Several factors need to be considered when answering that question.
But in the end, before you choose the best way to pay when gaming online, you want to ask yourself some questions:
- Is this payment method secure enough?
- Is this payment method convenient enough?
- How much does it affect my gamling budget?
Below, we put some online gaming payment options to the test based on these criteria and a few others to see how they compare. In the process, we’ll highlight some of their pros and cons, and ultimately, you decide.
Let’s go!
Crypto
Using cryptocurrency for payments when gaming online involves simply transferring the equivalent value of the cryptocurrency of choice to the platform’s address. Of course, before a player can do this, they must have a digital crypto address where the preferred crypto coin is stored. Furthermore, they must link the address to their gaming account and authorize the transfer.
Some of the most widely accepted coins by most gaming sites include the popular Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, Cardano, etc.
Most players consider the crypto payment option one of the best when gaming online due to its speed, anonymity, and security. Using cryptocurrency for online gambling games in particular offers a certain level of privacy and security because the blockchain technology on which these cryptocurrencies are built uses advanced encryption techniques, which make it almost impossible for the transactions to be tampered with.
But that feature can both be a blessing and a curse. Crypto transactions are untraceable and irreversible. So, you might need help to make corrections when you make a mistake in the payment process. Even worse, you might fall victim to sending your funds to scam websites disguised as legitimate gaming platforms. So, it is advisable to be wary of gaming platforms that strictly accept crypto only. You should confirm their authenticity by checking their website to see if the appropriate regulatory bodies license them.
However, using crypto for online casinos is often to the player’s advantage, as these platforms will generally offer much more generous bonuses than if you play at a fiat money online casino.
Credit or Debit Cards
Credit and debit cards are one of the most established payment methods for both physical and online purchases. Although they seem similar, subtle differences exist between them.
Credit cards are physical cards that allow you to make purchases using a credit amount allowed by your credit card company. Debit cards, on the other hand, are physical cards linked directly to your checking account and will enable you to make purchases based on how much money you actually have. Debit cards made up 13% of online gaming purchases in 2018, while Visa and Mastercard credit cards accounted for 9% each.
Paying with them while gaming online requires gamers to enter their card details, including the card number, security code, and expiry dates on the gaming platform. The gaming charges are deducted instantly after inputting your details and authorizing the purchase, thus making them very convenient for users. However, this convenience often attracts transaction fees for each transaction.
They are widely considered one of the best payment methods for online gaming for one primary reason: they’ve been around for a long time. As such, almost all online gaming platforms and casino sites accept them for payments. There is an existing structure that caters to fraud protection checks and facilitates seamless transactions. In general, they are as tested and trusted as it gets.
However, with all that stability, all it takes for hell to break loose is your card details getting into the wrong hands. That those details give anyone the key to your finances is a significant drawback of using credit and debit cards for payment when gaming online. And, seeing as numerous scam websites parade themselves as online gaming platforms these days makes some consider using them too big a risk.
If using your credit and debit cards still appeals to you, you should always take steps to protect your card information when paying online.
Prepaid Debit Cards
Recently, prepaid debit cards have become one of the most convenient, popular, and economical ways of making online payments. They are virtual cards that must be preloaded with funds by users for later use as an online payment option in various situations. Once the preloaded amount is exhausted, users must reload them for further use. A prepaid debit card can be funded online or at physical locations like ATMs or participating stores.
The fact that prepaid debit cards must be preloaded with funds makes them excellent payment choices when gambing online because it helps bettors stick with their gambling budgets. Furthermore, individuals with no access to traditional bank accounts and card details can use them to access international betting sites.
Nonetheless, as good as it sounds, prepaid debit cards have some downsides. Most notable are the associated fees. These fees could eat into your allotted betting or spending budget, depending on your service provider. You might incur ATM fees, foreign transaction charges (for players on international betting sites), reloading fees, etc.
Also, depending on the provider, there might be minimum and maximum limits on how much you can load and how much you can spend within a specific time frame. This limitation can interfere with your online gaming plans.
E-Wallets
Also known as electronic or digital wallets, these are mediums that allow users to store their funds safely online when online payments need to be made. E-Wallets are a lot like prepaid debit cards in that they are funded from the individual’s account by linking the card or bank details to it. This, in turn, allows users to make payments on any other platform without providing their personal account details.
However, they differ from them in that they are strictly digital addresses, are more versatile, and can store multiple payment methods.
E-wallets are a very efficient means of payment when gaming online because players don’t have to reveal their account information to online gaming sites. They also come with the same benefit of enabling proper bankroll management by ensuring bettors can access only the loaded amount. In addition, you don’t have to input your personal account details on any gaming platform. This way, a massive part of your finances will be protected if you eventually bet on the wrong platform.
Nonetheless, you might still be vulnerable to identity theft should your device be stolen while unprotected or hacked. Also, not all online gaming platforms accept this payment method, and some casinos exclude e-wallet deposits from being eligible for bonuses.
Examples of e-wallets include Cash App, Apple Pay, Skrill, and PayPal. Of these, PayPal was the most popular amongst gamers in 2018, and the most popular payment method overall, accounting for 26% of gaming purchases. Apple Pay and Google Pay took a further 3% each in the same year.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
