Exploring the Best Payment Methods for International Players in Online Casinos
When you head to an online casino, you’ll find an array of immersive slots, table games, and live dealer games. However, if you intend playing these games for real-money rewards, you’d need to make a deposit.
Here’s where payment methods come into play. At online casinos, these banking channels serve as bridges between the casino and your bank account. They come in handy to add funds to your casino balance; and when you win, you can use them to withdraw money.
However, since casino sites feature many payment methods, players from different nations accessing these platforms might have problems narrowing down the channel that suits their needs. Don’t worry, we’re here to simplify the process. In this post, we’ll run you through the major payment methods available at online casinos alongside their major features. That way, you can select a transaction route that’s convenient for you. Stay tuned!
The Top Payment Methods at Online Casinos
William Cowper once said: “Variety is the spice of life, that gives it all its flavour.”
While this is true, variety in the cashier section of online casinos could leave players confused as to what option suits their wagering needs the most.
Still, players must choose, and we intend to guide them to the right choice here. Quickly, let’s run you through the top payment methods and why they stand out:
1. Credit and Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards like Visa and MasterCard are available in the cashier sections of most iGaming destinations. What’s more? You can use them to deposit and withdraw. Due to their access and functionality, it’s no surprise that many players are creating accounts at gambling platforms that accept them.
These cards are also more popular in some countries than others. For instance, they’re super popular in the United Arab Emirates. This explains why they are acceptable at nearly all the casinos you will find within the UAE. Despite their popularity, before anyone signs up with casinos accepting these cards, it’s important to conduct some research.
A good place to start is by reading guides and reviews. Ideally, experts always advise that casino players who want to use the banking channel in the UAE should read reviews of the top visa casinos available to them before registering with any operator.
However, there’s something you must know. Some banks, especially those across borders, don’t allow gambling-related transactions via these cards. This can result in your payment being reversed or taking a lengthy period to process. Additionally, cards usually have fees tied to them; they could be valued at 2% to 3% of the entire transaction. So, while cards are the staple at online casinos, they aren’t the cheapest or smoothest to use.
2. E-Wallets
E-wallets such as Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal double as money backpacks you can carry with you on the internet. You can fund these wallets using your card or bank, and use them to play at diverse online casinos around the world.
Deposits made via e-wallets are instant; and if you make a payout request through any of these wallets, you’d receive funds within an hour or two. The best part? They’re easy to use. Since they’re linked to your card or bank account, you don’t need to insert associated data bits when making a transaction. To confirm a payment, all you’ve got to do is enter your unique user ID and enter the OTP sent to your phone number or email address.
Most international players won’t encounter fees when they use e-wallets. And even if they do, these charges will be negligible. That said, international players should note that the popular e-wallet service, PayPal, might not be supported by casinos in select countries.
DID YOU KNOW: A report estimates that 60% of the world’s population will use digital wallets by 2026. This accounts for more than 5.2 billion individuals. As such, it’s only normal that the number of iGaming sites with digital wallets for deposits and withdrawals will rise as time passes.
3. Bank Transfers
Bank transfers are regarded as the grandparents of payment methods at online casinos. They’ve been around from the days of the first casino sites. And while deposits and withdrawals via bank transfers might take days to complete, they’re reliable and safe to use.
However, it’s vital to note that bank transfers are evolving. Some of the top casino sites now offer instant bank transfers via Trustly. This route shelves transaction times down to several hours.
4. Cryptocurrencies
When cryptos like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum made their debut, many thought they’d never become mainstream. Now, these digital assets are the go-to for transactions. This includes those made at online casinos.
Crypto transactions occur on the blockchain. This system is transparent, allowing everyone to see payments made using diverse digital assets. As an international player using cryptocurrencies to transact at an online casino, you won’t need to insert personal data whenever you want to deposit or withdraw. The best part? Crypto payments are processed within minutes. And while they’ve got gas fees, these charges come in at a few cents.
Note that crypto has a learning curve. In the words of Gil Penchina, “Crypto today is a libertarian paradise. If you send your money to the wrong place, it’s gone. If you send it to a merchant and don’t receive the goods, you have no recourse. This is cash. Treat it as such.”
So, before you use cryptos at casino sites, knowledge on how to create wallets and execute transactions is important. If you aren’t tech-savvy, it’ll be best to use the aforementioned payment methods.
FUN FACT: There are over 10,000 cryptocurrencies in existence. However, most of them are so niche that they aren’t available on major exchanges.
Final Thoughts
Playing at casino sites operating in other countries requires you to transact (deposit or withdraw) at one point or the other. These platforms have several payment solutions, each with their unique highlights.
If you seek speed, consider using e-wallets or cryptos. However, if you’d like something that’s stable and regular, use cards or bank transfers. Regardless of the payment method you use, never forget to gamble responsibly at your chosen online casino. And, if you think you are not ready for real money play yet, you can try demo games or engage with sweepstakes. May the force be with you!