Ups and downs of using credit card at betting sites
You and I are both busy people here, so allow me to break down the basics. Using credit cards for sports betting has its ups and downs:
Advantages
- It’s easy.
- They can be trusted.
- Most bookmakers accept them.
- Exclusive bonuses might be up-for-grabs.
Disadvantages
- It’s prohibited in some countries.Withdrawal times aren’t always consistent.
On that second-from-last point on the cons side – for obvious reasons, you should read up on what the law has to say about gambling by credit card wherever you live before betting. In some countries, like the UK and Germany, for starters, it’s completely off-limits.
Making deposits at betting sites with credit cards
Whether you’ve been eyeing-up VISA betting sites or MasterCard-compatible casinos, the first thing I reckon you’ll want to know is how to fund your iGaming account, right?
Well, it’s good news – the process is dead-easy, and basically identical between sites. Nine times out of ten, you just need to:
- Hit-up your bookmaker/casino’s “Payments” page.
- Click “Deposit”.
- Settle on a preferred credit card and deposit amount.
- That’s it. You’re done.
But wait – depending on who you bet with, transaction times are going to vary. Fact of life, I’m afraid. Of all the
online betting deposit methods
out there, though, credit cards are usually one of the fastest. The best betting brands, which I’ll recommend in a bit, let you credit your account instantly.
Withdrawing to credit card via betting sites
Let’s cut to the chase – you can cash out by following basically the same steps as making a deposit; the obvious difference being you’ll want to click “withdraw” instead of “deposit” from your bookie’s payments page.
Now, waiting times will vary from site to site, again, too. I’ve seen casinos process withdrawals in the blink of an eye, while in the same breath, their direct competitors leave folks waiting up to 48 hours. Best way to swerve the slow lane? Sign-up with the best and fastest brands.
A bit about the credit card verification process…
Ever played at
PayPal betting sites? I reckon we can both agree verification hurdles can be a mess with ‘em, right? Well, I’m happy to say using credit cards with casinos and bookmakers is ordinarily a tad smoother.
Nevertheless, most brands are gonna want you to complete a Know Your Customer (KYC) check before cashing out for the first time. My advice? Get these checks put to bed the very first day you register with a brand. It’ll save you bothersome delays later on.
Our top bonuses for credit card users
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Typical transaction times at credit card betting sites
We’ve been here before, haven’t we? Recap time: average time-frames look like this:
- Instant deposits, usually.
- Up to 48hrs on withdrawals.
Fees you might incur when online sports betting with credit cards
Credit cards are of course famous for two things – credit and fees. Any credit card deposit you make anywhere is a cash advance. Timely payments are a must to swerve dodgy interest charges.
Some good news, though – at your bookmaker’s end, it’s highly unlikely additional fees will be tacked-on for deposits and withdrawals. Highly unlikely, but not completely unknown…
Security measures to be mindful of…
KYC’s the biggie here. As I said earlier, complete your checks early-on if you can – most bookmaker’s will let you do this from your “Account” page.
Right now, what are the best betting sites accepting credit cards?
Credit card or no credit card, the best bookmakers around can be found in the banners of this page. Each of these betting sites has been checked to make sure that they offer you a legal betting service in your location as well as great odds and everything else.
Most of these betting sites should take credit card payments, although if they don’t, then you should be able to use one of the following alternative payment methods:
| Other payment method |
Popular payment providers |
| Debit cards |
Visa, Mastercard |
| Ewallets |
PayPal, Skrill, Payz, Neteller |
| Prepaid cards |
Paysafecard |
| Cryptocurrencies |
Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether |
| Bank transfers |
N/A |
- Debit cards:
It’s important to note that some countries don’t let you use credit cards for online betting. Thankfully, these countries usually let you use debit cards instead.
- Ewallets:
PayPal, Skrill and Neteller are ewallets that feature at many betting sites and they all offer you a convenient, fast and secure way to play.
- Prepaid cards:
You might see some prepaid card brands such as Paysafecard featured at some of these recommended bookmakers. I’ve found that
Paysafecard betting sites
are great choice for betting on sports if you don’t have a bank account.
- Cryptocurrencies:
Many betting sites will now take crypto payments via Bitcoin, Ethereum and much more. This gives you more freedom over how you make your deposits and withdrawals.
- Bank transfers:
Most online bookmakers will be happy to take your deposits via a bank transfer. Just note that some bank transfer withdrawals can be pretty slow.
Choosing the best credit card betting sites – my top tips
Trust me on this one, your card-based betting experiences will be a damn site smoother if you make a point of only ever registering with bookies that offer the following:
This one’s kind of stating the obvious, but it’s best to double-check your preferred kind of card is 100% supported.
KYC checks you can complete early
Likewise, look-up whether the bookie offers you the option to get your KYC checks out of the way on registration day, for the reasons I outlined earlier.
Same-day deposits and withdrawals
Online sports betting with credit cards ought to be fast. Keep an eye-out for instant deposits. Withdrawal-wise, brands that offer a “24-hours-or-less” promise are most worthy.
Responsible gambling tools
The best, most-trusted brands offer self-exclusion tools if you need a time-out. They ought to link you to reputable responsible gambling resources on the outside, too.
Credit-card-friendly bonuses
Some sites offer exclusive bonuses to customers who deposit via specific cards. Which, if you decide to deposit with these cards, could be used to bet on any market you want.
Age-old FAQs about online sports betting with credit cards
To be fair, a ton of people have asked me the following: Which countries prohibit credit cards for gambling?
Here are the regions with slightly stricter-than-average rules…
| Country |
Is credit card gambling off-the-cards? |
| UK |
Yes |
| Belgium |
Yes |
| Germany |
Yes |
| Ireland |
The law lists it as “strongly discouraged”. Personally, I’d avoid it. |
Right then… is online sports betting with credit cards right for you?
For most, playing at credit card betting sites makes a fat lot of sense. It’s (usually) fast, cards are super-widely accepted, and you won’t have to sign-up for any fiddly online payment services to connect your cold, hard, cash with your casino or bookie’s online account, either.
But yeah… It’s a total no-go in some parts of Europe. And elsewhere, and a bit of shopping around for the best betting sites for speedy cash-outs is essential. Withdrawal times really can be miles apart from one betting site to another, so be sure to pick a brand that won’t leave you hanging around.
Our top bonuses for credit card users
1.
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Online betting with credit card FAQs
❓ What are the main advantages of using credit cards at betting sites?
The main advantages of using credit cards for sports betting include ease of use, trustworthiness, widespread acceptance among bookmakers, and potential access to exclusive bonuses. Credit cards are typically fast for making deposits.
🚫 Are there any countries where using a credit card for gambling is prohibited?
Yes, there are countries where gambling with a credit card is prohibited or discouraged. For example, in the UK and Germany, the use of credit cards for gambling is completely off-limits. In Ireland, it is strongly discouraged.
💳 How do you make deposits and withdrawals at betting sites with credit cards?
Depositing is usually as simple as accessing the “Payments” page on the betting site, clicking “Deposit,” selecting a credit card, and entering the deposit amount. Withdrawals follow a similar process, with varying waiting times depending on the site. Some sites process withdrawals quickly, while others may take up to 48 hours.
🔒 What security measures should I be aware of when betting with credit cards?
You should complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification as soon as possible to avoid delays with withdrawals later on. Most bookmakers allow you to complete this process from your “Account” page. It’s also important to be aware of potential interest charges if you don’t make timely payments on credit card advances.
⏲️ What are typical transaction times at credit card betting sites?
Typically, deposits are instant when using credit cards at betting sites. Withdrawal times can vary, with some sites processing them in less than 24 hours, while others may take up to 48 hours. It’s unlikely that you will incur additional fees from the bookmaker for deposits and withdrawals.
🔄 What alternative payment options are available if I can’t use a credit card?
Alternative payment options that are gaining popularity include Paysafecard, PayPal, and Skrill. These options are fast, trusted, and allow you to connect your funds with your casino or bookie’s online account without signing up for additional services.
