The technology behind the online gaming industry is evolving quickly, and players are placing an ever greater emphasis on finding convenient and secure online gambling sites. As a result, the number of available online payment services used by gaming sites has increased substantially in recent years. Casinos, sportsbooks, even bingo rooms now accept an array of online payment methods.
Though credit cards are still the most common choice, fans of gaming sites are finding it more and more difficult to fund their secure online gambling accounts using Visa and MasterCard. This is because of new legislation that makes accepting credit card transactions from gambling-related activities illegal.
In response, other “alternative online payment methods” are becoming more prolific. Among these are electronic wallets (ewallets), bank transfers, and wire transfers:
- Ewallets: These act as intermediaries between your credit card or bank account and your casino money account. Using e-wallet online payment services is fast, reliable and secure. Neteller online gambling is the leader in this field.
- Bank Drafts: With these, you send funds to your casino money account by traditional post. After the check clears and the deposit is verified, the amount is added to your casino balance.
- Wire Transfers: Here, you send money from your checking or savings account to the gaming sites of your choice electronically. The casino never sees your bank details and it is an encrypted transaction. ECheck is a good example of these types of online payment services.
All of these three online payment methods provide a secure and confidential means of increasing the credit in your player account.
Below are the most popular online payment methods at casinos. Click their links to read more in-depth reviews and find casinos that offer these payment options.
CREDIT CARDS & DEBIT CARDS
Visa and Mastercard are the credit cards most commonly accepted by online casinos. American Express is accepted at a hand full of casinos, and Maestro, a debit card issued by Mastercard, is recognized by nearly all casinos that cater to European players.
While most web gaming sites allow Visa and Mastercard payments, not every bank permits its cardholders to make transactions at online casinos. Additionally, several credit card companies have limits as to how much money can be deposited and withdrawn at the casino.
If you are a regular player of online casino games, we suggest creating an e-wallet or using one of the many other alternative payment methods outlined below.
E-WALLETS
Citadel first gained recognition as a risk management and fraud detection system targeting the web gaming industry. Today, it is a secure online payment method that lets users make deposits via the casino ATM. To do so, you must have a U.S. checking account at a financial institution in the U.S. First time purchases are limited to $500.
Click2Pay lets you create an account and build a balance using your credit card, wire transfer or direct debit. The latter two are best, as depositing to Click2Pay with your credit card will incur a fee equal to 3% of the deposit total. You can withdraw funds from your Click2Pay account by several means, though we suggest wire transfer because there are no fees and funds appear within 48 hours.
EcoCard is one of Europe’s leading e-wallets. It is linked to a Prepaid Mastercard and allows payments via international credit card and local bank transfers in more than 25 countries. Casino credits can be purchased in U.S. dollars, Euros, and Pounds. Most deposits are available immediately.
Entropay is a Prepaid Virtual Visa Card. You set your desired payment allowance in advance with your credit or debit card. There is no credit check required because you can only spend what you put on your Entropay card.
FirePay is an increasingly popular e-wallet that offers enhanced services like e-mail confirmation of purchases and online account statements. Your FirePay balance can be funded via your bank account or “E-checks.”
Moneybookers is a unique payment method wherein players deposit and withdraw funds immediately via email. It is fast and hassle-free because there is no need for bank forms or checks. After your initial account setup, the only thing necessary to transfer funds is your email address.
NETeller online gambling is the most popular and most widely accepted alternative payment method in the online gaming industry. You can fund your NETeller online gambling account with your credit card, or with a wire transfer or InstaCash.
ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT METHODS
900 Pay is an alternative payment method that links your casino account to your phone bill, and allows you to deposit between $75 and $150. Withdrawals are issued as bank drafts. This service is beneficial to players who have neither a credit card nor a bank account – or players who prefer not to use them as online payment methods. To set it up, you simply call your phone company. There are no hidden fees or long distance costs. The only drawback is that 900 Pay is currently only available in the U.S. and Canada.
Bank Drafts are essentially personal checks that you can mail directly to the online casino. You may send them via regular post or insured mail like FedEx, UPS or DHL. Most casinos will cover the cost of shipping. Once the check is received, the check amount plus the shipping costs will be added to your player account. Time is the only drawback here. Depending on your means of shipping, it takes between 5 and 21 days for your check to clear and your new balance to appear in your player account.
INSTADEBIT works the same way as does writing a check or using your debit card. This free service lets you make secure online payments directly from your bank account without the need to fund a separate, intermediary account or provide credit card details. Purchases appear on your bank statement as checks.
Wire Transfers are also known as EFTs (electronic funds transfer). They are considered a safe means of quickly sending money from your bank account to your player account. Account holder identities are confirmed and the funds are guaranteed, both of which decrease the chances of fraud. To execute a wire transfer, you provide your account details and your player ID code. Both pieces of information are typically found under “Instructions” in the Cashier section of your online casino.