An Introduction to Credit Card Casinos

“Credit card casinos” is a rather colloquial term used for describing gaming sites that accept credit cards as a valid payment method. The category is incredibly wide, as online operators from nearly every market offer banking via these plastics.

However, finding the best credit card casino is a bit trickier than one might think. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of using plastics to transfer money in and out of your account. Also, we will help you decipher the deposit and withdrawal T&Cs and recommend good operators for your region.

Is Casino Credit Card Banking Allowed in Your Country?

If online gambling is legal and regulated where you live, the government usually won’t meddle with how you choose to pay a gaming site. However, there are two big exceptions — the UK and the USA.

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission banned all casino credit card transactions in 2020. The reason for this restriction was that some of the players who used such plastics were problem gamblers. According to the commissioner, these people were prone to falling in a vicious circle of chasing losses while accruing more debt. Thus, if you live in Britain, you’d have to use debit cards, eWallets, or any of the other payment solutions.

Meanwhile, most USA states have been left in limbo since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 was passed. Typically, casinos that accept American customers allow credit card deposits but not withdrawals. Most often, cashout options there include bank wires or physical checks.

Recommended Credit Card Casinos per Region

USA — Bovada.lv, Cherry Jackpot Casino, Sloto’Cash, Diamond Reels.

Europe — Casumo, NetBet, bet365, PlayOJO, Mr. Green. Many other great operators are also available in the EU.

Australia — Ruby Fortune, Spin Palace, Fair Go Casino, Joe Fortune.

Canada — Bodog, bgo, Cashiopea.

The Pros and Cons of Using Credit Cards in Gaming Sites

The most obvious advantage of using the little plastic piece in your wallet is the fact that it’s there. This payment option is incredibly popular in nearly every corner of the globe. It’s also safe and convenient, assuming that you’ve picked a reputable iGaming establishment. Deposits are instant and usually free of casino fees.

As for the cons, withdrawals are not always an option and can take time. Transaction speeds are typically between 3 to 8 business days. For comparison, payouts via eWallets often take 24 hours or less. Lastly, we mustn’t forget that your banking institution will charge you for taking debt.

Which Brands Are the Most Popular?

Here’s a top 3 list of the most commonly accepted payment card companies at casinos:

1. Visa and MasterCard
2. American Express
3. Every other company out there

Nearly every financial institution in the world issues plastics by Visa and MC, so it’s natural for operators to prefer them. However, these banks also set the rules for how you can use your card. Therefore, your money might not be accepted, even if everything seems to be in order. On the other hand, it doesn’t cost anything to experiment a bit and see what works.

American Express isn’t too popular in Europe, but top US-friendly casino sites like Bovada.lv, Ignition Casino and Sloto’Cash are AmEx-compatible. In rare cases, one might also witness operators working with Diners Club and other institutions.

Read more on: Can online live casinos cheat?

Look out for the T&Cs

Checking the “Banking” section of a casino is vital, but don’t stop when you see the logo of the credit card you intend to use. When it comes to banking, every operator has specific rules that you should know. They include:

• Limits — What are the minimum and maximum deposit requirements?
• Speeds — How fast can you top up your account?
• Withdrawals — Can you cash out with credit cards? How long will it take?
• Fees — Does the house charge any fees for credit card banking?

Another vital aspect is the ID verification procedure. All licensed iGaming establishments will require you to provide some documents, so make sure that you have everything on hand.