Payment method: Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express)
Payment type: Credit / debit /prepaid cards
Region / country: Global
Pros:
- Widely available to players
- Widely accepted by online casinos
- Convenient and straightforward
- Deposits available instantly in most cases
- Secure transactions + fraud protection services
- Easy-to-set payment limits
Cons:
- Cash advance fees may be charged by credit card companies
- Interest charges incurred if you do not pay off the balance
- Possible to spend money you do not have
- Casinos may not support withdrawals via credit cards
- Some cards may not work at all casinos
Funding online gambling accounts with credit cards is a popular, convenient, and fast option available to players worldwide. Major credit card brands accepted by gambling sites include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express (AmEx).
Before you can officially begin playing any type of casino game online, the first thing you must do is deposit funds into your player account. To backtrack a little bit, the actual first thing you need to do is create a player account. This is quite easy to do and typically only takes a matter of 5 minutes or less. After you’ve created a player account, then it comes time for making a deposit.
In this day in age, there are multiple ways by which you can fund a casino account, however, few are more popular nor widely used than credit or debit cards. This form of deposit is not only accepted at most every online casino, it is the simplest and most straightforward of all the funding methods out there. After all, we are so accustomed to using credit/debit cards that there rarely goes a day where they are not utilized.
Best Online Casino for Card Deposits
Cherry Gold Casino
Our top pick for credit or debit card deposits is Cherry Gold Casino. Cherry Gold accepts all three major credit card companies, including American Express, Mastercard and Visa. In addition to accepting each of these brands, there is also a very low minimum deposit amount for card deposits, sitting at just $25.
The maximum for credit or debit card deposits at Cherry Gold is $1,000 per week, though you can contact support for even larger deposits. When making a CC deposit, your money will be in your account right away and available for immediate play at the casino. All current deposit and promotional bonuses can be used when depositing with your credit or debit card, regardless of amount.
How it Works
If you have ever purchased any type of good or service online with a credit or debit card, depositing real money into an online casino account is really not much different. By supplying your credit card number, expiration date, billing address, and a few other tidbits of information, you will be eligible to have money deposited into your player bankroll in the blink of an eye.
Once you have provided the pertinent credit and billing info, the only thing left for you to do is to select the amount of money that you wish to deposit. It’s really that simple.
Of course, not every online casino accepts every type of credit/debit card so you need to check this prior to attempting to deposit.
Safety and Security
Any reputable online casino takes the proper steps to ensure that your personal and financial information is kept private and secure. Utilizing encryption technology and other methods of security, online casinos nowadays do well to protect themselves against unscrupulous parties, or hackers.
On the internet today, there are so many hacking attempts taking place on a daily basis. In fact, huge retailers have fallen victim to scammers and customers have had their personal information stolen and used for whatever purpose they so choose. Online casinos, however, have been dealing with this type of criminal activity for years now, so it is nothing new. As such, the security found on these sites is top-notch. At the end of the day, you can rest assured knowing that any reputable, respected online casino is going to go the extra length to ensure that your information is kept safe and secure.
Types of Credit Cards Accepted at Online Casinos
The majority of major brands are accepted for credit card deposits at online casinos, including Visa, Mastercard, and on occasion, American Express. The difference between one card and the next is usually based on the actual issuing bank and/or the medium of the card. For example, a Visa “credit” card may have a higher or lower acceptance rate than a Visa “debit” card.
Your own personal settings may influence the likelihood of a casino deposit working as well. It is hard to accurately say whether a card will or will not work unless you actually try it. Every single card is unique, to one extent or another.
Even if your particular card is not accepted, it’s possible that you can contact your bank or card issuer to change your settings. The brand does not tend to matter as much as the parameters that are set by the company that issued the card.
Fees Charged
An inevitability that you likely already know something about is with regard to fees charged on deposits. No matter what casino you play at, and no matter how much money you are attempting to deposit, the fact of the matter is that there is almost always going to be a fee charged. Credit/debit card deposits are no exception to this.
With that being said, however, you will find that this method of deposit carries with it some of the smallest fees around. Typically, credit card deposit carry fees that range anywhere from 1%-5% of the amount of money you are depositing. The highest saturation will be found between 2% and 3%, with 1%, 4%, and 5% fees being outliers. Broken down even further, you will almost never find a 1% fee, and those that charge anything more than 3% are asking for a little bit more than most.
At the end of the day, it is your duty to do your due diligence and figure out what deposit methods carries what fees. Any online casino makes the fees charged known to you before you actually execute a deposit, so it is important that you take a few minutes to figure out what these fees amount to. After all, fees begin to really add up once you deposit 10 or more times.
Final Thought
Credit/debit card deposits have been an accepted form of banking at online casinos for just about as long as online casinos have been around. For this reason, it is easy to see why this deposit method is the number one choice for so many real money casino players. Being that we cannot seem to go anywhere without our cards, using them online is not only very simple, it is something almost everyone is accustomed to nowadays.
Naturally, there will exist some fears with regard to the safety of your credit/debit card deposits, but so long as you are dealing with a reputable and respected online casino, your personal and financial information will be kept safe.
The final thing worth mentioning is that while credit/debit cards are an accepted deposit option at most online casinos, it is not always an accepted withdrawal option. In fact, more often than not you will find that if you deposit via credit card, you are forced to choose an alternate withdrawal method. This is not always the case, but is more often than it is not.
How to use credit cards to make online gambling deposits
Using a credit card to make a deposit is as easy and convenient as making other online purchases. To fund your account using a credit card, log in, go to the casino’s cashier area, enter your deposit amount, and input your card number and associated details.
Funds from most credit card deposits are available instantly. If the casino requires additional card verification, make sure you provide the required information as soon as possible to avoid potential delays in processing.
Some gambling sites may incur deposit and withdrawal limits. Check your casino’s Banking or FAQ page for details about minimum and maximum transaction amounts and any fees that may be associated with credit card payments.
Prepaid credit cards for online gambling
Betting sites that accept credit cards usually also honor prepaid cards, which work a lot like gift cards as they are not attached to a line of credit or a bank account like credit and debit cards.
Prepaid cards can be an excellent payment option for people who do not own a standard credit or debit card. They also offer the benefits of built-in maximum card limits that you can set to control the deposits you make into your account.
If you decide to purchase a prepaid credit card in the United States, look for one that is considered international – as opposed to US-only – to ensure it works at online casinos.
Most Accepted Credit Cards at Online Gambling Sites
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards; the selection of betting sites that honor American Express and Discover cards is much more limited.
Even at casinos that accept this payment method, some cards may not work due to online gambling regulations and restrictions. Visa and Mastercard are issued through most banks and brands worldwide, and different cards can carry varying terms and restrictions. If you’re unsure if your card can be used at online casinos, you may need to try making a deposit with it to check if it works at different gambling sites.
American Express and Discover have more centralized processing and management than Visa and Mastercard – if a casino offers them as a payment method, you should be able to use your Discover or AmEx to deposit there.
Acceptance for US players
Using credit cards to make deposits can be a grey area for US players. Even at sites that accept this banking method, select cards may not work for US players due to UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) legislation that places restrictions on banks and online gambling.
Regulated, legal US markets like New Jersey are not immune to the issue – players have had challenges with credit cards not working at online casinos. It may take some trial and error for US players to find a card that works successfully at their gambling site of choice. Some sites in New Jersey, for example, provide helpful lists of banks that issue credit cards that have worked for most players at the casino.
Credit Card Online Gambling Rankings
Convenience
Credit cards are very convenient and easy to use, and making a deposit using this method is one of the most familiar ways to fund your account. Transactions are processed like any online purchase. You do not need to register for any additional payment services or gateways – plug in your card information and play.
Availability
Credit cards are available worldwide and are widely accepted at gambling sites. Most casinos honor at least one credit card option for depositing; however, some sites do not accept this method for withdrawals.
Not all cards work on all betting sites – some credit card companies may not approve a payment made to a casino. Approval can depend on your issuing bank, the credit card brand, or online gambling and banking laws in your area.
Fees
Most gambling sites do not charge fees for deposits made with credit cards. However, credit card companies may consider a casino deposit to be a cash advance and charge a fee.
You can contact your card provider to learn about any potential fees before funding your account. You can also find out if your casino charges fees for credit card deposits by checking the site’s Banking or FAQ pages.
If you fail to pay off your credit right away, you may be charged interest and additional fees.
Safety / security
Credit cards offer sophisticated anti-fraud measures, including smart chip technology, theft protection, and other advanced security features. If a card is lost, stolen, or compromised, cardholders are not responsible for any fraudulent transactions.
These credit card features help ensure that depositing with your card is safe and secure. Reputable casinos also provide sophisticated encryption and firewall protection on their sites, which can make your transactions even more secure than purchases at more casual e-commerce sites.
Speed
Credit cards are among the fastest online gambling deposit methods – funds from a credit card deposit are usually available in your casino account instantly.
Processing speed for credit card withdrawals vary. Information on payment processing times can usually be found in the site’s Banking or FAQ section.
Customer service
Credit card companies and issuing banks provide comprehensive customer service for cardholders. Customer support representatives are usually available 24/7 to assist with questions or problems.
Verifications
Sometimes, betting sites may require additional verification for credit cards. including a completed authorization form or a copy of the card itself. It’s crucial to provide the required information to avoid delays in payment processing.
Credit card deposit bonuses
Most online casinos accept credit cards. Gambling sites may also offer special bonuses for deposits made using this payment method. Check your casino for details and current promotional offers.