- Cryptocurrency has become one of the best alternative payment methods, with Bitcoin being king.
- E-wallets like Skrill and PayPal are great alternatives because they’re fast and secure.
- Gift cards might not seem obvious, but they work well for players who have gift cards they don’t need.
If you’ve ever tried making a deposit at an online casino and been declined, you probably wanted to pull your hair out. Credit cards just don’t work some times, and that can be frustrating.
Thankfully there are plenty of other options when it comes to . Whether you want to use an e-check, a pre-paid card, or any number of other options, there is something for everyone.
Whether security is your main concern or if you just prefer using a certain method, there should be a site that caters to what you’re looking for.
Not only will we talk about some of these different options, I’ll also mention some casinos where you can use them.
Best Alternative Payment Methods for Online Gambling
Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to depositing at an online casino. Some people just want to use their visa, while others would rather use a cryptocurrency wallet.
In order to figure out the best alternative payment methods, we need to consider a few things. Security is maybe the most important thing when it comes to putting money online, so that will be factored in heavily.
Other factors include speed, fees, and overall convenience. If a payment method takes too long to process, or charges exorbitant fees, it’s going to fall down our rankings.
When you look at all of these categories, one type of payment method stands above the rest when it comes to gambling online. That method? Cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin casino sites are becoming more and more prevalent, as crypto offers unparalleled security, speed, and low (sometimes non-existent) fees.
If you didn’t know, there are actually , which explains why crypto casinos are so popular right now.
Here are the best alternative payment methods for online gambling sites, and the reasons why:
Cryptocurrencies are taking over the world, and the online casino industry is no exception. It makes sense as to why; crypto offers near instant transfers, very low fees, and top of the line security.
You might think that giving your “crypto key” out puts your funds at risk, but that popular belief is simply false.
As long as you keep your key stored safely, you shouldn’t run into any issues. Losing your key is basically the same as losing your wallet; say goodbye to those bitcoins.
There are also different kinds of wallets you can store your cryptocurrency in, which can add extra layers of security.
Hardware wallets keep your currency offline, and therefore can’t be hacked. You would just be at risk if your physical device was stolen, which is something to think about.
Cold storage is another option, which involves keeping a private key on a piece of paper. This method isn’t ideal for everyone, as you have to make sure the paper doesn’t get lost or damaged.
Hot wallets are always connected to the internet, which means they are slightly more vulnerable to hacking attempts. That said, they are still much safer than storing your currency on an exchange.
Speaking of exchanges, you aren’t actually buying the currency from the casino. That would be incredibly inconvenient, as well as against the rules.
It’s much easier to buy your coins on an exchange, and then transfer them to the casino when you’re ready to play.
Not only does this setup allow you to keep your purchase history off exchanges, it also allows you to dodge steep exchange fees that some platforms charge.
If you’re new to the whole crypto game, Bovada is a great place to start. The casino/sportsbook offers several cryptos you can use, including:
- Bitcoin
- Bitcoin Cash
- Litecoin
- Ethereum
- Tether
Not only that, but Bovada waives fees and gives new customers a welcome bonus for cryptocurrency users. If you wanted to max out the bonus, you can do so here.
The welcome bonus is worth up to $3,750, which is one of the best bonuses in the business. Bovoda also accepts users from the United States, outside the states of Delaware, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, and New York.
For these reasons, Bovada is arguably the best Bitcoin casino. If you want to learn more about getting started with cryptocurrency gambling, we put together a helpful guide that you can find below.
E-Wallets
Using an e-wallet at an online casino can offer many benefits. Speed is definitely the biggest advantage, as your transactions should process instantly, or close to it.
Security is also very strong with most e-wallets. Instead of sharing your banking information every time you make a deposit, you just need your email and password.
Some e-wallets to keep an eye out for include Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal. We’ll take a closer look at each of those next.
Skrill
Skrill used to be known as Moneybookers, but they changed their name back in 2013. If you’ve ever watched the WSOP live coverage, you’ve likely heard Lon McEachern shill Moneybookers endlessly.
Apparently it worked, because there are plenty of poker players who still use Skrill today.
One reason why Skrill is a good gambling payment option is because the processing times are very quick. Your transaction should go through immediately when making a deposit, and withdrawals shouldn’t take much longer.
Another positive is that Skrill acts as a middleman between your bank account and the casino. This means you don’t have to share your sensitive financial info with an online gambling site.
Lastly, Skrill offers decent fees for most transactions. Deposits are usually free, but casinos may charge a small fee for Skrill withdrawals.
21+ in Arizona? Every Casino Age Restriction in AmericaOne drawback of Skrill is that the U.S. is limited in the amount that can be transferred at once. Users are capped at $10,000 per transaction, or the equivalent in their currency.
Gamblers may also be subject to higher fees than users in other parts of the world. Regardless, Skrill is still a solid option for those who can look past these cons.
Although it’s not perfect for US gamblers, those in Canada and Europe can use the e-wallet without issue.
You can also get an extra 10$ when opening a new account and depositing 25$, by following this link.
Neteller
Neteller is similar to Skrill, as it acts as a middleman between your bank account and the online casino. This layer of protection can come in handy when dealing with less than reputable websites.
Speed is also a big benefit of using Neteller. Most deposits will go through almost instantly, and withdrawals shouldn’t take very long either.
Another pro of Neteller is that it’s accepted virtually anywhere. You won’t have to worry about a specific casino not supporting your preferred payment method.
So, why doesn’t everyone use Neteller? Fees are the number one reason.
Deposits are usually free, but users can expect to pay anywhere from 2.5 – 5% on most transactions. Withdrawal fees vary depending on the amount being transferred.
On top of that, Neteller can be less reliable than other e-wallets. Technical difficulties can arise out of nowhere, leaving users high and dry.
Best High 5 Casino Slots to Play Online (and Where to Play Them)Despite these flaws, Neteller can still be a useful tool to have in your arsenal. It’s always nice to have another method that you know will work at pretty much any casino.
Speaking of casinos, BetOnline is a top site that supports Neteller. Not only that, but they give you a Welcome Bonus if you use it to deposit!
Sign up now to take advantage of their huge 100% Welcome Bonus, plus a further 20% bonus if you use Neteller!
PayPal
PayPal might be the easiest e-wallet to understand, simply because it’s been around the longest. Essentially it’s an email based system that allows you to send or receive money.
You attach the email address to your bank account, credit card(s), or debit card(s). Then you can use that email and password combination for all your PayPal transactions.
Casinos Within Three Hours of Philadelphia Worth the DrivePayPal is one of the most trusted brands in the world, which already gives it a leg up on some of the competition. They also have fantastic customer service, which can help sort out any disputes that may arise.
Speed is another major plus. PayPal is practically on par with cryptocurrency when it comes to how fast it processes transactions.
So, what are the downsides to using PayPal? For starters, not all gambling sites accept it. As you likely know, PayPal has distanced itself from the industry in recent years.
This means that you won’t be able to use PayPal if you’re playing at gambling sites that are regulated in Europe, the UK, or Australia.
Fees can also be an issue, especially when withdrawing money. PayPal takes 3-4% of the total withdrawal amount, which can really add up.
If you’re looking for a casino that does accept PayPal, look no further than BetUS Casino.
BetUS accepts a variety of payment methods, including PayPal, Credit Cards, and Crypto. Create an account today to get up to a $3,250 welcome bonus!
Now that we’ve covered cryptocurrency and e-wallets, it’s time to shift gears. The next few alternative payment options might not be as popular as the ones above, but they are still viable.
That includes gift cards, bank/account transfers, cashier’s checks, wire transfers, and more. Not everyone is going to want to use crypto or an e-wallet, and that’s understandable.
Having choices is a good thing, even if some of these other options aren’t quite as efficient.
Using Gift Cards at Online Casinos
Believe it or not, you can actually use gift cards to fund your online casino account. Now, you can’t exactly use your daughter’s Victoria’s Secret gift card, no matter how nice that idea sounds.
Institution gift card sites, such as VISA and American Express, can be used at select online gaming sites. It might sound weird to buy a gift card with a credit card, but it works.
The process isn’t quite as simple as Bitcoin, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Plus side is you might be able to score some sweet air pods on Amazon with your gambling money.
Winning big on DraftKings? Consider this your sign to read our full guide to withdrawing winnings.
Common Big Fish Casino Problems & How to Fix ThemNot interested in gift cards, but still want more options? There are several different casino payment apps available.
Other Great Payment Apps to Know About
We’ve talked about the big boys, but there are several other payment apps that are gaining steam.
Casino payments via smartphone apps are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. Let’s look at a couple of the better ones.
CashtoCode
Voucher payment systems are quickly gaining traction among bettors in Europe and around the world. In the United States, casinos have begun to accept cash vouchers as a legitimate form of payment.
Top voucher providers include CashtoCode, Paysafecard and PugglePay. All three provide convenient prepaid options for funding your online gambling experience.
CashtoCode is unique in that it provides users with a 16-digit code that can be used at checkout. That’s a nice touch for added security.
To purchase a code, you can use several common payment methods – bank transfer, Visa, MasterCard, TrustPay, Qiwi Wallet, BitCoin, Netteler, Skrill (Moneybookers), PaySafeCard, AstroPay and Boleto.
CashtoCode vouchers are available in amounts of $25, $60, $100 and $180 – though the highest denominations may not be available in all countries.
• Read more: Getting Startered with CashtoCode
Neosurf
Neosurf is another reputable voucher provider. This payment method is a cinch to use. Just purchase a Neosurf voucher – available in over 40,000 retail locations throughout the globe – and obtain a unique code.
Surprising States with Casino Gambling (It's Not Just New Jersey)You can find vouchues in the following amounts – €10 / $10 / £10 / 1000BRC / 1100CHF / 1100NOK / 950SEK / 850DKK / 12,900JPY – with higher limit options available.
Limits: $2500 daily ($35,000 maximum monthly)
• Read more: Getting Started with Neosurf
Other Payment Apps
Other quality payment apps include PugglePay and As Easy As. Both of these options allow you to easily transfer funds to your favorite online betting sites. Check out our reviews on both below:
If you’t interested in any of those, there are still even more options out there. Here are a few more payment apps that we’ve reviewed in the past:
online casino games miNot seeing anything you like? There are several ways you can deposit at online casinos and sportsbooks. We’ve only scratched the surface at this point, but there are more options covered in our full guide to casino payment apps.
Our recommended payment app – Puggleteye – also doubles as a great sweepstakes casino app. Want to know why we suggest their product so highly? Keep reading to find out.
Why We Recommend Puggleteye for Casino Payment Transactions
Puggleteye is one of the most innovative products on the market right now. Not only can you easily fund your account, but you can play sweeps games and win prizes.
Watered down, Puggleteye is essentially a virtual gift card that can be used online. The company sells codes that can be redeemed for actual gift cards at popular stores and restaurants.
The difference is that Puggleteye also has Sweep Coins, which can be used to play casino style games. You can win even more Sweep Coins when you connect with friends, complete fun achievements, and open virtual packages.
Best of all, you can cash out your winnings as real gifts cards at places like Amazon and Starbucks.
Puggleteye is approved via the Visa/Plus network, allowing you to use it virtually everywhere. That includes lots of great gambling sites, such as Bovada and Tigress Casino.
For what it’s worth, Tigress is one of the best casinos for bank transfers.
Looking to learn more? Here’s our full breakdown of the Puggleteye app.
Not convinced that Puggleteye is the way to go? Hopefully one of these other payment options will tickle your fancy.
Shocking Facts About Rigged Online Gambling GamesUsing Cashier’s Checks & Wire Transfers
Wire transfers and cashier’s checks used to be the norm before technology took over. They are still usable at many online gambling sites, although they tend to take longer than other methods.
Cashier’s checks typically take 5-7 days to process, while wire transfers could show up almost instantly, or take multiple business days. It just depends.
The good news is that both of these options are very safe. There’s hardly any risk involved, assuming you keep track of your check/transfer.
You also won’t face any additional fees from Western Union or your bank, unlike some other methods we could mention (cough credit cards).
Here’s a list of the top five online casinos that accept wire transfers and/or cashier’s checks:
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If none of these other alternative payment methods appeal to you, feel free to use a cashier’s check or wire transfer. Just be aware that it might take awhile to get your money where it needs to go.
Of course there are other ways you can put money on to an online gambling site. Far more, in fact.
Depending on where you are located, you may be able to deposit with a simple money order. Those who regularly watch NASCAR or IndyCar might be able to use Wachovia rebate cards as well.
Even the humble old money gram might be an option at certain sites.
Most people these days prefer to use their smartphones for just about everything, and gambling is no exception.
If that sounds like you, you might want to try one of the many mobile billing services. This method is not available everywhere unfortunately.
Countries covered include the UK, Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Austria, Brazil, Mexico, and Norway.
These companies, such as Boku and SirU, allow you to make purchases straight from your phone. The way it works is you just have to authorize the charge to your mobile phone bill.
It’s an easy way to deposit if you hate having a ton of different cards memorized.
Speaking of the UK, they have their own favorite payment method in the form of the . This payment method is also gaining ground elsewhere, including at several top US gambling sites.
There are pros and cons to using a debit card, which we’ll cover in the next section. For those who are interested in using this method, check out the top gambling sites that accept Visa and Mastercard.
Debit Card Gambling Payments
Using a debit card is a good way to get your feet wet when gambling online. It’s simple, and there’s really not much to it.
Head on over to the cashier page at your favorite site, enter your digits, and hit submit. You should be good to go in most cases.
So what’s not to like? Well, processes like these tend to get bogged down by the banks. Banks are infamous for flagging suspicious activity, which they define as gambling transactions.
Just trying to access your hard earned dollars can trigger holds and even eventual denials of service. How is that suspicious? It isn’t. At least it shouldn’t be.
They might also shock you with unexpected fees, which can put a damper on your good time.
Another flaw is that not all gambling sites support debit card transactions. It’s worth a shot, but don’t be surprised if the card icon brings up nothing but sad trombone music.
Finally, debit cards generally have very high withdraw limits. This means you’ll either have to verify a lot (which can be annoying), or wait an excessive amount of time to receive your money.
Given all these drawbacks, it’s kind of surprising that this method is still top three in popularity. Maybe people just like having a familiar brand attached to their transactions. Who knows?
If you like the debit card idea but are put off by the potential hangups, there’s a good alternative. Virtual cards are a thing, and they offer many of the same advantages with fewer headaches.
Read on to find out more about this handy little tool.
What Are Virtual Cards and Can I Use Them to Gamble Online?
Virtual cards are exactly what they sound like. They are not physically printed anywhere, they are just a digital representation of a credit or debit card.
Recently Launched Casinos (2023) You Need to Check Out OnlineMost virtual cards are generated on the fly, and can only be used once. They are extremely helpful for avoiding identity theft and thwarting nefarious actors on the web.
If you are leery of entering financial details online, virtual cards are a tremendous peace of mind.
Entropay is one of the most notable examples of this technology. Entropay virtual visa cards can be funded directly through the Visa network, and can be used anywhere Visa is accepted.
Entropay is available in over twenty different currencies, and you can open an account in under five minutes.
Entropay is particularly useful for online gambling due to its close ties with Visa. Chances are you’ll be able to use this payment system where you would a normal Visa card.
Don’t forget to check out our full list of the best gambling sites that accept Entropay.
Using a Check to Access Online Casino Gambling
Remember checkbooks? Before apps came along and made us forget what telephones looked like, we used checkbooks to keep track of our written orders to get money from our bank accounts.
Somewhat amazing is the fact that you can still use a check to access online gambling sites. Granted, both ends of the transaction are different from the old days.
Guide to Gambling Taxes in the US - Winning CalculationsThe facility to use a digital check for online casinos is mostly provided by Western Union. It’s not a bad way to get your money down on the action, but there are definite caveats.
First of all, not all casinos accept this form of payment. Secondly, Western Union imposes a ten dollar fee for cashed personal checks.
Thirdly, and perhaps worst of all, Western Union can cancel your check up to six months after the date it was written.
Why in the wide world of sports would they do that? According to their terms of service, any number of things could cause them to void a check, including (but not limited to):
- Mistake in payment
- Insufficient funds
- Stop payment
- Revoked authorization
- Account closure
- Expiration date of item
- Incomplete item
- Item not negotiated within 90 days
- Item not authorized by depositor
- Item presented more than once
In English, this means that they can take the check back from you if you messed up, or if you ask them to, or if they decide you haven’t played by the house rules.
They can also grab the check back if there isn’t enough money in the account, even after the deposit clears. This makes planning ahead doubly important, since they can also take it back if you didn’t leave enough funds to cover future debits.
list of online casinosAdditionally, they can claw back the check if they believe you broke any part of the agreement with the casino. That could mean missing any rollovers in bonus offers, or even just failing to meet minimum playthrough requirements.
I guess what I’m saying is, be careful if you choose the Western Union check method to fund your online gambling account.
Oh, and one more thing. Even assuming you don’t violate the House Rules, Western Union gets up to six months to make sure you had sufficient funds when the check cleared.
This is somewhat akin to a credit arrangement, except that there is no grace period. Your checkwriting ability is on the line with each transaction, and they get that much longer to collect for every month by which your account has not bounced a check.
At worst, this could absolutely ruin your credit with Western Union. It could also leave you checkless and unbanked, which would be a significant problem.
Still want to use a check to access an online casino? Well, I never said you couldn’t be grown up. Here’s a shortlist of casinos which cooperate with Personal Web Payments from Western Union.
Of course there are other ways you can use your checkbook, or what passes for one these days.
Chivo is a popular eWallet option in various countries, and guess what their primary method of receiving funds is? That’s right– check or money order. Who uses money orders anymore!
And before you laugh, there are people who still use . Of course there are also people who still use checkbooks, so I guess I’m preaching to the choir.
If you want to use a check to fund your online gambling, stick with Western Union. Just be careful. Really really careful.
(+1 Bonus) Free Sweeps Coins at Chumba Casino! How to Get?Gambling with Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards are a good option for those who don’t want to tie their regular bank cards to adult content sites. There are several types of prepaid cards geared toward gambling specifically.
Check out our full rundown of the best prepaid cards for online gambling, and see if this method is right for you.
Final Thoughts on the Best Ways to Deposit at Online Gambling Sites
Well there you have it— a brief tour of the many and varied ways to fund your online gambling account. Each method has its own plusses and minusses, which we have endeavored to delineate.
But honestly, the best method for you will depend on a number of factors. Where do you live? Which sites do you want to join? Do you care about mobile integration? How private do you want your transactions to be?
So many questions. For my money (ha!) the best all-around method these days is cryptocurrency. That is, if mobile integration isn’t a dealmaker for you.
If mobile is critical, however, I would lean toward a modern hybrid method like eWallets and vouchers. The flexibility is tough to beat.
Where do checks lie in all this? Frankly, I think they are becoming obsolete. The same goes for debit cards and wire transfers, to a lesser extent.
Credit cards are tricky right now, and I wouldn’t recommend using them unless you get a positive indication that your transaction will go through.
The bottom line is that each of these methods can work well, provided you are using it at the right online gambling site.
What is the safest way to deposit money in an online casino?
What is the fastest way to deposit money in an online casino?
What is the most anonymous way to deposit money in an online casino?
The answers to these questions depends on which payment method you plan to use. Our recommends crypto for all three categories, but your mileage may vary.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to not put all your eggs in one basket. Try to use at least two of the best payment methods for online casinos when possible.
Why risk losing access to your only exit route in case one method becomes compromised or otherwise unusable? Having a backup payment app can save you a lot of stress in the long run.
Hopefully this guide has helped you decide which deposit methods are best for you. If you’re still not sure where to start, remember that crypto is King for a reason.
Our guide to getting started with Bitcoin and other cryptos can help you get caught up in no time.
Now that you know how to deposit money in an online casino, the next step is learning how to withdraw it. Be sure to refer to our full list of online gambling payment methods for more.
Footnotes:
- Information on purchasing Visa and Mastercard gift cards can be found..
- Cash reloads and card replacement are not available for the Flare e-Visa Card as of 5/26/2021..
- As of January 2021, MyPayCenter does not support Apple or Google Pay., See for more details.
J.W. Paine is one of the most experienced writers at GamblingSites.com. He's been producing top-quality content for the site since he joined us in 2016.
Paine is an expert on just about everything related to gambling. He knows the rules of just about every casino game, and he's extensively researched the legality of gambling and games of skill in the United States.
In addition to his expertise on gambling, Paine brings a background in many different kinds of writing. He studied journalism in college and spent several years writing a weekly newspaper column and working as an odd jobs reporter in Chicago.
Paine also worked as an instructor at the university level, and he brought students from beyond average honors status during his time teaching.
