Five Alternatives to Using Your Credit Card for UK Online Casino Action
The UK Gambling Commission recently imposed a ban on players using credit cards to fund their gambling in both online and offline casinos, which came into effect on 14th April 2022. This action was part of a wider review of online gambling operations conducted in 2019 and 2020.
The ban means that, for those wanting to gamble at an online casino using a credit card, an establishment registered overseas is usually the only way to get around the red tape. This, however, comes with its own dangers.
There are alternatives to using a credit card to play at an online casino; however, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages; there are also ways to continue using a credit card to deposit into an online casino account, too, and we’ll explore all of these issues below.
PayPal
Fast and safe, PayPal is widely accepted as a payment method at many online UK casinos. Deposits made will appear instantly in your casino account, and you’ll see the money debited from your linked bank account within a few hours of completing the transaction. PayPal is widely viewed as one of the most secure ways to conduct transactions, as your details are never disclosed to the party you’re making payment to.
It’s worth noting, however, that some casinos charge a fee for accepting PayPal payments, so check this out in the terms and conditions section before making a deposit. There has been speculation that a ban on PayPal deposits could follow in the wake of the recently announced credit card ban, but this has yet to be seen.
Debit Cards
Using a debit card remains the most popular alternative to a credit card when it comes to paying into an online casino account. Paying by debit card is also helpful to keep your gambling within the limits you’re comfortable with, as you’re only able to deposit money that you actually have in your bank account.
The vast majority of online (and offline) casinos in the UK accept debit cards, and it’s unlikely that this will change in the foreseeable future.
E-Wallets
This method of payment, which includes Neteller, Skrill, and UPayCard, is an increasingly popular option – it’s not available to use at some online UK casinos, but there are plenty that do accept this payment method. Be aware, though, that the establishments that do accept e-Wallet deposits don’t usually allow players to use them to access bonuses and promotions and also may levy additional charges to deposit and withdraw funds from and into an e-Wallet.
On the plus side, this payment method is known for being incredibly safe and secure and for its speed. Deposits will appear instantly, and the money will leave the player’s e-Wallet within a matter of hours.
Boku
Boku is a mobile payment method that allows players to deposit money into their account using their pay-as-you-go credit or by adding the total amount deposited to their end-of-month phone bill. Deposits made using Boku appear in casino accounts instantly, but they can’t be used as a means to withdraw funds.
It’s important to be aware of the risk of overspending using this option; it can be easy to rack up a large bill that could come as a nasty surprise at the end of the month. Online casinos accepting Boku may also levy fees on deposits made using this method.
Bank Transfer
While not all online casinos provide the facility for this, some allow members to deposit funds into their accounts via a direct bank transfer. As with debit cards, the plus side of using a bank transfer is that you’ll only be able to use funds that you actually have in your account.
Most online casinos that accept this payment method don’t charge additional fees to make a deposit.
Online Casinos That Accept Credit Cards in the UK
It is still possible to find online casinos in the UK that accept credit cards, such as Luck of Spins. However, it’s important to understand that, to accept credit cards, these casinos are breaking the law and, as such, may not be safe or reliable platforms to patronise: they will be acting outside the boundaries of the UK Gambling Commission. This body ensures that the establishments they oversee are legit and comply with all necessary legislation. Therefore proceed with caution.
Another alternative, if you wish to continue to use a credit card to fund gambling, is to sign up to an overseas online casino, where credit cards are still allowed as payment methods.
Using a Credit Card at an Overseas Casino
The ability to use a credit card is one advantage of joining an overseas online casino; plus, the bonuses and promotions on offer can be of much higher value, as these establishments aren’t subject to the strict controls imposed by the UK Gambling Commission.
It’s worth noting, though, that there can be dangers in using an online casino that’s not registered in the UK or subject to the oversight of the UK Gambling Commission. Casinos that aren’t adequately regulated and licensed – or that have no license at all – can leave players exposed to rigged games, difficulties in withdrawing funds, and winnings that aren’t honoured, for example.
To avoid this, choose an online casino that is regulated by a robust overseeing body, such as the National Gaming Board of Sweden, the Alderney Gambling Control Commission, or the Malta Gaming Authority. Casinos that have been given the seal of approval by eCogra, a global organisation that ensures the fairness of the games offered by online casinos, are likely to be a safe bet (excuse the pun!), too.
However, it’s vital to remain mindful of the possible disadvantages of using a credit card to fund gambling: it can be easy to overspend using this method or lose track of the amount of money spent at an establishment over the course of a month. If possible, use another payment method to make deposits when you can, such as via bank transfer, debit card, Paypal, or e-Wallet.
