When I'm selecting a potential deposit or withdrawal method, I consider how much it will cost, how safe and simple the payment process is, and how quickly I'll be able to send my funds to both sides of the transaction.
Speed and safety are my top two considerations. Generally, whether I am depositing at real money or a top sweepstakes casino, I use PayPal for efficiency because I can use my phone to make instant deposits.
Of course, there are many more options available if PayPal is not. Let's look at some of my preferred ways to pay and play real money slots, blackjack, and more at online casinos.
It was easy to complete a deposit with my debit card at BetRivers Casino. I deposited $10 to get started, and the funds appeared instantly. After entering card details in the "Wallet," the deposit was completed in under five minutes.
Credit/debit cards offer familiar, fast transactions like online shopping at sites like Amazon. Just be on the lookout for additional fees from your card issuer. You won't have this problem at debit card casinos.
You can't withdraw directly with debit cards at real money casinos. Withdrawals go via bank or ACH transfers. However, sweepstakes casinos like Chanced use "Push-to-Card" tech, letting you withdraw in 3–5 days.
Since credit card withdrawals aren't possible, using a debit card is usually best. It is also worth bearing in mind that credit card casinos come with heightened risk as any more you lose will have to be paid back. Hence, we do not recommend playing with credit cards.
Pros
Cons
I used to prefer debit cards for deposits but switched to PayPal and Skrill casinos to keep my banking info separate from gambling.
PayPal is the fastest online casino withdrawal method, while Skrill helps control spending since you preload funds. Both credit your casino balance instantly, like cards.
Withdrawals are quicker with e-wallets. PayPal casino payouts from BetRivers took as little as 24 hours, while other sites like Borgata and BetMGM took up to 36 hours.
Fewer sweepstakes casinos accept PayPal and Skrill, but RealPrize, WOW Vegas, and Scrooge Casino offer fast PayPal redemptions under 24 hours.
Pros
Cons
While updating my Visa debit card billing address at BetMGM, I used PaysafeCard casino payments to keep playing. One of the biggest benefits is that it lets you deposit without sharing personal info. Plus, it helps control spending since you can only use the loaded balance.
It's also a great way to potentially control overspending, as you're only able to play casino games with the balance you initially loaded onto your card.s
PaysafeCard works at BetMGM, Caesars Palace, and Borgata, and for Gold Coin purchases at Chumba, Fortune Coins, and McLuck.
Pros
Cons
While legal US online casinos don't accept crypto deposits, some social and sweepstakes casinos like Stake.us and YayCasino.us do. This is especially popular at new sweepstakes casinos.
You will need some general crypto know-how to get you over the hump, but it's not a huge ordeal to purchase Gold Coins (and claim free Sweeps Coins) at crypto casinos once you get the hang of it.
Here's how I made my first cryptocurrency purchase at Stake.us:
Bank wire transfers and paper checks might be inconvenient, but they're my preferred deposit methods when I need to move a lot of money to my balance. Unless you're spending $1,000 or more at a time, you probably won't need to bother with a bank transfer or send a courier's check.
It's important to note that BetMGM has some of the most flexible limits on the market for bank wire transfers. BetRivers doesn't accept bank wire transfers for deposits, and Caesars requires you to spend a minimum of $1,000 per wire transfer.
As far as I know, no sweepstakes casinos support checks or bank wires.
Pros
Cons
I've spent a lot of time analyzing online casino payment methods, here is what I recommend you look out for when you are on your own.
Player feedback matters most when judging payment speed. Bank wires always take longer than e-wallets like PayPal or Skrill, which I prefer for quick deposits and withdrawals.
Online bank transfers take 2–3 days and e-wallets usually clear in about 36 hours. BetMGM and DraftKings often pay via PayPal within 24 hours, while bank transfers can take up to 3 days.
Sweepstakes sites like RealPrize and WOW Vegas accept PayPal and Skrill for Gold Coin purchases, with payouts (also known as redemptions) usually processed within 24–48 hours. These speeds compete with most real money casinos.
Legal US casinos follow strict regulations, including 2FA, SSL encryption, and KYC verification. You'll verify your location and provide the last four digits of your SSN. Casinos like Caesars, BetMGM, DraftKings, and Borgata offer biometric login (Face ID or fingerprint).
As sweepstakes casinos are usually unlicensed, they do not need to follow these same regulations. Nevertheless, sites like Funrize and No Limit Coins implement strong security protocols too, ensuring player safety and data protection comparable to regulated casinos.
Most US casinos don't charge fees for deposits or withdrawals. But your bank might, especially for credit card deposits. These can be treated as cash advances, which often come with extra fees. For example, Chase Sapphire cards may charge a $10 fee.
Check each casino's cashier or FAQ for supported methods. Some allow deposits but not withdrawals (e.g., Apple Pay). Flexible options like PayPal and instant online banking support both. BetMGM offers PayPal, Venmo, and VIP Preferred for deposits and withdrawals in legal states.
Before choosing any of the best gaming payments, check if there are any regional restrictions in your state.
Regardless of the payment options BetMGM might accept in a country like the United Kingdom, banking laws in the United States may limit your options or require a workaround.
There are new USA casinos opening all the time so you may find a site that allows for a payment method that you have not used before but could be handy for where you are located.
Online banking (such as VIP Preferred) is straightforward, requiring no extra apps or linking via Plaid. Apple Pay casinos are great for iOS players with biometric funding, no card entry required. DraftKings' app is top-notch with Apple Pay and instant bank transfers.
Many social casinos, like McLuck and Hello Millions, offer similarly easy-to-use payment setups with quick deposits and clear interfaces.
Not all payment methods can be used to claim the best casino bonuses. Some e-wallets, particularly Skrill and Neteller casino payments, are often exempt from bonuses and rewards.
You'll need to add at least $10 to your account to qualify or meet the platform's minimum if it's different.
The process of making a deposit is easy to follow. Here's my experience depositing at BetMGM:
Funds appeared in my BetMGM balance just a few seconds later, and my 100% bonus (up to $1,000) was accessible instantly. Just to be sure, I always double-check bonus codes before confirming a transaction.
While my PayPal deposit at BetMGM was uneventful, I've encountered issues with my debit card before. I had to update the billing address on my Visa debit card before I could make deposits at BetMGM.
I've also had trouble logging in after changing my mobile phone number.
You need to enter a six-digit SMS verification code every time you log in. If you've recently changed your number, you won't receive the code – this is how 2FA can work against players sometimes.
Updating my billing address was an easy fix. I contacted my bank and confirmed the new address. About an hour later, after the update was made, I was able to make debit card payments without any more issues.
To get past the 2FA problem, I contacted BetMGM Support from the sign-in screen. They asked for a few personal details and updated my number on their end. For what it's worth, BetMGM's chat support is genuinely helpful if you get stuck.
Once I hit the $20 minimum withdrawal threshold, I was ready to cash out. Since I had deposited using PayPal, I was required to withdraw using PayPal too. My account was already verified when I signed up – this saved me a ton of time.
In most cases, you'll need to use the same method for deposits and withdrawals.
Here's what I did:
I received my winnings about 36 hours later. This was not as fast as the usual 24-hour e-wallet turnaround, but it was still decent.
I've personally withdrawn funds through:
If speed matters to you, PayPal and Venmo casinos win hands-down. In my experience, e-wallets are not only faster but also easier to use compared to ACH casino transfers, especially for newcomers.
While both are fast, PayPal has always delivered my funds the quickest.
Here's a breakdown of the payment methods I've used and how long each one actually took:
| Payment Method | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| PayPal | 36 hours |
| Venmo | 48 hours |
| Online Bank Transfer | 72 hours |
| Bank Wire Transfer | 5 days |
| Paper Check | 7 days |
E-wallets like PayPal and Venmo are your best bet for speed.
In the sweepstakes casino world, results vary. I've consistently received PayPal redemptions from Stake.us, RealPrize, and WOW Vegas within 24–48 hours. Hello Millions usually processes payouts in 1–3 business days. This is on par with top-tier real-money casinos.
Even the best casino payout processes can be slowed down if you do not verify your account or meet the requirements needed. So check and double check that everything is in order before your start the process.
Here are some tips you should follow to ensure your safety with iGaming payment solutions:
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