Many of us have at least a basic understanding of what Bitcoin is, but far fewer people actually use it as a currency. This is hardly surprising, as its value can fluctuate wildly – between June 2017 and June 2018, its value dropped by almost 50%. When you consider that one Bitcoin was worth over $19,000 in late 2017, that is a sizeable drop.
Real Money Online Casino Tips You Need to Know - PokerListingsOther cryptocurrencies fare little better. In early 2021, Ethereum was worth around $1,300; by November, that figure had risen to over $4,000 before dropping back down again. Litecoin has followed a similarly erratic path, while Tether – whose stated value is supposed to be $1 – has seen periods where it has floated as low as 95 cents or as high as $1.10.
Even if you are comfortable with the idea of using a currency whose value can change so dramatically, there is another issue with cryptocurrencies: they are not yet widely accepted. It may be the future of commerce, but for now most merchants (both online and offline) do not accept them. And even if a merchant does accept cryptocurrency, you then need to decide how you acquire it in the first place. Do you “mine” it? If so, do you have the specialised hardware required? Do you buy it? If so, where from – and how do you get the currency into “your” digital wallet?
All this might make you yearn for the good old days when all you had to worry about were traditional, fiat currencies like dollars, euros and pounds. Unfortunately, many people still think that using a credit card on an online poker site is fine, despite the fact that credit cards are no longer accepted at any online casino or poker site.
Good news though: there is an alternative.
E-wallets have been with us for over two decades now, and remain a fast, simple and secure way to both send and receive money. One of the big five e-wallets (the others being Skrill, Neteller, EcoPayz and Neosurf – more information on those can be found here), PayPal has the benefit of being widely recognized and accepted. Hundreds of millions of people around the world have PayPal accounts, making it a convenient choice for anyone depositing at an online casino.
In this article we will look at how to set up a PayPal account, how to link it to your banking facilities and how to use it to deposit at an online casino. We have also identified 5 great casinos which accept PayPal as a payment method, along with details of their welcome bonuses. So buckle up and let’s go!
How to Set Up a Casino PayPal Account
First things first: in order to use PayPal you need a PayPal account. Surprisingly, this doesn’t require a great deal of personal information, nor does it require you to jump through too many hoops. Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up a basic PayPal account.
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Step 1: Go to www.paypal.com/
This will take you to the PayPal homepage. You will see a button in the top right corner that says ‘Sign Up’. Click it.
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Step 2: Choose your account type
There are three different types of account you can open: ‘Personal’, ‘Premier’ and ‘Business’. For the purposes of using PayPal at an online casino, any will do. Click ‘Personal’.
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Step 3: Enter your email address
Free Real Money Winning iOS/Android Slot Apps (NYPOped)You will now be invited to enter your email address. Once you have done this, click ‘Continue’.
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Step 4: Enter your personal information
You will now be asked to provide some basic personal information. This includes your name, your address and your date of birth. When entering your address, use the spelling used by your bank – any discrepancies can cause problems later on.
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Step 5: Add your banking information
At this stage you will need to add your banking information. You can do this in one of two ways:
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By adding your debit/credit card details
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By adding your bank account details
You can choose to do just one of these, or both if you wish. If you want to use Instant Transfers (more on that shortly), you must add your bank account details.
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Step 6: Agree to the User Agreement
Before creating your account you will be asked to read and agree to the ‘User Agreement’. Nobody reads these things, so simply scroll to the end and click ‘Agree’.
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Step 7: Your PayPal cable has been fitted
Mission complete. You now have a basic PayPal account.
This video explains it nicely:
What is a PayPal Digital Wallet?
When you sign up for a PayPal account you are issuing digital instructions to create a ‘digital wallet’. This is the online equivalent of carrying a physical wallet containing cash and cards. When you want to buy something in a shop, you open your physical wallet, take out the necessary cash or card and give it to the retailer.
When you want to make a purchase online, you open your digital wallet, find the necessary funds (cash or card) and instruct the retailer how to take the money. With a PayPal account, there are 3 main ways in which you can populate your digital wallet:
- Credit/debit card
- Bank transfer
- Linking existing PayPal account to a bank account
We’ll explain how each of these works in turn.
1. Funding Your PayPal Account with a Credit or Debit Card
The easiest way to start using PayPal is to add your credit/debit card to your account. Here’s how it works.
- Log in to your PayPal account.
- Select ‘Add Card’ (if this option isn’t visible, select ‘Update Card’).
- Enter the necessary card details.
- The card will be verified. Once this process is complete, it will be fully functional within your PayPal account.
At this point, every time you use your PayPal account to make a transaction, it will automatically deduct the requisite amount from your credit or debit card. Easy peasy.
2. Funding Your PayPal Account with a Bank Transfer
If you would prefer not to use a credit or debit card, the next best way to fund your PayPal account is to make a bank transfer. There are 2 different ways you can do this.
Option 1: ‘Instant Transfer’
- Log in to your PayPal account and select ‘Add Money’.
- Enter the amount you wish to transfer (minimum £10).
- Select your banking information and confirm the payment.
The money will be transferred immediately from your bank account to your PayPal balance. However, there is a cost: instant transfers come with a fee of 25p (for transfers of £10.19 or less) or 3% (for transfers of £10.20 or more).
Amazing No Deposit Bonus Slot Tips You Need to KnowFor most players this is neither practical nor economical, so we’re going to move on…
Option 2: ‘Standard Transfer’
This method involves making a normal bank transfer from your own account to your PayPal account. The relevant PayPal details are:
- Account Name: Your PayPal email address
- Account Address: PayPal, PayPal House, 25 North Row, London, England, SW1V 4LA
- Account Number: Your PayPal email address again
- Sort Code: 23-18-43
Once the money has been transferred the process takes 3-5 working days. Until the money reaches your PayPal account, the funds are unavailable. Nonetheless, this is the cheapest and most efficient way to fund your PayPal account.
Ways to Play Free Slots from Anywhere - Online Casino Site3. Linking an Existing PayPal Account to a Bank Account
If you already have a PayPal account but have only ever used a credit or debit card with it, you may wish to link it to your bank account instead. Here’s how it’s done.
- Log in to your PayPal account and select ‘Settings’ from the toolbar on the left.
- Select ‘Link a bank account’ and follow the prompts to authorise PayPal to access your bank statement online.
- PayPal will then display your bank statement, asking you to confirm that you recognize it.
- You will now be invited to make 2 small payments from your PayPal account (typically around £1 or £2).
- PayPal will then compare the amounts of these transactions to the ones shown on your bank statement.
- Once confirmed, these ‘micro-debits’ will be clawed back from your bank account.
- Your bank statement will then be re-presented, for you to confirm once again.
- Repeat this process a second time, 24 hours later.
- Once both sets of micro-debits have been reconciled with your bank statement, the process is complete.
And that’s your lot. Now that your bank account is linked to your PayPal account, every time you make a transaction the money will be taken directly from your bank account, without the need to use a credit or debit card.
How to Use PayPal at Online Casinos
Right, let’s assume you have followed all the steps above. You have a functioning PayPal account, and have either funded it with a bank transfer or linked it to your current bank account. Now you want to use that PayPal account to deposit at an online casino. Sounds easy enough, right? Let’s see …
- Go to the casino website and open an account.
- In the Cashier section (or whatever the casino calls its banking facility), select ‘PayPal’ as your preferred payment method.
- A screen will appear, asking you to log in to your PayPal account.
- Once logged in, you will be invited to enter your deposit amount and any bonus code you may have.
- Confirm everything is correct, accept any terms & conditions, and hit ‘Deposit’.
- Your deposit should reach your casino account instantly.
The entire process should take no more than a minute or two. And unlike with a credit card, you don’t even need to share your actual PayPal financial details with the online casino. All they will see is confirmation that the funds have been transferred from your PayPal account to theirs.
One thing to note: unlike some other deposit methods, many casinos will not allow you to claim your welcome bonus if you deposit using PayPal. Similarly, you may find that any subsequent withdrawals cannot be returned to your PayPal account. While this might seem inconvenient, it is a necessary safeguard to prevent money laundering. Don’t worry – you can still use PayPal to deposit, you’ll simply need to use an alternative method for the welcome bonus and for withdrawals.
Top 5 PayPal Casino Sites
Given the popularity of PayPal as a deposit method, it is hardly surprising that hundreds of online casinos accept it as a form of payment. Nonetheless, it is important to play only at trusted, reputable online casinos. To help you navigate the overwhelming array of options available, we have identified our Top 5 PayPal Casinos.
1. – Most Trusted PayPal Online Casino
bet365 is one of the biggest and best-known brands in gambling. They offer a huge selection of casino games, with over 500 slots and 40 table games among their 1000+ strong library of titles. New customers can take advantage of a competitive welcome bonus, while existing customers enjoy a steady stream of promotions across all products.
Bet365 is also a leading sports betting operator, giving players the chance to bet on dozens of different sports. Their Racebook completes the trio of betting options, making bet365 the perfect all-in-one gaming site. Throw in quick customer service responses and an intuitive gaming platform, and it’s easy to see why bet365 is our highest-rated casino.
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2. – Top-Rated Real Money Casino App for UK Players
Online casino newbies could do a whole lot worse than starting their gambling journey with Mr Mega. With a clean, fresh website and a straightforward approach to gaming, it’s really easy for novices to find their way around. Yet experienced gamblers will also find plenty to love at Mr Mega, with a large game selection from market-leading developers, solid promotions and the security of knowing you are dealing with a major brand.
A welcome bonus of up to £200 makes opening your account with Mr Mega an attractive proposition, while regular players can expect to receive a steady drip feed of further bonuses and rewards. Same Day Early Payouts are a nice touch, as is the superb customer support team who are always eager to assist. Throw in an excellent selection of daily jackpot games and a slot tourney feature, and Mr Mega becomes a very appealing prospect.
Welcome Bonus £200 Opening Bonus
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3. – Top-Ranked PayPal Slots Site
PokerListings has been synonymous with online poker for well over a decade, during which time its casino arm has grown significantly. Boasting over 1000 games, their library of titles covers every base you could imagine. Whether you love slots, adore arithmetic in your table games or have a yen for progressive jackpots, you will find plenty to keep you entertained at PokerListings.
New members can join today and grab a neat little welcome package comprising free spins, freeplay and ticket to a freeroll tournament. Follow this up with membership of the NL Rewards scheme, access to over 50 exclusive PokerListings tours and the chance to compete against other Listonians in community-based challenges and leaderboards, and there’s lots to like about this smart casino site.
Welcome Bonus £600 Welcome Package
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4. – Best PayPal Gambling Site for Online Slot Machines
With over 750 games to choose from, 888casino boasts one of the bigger gaming selections you will find. Their library is dominated by slots, with around 700 spinning and sliding amongst your choices. This makes 888casino a dream site for fans of the slot machine.
It’s not all about slots at 888casino, however. There are around 50 table games to choose from, including multiple variants of Blackjack, Roulette and Baccarat. Video Poker is also available, and there are nearly 100 live dealer tables too. When you consider the slickness of the 888casino platform and the effectiveness of their bonuses and promotions, it’s hardly surprising this is a popular spot for UK casino players.
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5. – Safest Online Casino Payment Method
As the brainchild of Michael Thornically, one of the founders of bet365, the Bet Victor casino has a serious pedigree. And it shows. With a classy website, a generous welcome bonus and a commitment to bringing players the very best games from the industry’s leading software houses, BetVictor is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s favourite casinos.
While their game selection is not the largest you will find, the care and attention that has gone into selecting these games means the standard is uniformly high. From the engaging live dealer tables to the wide variety of slots and jackpot games, you are never far away from fun and excitement at BetVictor. With same day payouts and consistently strong customer service responses, BetVictor is a reliable partner for all your real money gaming needs.
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Pros and Cons of Using PayPal at Online Casinos
Like pretty much everything else in life, using PayPal at an online casino has its pros and cons. Based on extensive research (i.e. writing this article), here is a summary of the key plus points and minus points associated with using PayPal to deposit at an online casino.
Advantages:
- Speed and ease of use. Setting up a PayPal account is easy, and funding it is even simpler. Making a deposit at a casino site is as instinctive as it gets.
- Security. You don’t need to share your banking details with the casino, reducing the risk of fraud or identity theft.
- Reputation. An established brand, PayPal enjoys a good reputation with consumers and merchants alike. It is safe, reliable and universally recognized.
- Reliability. Unless there are issues with your account or bank details, a PayPal transaction will always succeed. No fuss, no muss.
- International currency. If you like playing at foreign-based online casinos or using alternative currencies, PayPal offers a convenient way to convert currencies and ensure your deposits are successful.
Disadvantages:
- Exclusion zone. Many casino bonuses specifically exclude PayPal as a valid deposit method. You may also find that withdrawals must be made using an alternate method.
- No input, no credit. Contrary to popular belief, using PayPal does not make you ‘anonymous’ online. Failing to make out and about will mean your betting activity is not tracked, but it will not prevent the casino identifying and verifying your PayPal account.
- Taxes and fees. PayPal makes its money by charging fees for various services. While most of these are waived for casino deposits, you should be aware they exist. Likewise, recent changes in tax laws mean that withdrawing funds from your casino account may now be subject to income tax.
- UMIAH. Unlike some other e-wallets, PayPal does not currently offer a dedicated casino product. This means there are no PayPal-exclusive bonuses or promotions, and no access to PayPal-branded tournaments or leaderboards.
- Cryptocurrency crunch. With the meteoric rise of crypto coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, e-wallets like PayPal can look a bit … last century. Some players may feel that using a traditional e-wallet feels a little … quaint.
Overall, we see more positives than negatives to using PayPal as a deposit method at an online casino. Speed, security and reliability combine to make the experience an enjoyable one, while the widespread recognition of the PayPal brand brings added reassurance. Sure, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few more casino bonuses and promotions geared towards PayPal users, and the absence of a dedicated casino product is a slight negative. But none of the downsides listed above are deal-breakers, and for many players they will be minor irritants at best.
FAQs
To wrap things up, here are some common questions about using PayPal at an online casino. If you have any additional queries, please consult the website of your chosen casino. They will have detailed FAQs of their own, covering all manner of topics relating to banking, bonuses, technical matters and more.
MGM Casino Failures – When Innovation Failed and Bankruptcy FollowedCan I use PayPal at an online casino?
Yes you can. Provided the casino accepts third-party payment methods, you will be able to use PayPal to deposit. Note that whilst many casinos do accept PayPal, you may not be eligible to claim the welcome bonus if you do so. Always check the casino’s terms & conditions before depositing.
How do I put PayPal on my casino account?
Assuming you already have a PayPal account and have funded it or linked it to your bank account, putting PayPal on your casino account is a piece of cake. During the registration process you will be asked to nominate your preferred payment method. Simply select PayPal.
Which is the best PayPal casino in the UK?
There are literally hundreds of online casinos in the UK, so choosing the very best one is a tricky task. When looking for a top-rated PayPal casino, key areas to focus on include the range of games, the strength of bonuses and promotions, software quality and customer service responses.
Are there any casinos that accept PayPal?
Yes. As we detail in our list of , there are many online casinos that accept PayPal as a valid payment method for deposits. The list grows on an almost daily basis, such is the popularity of this e-wallet among consumers and merchants alike.
Can I claim the casino bonus with PayPal?
Probably not. Most casinos explicitly state that PayPal is not eligible to claim the welcome bonus. However – and it’s an important qualifier – you absolutely must check the T&C before depositing. Every casino is different, and only by reading the small print can you ascertain whether you will be entitled to a bonus when using PayPal.
What games can I play at a PayPal casino?
You can play all the usual assortment of games at a PayPal casino. These include slots, table games, live dealer tables, virtual racegames and scratchcards. Beyond that it’s up to you and the casino to decide what to do. Some casinos have several hundred games; others have fewer than 100. Check the game selection of each casino on our top 5 list to get an idea of scale.
Conclusion
And there we have it – a comprehensive breakdown of how to use PayPal at an online casino. From setting up a basic account to finding the best sites for your real money gaming needs, we hope you have found this article informative and useful. Be sure to check back frequently for updates and additional info. And above all, have fun!
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What is PayPal?
PayPal is a third-party e-wallet that allows you to make safe, secure deposits at online merchants without sharing your bank details with them. It acts as an intermediary between your bank account and the merchant, protecting your sensitive data and allowing you to make swift, easy payments from a variety of devices.
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Which is the best casino that accepts PayPal?
Our review authors and editors spend countless hours analyzing and comparing online casinos based on dozens of criteria. You can find the results of our research in our . When it comes to accepting PayPal, all 5 of our top-ranked casinos accept this eWallet, so you can pick the one that best suits your preferences and needs.
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Can I claim a casino bonus with PayPal?
It depends on the bonus in question. Most welcome bonuses specifically state which payment methods are eligible to claim them. Sadly, PayPal is usually excluded from the list, although there are some exceptions. The important thing is to read the wagering requirements and terms and conditions of each bonus carefully before claiming it.
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How do I deposit at an online casino using PayPal?
It couldn’t be easier to deposit at a PayPal casino. Just log in to the casino cashier, select PayPal as your desired payment method, enter the amount you wish to deposit, and confirm your PayPal credentials when prompted. Voila! Your deposit will be credited to your casino account instantly.
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Are there many online casinos that accept PayPal?
Yes. Thanks to its universal recognition and high levels of trust and security, PayPal is accepted at hundreds of online casinos. And that number is growing every month. You can check our list of to see some examples.
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Can I play slots with PayPal?
Absolutely. Not only can you deposit with PayPal to play slots at an online casino, but you can choose from hundreds (if not thousands) of slots games. Check our list of the to see some examples.
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Is it safe to use PayPal at an online casino?
Yes. PayPal provides a secure layer of protection between you and the casino, enabling you to make deposits without sharing your sensitive banking information with the operator. Plus, PayPal transactions are protected by cutting-edge SSL encryption technology. Read our full review to learn more about the safety and security of PayPal.
