The Gambling Commission has banned the use of credit cards for gambling by customers in the United Kingdom. This means that they are no credit card gambling sites.
The ban, which took effect on April 14th 2020, follows reviews of online gambling by the Commission and gaming machines and social responsibility policies by the Government. Between August and November 2019, there was a public consultation.
In Great Britain, there are 24 million adult gamblers, 10.5 million of whom play online. According to UK Finance, 800,001 people use credit cards to gamble.
According to a separate Commission study, 22% of online gamblers who use credit cards are considered problem gamblers, with even more at risk of harm.
The ban applies to all online and offline gambling forms except for local lotteries. This will give people who are vulnerable a lot more protection.
Find out more about credit card betting:
Contents
Gambling Using Credit Cards
It is no longer possible to fund a digital e-wallet like PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, or EcoPayz with an AmEx card (or any credit card) and then use this intermediary account to fund a betting website.
Topping up digital wallets was a good option before the 2020 ban for people whose only payment was via credit cards, although it is still possible outside of the UK.
This was a viable option because most bookmakers do not charge fees for deposits made with or withdrawals made from e-wallets. However, your credit card provider will likely not give you any bonus points, cash back, or reward points for funding an e-wallet.
There are different fees that credit card companies charge for putting money into digital wallets.
For instance, Skrill charges a flat 1.9% fee for all credit cards, including Diners Club and JCB.
Be aware that your credit card may still block your transaction and charge you cash fees even using a digital wallet.
Many websites still state in their terms that a credit card cannot be used to access their accounts, not even through PayPal.
Before moving forward, you should check with your credit card provider, the e-wallet, and the bookmaker.
Finally, you can fund a bookmaker account using your credit card to buy cash vouchers like PaySafeCard. However, it’s also possible that this will be classified as a cash transaction and subject to high cash fees.
You shouldn’t use a credit card if you have other ways to fund your betting account. This is especially true in the UK, where it is currently illegal.
Credit Card Betting Ban Alternatives
As all licensed bookmakers are banned from allowing credit cards to fund betting accounts. Here are the best alternatives to credit card deposits:
Credit Card Bans For Betting Brands
If you want to find out more information on the bookmaker’s deposits and withdrawals check out the following list:
- Bet365 Credit Card
- BetVictor Credit Card
- Does coral accept credit cards
- Does ladbrokes accept credit cards
- Does betfair accept credit cards
- Do betfred accept credit cards
- Do william hill accept credit cards
- Do spreadex accept credit cards
- Do paddy power accept credit cards
- Do boylesports accept credit cards
- Do unibet accept credit cards
- Do betway accept credit cards
Popular Questions
Can credit card be used on betting sites?
Gambling businesses must not accept credit card payments for gambling.
Credit cards are banned in the following gambling sectors:
- Online betting
- Online casino
- Online bingo
- Online poker
- Online slots
Is it illegal to gamble with a credit card?
The UK Gambling Commission doesn’t allow UK gambling operators to accept any credit cards for gambling.
The UKGC Gambling Commission has announced a ban on gambling businesses allowing consumers in Great Britain to use credit cards to gamble.
Summary of Credit Card Betting Sires
Credit cards are a safe way to deposit money online and are a preferred payment option by many but no bookmakers or online sports betting sites accept credit cards as a means of payment anymore forsports betting
Since April 2020, the Gambling Commission has stopped this, and it is unfortunately not a recognised form of payment on UK gambling sites.
“Credit card gambling can lead to significant financial harm. The ban that we have announced today should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have. Research shows that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards are problem gamblers, with even more suffering some form of gambling harm.” – Neil McArthur, Gambling Commission Chief Executive.
Given the recent ban on credit cards, you will not find an online betting site that accepts this form of payment directly. If you are outside the UK and you do use one, you are likely to have to pay hefty fees to use it.
The main reason credit card is not available for online gambling is due to the terms of the card provider more so than those of the bookmaker, and there are several reasons for this.
