Introduction When you decide to start playing casino games or betting on sports online, the first step is funding your account. You’ll want to choose a payment method that is secure, easy to use and ideally has low fees. In this guide, we’ll overview the most popular e-wallets, prepaid cards and other deposit options for getting money into your online gambling accounts.
E-Wallets
E-wallets have become one of the most widely used online payment methods at Napoleon Casino online and other legitimate sites. They act as a middleman between your bank account/credit card and the online casinos. Here are some of the top e-wallet services to use for gambling deposits:
Skrill
- Originally called Moneybookers, Skrill is one of the longest-standing e-wallets. It’s available in over 200 countries and supports 40 currencies.
- Deposits are instantly credited to your account. Withdrawals take 1–3 days on average.
- Some online casinos will even cover the 1.9% deposit fee Skrill charges.
Neteller
- Neteller is nearly as ubiquitous as Skrill in the online gambling world. It’s been operating since 1999.
- Deposits and withdrawals are very fast, usually within 24 hours.
- Neteller offers a prepaid Mastercard option for easy access to your funds.
PayPal
- PayPal has over 300 million active user accounts globally.
- It has a trustworthy reputation and advanced security features.
- However PayPal’s strict policies have made it less common for gambling transactions. But some sites still accept it.
Prepaid/Gift Cards
If you value anonymity or don’t have a bank account, using prepaid cards is another solid option:
Paysafecard
- Paysafecard is a prepaid voucher you can buy at many convenience stores and gas stations in over 50 countries.
- It’s become very popular for deposits at online betting sites and casinos.
- Limits go up to $1,000 per voucher. There’s a $5.50 fee per deposit.
Flexepin
- Similar to Paysafecard, Flexepin issues prepaid vouchers you can use for deposits.
- No personal financial data is required when you purchase a voucher.
- But the downside is that Flexepin acceptance is limited compared to Paysafecard.
Gift cards
- Common gift cards like Visa or Mastercard branded ones can be used to fund gambling accounts.
- The gift card funds act just like a normal credit card deposit.
- You can buy gift cards with cash at many retail chains to preserve anonymity.
Cryptocurrency
Over the last few years, more gambling sites have started allowing deposits in digital coins like:
Bitcoin
- Bitcoin remains the most adopted cryptocurrency. Transactions are fast with low fees.
- Some online casinos even offer bonuses for using Bitcoin deposits.
- Just keep in mind the value fluctuates wildly compared to traditional currencies.
Ethereum
- As the second-largest crypto asset, Ethereum is accessible at many casinos.
- Gas fees for transfers can be high during times of network congestion.
- But deposits post rapidly and also qualify for special casino bonuses sometimes.
Litecoin
- Litecoin bills itself as a lighter, faster Bitcoin alternative.
- Its network handles a high volume of transactions from online gamblers.
- Litecoin prices don’t fluctuate quite as drastically as Bitcoin.
Top Recommended Payment Methods
| Payment Method | Speed | Fees | Acceptance | Anonymity |
| Skrill | Instant | 1.9% deposit fee | High | Moderate |
| Neteller | <24 hours | Low | High | Moderate |
| PayPal | Instant | None | Medium | Low |
| Paysafecard | Instant | $5.50 per deposit | High | High |
| Flexepin | Instant | None | Low | High |
| Gift cards | Instant | None | High | Moderate |
| Bitcoin | <1 hour | Low | Medium | High |
Debit/Credit Cards
Traditional debit and credit cards like Visa and Mastercard remain convenient funding options as well. Most gambling sites still accept them. Transactions post quickly and it draws right from your bank account.
The one shortcoming is directly linking personal financial data to gambling activity isn’t ideal from a privacy standpoint. But when used with reputable, licensed sites, cards are reasonably safe for deposits. Just be wary of excessive fees some banks and card issuers charge.
eChecks
If you prefer linking your bank account directly, eChecks (ACH transfers) may appeal to you. The deposits don’t require entering sensitive credit card data. Processing times are usually 1–3 days with most casinos. Some do charge a small fee for using eChecks. Just make sure you only play at trustworthy sites when handing over bank account access.
Bottom Line
We looked at the most popular ways bettors and online casino players can safely fund accounts to play games and wager. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are go-to options. Prepaid cards from Paysafecard or gift cards offer more anonymity. Cryptocurrency adoption continues rising. And debit/credit cards plus eChecks still work, despite some small drawbacks.
You want to find a fast, reasonably priced payment method that properly verifies your identity. This overview should help you select the best funding options for your online gambling deposits. Just check the availability at your preferred real money gaming sites. Their cashiers will outline the best country-specific methods to add money to start playing.