How to Bank at an Online Casino

How to Bank

UK casino players have the luxury of enjoying tax-free, hassle-free online gambling anytime they like.

Players can play for 1p a stake, hit the high roller tables, or go for a life-changing, multi-million pound progressive jackpot. And the law is totally on their side.

While in some countries banks get jittery about players making deposits and withdrawals, in the UK there are no such problems.

But with so much choice, which deposit method do you opt for, and which is best for you? Let's take a look at how you can make your first deposit and make your cash work harder.

Choosing a Deposit Method

Before you start salivating over gambling online, you'll need to pick a deposit method. As a rule of thumb, although not exclusively, every good UK casino will accept deposits using major credit and debit card providers, as well as leading e-Wallets, voucher schemes, and even straight bank transfers.

Choose a method that's right for you. Have a read through the deposit descriptions on these pages first before picking a method, and have a budget in mind first. Are you planning on depositing a few pounds a week; are you happy to use a credit card and get into debt; are you worried about online payment security?

Making a Deposit

You've been to the Cashier and chosen a deposit method. Now you need to make a deposit. Select the deposit option from the on-screen list and enter your card details or e-Wallet username and the amount of cash you want to deposit.

You'll need to enter your gambling account password to finish off the transaction, and with some payment methods you might have to enter additional passwords or be directed to a provider's homepage to complete the transaction.

Hit the Submit button and your funds will appear in your account. Depending on your deposit method, you can expect to see money in your gambling account anywhere from instantly to three days.

Always make sure that GBP is an accepted currency, and if you're converting pounds into USD or Euros first be aware of any fees involved.

If it's your first time making a deposit, some casinos require ID and age verification in order to action the deposit request. This usually consists of emailing a scan of a driving licence or passport to the casino support team. Once verified, your deposit will be completed and you'll be free to play.

Cashing Out

Withdrawing winnings is as easy as making a deposit. Head back to the Cashier and select a cash-out method from the list of possible options. Enter the amount of cash you want to withdraw and hit 'Submit' or 'Withdraw'.

Casino sites usually take 1-2 days to process a withdrawal request in case the player has a change of heart. After that processing period, players are at the mercy of their bank or credit card provider. Total cash-out times vary (see below) but most card users can expect to see their funds in 3-5 business days.

Net Deposits And Money-Laundering

To avoid money-laundering problems, some casinos operate 'Net Deposits'. This requires the player to withdraw cash or winnings back to the card or e-Wallet they used to make the deposit with. This prevents abuse from loading up via a credit card, then cashing out to a different card entirely.

Fees, Charges and Processing Times

How to Bank

Most of the time, UK deposits and withdrawals will be free of charge. That is, the casino itself won't charge for you to make deposits and cash-outs.

The same can't always be said of your card or e-wallet provider. If you use a credit card, for example, some deposits are treated as "cash advances" and subsequently involve a fee made to your card.

If you use an e-Wallet, which lets you transfer cash from a secure digital wallet online using multiple cards or accounts, you may incur a fee when cashing out from the wallet to your bank account.

Process Times and Charges For UK Players

Credit/Debit Cards
Deposit Times: Instant
Fees: Free
Withdrawal Times: 3-5 business days

e-Wallets
Deposit Times: Instant
Fees: Free (e-wallets will charge when withdrawing cash back out from an e-wallet to a credit or debit card)
Withdrawal Times: 1-48 hours

Bank Transfer
Deposit Times: 2-10 business days
Fees: Free
Withdrawal Times: 1-5 business days

Cheque
Deposit Times: 5-28 business days
Fees: Free
Withdrawal Times: 5-28 days

Online vouchers/prepaid cards
Deposit Times: Instant
Fees: Free
Withdrawal Times: n/a (Bank Wire or Wire Transfer offered as alternative)

Security and Audits

Every good casino will have security in place to protect all data that is sent through the site. Check the casino homepage for an SSL certificate (e.g. Thwarte SSL Web Server) or similar; a sign that players' details are safe and secure.

Every site should also be properly licensed. With proper licensing comes a commitment to auditing accurate and fast withdrawal times. These audits are carried out by external testing labs and certificates will be displayed on casinos' homepages for players to read.

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