Payments

When it comes to online poker in the United States, there was a time when the choice of deposit methods was seriously limited. Those days, gladly, are over. A huge swell in interest has driven online poker sites to become far more flexible and a new army of payment companies to rise up.

Today, there are loads of new options and several methods that have stood the test of time. With so much choice, the challenge has now become choosing which method is best for you. That’s where our payment guide comes in. Read on for all you need to know.

American Express

American Express offers you the chance to enjoy the benefits of one of the most trusted credit card brands, while playing at your favorite poker site. You can also enjoy using it anywhere you are on your mobile phone.

Why you’ll love it: It offers instant deposits and great security to ensure you can play poker with peace of mind. One of the oldest and most trusted brands.

Click2pay

Click2pay serves as an ewallet. You can use it to fund your online poker account quickly and securely. Your Click2pay account requires a username and PIN, which you will be asked to enter to validate payments each time you deposit.

Why you’ll love it: You can fund your account using a number of different methods including credit cards and your bank account, even if the online casino doesn’t accept that payment method.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are attached to your bank account, allowing you to make payments that come directly from available funds. When you deposit to a poker site using a debit card, think of it as a much faster way of writing a check or buying a cashier’s check and sending it by post.

Why you’ll love it: Debit cards are ideal for the budget conscious, as they keep your online poker spending within your means and only allow you to spend money you have available in your bank account.

Credit Cards

The majority of online poker websites will accept credit cards as a deposit method. Credit cards work by lending the holder money and charging interest on the outstanding balance, with a minimum monthly payment due. Some also change an annual fee.

Why you’ll love it: You can play now and pay later. Plus, you could be eligible to earn points for some online gambling deposits that show up on your statement as a purchase.

Discover Card

The Discover card brand will be familiar to American residents as one the largest credit card providers in the US. After successfully applying for a card you’ll be given a credit limit and asked to make a minimum payment each month on your outstanding balance. Discover also issues debit cards to some banks.

Why you’ll love it: As with all credit cards, it’s the convenience element that really leaps out here. Your Discover card provides access to funds immediately and also allows for instant deposits at online poker sites that accept it as a method of payment.

Diners Club

Diners Club cards have been around for a long time and stand as a trusted method of making online payments for what they term “select and affluent customers”. They are effectively credit cards and charge cards by function, charging holders interest on the amount they borrow. An annual fee may apply.

Why you’ll love it: There are a number of benefits and rewards for Diners Club cardholders that can be earned as you spend. For those eligible, Diners Club cards are a great way to spend online and be paid back in another way later.

EcoCard

Use it wherever MasterCard is accepted. Just register for free and then load up your EcoCard using your EcoAccount, which can be funded by a number of different methods.

Why you’ll love it: There’s no requirement for a credit check when you apply for an EcoCard.

Echecks

Echecks are just like regular paper checks, but without the paper part! They’re usually attached to bank accounts and allow you to make digital payments by following the same process you would for a regular check.

Why you’ll love it: They usually take just a day or two to clear when you use them to deposit to an online poker account.

MasterCard

MasterCard offers credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards, and there’s a good chance you’ve got at least one of those in your wallet. The credit cards work as a borrowing service, with a minimum payment due monthly. Debit cards link to a bank account, while prepaid cards have to be loaded with cash first.

Why you’ll love it: MasterCard is among the most widely accepted payment methods online. Many US poker sites accept MasterCard as a deposit method, and the same is true of international real money sites.

Neteller

Neteller is a simple and effective tool to help you make secure transactions online. After registering for an account and making a deposit from one of numerous funding options (your bank account for example), you’ll be sent a prepaid card. You can then use the details from said card to deposit safely at online poker websites.

Why you’ll love it: Neteller is widely accepted as a deposit method and respected as an extremely safe and trusted method for making online transactions.

PayNearMe

This unique payment method allows you to deposit cash at your nearest 7-Eleven, ACE or Family Dollar store, and then play poker with those funds. It is specific to NJ residents, but does offer a simple way to play poker with US dollars. Only available to players in NJ and NV.

Why you’ll love it: It removes the hassle of finding a site that accepts credit cards, and it allows you to control your spending as you’ll need to go to the store to deposit. However, stores are close enough to keep the payment method convenient.

PayPal

PayPal is an online transaction giant you’ll almost certainly have come across. All you need is an email address to start with, and from there you’ll validate an existing bank account and link the two together. Using your PayPal email address and password you can then access funds from that account. You can also spend funds placed in your PayPal account from other sources.

Why you’ll love it: There’s no need to hand over your sensitive banking info. All you need is a PayPal account, and chances are you’ve already got one.

Paysafecard

Paysafecard bills itself as “Europe’s most popular and proven online prepaid payment method”. You can buy the card in certain stores and load it there with cash. The Paysafecard is then ready to be used for online transactions. Once you’ve spent everything, simply go and get another one.

Why you’ll love it: There’s no need to part with your banking details. You’re working purely with cash.

Prepaid cards

The premise is simple. Just load a card up with existing funds, perhaps with cash or via a bank account, and those funds are then available to use online via the prepaid card.

Why you’ll love it: Your spending is transparent at every stage. When the funds run out, they run out.

Visa

Visa offers credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards and gift cards. With the credit cards you’ll be borrowing at a given interest rate, depending on which card you qualify for. The debit cards draw from a bank account, while the prepaid cards and gift cards are pre-loaded with cash and ready to go.

Why you’ll love it: Visa is widely accepted and a hugely trusted name online. Most of the biggest online poker sites will take Visa as a deposit method.

Withdrawal Methods

Online poker sites usually offer a selection of withdrawal methods, so when you’re ready to cash out, it’s easy. These include most of the deposit methods listed above, however there are some exceptions. Many online poker sites don’t let you withdraw to your credit card. It’s also worth noting you will usually need to validate your identity before making a withdrawal. You should also expect a delay in receiving the funds, depending on the method chosen.

US online poker players enjoy a lot more flexibility than they previously have, as poker sites have expanded the number of ways in which American players can make payments.

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