Everywhere you want to be….but is VISA any good for gambling online?
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| 1 min | 2-5 days | 0% |
When VISA first burst on to the scene, it was like an exocet missile of payment flexibility. For the first time, consumers could pay on card, rather than through cash or cheque, in a move that would pave the way for the global payments economy as we know it today.
It was 1958, Cliff Richard was still but a boy, and the Internet must have felt like a distant prospect, a futuristic technology of some far off age. But for the first time, having the flexibility of payments in your pocket must have been overwhelming for those lucky few pioneers, and unsurprisingly, it caught fire as one of the most popular payment methods of the time.
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100%Fast forward to today, and you can’t ignore VISA. It’s everywhere you want to be...in the words of their own tagline. When it comes to online transactions, it’s no less prevalent, and remains the predominant force in card payments globally.
Every second there are between 2,000 and 4,000 VISA transactions being processed, and you can bet a fair percentage of them are now for transactions online. But when it comes to online gambling transactions, is VISA up to the challenge?
Why VISA?
The VISA card range includes Electron, Classic, Gold, Platinum, Signature and Infinite. But what are the advantages of choosing to use your VISA to load up your online gambling account?
- Convenience: This is the biggest tick in the VISA column. Every casino accepts VISA - it would be hard for them to do business otherwise, so you’ll find it’s as easy as pie to get your account loaded with bankroll cash. Because VISA is universally supported, and because all players are likely to carry VISA anyway, it’s arguably the most convenient method there is for depositing money into your gaming account.
- Instant Transfers: When you’re sending money with VISA, there’s no hanging about. Any transactions are processed instantaneously, so you can get on with the important things - like choosing how to bet your freshly topped-up bankroll.
- Withdrawals: This is another big advantage for VISA, or certainly the biggest advantage they have over MasterCard. It’s easy to withdraw directly to your VISA card, and most casinos that support VISA deposits will also be happy to accept VISA withdrawals. This means there’s really no need to switch between payment methods for deposits and withdrawals - VISA takes care of it all.
- Security: Ultimately, there’s nothing more important than security. Fortunately, VISA is about as secure as a payment system can be. There are numerous build in security features, as well as consumer protection mechanisms that guard against fraud and theft. When you’re using your VISA to fund your account, you can rest assured in the knowledge that you’re doing so with the backing of the world’s most secure, and indeed most popular, payment method.
- Cashback: Some VISA cards will also allow you to earn cashback as you spend. This can be a good way to earn some money back on your gambling deposits - even if you don’t have much in the way of good luck at the casino.
The VISA Story
The year was 1958, and the swinging 60s were but a mere two years from getting off the mark. In Fresno, California, Bank of America launched their BankAmericard payment system, a payment protocol that was initially envisaged as a state-wide solution.
By 1965, the card-based payment system was already proving hugely successful, and Bank of America was busy striking up deals with banks outside of California to offer the cards and payment infrastructure to a much wider audience.
As more banks continued to license the card-based payment system, the late 60s brought a joint venture between operators, designed to look after the system for the benefit of the consortium of banks now using the technology. And thus, VISA as we know it today, was born.
By 1972, VISA was prevalent in over 15 countries worldwide, and by 1974, the venture overseeing the project was incorporated as IBANCO. In 1976, it was officially rebranded as VISA for the international market.
Today, VISA has grown to become the primary non-cash payment method used by consumers worldwide. In terms of online gambling, it is one of the primary payment methods used to deposit and withdraw from gambling accounts. With some 1.5 billion VISA cards in circulation, and over $4.3 trillion in annual sales, it’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of card payments.
So Can I Use VISA At Any Casino?
The short answer is ‘probably yes’. This is not 100%, as some casinos specifically target niche payment methods - I’m thinking the likes of bitcoin casinos, which won’t accept any form of deposit or withdrawal that isn’t denominated in bitcoin. Beyond that, if you’re looking at any regular online casino, you’ll be completely fine to use your VISA card - both for deposits and withdrawals.
VISA vs. Other Payment Methods
VISA vs. MasterCard
MasterCard is the Pepsi to VISA’s Coca Cola. But the two aren’t completely interchangable, as far as transactions with online casinos are concerned. With MasterCard, the starting point is that while you can deposit freely with any casino that accepts MasterCard (by far the majority of them), you will find it difficult to withdraw directly to your MasterCard.
Some casinos have managed to find some loopholes and special tricks that allow you to do this - but generally, that’s a problem, and it means you need at least one additional payment method to hand if you’re using a MasterCard for your deposits.
Contrast that with VISA - you can deposit and withdraw with equal ease, and there is no need for any additional payment methods on file. In this sense at least, VISA is just much easier, and much more convenient, than the alternative.
VISA vs. PayPal
Whereas VISA is accepted at virtually every online casino in existence, PayPal is a much more niche payment methods, at least as far as online gambling is concerned. PayPal doesn’t support gambling transactions in all cases, so essentially, it’s only the best casinos that get to use PayPal. However, every casino will be in a position to accept and pay via VISA.
There’s also the element of fees to consider here, too - there are usually fees applicable with both payment methods, but you can expect the PayPal side fees to cost more. So VISA is more widely accepted, and usually cheaper, than running your transactions through PayPal.
VISA vs. Other eWallets
The same applies for other eWallets as applies for PayPal. Some will be accepted more widely than others, but in general, if you’re playing with Neteller or Skrill, you won’t have the same flexibility as you’ll have when transacting through VISA.
When it comes to comparing different payment methods, there’s no contest. VISA is the most convenient option available to you, both for deposits and withdrawals - and it’s likely to be your cheapest option, too.
US VISA Casinos
Players from the USA will by now be used to the problems associated with finding a casino that accepts their business. Fortunately, there are a number of US casinos supporting VISA, including the following recommendations:
- Uptown Aces
- Slots Plus Casino
- Las Vegas USA Casino
- Sun Palace Casino
- All Star Slots Casino
- Club World Casino
- 7Spins Online Casino
Microgaming Casinos Accepting VISA
Microgaming is one of the leading developers of online casino games, particularly famous for their slots like Mega Moolah. Every Microgaming casino is already set up to accept payments and withdrawals from VISA, so there are no shortage of options. Here are our top recommendations for Microgaming casinos that accept VISA.
- Ruby Fortune
- Jackpot City
- Betway
- Spin Palace
- 32Red
- All Jackpots Casino
- AllSlots Casino
NetEnt Casinos Accepting VISA
NetEnt Casino are another major games developer, famed for the likes of Gonzo’s Quest and Starburst. Known for their high quality games and impressive graphics, it would be remiss not to consider NetEnt casinos that accept VISA. Fortunately, there are plenty for you to choose from, including our recommendations below:
- 888
- Royal Panda
- Hello Casino
- Best Casino
- Mr. Smith Casino
- Comeon!
- BGO
- Guts
- 21Prive
- Buck and Butler
Mobile Casinos Accepting VISA
Mobile casinos are fast becoming the main way people choose to gamble online. In fact, give it a few years, and you’ll find the vast majority of all online transactions being conducted on mobile, if we’re not already there. Mobile casinos are well placed to accept VISA payments and withdrawals, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a great place to play. Here’s our list of top recommendations for mobile casinos accepting VISA.
- Betway
- Royal Panda
- Lucky 247
- Hippodrome
- Grosvenor Casino
How to use VISA to load a casino account
Using your VISA card to load a casino account couldn’t be simpler.
Step 1: Open your casino account. Choose an online casino that accepts VISA deposits, and open an account there. Check out our lists above for some recommendations on which are best.
Step 2: Work out your bonuses. Most bonuses are front-loaded, as welcome bonuses designed to attract new players. But when the size of the bonus is matched by the size of your first deposit, it’s important to know your figures, and know what you’re prepared to pay to get the most bang for your buck.
Step 3: Click ‘Deposit’. Find your way into the payment menu within your chosen casino, and click to deposit. Here you will complete the specifics of your payment before loading up your account with fresh bankroll.
Step 4: Choose Amount and Enter Card Details. Decide on the amount of money you want to send to your account, and enter your card details in the usual way. Make sure everything is setup correctly with your card, including your most current address - you might need to verify this with additional documentation later down the road, if requested by the casino.
Step 5: Complete the Transaction and Get Started. Once you’re ready, it’s time to complete the transaction, and get started. Because you made the sensible decision to play with your VISA, your funds will be reflected instantly in your online gambling account, so there’s no hanging around involved.
Can I withdraw my winnings with VISA?
This is a good question, especially when you consider the problems with MasterCard withdrawals. But for VISA, withdrawals are a non-issue - it’s equally as possible to withdraw back to the same VISA you used for your deposit. While you might have to wait up to 5 days for withdrawals to be reflected in your card balance, it’s a significant step forward from using MasterCard. So in short, yes - you can withdraw your winnings with VISA.
Are there any casinos that offer bonuses when I deposit with VISA?
The vast majority, if not all, online casinos offer bonuses on your first deposit. Some will even offer bonuses on subsequent deposits, or ongoing promotions designed to encourage you to take the plunge and top up your funds. The same applies in the case of VISA transactions, and in fact, many casinos even restrict their bonuses to certain payment methods, of which VISA is almost always one.
Make sure you check the terms of any bonus first just to make sure, or to follow our recommendations for the best VISA bonuses. But generally, you should have no problem triggering welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses and other ongoing promotions through transactions via VISA.
Do I have to pay any fees to deposit and withdraw at the casino?
In most cases, you’ll find that there are no fees to deposit and withdraw at the casino when you’re using your VISA card. Of course, there may be fees incurred along the way with your card issuer, and in most cases, you will need to pay interest and other charges on your card in the usual way. However, as far as the casinos are concerned, you shouldn’t incur any extra costs when using VISA, so there’s nothing to worry about there.
Disadvantages of Gambling With VISA
So it’s probably clear by now that VISA is one of the best options awaiting you when deciding how to deposit and withdraw your funds. But there are some disadvantages, and for the sake of balance, it’s worth looking at some of these downsides.
Credit Limits: Depending on the arrangement with your card issuer, your VISA will be subject to some credit limits. This puts a notional cap on how much you can gamble with any one card, and may influence your decision about which payment method to use for your online gambling.
Fees: Whenever you’re making a payment on a credit card, you’re going to incur some fees along the way. This can’t really be avoided, unless you’re paying by a VISA debit card, which will generally be completely free of fees. Nevertheless, it’s a factor to consider when you’re deciding whether or not to use your VISA for gambling.
Withdrawal Timeframes: It almost seems a bit picky to have a problem with this, especially when you consider that MasterCard doesn’t usually allow withdrawals, full stop. VISA withdrawals are permissible, but they can often take up to 5 days to be returned to your card.
VISA Payments Summary
VISA is the perfect companion for the avid online gambler. Accepted pretty much across the board by virtually all online and mobile casinos, it’s one of the most straightforward payment methods going. You don’t need to set up an account, or go through the same level of verification as you would if you were setting up an eWallet - it’s just a convenient way to transact instantly, with payments reflected in seconds in your online gambling account.
There are some downsides - nothing, in life, is perfect. But when you take them all on balance, VISA is probably the best way to fund your online gambling account, and one of the easiest payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals from your bankroll.
