Internet gambling has enjoyed a massive boom in popularity in recent years, with operators offering a vast range of different games to play.
There are numerous ways for players to fund their accounts, but it’s important to make sure that these are safe and secure to use.
Read on for our top three payment methods for online casinos.
Debit/credit cards
Debit cards deduct funds directly from a payee’s bank account, while credit cards allow users to make a purchase and defer the repayment to a later date.
Payments via a debit card can be refused if there are insufficient funds in the account and this method can help players keep in control of their gambling spend.
Most credit cards charge interest and fees for their use, so this can become an expensive way to fund your gambling.
Cards remain the most popular method to fund a visit to a live online casino, with Visa and Mastercard amongst the most well-known service providers.
e-Wallets
An e-Wallet is an electronic purse which allows you to make online payments outside of your personal bank account.
Paypal, Neteller and Skrill are amongst the most popular options, and most gambling operators offer this method to fund their accounts in this way, as it is fast, secure and easy to use.
e-Wallets provide players with an additional layer of security between their bank and casino accounts and can also help people manage their finances more effectively, giving players the opportunity to set aside a specific bankroll for their gambling activities.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer payment method that has soared in popularity in recent years. They are obtained by ‘mining’ – a process where the miner is rewarded for processing payments – or in exchange for standard currency, products or services.
Users can send Bitcoins via e-Wallet services such as Multibit and Bitcoin Core. Transactions are processed instantly and players usually receive their withdrawals on the same day.
Conclusion
e-Wallets and Bitcoin have grown in popularity as they offer players an extra level of security. This growth will continue in the future, but whether they ever fully replace debit/credit cards is debatable.
The use of chip and pin on card transactions makes it much harder for online fraudsters to access bank accounts, and they seem sure to remain the most favoured method of payment over the next few years.