Mastercard Gambling Restrictions

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Why can’t I use my credit cards for gambling transactions?

There are no MasterCard gambling restrictions with online casinos. If you have encountered any fees when using the card elsewhere online, this could be that the provider charges for transactions, something that is out of the hands of online casinos. Rules impacting processors and merchants. As a Mastercard processor or merchant, you are vital to our success. And that success is better assured if you have access to and understand the Mastercard rules and how they may apply to your business. You also should be aware that Mastercard rules and other standards change from time to time.

Starting 14th April 2020, all UK licensed gambling operators can no longer accept credit cards for gambling. This step was announced by the Gambling Commission on 14th January 2020, with the aim of protecting consumers against the financial impacts associated with the use of credit cards for gambling. To support this, we are making changes to restrict the use of first direct credit cards for gambling, where gambling businesses continue to accept them.

To help you keep in control of your card spending, you can turn off gambling transactions on your debit card by using the App. To find out how to do this and for our FAQs see our Gambling support page.

What transactions does this change impact?

This change only impacts transactions made using credit cards, where the transaction is categorised as gambling.

How does the gambling restriction on credit cards work?

Businesses that accept payment by credit card are categorised depending on the type of goods or service they provide (this is done by Mastercard and Visa, and not by first direct.) If we know a credit card payment is for gambling purposes because of the way the merchant is categorised, it will be declined. We can’t guarantee we’ll be able to block all gambling transactions, for example, some lottery tickets are sold through supermarkets and other retailers, so may not be identified as gambling transactions.

Whether your payment method has MasterCard, Cirrus, Maestro, Mondex, or Masterpass branding, you’re part of one family, and armed and ready to use online casinos that accept MasterCard.

If you’re new to real money gambling websites, you may not even realize that there’s a majority of online casinos that take MasterCard. We’re here to help you find the best MasterCard online casinos in 2021, and explain more about using this payment for your deposits.

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MasterCard is one of the top two credit card processors in the world, along with Visa. So, it’s got the convenience factor and can be used behind the scenes as well, purchasing prepaid cards or backing e-wallets and vouchers for real money casino gambling online.

But you don’t have to think of unusual ways to use your debit or credit card because the top real money MasterCard casinos list the payment method right at the top of the deposit list. Unless you pull up dedicated Bitcoin or small geo-targeted gambling websites, you’re bound to run into online casinos that accept MasterCard.

We’ve got the rundown on the best MasterCard casinos online today. They’re reputable gambling sites that make it easy for you to move money in and out of your betting account. We also cover some of the common questions that players ask about locating and using online casinos that take MasterCard.

The world of real money online gambling sites is filled with online casinos that accept MasterCard. It typically goes hand in hand with Visa, but MasterCard has a bit of an edge.

When you put one credit card up against the other, you’ll find that MasterCard has a slightly higher approval rate than Visa. Visa has stricter requirements regarding international purchase status. It’s going to depend on your location. But the best MasterCard casinos get your transfer approved, whereas there’s a chance that Visa deposits could be declined.

Unlike some of the other online gambling payment methods, like Skrill, Neteller, PayPal, and Paysafecard, MasterCard is in a league of its own, as it has fewer geographic restrictions when it comes to its users. You may even see Maestro specifically noted on the list of banking methods. Maestro covers some of the debit and prepaid cards.

Yes, the specifics regarding whether or not a prepaid card is on the list, or if MasterCard payouts are allowed, make a difference depending on where you live. However, the overall acceptance is pretty much across the board.

That’s good news if you want to deposit using MasterCard. But, you still need to be careful about where you play. Make sure you stick with the best MasterCard online casinos that we recommend.

Choosing the Top Online MasterCard Casinos

You’re not going to have to play a “Where’s Waldo?” kind of game as you search for real money online casinos accepting MasterCard. They’re all over the virtual gambling world.

As we mentioned in the previous section, it’s not a situation like it would be with an e-wallet or voucher payment method. This particular banking resource is all over the place.

If you’re on the hunt for real money MasterCard casinos, you could pull up your favorite site and just look in the homepage footer. The best online casinos that use MasterCard tend to put the logo in a prominent place, along with other payment method logos, licensing and certification, and contact information.

We’ve got a better method for you, though. Instead of flying blind and pulling up the first site that catches your eye, you could take advantage of our top-rated MasterCard online casinos. Using our list of recommendations, you get the benefit of comprehensive reviews, as well as verification of card acceptance.

Whether you go it alone and search for the best real money casinos accepting MasterCard or you work off of our ratings and rankings, you don’t have to settle for second best. There are so many possibilities that it’s not necessary. You’re in the driver’s seat.

Our process for determining our top-rated MasterCard online casinos is a lengthy one. We’ve got a team of experts who are adept at reviewing gambling websites and compiling enough criteria to rank and rate them accordingly.

Just as Mastercard is discriminating in selecting its card issuers and partners, we’re discerning when it comes to our recommendations for real money online casinos with Mastercard acceptance. The procedure starts before we even take a peek at the casino websites, as we first research ownership, reputation, and reliability. It’s not enough for a gambling site to promote that it accepts your favorite payment method, as it needs to offer the entire package.

What’s the entire package? It includes the following.

  • Transparency
  • Good reputation
  • Track record of timely payouts
  • Licensing and regulation
  • Random number generation
  • Plenty of licensed games in a variety of denominations
  • Prompt customer service response
  • Bonuses and promotions
  • Well-designed, easy to navigate website
  • Mobile access

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, banking is one of the most important aspects of any real money casino website.

As we’re focusing on the best MasterCard casinos online, obviously, debit and credit card acceptance is first and foremost. But you can’t forget about turnaround times and any potential banking fees. You’ll find that some of the US-facing gambling sites in particular not only charge for payouts, but they tack on deposit fees for credit cards.

Our casino reviews dive into all of those financial aspects. That gives you the information that you need to determine the online casinos that suit your needs.

Other Considerations When Selecting MasterCard Casinos

If you’re an account holder and you’re intent on using your card, debit, credit, or otherwise, the only thing you may care about is finding real money online casinos that use MasterCard as a payment method. But, as there are so many, you can narrow your focus even more.

You’ll find that some gambling sites charge for card payments, while others don’t. There are gambling websites with better bonus programs than others, and if incentives are significant, then that matters. Another consideration is the casino’s withdrawal menu. If you can’t get a card payout, you’ll probably appreciate a backup plan that doesn’t force you to wait for weeks for your cash.

If we haven’t driven this point home yet, then we’ll say it once again. MasterCard online casinos are prevalent, so the only restrictions you have revolve around the real money gambling sites that cater to your particular geographic location.

The top MasterCard casinos make it easy to fund an online betting account. MasterCard has global acceptance, and it provides one of the fastest ways to move money into a gambling site. While there are many benefits, there are a few drawbacks as well.

  • One of the fastest ways to fund a betting account
  • Many players already have a card in hand
  • Four types of accounts including debit, credit, gift, and prepaid
  • International acceptance – very few geographic exclusions
  • Typically qualifies new players for welcome bonuses
  • On average, a better exchange rate than other cards
  • Card payouts aren’t widely available – one-way transactions
  • Approval is in the hands of traditional financial institutions and isn’t guaranteed
  • Some sites charge fees for credit and debit card deposits
  • Depending on the location, players may be limited to debit or prepaid card deposits only

Getting Started with Online Casinos Using MasterCard

If you’re new to real money online gambling, then it may be tough to figure out where to start. The first step is to narrow your choices of safe and trusted online casinos accepting MasterCard. You can easily accomplish that by taking a peek at our recommendations.

We’ve got plenty of highly-rated options, but the list narrows based on where you live. While casino operators cover multiple countries, there are exceptions. Every casino doesn’t allow every player to register a betting account.

Again, you can check out our listings, or you can read through the terms and conditions section of an online casino that piques your interest. There should be a paragraph detailing included or excluded locations.

Once you jump the location hurdle and you’ve found your go-to real money gambling website, then you’ll need to register a new player’s account. It’s usually a simple form that requires your name, address, phone number, and asks you to set up a login.

MasterCard Deposits

The next step is making your first deposit. As you’ll be using MasterCard, you should be able to fund your betting account almost instantly. It’s just like making a purchase anywhere else, as you’ll input your card information and then see a notice of approval. As soon as you see that, your cash is in your player’s account. Debit and credit card transactions are credited immediately.

One thing you’ll want to keep in mind, though, when making your deposit is that you should be eligible for a welcome bonus. It’s typically a deposit match offer that’ll give you something like 200% based on the amount of your transfer.

The incentive will come with some requirements, though, so make sure you understand how online casino bonuses work before you accept one.

The best MasterCard casinos make accommodations for appropriate payout methods, but that’s another consideration to keep in mind. Just because you can deposit with MasterCard doesn’t mean you can get cash back onto your card.

We always suggest that you go to the banking menu that should be easy to find on any casino site, and review everything from methods to turnaround times to any possible fees that could come into play. Knowledge is power, and that’s something to keep in mind when you’re gambling online.

A MasterCard isn’t Always a MasterCard

Did you know that MasterCard isn’t a card issuer?

MasterCard and Visa are payment processors. So, you can’t go directly to either one to apply for a card. That’s all handled through the various financial institutions that participate in the programs.

It’s not 100% straightforward because not all accounts are the same. Not only do you have different banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions issuing cards, but there are various types.

  • Debit
  • Credit
  • Gift
  • Prepaid

When it comes to online casinos with MasterCard deposits, the information isn’t always detailed, as far as the kind of card that can be used. For the most part, though, card deposits include any of the four (debit, credit, gift, and prepaid).

Gift and prepaid cards give you a bit more anonymity, as you don’t have your personal bank account in the picture.

While each site has rules specific to its accounting department, you may come across some that indicate that cards have to be approved for international transactions. These sites originate from all different parts of the world, so widespread acceptance is key.

Withdrawals, on the other hand, are a different story. Unfortunately, you’re not going to find nearly as many casinos that will issue winnings to the same card.

When it comes to transfers in the opposite direction, they’re also jurisdictionally focused. Whenever you’re in doubt, be sure to ask the cashier first.

You may be able to get money into your betting account easily enough, but it could be an entirely different story when it’s time to claim your cash winnings.

Restrictions

MasterCard Casinos FAQ

Can you use MasterCard at real money online casinos?

Most online casinos accept MasterCard for deposits but tend to use other banking methods, like bank checks, for payouts.

A better question would be which online casinos don’t accept it, as it’s one of the most prevalent payment methods offered by gambling sites.

Unless it’s a Bitcoin-only site, the chances are that it accepts MasterCard. For specific recommendations of the best MasterCard online casinos, refer to our rankings.

Is there a difference between debit and credit card acceptance?

Yes. Some jurisdictions have taken credit cards right off the table when it comes to online gambling. In 2020, the UK, which has nationally approved and regulated online gambling, changed its stance on credit card acceptance.

Mastercard Gambling Restrictions Credit Card

So, while you can still use your debit card for deposits, credit cards are automatically declined. The guidelines are strict, and players can’t even go around the rule to use an e-wallet as an intermediary method when funded by a credit card.

Gamble Ban

How long does it take to move cash into a betting account using MasterCard?

One of the best features of debit and credit card deposits is their speed.

It typically takes just a few minutes to initiate a deposit and then see the money credited to the player’s account for immediate use.

Do online casinos that accept MasterCard impose fees?

Many real money gambling sites provide 100% free transactions for their players, and that applies to both deposits and withdrawals.

However, you may run across some sites that do charge for financial transactions. That information should be prominently posted on the banking menu page.

Does MasterCard provide guaranteed approval for cash deposits to gambling sites?

No. While MasterCard has a slightly higher acceptance rate than Visa, it’s still not a slam dunk when it comes to deposits. When you use this particular card, you’re subject to the rules of a traditional financial institution, like a bank or credit union.

Approvals also depend on the cardholder’s location and legalities regarding online gambling.

Is there a limit to how much I can deposit using MasterCard?

Yes. All casinos have imposed minimum and maximum transfer amounts. Additionally, your bank may also have a daily threshold.

Gambling

My MasterCard deposit was declined. Do I have any options?

When your transfer is refused, it’s time to get creative. You could use your account to buy a prepaid card or voucher and give that a shot instead.

MasterCards are also funding sources for e-wallets like PayPal, so there may be roundabout ways to put your card to work.