Advice on Using eWallets Payment Services at Online Casinos
As well as bringing you updates on the latest software, technology, new site launches and regulation, here at Casino Zone we like to keep you in the know on the best ways to deposit and withdraw from your casino or sportsbook account.
Why, you may ask?!
Well, payment services may not be the first thing that you think of when you consider where you are going to gamble next, but they can actually have a significant impact on your experience. And here are a few reasons why:
- Not all payment services get you the bonuses – some are excluded for fraud control purposes. Most commonly excluded are Neteller and Skrill, but others can be too.
- Minimum deposit and withdrawals may vary depending on which payment provider you use – if you plan to play with big bets you might want to check with the cashier before signing up so you don’t feel restricted in your deposits.
- Of course, not all payment services are available at every casino you sign up with either. If you are using a niche service like Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency then your choice of sites is much more limited.
- And biggest of all … withdrawal speeds depend on which payment provider you use. Typically bank cards can take up to 5 days to show up a withdrawal whereas eWallets make the funds available instantly.
So, with payment services affecting the number of sites you can sign up with, the amount you can gamble with, and the speed at which you can access your winnings, it starts to become clear that which method you use to deposit and withdraw is a big part of your casino experience.
And with all that in mind, in this short article we are highlighting some of the pros and cons of eWallets, an often over-looked option in the casino cashier!
What Are eWallets?
For those who don’t know, eWallets are a digital payment service that allows you to store funds in a virtual wallet separate to your bank account then pay for goods and services directly from that wallet. The best-known example is Paypal but there are many more which we will talk about in a moment.
In all cases, to get started you must register an account with the digital wallet provider then link your bank account to the wallet. Once that is done, you can transfer funds from your bank account to the wallet. Then, provided the service provider or retailer you are buying from accepts payments from your eWallet provider, next time you go to make a purchase online – a book from Amazon maybe – or deposit into your casino account – you can log into your virtual wallet from the cashier and confirm the transaction quickly and easily.
Why Use eWallets?
That sounds simple right? And if you’ve ever used Paypal or Neteller you’ll know that it is. But the question remains, why use an eWallet when you can pay direct from your bank account? Here is why:
- eWallets allow you to pay for a service without having to enter your own bank details. All you need is your eWallet log in and password. Every time! So, no hunting around for your bank card, or worrying about the risk of having your bank account compromised. All you need is those log-in details.
- For gamblers, using eWallets means you can keep your betting budget separate from other everyday payments. That’s better for being responsible with your spend and for avoiding seeing betting company names on your bank statement.
- When you come to withdraw you will definitely see the difference – eWallets are the fastest way to access your winnings as the money shows up instantly on your balance. Remember, other services like eTransfers and bank cards will take up to 5 days.
- Many of the eWallets have an app that you can download from the app store that allow you to track your spend quickly and easily from your mobile phone home screen.
So, it’s pretty clear that there are some nice advantages to using eWallets at casinos. But are there any reasons to avoid them? Not really, though of course it’s worth keeping in mind that before you can use a service like Paypal you will need to sign up an account, which takes a few minutes and might be seen as an inconvenience. You’ll also need to link your bank account which may take a few minutes as well. But once it’s done, you are good to go and won’t have to bother with setting up an account ever again!
And of course, not all casinos accept eWallets. So, if you choose to use one, you’ll have to find a listings site that shows you where you can deposit and play. Fortunately there are a lot about, including this page that shows you Much Better casinos. A quick google search for your payment term ‘+ casino’ will find you many more.
So to finish, here are there of our favourite eWallets that you’ll find at most casinos in Europe and North America.
Paypal – by far the most popular and widely accepted. It’s been around since the early 2000s and after becoming a runaway success on the eBay auction site is now a favourite of online casino players as well as at millions of retail sites online.
Neteller – Next to Paypal is surely the biggest eWallet provider found at online sportsbooks and casinos. The only drawback for Neteller users is that it is regularly excluded from sign up bonuses. So, beware and check terms and conditions before you sign up with the plan of depositing with Neteller.
Skrill – Available since 2001, Skrill is also an eWallet heavily associated with gambling online. For this reason, you’ll find it at most virtual casinos and sports betting sites. It may come with limitation on maximum deposits and withdrawals, but apart from that it is a super-efficient and very suitable cashier option for you to try.