Online Casino Banking – Guide to Deposit and Payment Methods

“The casino played a song of its own—slot machines dinging, chips clacking as the dealer passed them out to the players at the tables, and the chatter of people throwing down money with the hope of hitting it big. It was like a carnival for adults. A person could get lost for days in a place like this.”
― Michelle Madow, The Secret Diamond Sisters

Describe a casino? It is just simple! We all know it is a place where people come to play different kinds of games. Some play for enjoyment and some to gamble. Online casinos are much popular these days as we have the choice to play at our own convenience and time with our devices like PC, Mobile Smartphones or Tablets.

How you play at the online casinos?

Online casinos offer mainly two options in terms of how you play your casino games. There is ‘Download’ and ‘Instant Play’. It all depends on your personal preferences. There are advantages and disadvantages of each version.

Download Casinos

Download casinos are considered to be superior to flash or instant play casinos. Software giants like Playtech and Microgaming offer better graphics, more realistic sounds as well as a more stable gaming experience via their download version rather than their ‘lighter’ flash versions.

• It offers all the available features offered by the online casino.
• It tends to have more games to choose from and as a result give more options to play.
• Download casinos need to be secure and trustworthy so make sure the software provider is reputable.
• If you have a fast internet connection and amply space on your hard drive, the download version is for you.
• Remember download casinos need ample space on your computer if your hard-drive space is limited you need not have this version.

Flash or Instant Play Casinos

Many online casinos nowadays offer a no download version of their software which is typically powered by Flash technology and is played via your web browser such as Internet Explorer. In order for the online casino to display on your screen, the Flash plug-in needs to be installed and ready on your system.

• This casino instantly loads in your browser window.
• It’s an easy and fast way to play at an online casino without the hassle of downloading the software which can be rather large.
• As you don’t download, there is absolutely no risk in getting any viruses.
• You will also save memory space on your computer which will in turn make it work faster.
• You have freedom to play wherever you like and on whatever computer or laptop
• Flash casinos but do not offer the same amount of games and features as a download casino.
• Also many browsers don’t support flash-based casinos either by certain software providers. For example, Microgaming Flash casinos don’t work in Firefox so an option would be using Internet Explorer.

What are Mobile Casinos?

Nowadays with smart technology we have smart phones like iPhone, Androids and others. Most of the casino games are available to play on our mobile phones. While online players don’t always have access to their computers, so it is easy to have mobiles everywhere they go, and have the opportunity to play their favourite casino games on their mobile phones or tablets.

Most of the top online casinos have created special mobile casino applications which can be accessed from virtually every handheld device that the player seem to play with. There are casino apps available to download as well as Casino Games Apps at iTunes and Google Store to make your play easier.

Types of Mobile Casinos

Android Mobile Casino

Android has become so popular that many online casinos are creating Android compatible mobile casino counterparts. Mobile casino games generally run smoothly on the Android and players get great gaming experience on the move. Many of the US online casinos powered by RTG or Betsoft offer real money casino games for Android, for example, Grand Parker (RTG), Lucky Red (RTG) or Drake Casino (BetSoft). Another is Slotland, which uses its own proprietary software.

Blackberry Mobile Casino

The device offers smooth mobile casino game play and players can play games without time and place restrictions. All they have to do is find a safe Blackberry compatible mobile casino and register an account.

iPad Casino

Almost all mobile casinos are compatible with the iPad, therefore, players have good choice and can consider their options before they register an account and make a casino deposit. With the iPad you won’t be disappointed and you will have quality gaming wherever you are and whenever you feel like playing. Casinos powered by Betsoft and RTG supports iPads like Drake Casino

The three well known iPad slots to play are “The True Sheriff (Betsoft)” 3D slot game by Betsoft, “Great Blue (Playtech)” 5-reel, 25-payline slot by Playtech, where scatters can multiply your payout between 2 and 500 times. It features a jackpot of 10,000 coins and  “Mega Moolah (Microgaming)” the legendary progressive slot from Microgaming, with an average jackpot payout of $3-4 million.

iPhone Casino

iPhone is a multimedia portable smart phone functioning as a pocket size computer working on iOS operating system. The device is compatible with a great deal of mobile casinos, so you can pick the one you like and play your favorite games wherever you are. Slotland casino and Drake Casino offers unique games that cannot be found at each and every iPhone casino. It uses its own proprietary software and offers progressive games among others, great bonuses and promotions and secure banking.

iPod Casino

Casino fans can play games like slots, roulette, blackjack as well as video poker directly on the iPod. iPod players can really enjoy the thrill of gambling anywhere, anytime. Casinos developed for iPods are often available as an app that provides convenient access to the games and features, but many mobile casino sites can be accessed directly with the iPod Touch’s internet browser. Whatever method you use you will need an account to get started.

Windows Mobile

Windows Mobile is not as popular as the iPhone or Android, but it offers great functionality and casino fans can play various mobile casino games on it. You can also easily find Windows Mobile compatible casinos and start playing games in no time.

Casino offers “Two Modes” to Play

Online casinos offer two modes to play. One is real money mode and other is practice mode.

• You can switch to Real Money Mode from Practice Mode whenever you wish to and vice-versa
• For real money play you have to register yourself at the casino

What are the Deposit Options at the casino for real money play?

When we choose to play at the online casino we wonder how to make deposits and withdrawals. The reputed US online casinos offer safe and secure online transaction. There are various modes of deposits.

Credit Cards and Debit Cards

When making purchases online, credit and debit cards are probably the most popular payment option in the world today. They are also widely used at online casino sites as a deposit method.  You will also see some sites that accept deposits through American Express or other cards, though they are less common.

The main issue when depositing using a credit or debit card is whether the transaction will be accepted. Visa and MasterCard-branded cards are issued by thousands of banks worldwide, and those banks vary in their policies on how they handle casino transactions. That means that one card may not be accepted at a certain website, but another one will, or the first card may be accepted at other casinos.

This is an issue throughout the world, but particularly in the United States, where acceptance rates can be quite low even at regulated sites in states like New Jersey, as banks and the online casino industry have struggled to figure out an effective system for categorizing banking transactions. That doesn’t mean you can’t use a credit or debit card, but it does mean that it sometimes takes a bit of experimentation before finding a card/casino combination that works.

E-Wallet Products

E-Wallet site  is place where you can store money in an account that can then be spent online or transferred to your bank account. These sites offer a convenient way to spend money on the Internet without constantly making withdrawals from your bank account, making them popular in e-commerce as well as in the online gambling industry.

Perhaps the best known e-wallet in the world is PayPal, which is used for payment processing by countless websites around the globe. But PayPal is not the best option when it comes to processing your deposits because of legal issues. PayPal will only allow its services to be used by licensed websites in jurisdictions where they are regulated, meaning that many casino players cannot take advantage of their services.

However, there are other e-wallets out there that offer similar options for a much wider variety of gaming sites. Neteller and Skrill formerly known as Moneybookers are two of the most famous ones: Neteller was once basically the only name in casino-related e-wallets, while Skrill has popularity at the online casino world.

Banking Account Options

It is also possible to use your existing bank account to fund an online casino account. A number of different ways exist to do this: in many cases you can initiate a wire transfer from your bank, or use an “e-check” to deposit funds in your casino account.

Another possibility is the use of an online banking system to make the deposit. These quick and convenient deposit methods use services designed to facilitate transfers directly from the website of an online casino or another merchant, pulling the funds directly from your authorized bank account. These services are often regional in scope: for instance, POLi Payments (also known as PoliPay) is one such online banking product used in Australia and New Zealand.

Prepaid Options

For those who wish to avoid sharing their financial information, exposing their credit cards online or involving their bank accounts in their casino play, prepaid cards and vouchers can be an intriguing alternative. These products allow you to purchase a card or voucher with a certain value from a local vendor, then use that stored value to make a deposit at an Internet casino. You can even make these purchases in cash, eliminating the need to even have a bank account or credit card.

Perhaps the best known example in this category is Ukash, a voucher system. Based in the UK, Ukash allows individuals to buy vouchers from ATMs, kiosks or local retailers that come with a 19-digit code. That code can then be used to make purchases online at stores, casinos, or other sites.

Depositing and withdrawing money at online casinos for US Players

Deposits and withdrawals can be a bit not so smooth for US players. Because the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act prohibits banks and payment processors from sending money to offshore casino sites, your options are limited. Currently, the easiest way to deposit at 99% of  casino sites is with a Visa credit/debit/prepaid card. Make sure any prepaid Visa you buy is approved for International use.

MasterCard is hit or miss and there aren’t many sites that accept American Express anymore. Another safe, but less convenient option is to use a cash transfer service like Western Union or Money gram.

Recently, many Americans have been turning to Bitcoin – a digital crypto-currency that is unregulated and largely anonymous – for casino deposits. Since the U.S. doesn’t have any laws to regulate the use of Bitcoin and other crypto-currencies, gambling with Bitcoin doesn’t have the same legal challenges that traditional banking methods do. As such, Bit coin casino sites are popping up all over the place.

For withdrawals, bank wire or check by courier are the two most popular options.

How to make a deposit at online casino?

When you have decided which device you are using to play your casinos games and what mode of payment you will select. You just need to go to the casino website and start the game show. Here below you will find step by step guide as how to make a deposit at the online casino. As an example here you will find depositing in Slots of Vegas online casino with illustration.

As a first step you visit the casino Slots of Vegas.

1. Playing for real money you need to register with the casino and set up your user name and password for your account.

2. Once you have finished with the registering process you will have two options on your casino screen.

3. As earlier said above you have to choose what you feel conveienet and according to your choice.

4. Now go to the Banking Section/Page at the online casino. See the image below with a blue dot.

5. When you click on Banking you will have the Banking Page of the online casino. There you will find so many Banking options to select for your deposit at the casino

6. Once you select the banking method you will click on it and the page will lead you to the cashier for making payment.

7. The Cashier window shows four sections: Deposit, Withdrawal, Coupons and My Account. You need to click on Deposit to do the funding

8. If you need to redeem a coupon then you need to select the bonus offer of coupon or enter coupon code.

9. Fill the details in Coupon form and make a deposit (if using coupon code)

10. Here we are choosing Credit card mode as an example to make a deposit at slots of vegas online casino

11. The above image shows that you have to enter your card number, expiry date of the card, card type, card security code and the amount you wish to deposit. At this casino the deposit limit is minimum $30 and maximum $250 for a new player.

12. Once done you will find yourself ready to play at the casino. All now you have to do is select the game of your choice to play with real money.

13. Now to redeem your winnings you need to go to withdrawal section. There are three options at this casino for withdrawals.

14. You can choose the one that suits you best according to your jurisdiction and state compatibility.

On withdrawal of winnings most of the casino send you a check.  First, they might require that you fax them a copy of your ID before your first withdrawal. It is a standard security protocol at many online gaming sites to make sure that no one else is pretending to be you and trying to steal your money. Also, be prepared to wait at least a couple of weeks for your check. With the laws about playing and banking it might take time for the check to reach you.

This is how you make a deposit at the online casino and make a withdrawal.

Few Questions and Answers

How to get money into an online casino for U.S. players

The most reliable method of making a deposit is to use a credit / prepaid card or a money order at a trusted US casino site. Cashing out is usually available only via check by courier or a bank wire transfer, and while both methods are extremely reliable, they also take quite a bit of time.

Can you use Western Union  for depositing your funds at the casino?

This method is safe and reliable but it takes time. If you wish you can use it. You will have to call the casino and get the “Beneficiary Name”.  Then, call Western Union at or go to their website to send the money with your credit card. If you do it by phone then you go through a long, laborious phone system, and then a representative comes on the line to confirm your info and get the beneficiary name. Then they’ll give you a “control code”. Finally, call the casino back and give them the control code.

The whole process takes 10 to 20 minutes, so it’s not instant. Also Western Union charges pretty hefty fees too. Western Union isn’t a good method for small deposits, because the fees are so high. But they’re not good for really big deposits.

Even if you deposited with e-Check, you’ll have to wait for that deposit to clear before your payout request will be processed. It can take up to two weeks for an e-Check to clear.

Do you have to declare your online winnings?

You will have to declare all of your winnings when gambling online just like you do when you win in a land based casino, for tax purposes you will of course be able to access your gaming history and win loss ratios at all fully licensed and regulated US based gambling sites.

Why does your credit card keep getting declined as casino sites?

Many banking institutions have put blocks on credits and debit cards they issue if those cards are being used to fund a gambling account online. While many banks now have lifted those restrictions on their customers living in the Sates where online gambling is legal, if you experience any problems you should contact your bank to see if the block can be lifted.

Can you gamble online using US Dollars?

You should only ever choose to play real money online using USD, as that is always going to be the only option when playing at US State licensed online gambling sites if you choose for whatever reason to gamble at an offshore based gaming site you may be forced to deposit funds using a different currency, and that will instantly make you liable to a range of currency exchange rate fees and charges.

Can US players use credit cards to deposit at online casinos?

Some US players still have success with credit cards, but credit card companies fall under the umbrella of financial institutions restricted by the UIGEA of 2006. Your deposits will be hit-or-miss. Most sites will accept a credit card payment, but make sure that you card has been cleared for international transactions. This is also one of the few deposit methods that you can use regardless of your country of residence. Just keep in mind that withdrawals to credit / debit cards are limited and only available in a handful of online casinos / poker rooms.

How long will deposits take to show up in your account?

This depends on which online casino deposit method you use. The quickest is eWallets, but most of these no longer permit US players. Prepaid cards would be the next best option. Avoid bank wire transfers as they can take several days to show up in your account.

How can you ensure the safety of your deposit?

You can never be too careful when it comes to your personal and financial information. Unfortunately, since it is illegal to operate an internet casino within the United States, online casino and gambling sites are located outside of the country and thus not subject to US jurisdiction. Your best bet is to stick with trustworthy websites that have well-established reputations of making secure financial transactions. The casinos recommended at WinMeNot are known for their solid reputations.

Is it illegal to deposit money at an online casino?

Online gambling is subject to both federal and state law. Federal law has restricted banks from allowing deposits, but has not restricted individuals from making them. If a financial institution mediates the transfer of funds to an online casino, the burden appears to be on them, not on you. Having said that, some states have implemented additional, more restrictive laws regarding online gambling. New York and Maryland are two such states. You check with your state’s internet gambling laws before joining a casino site.

Can you withdraw money the same way you deposited it?

Some casinos will allow you to make withdrawals with the same method you used to make your deposit, but it is possible that you will have to receive your funds through a paper check.

Can you play real money casino with a debit card online?

Yes. Most sites that accept credit card deposits will also accept debit card payments.

Should you send copies of your credit or debit card to online casino for verification?

Your personal information is safe with well-known casinos as the key to their success lies in providing a secure environment for their players, so you definitely should feel comfortable sending all required documents during the verification process; refusing to do so could prevent you from validating your account and cashing out.

Can you use cash for online casino play instead of a credit card?

While most online casinos don’t accept cash or even bank wire transfers as a payment method, many quality casinos and poker rooms will allow you to fund your account via a Western Union or Moneygram money transfer.

With all this information you are now on the safer side to choose how to make a deposit and what mode of payment to choose. Also remember in case you get an issue or are in some doubt it is better to ask the online casino team. Remember all the reputed online casinos have very good customer support to help you 24/7 and provide you the best assistance possible. You can either have a live chat with the casino staff or email them or even call them for instant response. Just visit the casino customer support page for more details.

Do not forget to take full benefit of the casino bonuses thus redeem the casino coupons before you make a deposit. You can find more than 200 latest casino promo codes at WinMeNot.com to use them in seconds and then make a deposit at the online casinos. Good Luck!