Depositing at Your Sportsbook with a Credit Card
By Aaron Gray
Updated:
Funding your sportsbook account with a credit card is one of the simplest and fastest ways to make a deposit. Considering their widespread daily use, it’s no surprise that credit cards are also the most popular method.
In fact, every online sportsbook we review accepts some form of credit card as a deposit method.
In this guide, we walk you through the pros and cons of using credit cards to deposit money at online sportsbooks. In addition to discussing conventional credit cards, we touch on prepaid credit cards.
Here’s everything you need to know about using a credit card at your online sportsbook.
Conventional Credit Cards
Most regulated online sportsbooks provide easy banking with the conventional credit cards you already use every day.
With over 336 million cardholders, Visa is the most popular of all conventional credit cards and, as such, it is accepted virtually worldwide.
However, Visa isn’t the only credit card accepted in the world of online sportsbooks. The most popular credit cards accepted at sportsbooks are:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
In many cases, you’ll also be able to make deposits with a debit card that’s affiliated with one of these major card companies. Simply check your bank card for their logo to see if your debit card will be accepted.
Is It Safe to Use a Credit Card at Online Sportsbooks?
Both Visa and Mastercard have enhanced levels of security for their cards, which is especially useful when using your credit card online. “Verified by Visa” and “Mastercard SecureCode” provide you with a pin or password that is only known by you and your financial institution.
This pin or password will never be shared with the merchant, and it serves to ensure that the rightful cardholder is the only one using the card.
That said, it always pays to be careful when it comes to entering your credit card number or any other personal information over the web. In terms of sports betting, this means you’ll need to ensure you’re wagering with a safe and regulated sportsbook.
Choosing from one of the closely-scrutinized options reviewed on our site is one way to make sure your personal info is safe. Otherwise, make sure the sportsbook is prominently displaying their endorsement from a trustworthy regulatory body such as the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The Benefits of Choosing Credit Cards as a Deposit Method:
- Using a credit card to deposit is one of the fastest ways to get started at an online sportsbook.
- Depositing with a credit card is as easy as merely entering the information on the card.
- Account funds are available almost instantly, which is a massive benefit if you’re trying to place a bet shortly before the game starts.
- Minimum deposits tend to be low, generally between $10-50. This varies from sportsbook to sportsbook. Check out our guide on minimum deposits for more information on the smallest deposits you can make via credit card.
Blocked Sports Betting Transactions & Your Credit Card
In some cases, your credit card provider may block transactions with your online sportsbook. Financial service providers can be held liable when facilitating illegal transactions, and many providers choose to err on the side of caution by blocking all online gambling transactions.
So long as you are wagering with a properly-licensed and legal sportsbook, you should simply contact your bank or credit card provider directly and ask them to remove the block from future transactions.
Credit Card Fees and Sportsbook Deposits
The vast majority of online sportsbooks assess no fees when processing credit card transactions. If your sportsbook is assessing an extra fee when you make a credit card deposit, it’s likely time to search for an option that’s more accommodating of your preferred payment type.
Prepaid Credit Cards
Using a prepaid credit card allows you to keep your personal information private and doesn’t require you to open a line of credit.
Your personal details and bank/credit card information aren’t connected to the prepaid card, meaning they can’t be transmitted to the merchant, either. This provides bettors with an extra level of security when making deposits.
Some online sportsbooks offer branded prepaid cards that come with additional benefits such as extra rewards.
Below are some of the most popular prepaid credit card options:
Play+ Card
Play+ is a prepaid card that’s quickly taken hold of the market, especially in the United States. The platform licenses their services to individual sportsbooks, which offer branded versions of the prepaid Play+ card.
For many users, the Play+ card offers distinct advantages over your personal credit card where available. While you can usually only use credit card to deposit money into your bankroll, the Play+ can also be used for withdrawals.
Outside the online sportsbook or brick-and-mortar casino, your Play+ card simply functions the same as a Discover debit or credit card. It can be used to make everyday purchases or even withdraw cash from a wide network of ATMs.
Paysafecard
The most widely-used prepaid credit card is the Paysafecard. With more than 500,000 sales outlets, finding and purchasing your own Paysafecard shouldn’t be an issue.
Each country offers different value increments that can be purchased. Paysafecards are not reloadable unless you sign-up with the company.
Be sure to use the full amount on the card within 18 months, as a fee of $2.50 per month is deducted thereafter.
You may want to use a different deposit method if you’re trying to deposit a large sum of money into your gambling sports betting account, as Paysafecard maximum deposits are generally under $1,000.
EntroPay
EntroPay is a prepaid virtual Visa card that is accepted anywhere Visa is.
After you sign-up and receive your virtual card (you won’t receive a physical card), it can be loaded and reloaded with a fee of 4.95% on each amount loaded. Visa holds your banking information, but will not release it to merchants.
You can fund your EntroPay account with a credit or debit card.
Of all the prepaid credit card options, EntroPay has the highest maximum deposits allowed by sportsbooks, generally around $20,000.
ecoCard
The ecoCard is available in three currencies (USD, EUR, and GBP) and your funds are easy to access.
However, to acquire an ecoCard, you have to go through an application process and – depending on your location – there may be fees for using it.
Regarding minimum and maximum deposits, ecoCards are second-best to EntroPay virtual Visas.
Benefits of Using a Prepaid Credit Card
- Depositing with a prepaid credit card offers the same quick and easy approach of a regular credit card, but doesn’t require you to include banking information on the internet.
- Prepaid credit cards are a great way to set limits for yourself, as you aren’t working off a line of credit.
Still Unsure If Using a Credit Card Is Right for You?
Picking the right method to send money to your sportsbook can be a bit of a head-scratcher. There are many different options to consider before choosing the method that’s best for your needs.
If you want to weigh your options before making a deposit at your online sportsbook of choice, check out our guide to depositing and withdrawing at your sportsbook, where we cover all the possible ways to fund your account.
Sports & Politics Writer
Aaron has been featured in publications such as Intelligence Magazine, The Investing News Network, Haven, Tech Bullion, and many local and national publications. He has contributed to SBD since 2017. Western B.A. '14, NYU M.A. '17.