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Using a Prepaid Card at Your Online Sportsbook

Mitchell South

by Mitchell South

Updated May 6, 2024 · 11:57 AM PDT

Prepaid cards for sports betting are quickly becoming one of the easiest and safest ways to deposit money into your online betting accounts.

Many of the most popular online sportsbooks now offer their own prepaid cards that come with additional benefits such as extra rewards.

Read on to learn which sportsbooks accept prepaid cards, how to use them, and gain a thorough understanding of their benefits and restrictions.

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Sports Betting Sites That Accept Prepaid Cards

Here are some top sportsbooks that currently accept prepaid cards:

Sportsbook Get Started
FanDuel Deposit Now
DraftKings Deposit Now
BetMGM Deposit Now
ESPN BET Deposit Now
Caesars Sportsbook Deposit Now
bet365 Deposit Now

Why Use a Prepaid Card for Online Gambling?

The primary benefit of using a prepaid credit card over your actual credit card or debit card is an extra layer of security when betting online. Betting sites that accept prepaid cards also offer additional flexibility when funding your sportsbook account.

Your banking and credit information aren’t connected to a prepaid card, so this info can’t be transmitted to merchants either. Using a prepaid card effectively allows you to keep your personal information private.

Many bettors also appreciate that prepaid cards do not require a credit check or line of credit. Plus, most prepaid cards have no monthly fees and no minimum account balance. Once purchased, you can typically add funds to your card online or reload it at participating retailers.

Most prepaid cards have no monthly fees and no minimum account balance.

Some prepaid cards, such as the Play+ card available at FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and other top online sportsbooks, can be used to withdraw funds from your sportsbook account as well as make deposits – another benefit you wouldn’t get with a conventional credit card.

Using a prepaid card is also a great way to manage your bankroll and gamble responsibly. A prepaid card is an extra step removed from your bank account or credit card and has no overdraft capability, which will make you think twice when topping up your sportsbook account.

Prepaid Cards Accepted at Online Sportsbooks

Online sportsbooks will accept various types of prepaid cards, including prepaid Visa, prepaid Mastercard, and sportsbook branded prepaid cards.

Prepaid Visa for Online Gambling

Conventional credit card companies such as Visa and Mastercard offer prepaid cards that are accepted anywhere regular credit cards are, but don’t require a credit check or a bank account. Every online sportsbook we have reviewed currently accepts Visa as a deposit method, and more than 95 percent accept Mastercard as well, so this is one of the easiest and fastest ways to fund your betting account.

Prepaid Visa cards and prepaid Mastercards are easily purchased online or in-person at many banks and major stores such as Walmart.

However, some credit card providers do not allow transactions with online gaming providers, which may apply to their prepaid cards as well. If your transaction gets blocked when wagering with a properly-licensed and legal sportsbook, you should contact your card provider directly and ask them to remove the block from future transactions.

Note that few betting sites will allow you to withdraw from your sportsbook account to a conventional credit card or a prepaid Visa card. A notable exception is DraftKings, which first refunds your original deposit source with the amount you deposited, and then provides the option to choose a check or PayPal transfer to receive the remaining funds (i.e. your winnings).

Prepaid Cards From Sportsbooks

Many of the most popular sportsbooks have partnered with financial services providers to offer their own prepaid cards. You’ll often see sports betting sites promoting these branded cards as their most recommended deposit option.

Prepaid cards offered directly from sportsbooks – like the FanDuel prepaid card or DraftKings prepaid card – have very high transaction approval rates when loading funds. They also often include additional perks such as extra rewards and bonuses. It’s easy to add money to them using your credit card or a checking account, or in some cases, with cash at a participating casino.

Some sports betting sites, such as FanDuel, have higher daily deposit limits associated with their prepaid cards than they do for regular credit or debit cards.

To sign up for a sportsbook prepaid card, simply visit your favorite sportsbook website(s). You’ll get a physical card in the mail a couple of weeks later, but you’ll be able to start loading the card and making deposits to your sportsbook right away.

Many sportsbooks have partnered with a Las Vegas-based company, Sightline Payments, to offer branded versions of Sightline’s Play+ platform. Other books, such as PointsBet, have branded versions of prepaid Mastercard’s or prepaid Visas. The fees vary and you need a separate prepaid card for each sportsbook you plan to visit.

Important Details Before Using a Prepaid Card

Here are some important things to remember before using any type of prepaid card to fund your sportsbook account:

  1. You need to have funds loaded to your prepaid card before you can deposit them to your sportsbook account. This may require multiple transactions prior to placing your bets.
  2. Consider the transaction processing time for both loading your prepaid card and the subsequent deposit to your sportsbook account.
  3. Ensure the name and address associated with your prepaid card match those associated with your sportsbook account, or the transaction may be declined.
  4. Be aware of any transaction limits and fees associated with the prepaid card. These vary between providers. As always, read the fine print!

Understanding Fees

There are typically no fees associated with transferring money between your sportsbook account and your prepaid card. However, there are sometimes fees for transfers to/from your bank and the prepaid card.

The following table shows some common fees to look out for, and how they may differ from provider to provider.

Sportsbook Recommended Prepaid Card Bank Card Load Fee Account to Bank Transfer Fee Inactivity Fee (months)
BetMGM BetMGM Play+ 2.85% of transaction $2 $2.95 (12)
BetRivers BetRivers Play+ $0 $2 $2.95 (6)
Caesars Caesars Sports Play+ 2.95% of transaction $2 $2.95 (6)
DraftKings DraftKings Play+ $0 $2 $2.95 (6)
FanDuel FanDuel Play+ $0 $2 $2.95 (6)

The recommended prepaid cards in the table above are just one option. You can use a Visa gift card on DraftKings, or a Vanilla gift card with FanDuel for example. The best prepaid card for online gambling will depend on what sportsbook you’re betting with, and what deposit methods you typically prefer.

Play+ Prepaid Cards

Play+ is a prepaid card for sports betting that has taken the US market by storm. The platform licenses their services so that individual casinos and sportsbooks can offer branded versions of the prepaid Play+ card. Some current Play+ partners include:

  • FanDuel Prepaid Card
  • DraftKings Prepaid Card
  • Caesars Sportsbook Prepaid Card
  • BetMGM Prepaid Card
  • ESPN BET Prepaid Card
  • BetRivers Prepaid Card

Remember that you will need a separate Play+ card for each sportsbook, and the associated fees and deposit limits may vary at each operator.  You can also use Play+ cards to make withdrawals, and they are accepted anywhere Discover cards are accepted, as well as at ATMs nationwide.

Play+ Card Load Limits

The table below shows the standard and VIP load limits for Play+ cards:

Time Period Standard VIP
Daily Limit $2,000 $10,000
7-Day Limit $4,500 $30,000
30-Day Limit $10,000 $70,000
Maximum Account Balance $25,000 $100,000

How to Make Withdrawals Using a Play+ Prepaid Card

An added benefit of a Play+ card is you can use it to withdraw from your sportsbook account. To access your winnings, simply withdraw them from your sportsbook account to your Play+ account.

Beyond the sportsbook, your Play+ card functions the same as a Discover debit or credit card. You can use the card to make everyday purchases or even withdraw cash from a wide network of ATMs. Note that withdrawing from an ATM will incur an extra $2 fee (plus the fee from the ATM itself!), whereas a regular purchase will not.

You also have the option of transferring the money back to your bank account. Note that in most cases this will incur a $2 charge.

Using a FanDuel Prepaid Card

FanDuel Sportsbook offers bettors the option to make secure deposits and withdrawals via the FanDuel PrePaid Card, a branded version of the increasingly popular Play+ Card.

  • Sign up on the FanDuel website – it will automatically attach to your sportsbook account
  • Fund the card using Visa, Mastercard, or ACH
  • Very high approval rate when loading funds
  • $0 bank card load fee
  • Standard and VIP Play+ load limits apply

Using a DraftKings Prepaid Card

The DraftKings Play+ card has a very high approval rate and low fees. Cash out via the prepaid card, then spend your money anywhere a Discover card is accepted, withdraw cash at ATMs, or transfer back to your bank account.

  • Sign up on the DraftKings website
  • Fund the card using your debit or credit card
  • $0 bank card load fee
  • Standard and VIP Play+ load limits apply

Using a BetMGM Prepaid Card

Sign up online for a BetMGM Play+ card, fund it with your debit or credit card, and place your wagers at one of MGM’s many casinos or through their BetMGM online sportsbook.

  • Bank card load fee is 2.95 percent of each transaction
  • Standard and VIP Play+ load limits apply
  • Use the card anywhere that accepts Discover cards, or to withdraw from ATMs

Using a Caesars Prepaid Card

Caesars Entertainment also has a branded version of the Play+ card. Sign up on the Caesars sportsbook website and use it to fund your online betting account, or get in on the action in-person at Las Vegas’ largest sportsbook.

  • Fund the card using your debit or credit card
  • Bank card load fee is 2.95 percent of each transaction
  • Standard and VIP Play+ load limits apply
  • Instant processing time when transferring to/from your sportsbook account
  • Use it anywhere that accepts Discover cards, or to withdraw from ATMs

Using a BetRivers Prepaid Card

The BetRivers Play+ card has a very high approval rate and low fees. Use it to deposit to your online sportsbook account, or to place wagers at a Rivers Casino in-person. Cash out via the prepaid card, and spend your money anywhere a Discover card is accepted, withdraw cash at ATMs, or transfer back to your bank account.

  • Sign up on the BetRivers website
  • Fund the card using your debit or credit card
  • $0 bank card load fee
  • Standard and VIP Play+ load limits apply

Other Deposit Methods You Should Know About

An important part of line shopping and planning your bets is ensuring you have funded accounts at multiple online betting sites.

You’ll need to understand which deposit methods are accepted at your sportsbook, as well as the timing, transaction fees, benefits, and restrictions associated with each method.

Here are some of the other ways of funding your account you should know about:

  • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, etc.)
  • PayPal
  • eWallet
  • Bank wire transfer
  • Check

Sports Betting Dime is here to help you bet with confidence and make informed decisions. Explore our guide to the full variety of sportsbook deposit and withdrawal methods to choose the option that’s best for you.

FAQ

Do I need a physical prepaid card to deposit funds to my sportsbook?

No. As long as you have access to the prepaid card account, you’re set.

Can I use my Play+ account to deposit at any sportsbook?

No. Although many sportsbooks have licensed the Play+ platform, you will need a separate, sportsbook-branded Play+ card for each sports betting account you wish to fund.

Is a credit check required with a prepaid card?

No, you do not need a credit check to sign up for a prepaid card.

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