Over the course of the past two decades the face of gambling has changed almost beyond all recognition. In 2004 if you asked a regular person to tell you what comes to their mind when you say the word ‘gambling’, nine times out of ten they would describe some sort of land-based casino.
If you were to ask the same question today, the majority of people asked would think of an online casino or a gambling app. That’s testament to the success of the gambling industry in transitioning to the online sector.
The speed at which gambling has moved online has however left some behind and, if you’re not particularly tech-savvy the world of online casino gambling can be somewhat overwhelming.
That’s why we decided to put together this article, to give you a comprehensive guide to the varied and many ways in which you can make deposits and withdrawals on online casino sites. If you’re looking to sign up to an online casino real money, then you’re not going to want to skip this one.
The Importance of Security
Before we drill down into the various payment methods accepted by the majority of online casino sites we want to cover something very important: Your Security.
Whilst there are scams that exist that allow criminals to steal your credit card data when you use chip and pin they’re rare. Unfortunately the same cannot be said of online scams of which there are many.
Thankfully there are steps you can take to stay safe online. Before you log on and start depositing cash with an online casino we’d recommend taking a read of this GUIDE to staying safe online from the National Cyber Security Centre.
Online Casinos: Ways to Pay
Now that you’ve read the guide to staying safe online it’s time to start thinking about opening an online gambling account. Accessibility, promotions and relevancy of product are just three things you should be thinking about when it comes to selecting a provider.
Another factor to consider is how you want to make your deposits and withdrawals, because some suppliers have more ways than others to pay. Here’s a full list of all the conceivable ways to pay with an online casino at the time of writing along with a quick summary of our thoughts on the pros and cons of each one.
Debit or Credit Card
This is Route One. The belt and braces option. Chances are you’ve made an online payment before using your debit or credit card and as such, you know just how easy it is.
That ease is mitigated however by the fact that in choosing to pay this way, you are authorising the provider to hold your card details on file. Even if the provider has the best cyber security imaginable paying this way does mean that you’re at risk if hackers leak your details.
Whilst the chances of that aren’t particularly high, they are still significant enough for it to be a worry.
Apple or Google Pay
This would be our preferred method of payment for everything. How these two services work is that they independently hold your card details on your phone and every time you make a payment they deposit the amount from your account and provide the seller with a one-time coupon for the value of the transaction.
This means the online casino never, ever handles any of your private card details. Only Apple of Google have access to that and their cyber security is significantly better than even the best online casinos.
PayPal
This works on the same principle as Apple and Google Pay (long-term supporters of PayPal would say we’ve gotten that the wrong way round however) but is just ever so slightly clunkier. To use it you’ll need to set up an account and go through a lengthy verification process.
Speaking purely from a security point of view, PayPal is excellent but it offers the same level of protection as Apple and Google Pay and is just slightly less user friendly.
Crypto
Why? No, seriously why? We’ve long said that paying in crypto is a fad and time appears to be proving us right. Crypto operates on Blockchain technology which essentially means that you can make a payment with no trace, meaning there’s zero chance your details could be stolen or used by scammers.
That’s the good part. The bad part is you have to go through the time and effort of buying crypto in the first place. Oh, and its value could change dramatically from day to day. Fortunately there are other ways to pay like those covered above.
Conclusion
In conclusion, navigating online casino payment methods is crucial for a secure and efficient gaming experience. Options like debit/credit cards offer simplicity, while Apple/Google Pay and PayPal provide enhanced security without sharing card details directly with casinos.
Although crypto payments offer anonymity and security, their volatility and the complexity of acquiring them can be deterrents.
Ultimately, choosing the right payment method involves balancing ease of use with security and personal preference to ensure a safe and enjoyable online gambling journey.
Finally, please note that online gambling is regulated in most countries, so please be aware of the relevant local laws and regulations and comply with them.
