Once you’ve joined an online gambling site, you’ll need to fund your account if you want to gamble for real money. Adding funds to your account is known as depositing, and the process is very simple at most sites. It will vary a little from one site to the next, but typically you just need to follow some simple steps.
How to Deposit at an Online Casino
- Log in
- Visit the cashier
- Select your preferred method
- Enter the relevant payment details
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit.
You’ll notice that the third step listed above is to select your preferred method. There are actually a number of different methods that can be used to get your funds online, and most sites offer you plenty of options in this area. Not all methods are available at every single gambling site, but you’ll usually find at least one method that’s suitable for you.
On this page we explain a little more about the most common deposit methods and how they work. It’s worth familiarizing yourself with these so that you can decide which is the best way to deposit your money.
Please Note
We should point out that if you’re in the United States, then depositing to gambling sites can be a bit of a challenge. Some of the methods we cover below will not be available to you. This is largely due to federal legislation that relates to banks processing online gambling transactions. You shouldn’t have too much difficulty getting funds online at any of our recommended US gambling sites though.
Credit Cards & Debit Cards
Depositing using a credit card or a debit card is very simple. It’s also the most popular method among gamblers. Virtually every gambling site accepts credit and debit cards, although they don’t necessarily accept every single type of card. Visa and MasterCard are usually fine, but American Express, Diners Club and other cards are not so widely accepted.
Credit and debit card deposits are typically processed instantly, so you can expect your funds to be available to use right away. At most sites, you’ll be able to withdraw any winnings back to any card used to deposit with.
Please be aware that, although most USA gambling sites do accept card deposits, some card providers will block transactions.
Wire Transfer/Bank Transfer
Most gambling sites, including those in the USA, allow you to deposit via wire transfer (also referred to as a bank transfer). This is a good option in any of the following circumstances.
- If you want to deposit a large sum of money
- If you don’t have a credit card
- If you don’t feel comfortable submitting banking details online
The downside of this method is that it’s not as quick as most others. Withdrawals via wire transfer are possible at most sites though, and this can be a relatively fast way to get your winnings.
How to Deposit via Wire Transfer
Using this method is a simple matter of arranging a transfer from your bank account to the bank account of the site you wish to deposit at. You’ll obviously need to request the relevant bank details first, unless the site publishes that information, and you’ll probably be asked to include a specific reference number on your transfer. Once your transfer is received, the funds will be added to your online account. This doesn’t necessarily happen instantly though, as there may be a processing period.
E-Wallets
An e-wallet is a bit like an online bank account. E-wallets are generally very easy to setup and fund, and you can then use them to spend your money at any online outlet where they’re accepted. They can be very useful for gamblers, particularly those who use a number of different sites and are frequently depositing and withdrawing from them.
There have been many e-wallet services come and go over recent years, but a few have been around for a while. There are three in particular that are very popular.
- PayPal
- Neteller
- Skrill (previously known as Moneybookers)
Unfortunately for American gamblers, neither Neteller nor Skrill accept US customers and PayPal does not allow gambling transactions in the US. If you live elsewhere though, then you should seriously consider using one, or more, of these for your deposits.
Prepaid Vouchers & Cards
The use of prepaid vouchers and virtual credit cards has become noticeably more widespread over the years. These are good options for the following people.
- Those who do not have a credit card
- Those who do not have an e-wallet
- Those who live in the United States
The basic concept is pretty simple – you buy a pre-paid voucher or card for a fixed amount and can then use that voucher or card to make your deposit. You can’t usually withdraw using this method though.
There are several different types of prepaid vouchers and cards that can be used at gambling sites. The ones that are most widely accepted by gambling sites are Pasteandpay (which can be used in the USA), Ukash and Paysafecard.
Money Transfer Services
You can use money transfer services such as Western Union or MoneyGram to deposit at some sites, although the number of them offering this option has decreased a little over the last few years. Depositing in this way is simple enough, but the exact process will vary from one site to the next. It’s a decent option if you’re in the United States, particularly if you don’t have a credit card.
Checks
Using checks is a very straightforward way to add funds to your account. You simply have to post a check and, once it is cleared, the relevant amount will be credited to your online account.
It’s an extremely secure method as you don’t have to share any of your banking or card information online.
However, as gambling sites use encryption processes when processing online transactions, this is not really an issue. It’s not a particularly popular option due to the time it takes, but it’s available at many sites nonetheless.
Depositing Online: FAQ
Before we finish this article, here is a small selection of questions that we are frequently asked about depositing at online gambling sites. The answers to these questions follow.
What’s the best method to use?
This is probably the question we are asked the most, but there isn’t really a definitive answer. There are advantages and disadvantages to all the methods listed on this page, so it ultimately comes down to whichever method works best for you.
Is depositing online safe?
Depositing online is perfectly safe, with one proviso. You should only ever deposit funds at gambling sites that you know are reputable and trustworthy. Most sites are reliable, but you must make sure. If you need help with this, we’d suggest simply stick to the gambling sites that we recommend. You can be absolutely certain that they can be trusted.
How much can I deposit?
You can deposit pretty much whatever amount you want to. Sites do generally have minimums and maximums, but these are low enough and high enough respectively to suit the vast majority of gamblers.
Will I be charged any fees?
It’s rare for gambling sites to charge fees on deposits, but not completely unheard of. You’ll usually get a warning before completing a deposit if you are going to be charged a fee, or you can always check with customer support.
One thing to watch out for when using credit cards is that they may consider a gambling transaction to be a cash advance. This means they’ll charge a fee on the transaction, and the rate of interest may be higher too.
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