Bingo Payment Methods
Which should I choose?
There is no one size fits all. These days, players have multiple choices depending on their location, their budget, their device (mobile or desktop), and their time constraints.
In this article, we’ll run down the primary types of payment method and why they might work for you. However, for in-depth information on each payment method, click the icons above.
E-Wallets
The most famous e-wallet is PayPal but other examples include Skrill and Neteller. Once you’ve registered with an e-wallet, you can use it to carry out all your internet financial transactions. It adds an extra layer of cyber-security, and you don’t have to enter finicky card details over and over again when paying for things online. In addition, if you’re sceptical about giving an online bingo site access to your personal financial information, then e-wallets are the solution. You don’t have to give the bingo site your card details, bank account number, or any passcodes or PINs. Financial transactions take place purely between PayPal and the site.
Digital wallets aren’t for everyone. Unfortunately, some bingo sites charge fees to use them. In addition, using an e-wallet may disqualify you from taking a welcome bonus. Sometimes, e-wallet depositors get worse deals, or even no offer at all! Finally, a closed bank account or an out-of-date debit card that’s attached to your e-wallet account could cause you some hassle. Remember to update it when you get a new card.
PayPal is the most famous e-wallet but ironically, it can be the hardest to find bingo and slots site that accept it. That’s because PayPal don’t let any Jonny Nobody gambling site use PayPal. If a bingo site has a PayPal logo on the homepage footer, that is often a stamp of quality for the site.
Debit Cards
The great majority of bingo sites accept debit cards. Even in our real lives, cards have started to overtake cash as the most common payment method. The main positives are that they are universal and everybody knows how to use them. Debit cards only deduct the money you have, so if you are on a certain budget, you cannot overspend (unless you have an overdraft).
You can no longer used Credit cards for online gambling in the UK.
Wire Transfers
Just want the funds to go straight from your bank into your bingo site account? A wire or bank transfer is for you. There are usually no fees, unlike other methods. However, the one downside to a direct transfer is that there can be comparatively long processing times. It can take days to make a successful deposit, and sometimes even longer for a withdrawal. In the modern age of the instantaneous, this doesn’t quite cut the mustard.
However, there are some payment methods that act as a facilitator between your bank and your bingo account. These are especially prevalent in Germany, where you have both Sofort and Giropay. Trustly, however, is a Europe-wide brand. All you need to know are you online banking details and you can pay through Trustly. You don’t need to sign up to it, and the processing times are much quicker than wire transfers. In fact, they are often instant.
Pay by Mobile Phone
Many people play their bingo as they operate their lives these days; via their mobile phone. With the dawn of mobile bingo, has come the dawn of mobile payment methods. This includes Zimpler, a sort of mobile e-wallet, as well as Boku, a method that allows you to pay via your mobile phone bill. Of course, there is a cap on the amount that you can spend (£30) but for casual mobile players this is basically the perfect solution. Unfortunately, Boku seems to be no longer available to UK players due to new rules from the Gambling Commission.
Payeer is another mobile payment method that is taking off. It’s still fairly niche in the online gambling world, but we’re seeing more and more interest.
Prepaid Payment Methods
This includes Entropay and paysafecard. In essence, they are the virtual form of prepaid cash cards.
Regional Deposit Methods
Some ways to pay are specific to a country or part of world. For example, if you’re Polish then you’ve probably heard of DotPay. If you’re from South America, then you probably know AstroPay. Sometimes players feel safer when using businesses local to them.
If you think we’ve missed out any important payment methods then get in touch via the Contact Us form.