How to play safely and securely at online casinos

The very nature of online gambling makes it dependant on innovative, convenient, and safe ways to transfer money to and from your Ireland online casino of choice. It is essential for you, as the player, to be able to make deposits instantly and withdraw your wins with the minimum hassle possible.

We have prepared this guide on ‘payments and security’ in the casino marketplace, to set your mind at ease. We have mustered all the vital information you need to understand to help you find the best way to make safe and secure deposits and withdrawals with peace of mind.

How do I deposit money into an online casino?

Online casinos understand the need for efficient banking solutions and most often partner with multiple third-party banking methods on their sites to help you achieve this. You can then sign up with these solutions and use them to make a deposit or withdraw your winnings.

While some of the brands can only be used for depositing funds, others will allow money movements in both directions. Here are a few of the most popular forms of Irish friendly payment solutions made available to you in the online gambling marketplace:

Traditional Banking Solutions

Many people still rely on the good old faithful bank transfers and wire transfers to get their money to and from an online casino. To receive withdrawals, supply the casino with your banking details to receiving your winnings.

Wire Transfer is also a viable option. Timeframes and costs are as follows:

Deposit3-5 days
Withdrawal3-5 days
FeesBank Dependent

Payments of this sort are safe but may take slightly more time than other payment methods.

Card Payment Option

Credit Card and Debit Card payment options are the most popular worldwide. They remain popular at casinos because Irish players, like yourself, are familiar with them. If you want a record of your spending then cards offer you the best service, as you will receive an itemized bill every month.

Most online casinos accept major brands of banking cards, including:

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Visa Electron
  • Maestro

Timeframes and costs are as follows:

DepositInstant
Withdrawal3-5 Days
FeesBank Dependent

Card deposits are speedy and will usually grant you instant access to your topped-up bankroll so you can make your first deposit and claim that Welcome bonus, or simply start playing your favourite Live Casino games in a jiffy. Credit and debit cards are therefore a universal key to loading payments online.

E-Wallet Options

With electronic payments comes electronic innovation. E-wallets (Electronic Wallets) are virtual accounts that can store cash from your credit/debit cards and bank accounts for instant use on online platforms.

Instead of entering your sensitive banking/card information onto the casino forms submissions, you can simply log in to your e-wallet from the casino site and release the readied funds instantly. This offers an added layer of security to protect your sensitive information.

Irish players have the luxury of being able to use several prominent e-wallet payment options, the most popular of which include:

  • Neteller
  • Skrill
  • PayPayl
  • ecoPayz
  • Zimpler (Mobile Users)

Timeframes and costs are as follows:

DepositInstant
WithdrawalInstant (After Approval)
FeesTransactions are generally free, but admin fees are often charged on top-ups and withdrawals to and from your bank account. This amount is dependant on the branded solution you are using.

Because e-wallets are safe and offer speedy solutions for payment at online casinos, they are often favourites in the marketplace for those who play a lot.

Prepaid Options

Prepaid options are primarily developed for cash-buyers who want to play online. Vouchers can be purchased at retail outlets around the country and then redeemed on the online casino cashier’s page for casino credits in Euros. Simply enter the voucher code to top up your account.

The most popular forms of pre-paid options at online casinos in Ireland include:

Timeframes and costs are as follows:

DepositInstant
WithdrawalNo
FeesNone

While pre-paid cards and vouchers offer a terrific way to load up deposits of up to €250 (Paysafecard), you’ll need to select another great way to withdraw. You will have to opt for a payout from the casino via bank transfer to retrieve your winnings.

Pay by Phone Options

Some casinos support pay by phone solutions, where the credits for your deposit comes off your phone bill or directly from your prepaid credits. While this is a great option, a maximum of €30 can be deposited.

The leading provider in this segment is Boku. Their timeframes and costs are as follows:

DepositInstant
WithdrawalNo
Fees10%

Boku can only be used to deposit funds, so you will have to receive your winnings via bank transfer or e-wallet in most cases.

Instant Banking Options

Instant Banking services are a big help to those wanting to deposit directly from their banking accounts in real-time to curb delays on playing casino games. The Ireland-friendly leader in this industry is the Swedish brand, ‘Trustly’. As their name suggests, they offer a trustworthy service and it needs no added software download. The platform merely provides a safe overlay of your banking channel allowing you to bank effortlessly in a speedy fashion.

Simply select Trustly as your method at the cashier, select your personal bank,  and log in to your bank account to release the payment. Their timeframes and costs are as follows:

DepositInstant
WithdrawalInstant (After Approval)
FeesNone (Fees charged to Merchant)

Unlike most other instant banking services, you can withdrawal instantly with Trustly too, making it the ultimate European payment device.

Cryptocurrency Options

Cryptocurrency is fast becoming a popular way to transact online. There are more and more Bitcoin casinos opening their doors to Irish players every year. Unlike regular currency, cryptocurrency is decentralized, which means that your funds will be safe and anonymous.

Despite these drawbacks, some casinos like Bitstarz will accept both crypto and fiat currencies, while others only trade in digital money.

The most popular cryptocurrencies used in the online gambling world include:

  • Bitcoin (BTC)
  • Bitcoin Cash (BCH)
  • Litecoin (LTC)
  • Ethereum (ETH)
  • Ripple (XRP)
  • Monero (XMR)
  • Dogecoin (DOGE)
  • Dash

Timeframes and costs are as follows:

DepositInstant
WithdrawalInstant (After Approval)
FeesLow and can vary from wallet to wallet

Because Bitcoin casinos do not have to follow strict KYC legislation on payments, the withdrawals at these casinos are faster and are usually concluded within mere minutes of the cashout request.

You will need to register a cryptocurrency wallet and buy cryptocurrency before you can make your deposit at a Bitcoin casino.

Are all payment methods accepted for claiming cash bonuses?

Bonuses and promotions are some of the most appealing things about playing at online casinos. The extra cash they offer your bankroll is often a helpful booster, especially when you are playing at the casino for the first time and are trying things out.

Keep in mind that certain banking options are favoured over others. You can see if any payment brands are excluded from bonuses in either the ‘bonus policy’ section of the site or in the ‘general terms and conditions’ page of the casino under the ‘deposits’ section.

Are online Casino payment methods safe?

Safety should always be the number one priority when you are looking to play at an online casino. Fortunately, most licensed casinos provide players with PCI approved payment methods, which means that the security level provided by each is top-notch.

Of course, there are rogue sites on the internet that you need to be careful to avoid, but at the same time, there are hundreds of reputable casino sites offering you ethical standards of service. As long as you are able to identify the good from the bad, you can keep yourself safe while playing.

How to Spot a Safe and Secure Online Casino

What to Look ForExampleWhat it Means
LicensingLicenses by reputable regulators 

·        UK Gambling Commission

·        Malta Gaming Authority

·        Government of Gibraltar

·        Alderney Gambling Control Commission

·        Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission

·        Swedish Gambling Commission (Spel Inspektionen)
There are more licensing bodies, but these are the most well-known ones. A casino carrying a valid license with a traceable license number can be trusted as they have been well tested and verified for offering ethical gambling services online.
AccreditationTested by:

 ·        eCogra

·        TST

·        iTech Labs
A safe and secure casino ensures that its RNGs and gaming software is regularly tested by independent auditors. The 3 mentioned are the industry favourites. Testing of such kind ensures that all gaming outcomes are verified for being 100% fair and random.
Security EncryptionSecured by:
 ·        SSL Encryption
Secure Socket Layer encryption provides an encrypted link between you and the casino server.
Secure BrowserWebsite address begins with HTTPS (not HTTP) or the icon of a closed lock is visible in the browser search bar when accessing the site.Either of the 2 examples shows that a website is safe and secure to browse through.

Make the above table your checklist each time you set out looking for a new site to visit and play with a smile on your face.

Are there gambling limits in Ireland?

Commercial casino gambling on Irish soil is outlawed expressly by law under the Gaming and Lotteries Act of 1956. Certain gambling institutions and casinos exist as private clubs where private membership grants you access to gambling games.

It is common for licensed casinos to operate remotely from outside the country though. You are safe playing at these operators as there is no law that could penalise you for doing so.

Having said this, Ireland has stated politically that it is keen to establish a modern licensing regime to encourage reputable operators to preside from Ireland. We all know that the revenues generated from permits and taxes on casino vendors could be of great benefit to the country.

Tax Regulations

Because gambling is not officially recognized by the government of Ireland, winnings from online casinos are not taxed at all, which means you get to keep all you earn playing at Live Casinos and other gaming/betting operators.

Conclusion

The selection of casinos that cater to Irish players generally offers great services. Their payment methods and site security are of the highest quality, which means you are kept safe from the moment you register an account. Contact customer support if you have any questions regarding the site you’d like to visit.

At Livecasinos.ie we strive to provide you with the best online casinos for Irish players and generally tick off the security list for you. Be assured that our recommended sites have been vetted thoroughly and are completely safe to play on.

FAQ’s

How do I deposit money into an online casino?

Are all payment methods accepted for claiming cash bonuses?

Are online Casino payment methods safe?

Are there gambling limits in Ireland?