Top Payment Methods for Betting on Sports
Although there are many online payment methods, some are safer and quicker than others, creating a distinct advantage. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of the top 10 payment platforms you should use when sports betting in the US.
PayPal
Using PayPal as your method of payment gives you access to a convenient and secure network that will keep your information safe. The main benefit of using PayPal is that when you link your PayPal account to your sportsbook, you can deposit funds quickly without sharing sensitive information.
Additionally, withdrawals are also typically faster than traditional banking methods. When every leg of that eight-leg parlay hits, you want your winnings, and you want them now. And kudos to you for getting each leg, that’s hard. Much respect.
Pros
- fast transactions
- accepted at the majority of US sportsbooks
- safe and secure
Cons
- account freezing does happen (rarely, but it is a problem when it does)
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is another top online betting payment method, as it provides a seamless and secure option for bettors with iOS devices.
With a simple touch or glance, you can authorize payments with biometrics, saving you the time of inputting info. Apple Pay also employs tokenization, which safeguards your card details during transactions while also keeping them quick.
This makes Apple Pay the top option if you have an Apple device. Duh. Its only downside is that you can’t use it with Android.
Pros
- advanced encryption
- can use with Face ID and Touch ID
- built into iOS devices
Cons
Skrill
Skrill is available in 131 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted payment processing platforms available. The alternative payment method may not be the largest in the US, but it nonetheless facilitates swift deposits on several sportsbooks.
In terms of security, Skrill uses two-factor authentication alongside high-level encryption, ensuring safe and secure transactions.
Pros
- available globally
- highly encrypted for your safety
- speedy transactions
Cons
Visa
You’ll find a Visa card in almost every wallet in America, as the credit card giant has become synonymous with payments. This makes Visa easily one of the best payment methods, with lightning-fast transactions that have a super high degree of security.
However, Visa is available for deposits on most top sportsbooks but isn’t really found much on the withdrawal side of things.
Pros
- available on many sportsbooks
- great for deposits
- quick transactions
Cons
- not a common withdrawal option
Mastercard
Mastercard, much like Visa, is a titan of the finance world, with its services being accepted all over. This gives Mastercard the benefit of being usable on most sportsbooks, at least for withdrawals.
As one of the best online payment methods, Mastercard also offers high-level encryption on every transaction, always keeping you safe. Transactions are also instantaneous in most cases, letting you bet quickly.
Pros
- huge payment platform
- ample security
- widely accepted
Cons
- not found on some smaller sportsbooks
American Express
American Express, otherwise known as Amex, is a large credit card company with availability mostly limited to the US. This means that sportsbooks like DraftKings and BetMGM accept it, but foreign bookmakers probably won’t.
However, much like the other credit card giants, Amex is one of the more secure payment methods that also offers super-fast transactions, making it an ideal choice to fund your account.
Pros
- safe and quick transactions
- trusted brand
- US-based
Cons
- not available on all foreign sportsbooks
Discover
Using Discover as your payment option when you bet online provides a convenient and secure experience. You can easily add the Discover Card to your account on multiple sportsbooks and bet on the biggest action, like the NBA Finals, Uruguayan rugby, and Belarusian floor hockey.
Discover also offers robust security measures, like multi-layer encryption and fraud monitoring, to make sure you always have safe transactions.
Pros
- very safe
- available at most US betting sites
- no annual fee (depending on your card)
Cons
- low acceptance at out-of-country sportsbooks
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is an interesting choice when looking for a way to process online betting payments since crypto has had its ups and downs. Although not used as much as fiat currency, Bitcoin offers you the utmost safety when completing a transaction.
The Proof of Work encryption that is used by Bitcoin provides encoding at the same level as the military and the world’s largest banks, 265-bet SHA hash functions (which makes us think of hash marks and an insane football prop bet that could only happen in our wildest dreams).
Pros
- super secure
- transactions happen fairly quickly
- no fees or chargebacks
Cons
- price of cryptocurrency is volatile
Venmo
Venmo is very similar to other online betting payment methods like Discover and Amex because it’s not widely accepted outside America. Although within our borders, Venmo lets you connect your bank account and make instant deposits.
This payment option is not really found on sportsbooks like Unibet but, if you’re looking to use a sportsbook like BetMGM, you’ll have better luck and be able to quickly and easily fund your account.
Pros
- rapid transactions
- no fees
- accepted at most US books
Cons
- can’t cancel payments if something goes wrong
What to Look for Before Making a Deposit at a US Sportsbook
Before you deposit your hard-earned money, you need to make sure that the sportsbook has some central safety and ease-of-use features. We’re talking about things like timing, security, and max/min limits.
Let’s get into it.
Deposit and Withdrawal Timeframes
Before depositing funds into a sportsbook, examine the deposit and withdrawal timeframes carefully. Different sportsbooks have varying processing times, which can affect how quickly you can start betting or access your winnings.
Look for a bookmaker that offers instant or at least quick deposits and withdrawals that are reasonably timed. Although some withdrawals are immediate, some can take anywhere from 24 hours to seven business days.
Security and Safety
It is absolutely crucial that you take security and safety seriously when choosing a betting platform or just using a new payment method. Ensure the payment employs industry-standard encryption to protect your sensitive information, such as personal details and financial data.
You don’t want your password, or even worse, ID picture, to get leaked onto any unscrupulous websites.
Minimum and Maximum Deposit and Withdrawal Limits
Before depositing funds into a sportsbook, it’s important to examine the maximum and minimum deposit and withdrawal limits for their available sports betting payment methods.
Different sportsbooks might set varying restrictions on the amounts you can deposit or withdraw. Make sure that the sportsbook’s limits align with your budget and with how much you expect to wager.
Do not go over your intended bankroll. If you only want to add $200 to your betting account, don’t go over. In the end, it’s your money and you can deposit as much as you see fit.
Availability and Ease of Use
Before you get started with any online payment method, make sure you consider the overall ease of access the site offers. You won’t want to work with a sportsbook that has a clunky interface and slow-loading pages.
A well-designed and accessible online betting platform or sportsbook app will 100% enhance your overall time spent wagering, as any slow loading or access issues can be as infuriating as a buzzer-beater when you’re betting on the other team.
Payment Methods Frequently Asked Questions
If this is your first time sports betting and you’re unsure about how to proceed, we got you! Our FAQ section should clear everything up so you can start wagering.
How do Betting Payment Methods Work?
Most payment methods work by depositing funds into the sportsbook so you can bet and then withdraw your winnings. Sometimes a single betting payment method can do both, while other times you’ll need to use two platforms.
How do I Deposit to My Sportsbook?
To deposit funds to your sportsbook, log in to your account and navigate to the ‘Cashier’ or ‘Deposit’ section. Choose your preferred payment method, such as credit or debit cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers. Enter the required details and the deposit amount.
Do USA Sportsbooks take Credit Cards?
Most of the top USA-based sportsbooks take credit cards for deposits only. So, if you are looking to also withdraw with your credit card, you may have to use an e-wallet instead. However, e-wallets can link to your bank account so the transaction is still coming from your financial institution, it’s just going through an intermediary first.