissioners.
Quick Facts About LiveScore Bet
| 🏢 Parent Company | LiveScore Group Limited (Anzo Group) |
| 📜 Licences | UKGC, Gibraltar, Irish Revenue |
| 🌍 HQ Location | London, UK |
| 📅 Founded | 2020 (LiveScore app: 1998) |
| 🇮🇪 Irish Players | Yes – fully licensed |
What Makes These Sites Worth Checking?
Now, here’s the interesting part about LiveScore Bet – it’s actually the gambling extension of an app you’ve probably been using for years without realising the connection. The LiveScore app has been delivering football scores to phones since 1998, long before smartphones even existed. The betting operation is the commercial arm designed to monetise that massive audience.
🔹 Virgin Bet – Here’s something most people don’t realise: Virgin Bet is completely separate from Virgin Games. They share the Virgin branding but operate under different parent companies entirely. Virgin Games is part of the Intralot/Gamesys network (casino and bingo focused), while Virgin Bet is pure sports betting under LiveScore Group. The confusion is understandable, but the distinction matters. Virgin Bet accepts Irish players and offers sports betting with the Virgin brand credibility, without any crossover to the UK-only Virgin Games casino. The brand licensing from Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is separate for each company – they’re not related beyond the name.
🔹 LiveScore (Media App) – The original product and the source of the betting operation’s potential. Over 56 million monthly users check LiveScore for real-time football scores, news, and now free live streaming. The integration between scores and betting is the unique value proposition – you’re already watching match stats, why not place a bet? That convergence strategy is central to their business model. The app predates the smartphone era entirely, having launched in 1998 as a desktop service before transitioning to mobile. That heritage gives them credibility that newer sports apps can’t match.
🔹 LiveScore Bet – The flagship betting brand of the group. Built to feel like a natural extension of the media app rather than a traditional bookmaker bolted on as an afterthought. Mobile-first design reflects that the core audience comes from app users rather than desktop punters. The aesthetic deliberately mirrors the LiveScore media experience, creating a seamless transition from checking scores to placing bets. If you’ve used the LiveScore app, the betting interface will feel immediately familiar.
🔹 Free Live Streaming – The USP that ties everything together. LiveScore Bet customers get access to free live football streams covering various leagues and competitions. Combined with the real-time scores and statistics from the media app, you’ve got a complete ecosystem: check fixtures, watch the match, track live stats, place in-play bets, all without leaving the LiveScore environment. That closed-loop experience is what they’re building towards.
The Company Running the Show
The corporate history here reveals a clever separation strategy. LiveScore was originally acquired by Gamesys in 2017, making it part of the casino operator’s portfolio. But in 2019, LiveScore Group was deliberately spun out into the Anzo Group as a separate entity. Why? Because the media app had over 50 million users who weren’t necessarily gamblers, and Gamesys wanted to build a sports betting business around that audience without the casino brand baggage.
That demerger means LiveScore Group has no connection to the Gamesys brands that Bally’s later acquired and then sold to Intralot. Virgin Games, Jackpotjoy, Rainbow Riches Casino – none of those are related to LiveScore Bet despite the historical Gamesys link.
Swiss media giant Ringier AG invested £50 million in LiveScore Group in September 2022, valuing the business at approximately £350 million. Ringier publishes Blick newspaper in Switzerland and operates media properties across Eastern Europe and Africa. Their interest signals belief in the convergence model – combining media content with betting commerce.
The team has been expanding the free streaming offering aggressively. LiveScore Bet customers can watch live football matches at no additional cost, creating a closed loop: check scores on the app, watch the game through the betting account, place bets during the match. That integration is the competitive moat they’re building.
One regulatory note – the Advertising Standards Authority ruled against LiveScore in 2025 for advertisements appearing to viewers under 18 on the media app. The company attributed this to a technical fault rather than intentional targeting, but it’s a reminder that operating at the intersection of mainstream sports media and gambling creates additional compliance challenges.
Finding Your Ideal Alternative
The LiveScore Bet proposition is quite specific, so alternatives depend on which aspect appeals most:
🔹 If you love the scores integration – bet365 has arguably the best live match centre in the industry, with statistics, visualisations, and streaming all built into the betting interface. They’re the closest equivalent for integrated information and betting, though they built theirs in-house rather than acquiring a media app. The data depth is exceptional for serious bettors who want comprehensive match analysis.
🔹 If free streaming matters – Both Paddy Power and Betfair (Flutter Entertainment brands) offer live streaming to funded accounts. William Hill has streaming too. The key difference is that LiveScore streaming ties into their media app ecosystem; competitors offer streaming as a betting feature rather than a media product. Coverage varies by operator and sport.
🔹 If the Virgin brand appeals – Virgin Bet is the only Virgin-branded sportsbook accepting Irish players. If brand recognition matters, there’s no direct alternative with the same branding. The closest mainstream equivalents would be Paddy Power for established brand credibility in Ireland, or bet365 for global recognition.
🔹 If you want a mobile-first experience – Betway and Kwiff both built their platforms mobile-first rather than adapting desktop interfaces. Midnite is another newer operator with strong mobile design, particularly for esports. These operators understand that modern bettors primarily use smartphones rather than desktop computers.
🔹 If you want casino alongside sports – LiveScore Bet is primarily a sportsbook with limited casino options. If you want integrated sports and casino, operators like Paddy Power, Betfair, or 888 offer comprehensive casino sections alongside their sportsbooks. The trade-off is simplicity versus variety.
🔹 If the media/betting convergence appeals – No one else offers quite what LiveScore provides in terms of media app integration with betting. The 56 million user base and 1998 heritage create something unique. Competitors can copy features but not that established audience relationship.
What Irish Players Should Know
LiveScore Bet holds an Irish Revenue Commissioner licence, placing it in the properly regulated category for Irish gambling. That’s not always the case with UK-focused operators, so it’s worth noting.
🔹 GAA Coverage – Available for major inter-county competitions. The coverage isn’t the deepest in the market – dedicated Irish bookies like Paddy Power and BoyleSports will have more markets – but it’s adequate for mainstream GAA betting. Expect good coverage of All-Ireland championships, less depth for provincial or club competitions.
🔹 Irish Horse Racing – Good coverage of Irish tracks including Leopardstown, the Curragh, Fairyhouse, Punchestown, and Galway. Racing is a standard strength across most bookmakers, and LiveScore Bet is no exception. Festival meetings get particularly comprehensive treatment.
🔹 League of Ireland – Markets available for domestic fixtures. Again, not the most comprehensive but sufficient for following the domestic league. In-play betting is available during matches with the expected range of markets.
🔹 Free Streaming – The major USP for Irish players. Being able to watch live football through your betting account, legally and for free, is genuinely valuable. Coverage includes various European leagues and competitions that might otherwise require expensive subscriptions or questionable streaming sites. The quality is reliable, and the integration with live betting makes in-play wagering more engaging.
🔹 Currency and Payments – Full Euro support. Standard payment methods including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and bank transfers. Nothing unusual here – it’s the streaming and media integration that differentiate LiveScore Bet, not payment processing. Withdrawal processing times are competitive with industry standards.
🔹 Casino Limitations – LiveScore Bet is primarily a sportsbook. There’s limited casino functionality compared to full casino operators. If you want integrated sports and casino betting, look elsewhere. If you’re purely interested in sports, this isn’t a limitation – it’s a focused product for sports bettors.
🔹 Customer Support – Standard live chat and email support. Hours are reasonable for European time zones, though not necessarily 24/7. For a sports betting platform, support needs are typically less urgent than live casino anyway. The help section covers common queries comprehensively.
🔹 Mobile Experience – This is where LiveScore Bet genuinely shines. The mobile app inherits the clean, fast design philosophy from the LiveScore media app. Navigation is intuitive, bet placement is quick, and the integration with live scores feels natural. If you primarily bet on mobile, this is one of the better experiences available.
🔹 Responsible Gambling – Standard deposit limits, session limits, and self-exclusion options. Links to Irish support resources including Gamblers Anonymous Ireland. The platform includes reality check features to monitor time and spending.
What We Think?
LiveScore Bet offers something genuinely different in the Irish market. The combination of the familiar LiveScore media app, free live streaming, and proper Irish licensing creates a coherent proposition for football-focused bettors. The Virgin Bet sibling gives network options while staying sports-focused. It’s not for everyone – casino players and those wanting extensive GAA depth should look elsewhere – but for mobile-first football fans who want scores, streaming, and betting in one ecosystem, it’s a compelling package.