Choosing the perfect place to play online slots can be a complicated process, as there are many things to consider. It isn’t just about the games that are available or how easy the site is to navigate. There are other integral elements for you to study carefully.
Payment options are overlooked by some players, as they simply assume that every casino will offer the same ways of paying money into their account and that it will be free and instant. In many cases, this may be true, but you always need to check the details to make sure.
Withdrawals are the main issue
Most online casinos have a decent range of payment options available for their customers to choose from, and with the exception of manual bank transfers, payments should hit your account instantly, regardless of whether you use a debit card or e-wallet, for example.
However, when it is time to take your winnings back out of your account, you’ll find that the process can take much longer. Some products can see cash arrive back in your hand quite quickly, but others can take a few days.
You need the freedom to choose from a top list of banking products that doesn’t limit customer choice at online slot sites. Thankfully, this information is readily available on the FAQ or dedicated banking pages at any casino site.
Selecting the right banking method
You might automatically assume that the best banking method for you is the one that you currently possess. While there is some logic to that, from a convenience point of view, it might be worth considering other products that could have more benefits.
Debit cards
Most of us have a bank account with a debit card, which we can use to make direct payments to an online casino or any other type of goods and services supplier. You don’t usually incur any fees for using a debit card and the system is pretty safe and secure.
However, some people prefer not to part with their card details when shopping online, and this could be an issue for you. Another important aspect to consider is the withdrawal time that we mentioned previously. Debit cards are notoriously bad when it comes to returning your cash and it could take up to a week for your winnings to make their way back to you.
Credit cards
Since the UK gambling commission banned credit card payments in 2020, this option has completely disappeared from view. Perhaps this was just a coincidence, or perhaps it was more strategically motivated. As the UK locked down due to Covid, the government may have quickly decided that credit cards and gambling shouldn’t mix.
E-wallets
E-wallets, such as Neteller and Skrill, are popular ways to fund an online gambling account. They are very easy to set up and provide a high level of both security and privacy for the customer.
Transaction times are among the fastest in the industry and there is a range of different products that you can use. One thing to be aware of is the cost of topping up your e-wallet account before moving the funds anywhere else.
Bank transfer
Everybody is familiar with bank transfers but not all of them are instant payment options. Requesting a manual bank transfer can take some time and even deposits may take a few days to arrive. The upside of this product is that it has one of the highest levels of security possible.
Prepaid cards and vouchers
If you don’t have access to any other type of payment product and would prefer to use cash, then paysafecard can be a great option. You simply head down to one of the official outlets, give them your cash and they will give you a voucher with a code that you can enter at the cashier section of a casino site.
They, and other brands, also offer prepaid debit cards that may be virtual or physical. To use a prepaid card, you will need an account with the service provider that you can top up using a range of different methods. Cards of this variety are fantastic as they allow you to budget perfectly and keep an eye on what you are spending.
Cryptocurrency
Not all brands allow cryptocurrency payments, but there are some that will permit them alongside other fiat currencies. Using Bitcoin or another type of cryptocurrency is fast and secure and doesn’t usually incur any fees. There are also some dedicated crypto sites that will only allow payments in this format.
Pay by mobile
Paying by mobile phone isn’t simply a case of confirming a payment through your online banking app. Boku and Payforit are two of the providers that offer an alternative way of using your handheld device to get cash moving.
Funds that are stored as prepaid credit, which you would usually use to make phone calls, can be sent to an online gambling site as funds for your account. The transaction limits are low and you won’t be able to receive withdrawals using this method.
Other things to consider
Check to see if there is a minimum withdrawal amount that you must comply with. If you try to take £2 out of your account and the minimum is £10, then this just isn’t going to work. And if you’re lucky enough to have amassed a huge amount in winnings, ask the casino what the maximum daily withdrawal limit is.
Also, bear in mind that you will usually need to use the same withdrawal and deposit method for both sides of the transaction—you can’t just chop and change when you feel like it. Make sure that you’re happy having funds going back to the same place from where they came in the first place.