Table of Contents
- The Top Three Requirements for Online Bingo Payment Methods
- Top Online Bingo Payment Methods in the UK
- Using Bank Transfer for Bingo Payments
- Payment Trends in Online Bingo
- Final Thoughts
- Online Bingo Payments FAQ
The Top Three Requirements for Online Bingo Payment Methods
Security – Online payment methods should be secure, above all things, especially with online gambling transactions. Since most bingo sites require you to present your personal and banking information, it is imperative that the payment method used has adequate security to safeguard your transactions from hacking, duplicate transactions or other common illicit practices. Although the best UK bingo sites have their own security protocols, it’s essential that the payment providers themselves meet the highest security standards, like the PCI-DSS for bank cards and ISO 27001.
Speed – The quicker you can make deposits and withdrawals with a payment method, the better your overall gaming experience will be. With the advancement in financial services technology, any modern payment method is expected to allow you to access your deposited funds immediately. As for withdrawals, several security protocols require a longer time to vet and approve such transactions. Nonetheless, you should receive your funds within a reasonable time.
Accessibility – Players are more likely to use a payment method they already possess rather than signing up for a new one. Payment solutions that are widely available across multiple bingo sites will also make playing at multiple bingo sites easier. The best payment methods should allow players to get and use them quickly, and they should also be available on multiple websites. If it’s widely available, it’s probably also a quality payment method players enjoy.
Top Online Bingo Payment Methods in the UK
At bingo sites in the UK, you’ll find at least four or five payment methods for making deposits and withdrawals. Some of these payment companies come up more than others and are generally considered the most popular solutions, typically debit cards and bank transfers. Others are relatively new to online bingo but have quickly become fan favourites for their impressive services, notably PayPal, Apple Pay, and Trustly. Some will only support deposits, while others will enable both deposits and withdrawals. Regardless of their attributes, these are all effective ways to pay and get paid when playing bingo online.
| Payment Method | Deposit Times | Withdrawal Times | Min Transaction Limits | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Instant | 0 – 24 hours | £5 | None |
| Debit Cards | Instant | 1 – 3 days | £5 | None |
| Paysafecard | Instant | – | £5 | None |
| Apple Pay | Instant | 1 – 5 days | £5 | None |
| Pay By Mobile | Instant | – | £5 | None |
| Trustly | Instant | 1 – 5 days | £10 | None |
| Wire Transfer | N/A | 2 – 10 days | £10 | Yes |
PayPal
This massively popular e-wallet is excellent for depositing and withdrawing at online bingo sites. It’s safe and secure and one of the fastest payment methods on the market. Players must register for an e-wallet account to begin playing at PayPal bingo sites. Afterwards, you can link your debit card or bank account to fund it. This way, you can avoid sharing your direct banking details with the bingo merchant.
Debit Cards
One of the top solutions for online purchases is debit cards. It’s a staple for online bingo deposits and enables instant payments. Debit cards may also be available for withdrawals, but it may require a few days to clear. They are great for claiming bingo bonuses.
Paysafecard
Paysafecard is a prepaid card solution that’s largely available in the UK. It’s a pre-funded card making it great for bankroll management. Prepaid card vouchers are available to purchase at retail locations (convenience stores, petrol stations, etc.) and online. It uses a 16-digit PIN that you have to enter on the bingo site when making payments.
Apple Pay
This modern payment option allows you to pay using your iOS device. With this method, you simply connect to your bank card or bank account and pay directly. It was created to facilitate payments for iOS users and is fast, secure, and very easy to use if you’ve got an iPhone or iPad.
Pay by Mobile
A top solution at mobile bingo sites, Pay by Phone involves making online bingo deposits using your phone balance rather than a bank account, card service or e-wallet. Pay By Phone, Payforit, and Boku are common phone billing methods in the UK. You can pay using your pay-as-you-go balance or add your bingo deposits to your monthly billing subscription. It works with EE, 02, Vodafone, or Three.
Trustly
Trustly is a Swedish direct banking solution that boasts faster payment processing than a regular wire transfer. It acts like an e-wallet since it’s a middleman between your bank and the bingo site. However, you don’t need to create an account or download any apps with this one. When using this method, you simply select your preferred bank and the amount you want to deposit, and Trustly will process the transaction quickly. It works for withdrawals too.
Bank/Wire Transfer
Traditional wire transfer is also available for online bingo transactions. You simply transfer and receive funds directly to your bank account. While it can be used for depositing, it’s mostly used for receiving payouts. As such many sites will only make it available for withdrawals. Players must be a bit patient when opting for this method, as transactions can take up to 10 working days.
Skrill
Founded in 2001 as MoneyBookers, this e-wallet was designed for online gambling transactions. Skrill allows you to pay, receive and store funds, which is great if you wish to maintain your gambling bankroll in a separate account. Skrill is usually restricted from claiming free bingo or free spins bonuses. Other than that, it’s a secure way to pay with no fees.
Using Bank Transfer for Bingo Payments
Bank transfers are about the safest way to transact since bank-grade security is in place to safeguard transactions. However, bank transfers take the longest to deposit and pay out, and they often come with fees. It remains a standard payment option for UK bingo players, and surprisingly British players still use this method for bingo payments, apparently overlooking the drawbacks.
It’s safe to say that the security and reliability of bank transfers is the reason for this. It’s also the most accessible because, basically, everyone has a bank account. So with this method, you wouldn’t have to worry about signing up for a payment account or downloading any apps. It’s also easy to use. Online bingo payments are the same as any regular online banking transaction.
Payment Trends in Online Bingo
Online banking has come a long way over the past few decades. And the online gambling industry, with its constant demand for better and more convenient ways to pay, is to thank for many of the latest advancements in payment technology. The latest trends in online bingo payments in the UK include the following:
Fast Payout Bingo Sites
Fast payout bingo sites are a growing demand because players don’t want to have to wait for several days before they get their winnings. Delayed payouts is an issue that has plagued online gambling sites for a long time, and now we see many new bingo sites promising fast payouts as a way to attract players.
E-wallets are among the fastest payment methods, more so than debit cards or bank transfers, so these are the major gateways you’ll find at fast payout sites. Instant transfer methods like Trustly are also growing in popularity because they eliminate the drawbacks of traditional bank transfers.
Quality over Quantity of Payment Methods
Bingo sites have to cater to different tastes to support a wider audience which is why there are multiple payment methods anywhere you play. However, rather than providing dozens of payment gateways, they now only provide a few quality ones that are reliable. Modern players care less about the number of payment providers and more about how safe and fast the method is. So we’ve seen operators focus on just a few top payment options that are popular among UK players.
No More Credit Card Payments
The UK Gambling Commission banned credit card usage for all gambling wagers (besides lotteries) from April 2020. Since then, there’s one less way to transact at online bingo sites in the UK as bingo sites have stopped accepting credit cards of all types, Visa, Master, Maestro, etc. The ban extends to credit card usage via e-wallets like PayPal and Apple Pay. So there are no loopholes to the restriction.
Final Thoughts
Where real money online gaming is concerned, online payment methods are indispensable. Usually, you’d expect to find quality payment methods when you play at a top-rated bingo site. Most bingo sites cover debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid vouchers, and direct banking. HN it’s still a good idea to look at the banking section before you join up. Security, speed and accessibility are the top features of any reliable payment method, but other factors like fees and transaction limits also come into play. You can learn more about each individual bingo payment method on our dedicated pages right here at casinos.win.
Online Bingo Payments FAQ
What is the most popular online bingo payment method?
Although there are many popular ways to pay at an online bingo site, debit cards are the winner regarding gambling deposits. They’re also the best for bonus claiming, as they will always activate a deposit bonus even where other payment methods are not eligible.
Can I withdraw with a different method than I used for depositing?
Most Bingo UK sites have a closed-loop payment system where you must withdraw using the same methods you used to deposit. This is done to prevent money laundering via the site. However, if your chosen deposit method doesn’t accept payouts, you may be allowed to withdraw with a different method after contacting customer support.
How long does payment processing take at online bingo sites?
Deposits are generally instant at bingo sites. On the other hand, withdrawal payment processing involves the time for the operator to approve the request and the payment provider’s own processing time. The best bingo sites will approve your request within 24 – 48 hours.