Top Casino Banking Methods
With payment technologies constantly evolving, there are a wide variety of options available to online gamblers. Each has its own pros and cons: some are built around speed and convenience; others offer extra levels of security when transacting.
Many players favour payment methods with fast withdrawals so they’re not left waiting for their cash. Meanwhile, it’s always important to check whether deposits made via a particular payment service are eligible for bonus offers.
A wide range of payment methods is something we look for during any casino review — we’ve broken down the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you decide which is right for you.
Debit Cards
Debit cards are accepted at pretty much every online gambling site — most players are familiar with using them to make payments online, so it’s no wonder they account for such a large portion of transactions. You can usually rely on debit cards as a valid method for deposit bonuses too.
All you have to do is key in your card number and personal details, specify the amount, and confirm the transaction. Deposits are often instant, but withdrawals are on the slow side — they can sometimes take up to a week to reach your account. Some players are hesitant to share their banking info with online casinos too, and may prefer a payment method that avoids this.
e-Wallets
Synonymous with brands like PayPal and Skrill, e-wallets are another payment option offered at a wide range of Irish casinos. Boasting the fastest withdrawals — sometimes within an hour — and instant deposits, e-wallets are favoured by players who don’t want any faff when adding or removing funds from their casino account.
Security is front and centre. Once you’ve linked a payment card within the e-wallet, you can use it to transact at online casinos without sharing any sensitive bank details. Despite all these advantages, be aware that e-wallets are sometimes excluded from casino bonuses so might not be suitable for every transaction. Check the terms and conditions beforehand to find out.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards such as paysafecard offer players a highly secure way to top up their casino wallet as no bank details are shared with the casino at any time. By purchasing a prepaid voucher from a participating retailer, the unique PIN can be used to make a deposit at the casino.
Prepaid cards can never be overdrawn so they’re a useful tool for managing your gambling budget, but they won’t suit everyone. Although usually valid for bonus offers, low transaction limits often apply and there’s very limited support — if any — for withdrawals, meaning they’ll need to be used in tandem with another method for cashing out.
Pay by Phone Bill
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to add funds to your casino account, paying by phone bill with a service like Boku might be up your street. All that’s required is your phone number — once you confirm the payment, it’s added to your monthly contract or taken directly from your airtime credit.
Pay by phone bill is generally allowed in bonus T&Cs, but it’s not suitable for high rollers. Most carriers uphold low daily and monthly limits on these transactions, which could prevent you from taking maximum advantage of an online casino bonus. There’s no withdrawal support either.
Wire Transfer
Some players might rather do away with all these newfound technologies and use the humble wire transfer to handle their casino funds. This option particularly appeals to high rollers, as transaction limits are typically much higher than with other methods and it’s usually a valid payment method when claiming a casino bonus.
For everyone else, we think there are better alternatives — you could be waiting up to 24 hours for a deposit made via wire transfer to settle, and withdrawals can take up to five working days. Entering all the required bank details is cumbersome too, and you’re more likely to end up paying transaction fees.
AstroPay
Bolstered by its successful advertising among Premier League football teams, AstroPay is becoming an increasingly popular banking method for online casino players. It’s well known for its virtual prepaid cards, which can be purchased in various denominations and then used to deposit funds into your casino account. However, your AstroPay account will also be capable of storing a balance, so it essentially doubles up as an e-wallet with similar functionality to the likes of PayPal and Skrill.
Cryptocurrencies
While they’re far from being considered readily available, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum are popping up at increasing numbers of bonus casino sites. To deposit and withdraw funds in one of these virtual currencies, you’ll need to have a crypto wallet set up. You can then head to the casino’s cashier page and select your preferred crypto coin to initiate a payment. Crypto transactions offer greater anonymity than other methods as you won’t need to share any personal details, and they’re also completed instantly in most cases.