There are a number of methods online casinos allow for making deposits, but not all of them are built equally. Here’s a look at four that measure up against the rest and should be your top contenders when you go to deposit funds to start gambling. Do keep in mind that not every online casino accepts the same deposit methods, with some only accepting a few methods—or even just one.
Bank Transfers
Bank transfers is one of the most popular methods for depositing money at online casinos. Within the realm of online gambling, significant popularity is often garnered by instant bank transfer online casinos—and for good reason. Instant bank transfers allow you to quickly get into action with little wait and high limits on the amount you can deposit.
Not every online casino offers instant bank transfers, however, as some have waiting periods ranging from 1 to 5 days before your funds are available in your account. If you’re the kind of person that doesn’t like to wait and wants to play right away, look for those instant bank transfer casinos mentioned above or move on to a quicker method of payment like the next two.
Cryptocurrencies
This is perhaps the second most popular, if not the most popular (depending on recent statistics regarding bank transfers), method of payment at online casinos. It’s so popular that there are entire casinos dedicated to this method of payment, aptly known as crypto casinos, but that’s for another time. If you do have a wallet and a preferred cryptocurrency, this might be the method for you. If you like fast deposits and withdrawals that are nearly untraceable compared to bank transfers and credit card purchases, crypto has the answer.
There are often higher limits for crypto, and most sites claim to settle crypto deposits in under an hour, but you’ll see some variety out there since not every site is the same. If you don’t have a wallet or are worried about the world of crypto, you should know that it’s extremely easy to create a wallet and send money. It might seem daunting since it’s a new-age tech with a lot of fancy words and mumbo behind it, but it’s easy enough. You simply create a wallet at an online exchange, purchase crypto using your bank account, credit card, or whichever method of payment works best, and you can easily send it to another wallet within just a few minutes (or after a waiting period, depending on the site).
Credit and Debit Cards
Another popular method, this one is accessible for almost everyone, but some people avoid it for one reason or another. It tends to be faster than bank transfers as you don’t have to wait several business days, but there are some higher fees associated with it and often smaller deposit limits. Still, using a credit card is extremely easy and a favorable method for someone looking to play as soon as possible if they don’t have crypto. Not all online casinos accept this method of payment, but you should find that most licensed online casinos allow you to deposit funds using your bank cards.
eMoney and eWallets
This method is not particularly popular in the United States and some other countries, but it is favored by those in Europe, Asia, and Africa. eWallets are essentially a way for someone to send money or pay for a service online via a financial company or site that securely holds their money. They are one of the most efficient payment systems for online businesses. Think PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, or even the popular payment apps like Venmo and CashApp. You can safely and securely send money through eWallets without giving an online casino your private banking information or credit/debit card details. This is a great method if you’d like to distance yourself somewhat from the casino and keep your personal information out of their hands.
Keeping Fees and Deposit Limits in Mind
Often overlooked aspects of deposits and withdrawals at online casinos are fees and limits. Most online casinos have varying fees and amounts for different deposit methods. Bank transfers are often some of the highest limits, but the fees can be hefty since it occasionally involves wire transfers and more facilitation on behalf of the online casino. Similarly, credit cards are often the most convenient way, but the fees tend to be the highest due to the merchant transaction fees and inherent risk in credit card payments. Most online casinos plainly list their fees and limits, but if you’re having trouble finding them, reach out to customer support for more information. Similarly, loyalty or VIP programs often increase the limits associated with deposits and withdrawals, which is something to keep in mind if you tend to deposit more than the average person and are turned off by an online casino’s entry-level deposit limits.