Casino Payment Methods

Casino payment methods let you top up your casino balance so that you can play your favorite games. But with so many casino payment options out there, choosing the right one can feel like a chore — and nobody can blame you for that. That’s why, in the next paragraphs, we’ll lay bare all the good and the bad behind the most popular casino payment methods so you can finally settle for an option and know why you did it. 

Overview of Casino Payment Options

In today’s online casino world, it all boils down to 5 main casino payment methods: card payments, eWallets and digital apps, bank transfers, cryptocurrency payments, and cash transactions.

In the early days of the industry, casino deposit options were in short supply. You could only top up your account or take your winnings using bank transfers, and then it’d take a lifetime to see them reflected in your balance. Since this was driving everyone up the wall, we quickly put that world behind us, and now we’re treated with faster and more convenient online casino payment methods. 

But, as with everything in life, no payment option gets everything 100% right. That’s why, in the following sections, we’ll break down each casino payment method with all its flaws and perks. 

Card Payments

Card payments are a go-to choice for a good deal of players. They’re designed for convenience, there’s no learning curve, and even your grandma knows how to use them. But they’re not without quirks, and that’s why we’re about to break down each card payment method in the following parts. 

Debit Cards

Debit cards are arguably the easiest casino payment option to come by at online casinos. You’ll see debit cards in plenty of other shapes and forms, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express, RuPay, UnionPay, or Discover. 

The gist of debit cards is quite simple — they’re already connected to your bank account, so all you need to do is link them to your online casino account and you can make a deposit in no time. 

Withdrawal times, however, take a touch longer than we’d all like — it may be anywhere from 1 to 5 business days. Also, some banks may put the brakes on casino transactions, so you won’t be able to use your debit card at online casinos at all. That’s why, before you decide to play at a, let’s say, Visa casino or an online casino accepting Mastercard, it’s worth contacting your bank to make sure you’re all good. 

Credit Cards

Credit cards are just as common as debit cards thanks to how accessible and easy-to-use they are. Just like with debit cards, you’ll find them in many flavors — from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express to Discover. But unlike debit cards, these let you borrow money from the bank that you repay later, usually with interest. 

The main drawback of using credit cards for casino payments is precisely that – playing with money you don’t actually have. We advise you to always play responsibly – only gamble with what you can afford.

Some banks won’t even let you use credit cards at gambling sites. Also, some countries, such as the UK and Australia, have banned the use of credit cards for online gambling for good.  We hope to see more countries adopt this stance that puts player safety first. On top of that, credit cards don’t allow for cashing out.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards, such as paysafecard, Visa, and Mastercard prepaid cards, owe much of their fame to how safe and easy to use they are. You just purchase a prepaid card, and it is already loaded with a set amount of money. This way, you don’t risk getting your bank info compromised, but you’re also capped at how much you can use for gambling. Two birds with one stone.

Yet, if you decide to make online casino deposits with paysafecard, for example, keep in mind prepaid cards don’t typically allow you to withdraw money. So, you’ll need a plan B. Also, purchasing them may come with a fee, so factor that in, too. 

eWallets and Digital Apps

eWallets and digital apps typically totally remove your banking account from the equation, and that’s why players who put safety first gravitate towards these casino online payment options. 

Let’s explore the most-talked about eWallets and digital apps. 

PayPal

PayPal leads the eWallets scene with over 400 million users, so you’d have to be completely off the grid to now have heard about it. This payment method owes its popularity to its convenience, strong security features, and accessibility. In the casino world, this translates to quick withdrawals (typically within 24 hours) with no need to hand over your bank info to the casino.

The reason why some players may not be the biggest fans of PayPal is mostly because this casino deposit method sometimes comes with fees, and some countries, such as the US, restrict using PayPal for gambling. There’s also a daily and monthly transaction limit, so PayPal doesn’t exactly thrill the high-rolling crowd. 

Neteller

Neteller is a digital wallet that works in a similar way as PayPal. It’s widely supported, just as secure, and lets you make pretty quick withdrawals — usually, you’ll see the money in your account within 24 hours. Depositing with Neteller is also fast and fuss-free, so there’s no hanging around. 

But, as with every other option, some trade-offs exist. Neteller is known for charging deposit and withdrawal fees, and it’s not as widely accepted as PayPal. Also, some online casinos completely rule out bonuses for players using Neteller, so you’ll need to double-check the T&C page before going for this eWallet. 

Trustly

Previously known as Glue Finance, Trustly is a popular casino deposit option available in 30+ countries. Where Trustly takes the cake compared to other eWallets is its no-fee, no-wait approach. You can basically make withdrawals with Trustly instantly, and there are zero verification hoops to jump through. 

On the down side, Trustly comes with its share of caveats. The number of countries where Trustly is available is still limited, and not every online casino has Trustly as part of their payment lineup. 

EcoPayz

Payz (previously known as EcoPayz) is an eWallet supported in over 160 countries. Players pick Payz because it’s easy to set up an account, deposits are instant, and withdrawals don’t keep them waiting longer than 24 hours. 

Still, Payz may not be everyone’s first choice because its transaction fees go as high as 2.99%, and it’s not a guarantee that every casino will support this option.

ApplePay

ApplePay is a highly secure contactless digital app that safeguards your banking info and lets you make instant deposits. This online casino deposit option wins points for being totally free of fees and the fact that it runs like butter on all Apple devices.

But, not everyone’s a fan of ApplePay because it’s still pretty hard to find a casino that accepts withdrawals to this digital app. Also, players looking for total privacy aren’t exactly excited about having to connect ApplePay to their physical card. The fact that it runs solely on Apple devices rules out Android users. 

Google Pay

Google Pay is yet another popular digital payment app brought to life by Google. Just like Apple Pay, it’s entirely contactless and quite secure. Players usually favor Google Pay for keeping deposits no-fee.

But, if you go for Google Pay, you may have to hunt a bit to find a casino that supports it. Also, you’ll rarely see Google Pay as a withdrawal option, so you’ll have to come up with an alternative solution once you want to cash out. 

Bank Transfers

Bank transfers are casino banking methods that let players make deposits to their casino balance directly from their bank accounts. 

Now, we’ll walk you through the good and the bad of using this online casino banking method. 

ACH/eCheck

ACH/eCheck is a digital solution that lets players deposit money straight from their checking accounts. It basically works as an alternative to cards, and it’s exclusive to the US. Players typically go for this casino payment option because it allows for large deposits and withdrawals, making it perfectly suited for high-rollers. 

But where ACH/eCheck falls short is long processing time — it can sometimes take up to 5 business days. 

Wire Transfers

Wire transfer is a way to handle deposits and withdrawals at online casinos by skipping the whole card thing. Instead, players fund their accounts using their routing number. This method is great for those looking to move large amounts of cash.

One major drawback of wire transfers is that it takes a while to set up, especially compared with eWallets. Also, the fees can be quite hefty, while the processing time takes its sweet time — sometimes even up to 7 or 10 business days. 

Online Bank Transfers

Online bank transfer is a casino payment method that’s more automated than wire transfer. You don’t have to fill out as much info when you set it up, and you can quickly make deposits and withdrawals using third-party platforms such as Interac. This way, you can expect to see the money in your account within 3 business days tops. 

But, if you decide to go for online bank transfer and check out casinos with Interac payments, be ready to cough up a little for this service since it’s not fee-free. Plus, this casino payment method is not available everywhere. Interac, for example, is only an option in Canada. 

Cryptocurrency Payments

Cryptocurrency payments score high with players because they cut out the waiting game for transactions. Whether it’s Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, or Dogecoin, players who are into crypto gambling can count on instant deposits and withdrawals with total anonymity. 

The flip side of relying on cryptocurrency payments lies in crypto’s wild price swings. This means that the value of popular coins can drop or spike quickly, so when you convert your crypto into cash, you may not get exactly the amount you expected. Also, not every casino is on board with crypto yet (due to limited regulatory frameworks), so finding a place that accepts it may take a while. 

Cash Transactions

Cash transactions (if the phrasing wasn’t a dead giveaway already) require players to show up at a casino or a physical store in person to make deposits/withdrawals. 

For players who aren’t up for this additional hassle, the drawback of this casino payment method is pretty obvious. But, there are some perks that we’ll go over as we move further into the text. 

PayNearMe

PayNearMe is a casino payment method that lets players deposit cash for online gambling at a store nearby. The gist of it is quite simple: once you find a casino that accepts PayNearMe, you receive a barcode that lets you make your cash payment at a 7-Eleven, CVS, Walmart and lots of other places. 

Keep in mind, though, PayNearMe is currently available only in the US. Also, this way of funding your cashier typically comes with a fee, while withdrawals aren’t even an option. 

Cash at Casino Cage

The cash at casino cage payment option requires players to show up at a land-based casino to deposit money or instantly collect their winnings. Typically, you can do all this at an online gambling platform’s partnering casino. 

The not-so-great part about this method is that it’s not widely available at every casino, and it’s mostly limited to the US. 

Understanding Casino Banking Terminology

If you’re just getting your feet wet in an online casino, you can’t go by without knowing some basic banking terms. This lack of knowledge may not seal your fate, but being well-versed in casino banking terminology could help you spot the conditions you’re not okay with right away. 

Here’s what you’ll need to master:

• Minimum deposit — This is the smallest amount you need to put down into your casino account to be allowed to start playing games or claiming bonuses. It can go as little as pocket change to as high as $20, depending on what the casino’s fine print states.
• Withdrawal limits — This is the maximum amount of money a casino will let you cash out over a certain period of time. Most places have daily, weekly, and monthly withdrawal limits. Obviously, the higher the cap, the better.
• Pending time — Not to be confused with the processing period when your payment processor handles your withdrawal, pending time, or ‘dead period’ is just a fancy phrasing for ‘we’re waiting for someone to deal with your withdrawal,’ or even worse, ‘we hope you’ll cancel your withdrawal and risk that sum one more time.’ It may not exist, or it could last up to several days depending on the casino.
• Reverse time — This is the time period during which you’re allowed to cancel your withdrawal and throw that money back into your account. Reverse time is already banned across some jurisdictions (the UK, for example), and for a good reason. It’s nothing but preying on players with uncontrolled gambling habits — you wanted to cash out, but now you get one more shot to play with the money you meant to keep. All in all, this is a profit-snatching practice and let’s hope to see it banned everywhere. 
• Processing fees — These are the fees a casino, or your payment processor may charge you for handling your withdrawals. While fees are part of the territory when dealing with payment processors, there are usually little to no reasons for the casino to slap on additional charges, so keep that in mind when picking the place to play. 

How to Choose a Casino Deposit Method

There are no right or wrong casino deposit methods, but when money’s at stake, you probably don’t want to pull out a name out of a bag at random. Instead, take a look at some factors you should consider to avoid second-guessing your payment method choice. 

Safety and Security

With casino deposit options, safety and security are a must. Think of us screaming this from the top of our lungs with a megaphone. That’s how important these two factors are.

Look for strong encryption and two-factor authentication, and always trust your money to a world-known reliable payment processor, such as PayPal, Visa, or ApplePay if you don’t want your money to end up in the wrong hands. 

Speed of Transactions

The speed of transactions may not be a sticking point for everyone, but if you’re one of those players who find waiting for their money even mildly irritating, you need to factor this one in, too.

Some casino payment methods, such as crypto options, have become synonymous with speed. Bank transfers, however, are notoriously slowly processed. 

Fees and Limits

Nobody likes paying extra or letting someone else decide how much money they can use. But with casino payment methods, sometimes it’s about trade-offs. 

Trustly, for example, doesn’t come with any fees, but you won’t see it available at all online casinos. Bank transfers, on the other hand, come with fees attached, but they’ll let you pull out pretty hefty sums. 

Bonuses and Promotions

Casinos like to cut some payment options off bonuses and promotions, and that’s nothing new. Something we see almost every day is a welcome bonus excluding players who deposit with eWallets such as Skrill or Neteller (even at casinos accepting Skrill in general). 

If promos are your thing, you shouldn’t be punished for that. But then, you’ll need to settle for the middle ground and go with a payment method that’ll let you claim a bonus. 

Availability in Your Region

Some payment methods are completely restricted in certain parts of the world, so they may be completely out of reach for you. 

Trustly, for example, is not available in South America, Africa, and lots of other places. In this case, it won’t matter how excited you were with Trustly’s no-fee policy if you’re located in one of the restricted areas — this payment method is off-limits for you, and you’ll need to go for something else. 

Tips for Bankroll Management

We couldn’t have kept this money talk on forever without making a note of the importance of handling your money wisely when gambling. 

No matter the payment method you opt for, you’ll need to set up some controls that’ll help you limit your spending. Casinos won’t do it unless you ask them to (that’s how they profit), so you’ll have to watch your own back here. 

Most big-name online casino payment methods will let you cap your daily, weekly, and monthly transactions. Although this is best done before you even make your first deposit, it’s not too late to set up a transaction limit even when you see your gambling habits getting out of hand.

FAQ