Payment Methods at Irish Casinos
Irish players have a wealth of well developed, safe and secure payment methods at their disposal, but each has different suitability. This includes the ease of use, accessibility, the security benefits implicit with the service and processing speeds. You may even find that some casino methods charge fees. Let’s take a look at the different methods you can use
Bank Cards
Debit and Credit Cards are accepted at all casinos. For a long time, they were considered the safest, fastest and easiest of online methods and for many they still are. Whilst you can use Credit and Debit at Irish online casinos, you should only ever gamble with money that you can afford to lose, so use your Credit Card.
Using Debit or Credit Card is the most familiar payment system for Irish players who conduct most on and offline financial transactions this way. However, as you have to put your card details into the site each time you want to make a transaction, it is not considered the quickest or most secure payment method that casinos accept.
Debit and Credit banking systems suit players who want to have all their spending information on one monthly statement, do not mind disclosing their banking data to third party casino sites and want fast, secure transactions from a long time trusted payment provider. Accepted card systems at Irish online casinos include Visa, Mastercard, Switch and Maestro, both withdrawals and deposits.
E-wallets
E-wallets are essentially what came next after online payment gateways were designed for card payments. As the name suggests, e-wallets are electronic wallets where you store your cards and even cash. When you want to make a transaction, simply log into your e-wallet and confirm it. There is no personal banking data exchange, no inputting of card details and no casino transactions on your bank account statement.Aside from the fact that e-wallets offer a more secure service, they are also quick and easy to use as all you need to do is log in to make a deposit. What’s more, as all your bank cards and cash are stored in one place you can move between funding systems fluidly and without carrying around a real wallet. What’s more, there are no fees involved and you can make both deposits and withdrawals with this method.
The most recognisable and accepted e-wallets are PayPal, Skrill and Neteller. All Irish casinos will offer at least one of these options, if not all of them. Other commonly accepted, but less popular e-wallets include EcoCard, ecoPayz, Zimpler, UKASH and Citadel.
This payment system is best suited to the security-conscious player, who doesn’t want to disclose their bank details and wants instant, confidential deposits.
Bank Transfer
Bank transfers are made directly from your bank account to your casino of choice. You deal directly with your bank, making the deposit through your online banking or local branch, instructing them with the amount of your deposit and the casino account IBAN. Your bank will then deliver your funds to the casino’s account in real-time. Both withdrawals and deposits are facilitated via bank or wire transfer and are quick, once you’ve requested the transaction.
This deposit system is supported by all banks and sites in Ireland. It is suited to players who want to keep all their details in-house, aka under one bank account and want to transfer money directly and efficiently. This payment method is much the same as using a debit card, except you will make the transaction yourself with your bank.
Prepaid Systems
Prepaid payment systems are designed to facilitate online payments for cash-dependent players. The most widely used and accepted methods are PayNearMe and Paysafecard. Both allow you to pay in person and receive either a prepaid card or voucher to deposit your funds online. The benefits of these systems are that they allow players without bank accounts to play online, offering maximum security- as no personal data is used- and are widely available to buy and top-up in shops. As a distinct down point of prepaid systems if that you cannot make withdrawals through them.
Pay by Phone
Pay by Phone casinos support PayForIt and BOKU deposits. These allow you to make an instant transaction by either taking it from your pay as you go phone credit or by debiting the amount to your phone bill. Usually, there is a percentage fee of 15% on all Pay by Phone deposits so it is essential to read the casino terms and conditions before opting to use this payment method. Additionally, this payment method is suited to low rollers as you can only make small deposits of up to €30 per day at Pay by Phone Casinos.
To make a Pay by Phone transaction all you need is your phone and a casino account. Log in to the casino, select this payment option and follow the instructions. The payment is quick, simple and extremely secure as each transaction is confirmed by text, so everything you need in your hand. However, as there can be high fees (remember, check each casino individually), low transaction amounts and no withdrawals, it’s best to avoid this casino payment method if possible.
Cryptocurrency Casinos
Digital currencies have seen roaring popularity of late and a handful of online casinos now accept Bitcoin and Litecoin transactions. Some sites are leading the charge, exclusive Cryptocurrency Casinos, only banking in this method. The main benefit of using crypto as a payment method is exactly what deters many casinos from offering it; exclusive privacy. With no centralised register, cryptocurrencies offer players full anonymity and no fees at any point making it the perfect casino banking method. However, crypto is also controversial in regards to anti-money laundering regulations for these exact reasons. On top of this, it is a payment system with limited scope as many players are still getting used to the idea of how blockchain technology works.
Matching Deposit and Withdrawal Methods: Read the Casinos T&Cs
When deciding which casino payment method you want to opt for, it is imperative to check the casino’s terms and conditions regarding two-way payments (withdrawals and deposits). Some methods are only available for deposits and at some casinos, your deposit and withdrawal methods must match, which limits the scope of available methods.
Are Online Casino Payment Methods Safe?
Every casino payment system is secure and uses a secure payment gateway to process the transaction. The casino further protects payments and players through the use of SSL encryption. This means that the data sent to the casino when entering an online payment is encrypted and can only be decrypted by the casino, which has the key. Players who are more concerned about keeping their online data in as few hands as possible tend to opt for e-wallets or prepaid systems as they do not involve giving the casino (or other sites you may shop at) any banking data.
So What is the Best Casino Payment Method for Me?
That’s up to your wallet and scenario, but keep the following questions in mind when assessing what a casino has to offer:
- How do you like to make online payments?
- What security features of different payment methods appeal to you?
- How long does the payment method you want to use take for deposits and withdrawals to arrive in your account?
- Can you make a withdrawal with your chosen method?
- Are there any fees applied by the casino for using that payment method?
Still not sure which payment method works for you? Take a look at the chart below to compare the main features of each!
| Cards | E-wallet | Bank Transfer | Prepaid systems | Pay by Phone | Crypto | |
| Requires input of your personal banking data for each transaction. | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Can be used by cash players | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ (if banking in-branch) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Offers withdrawals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Depends on the casino. Some are deposits only. |
| Usually has fees | ✗ | ✗ | Depends on bank | Depends on system | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant deposits | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Quick withdrawals | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Withdrawals not available | Withdrawals none available | ✓ |
Note that specific processing speeds for withdrawals depend on each casino and vary across methods. You can find out which payment options are offered at a certain casino and how long a typical payment takes in our Casino Reviews.
Casino Payment Methods FAQs
Still got casino payment methods questions? Check out our FAQs. If we’ve not covered your question then drop us a line and we’ll get an answer up!
How do I deposit money into an online casino?
To deposit at an online casino, you first need to sign-up. Then head to the cashier, select the deposit payment method, input the amount of money you wish to deposit and follow the instructions to complete the payment. Most deposits will arrive in your account instantly.
Can I gamble online with a prepaid card?
Yes, most online casinos in Ireland accept Paysafecard among others so you can top-up with cash and play online.
Are all methods accepted for claiming casino bonuses?
Some casinos link their promotions and bonuses to certain payment methods. This is yet another reason why it’s imperative to read not only a casino’s terms and conditions but also every bonus that you want to opt into.
Do Irish players pay taxes on gambling winnings?
Gambling winnings are tax-free in Ireland. This is part of what makes it such a lively gambling jurisdiction; when players win, they know they are taking home the total!
What are the best online casinos?
You can find the best online casinos rated and reviewed at this site. We’ve already done all the hard work for you, listing the top online establishments for online casino players. Simply head to our Casino Reviews and check out the stand-out features at each site, you’re bound to find one that takes your fancy!
What is the best online casino payment method?
This depends on your priorities and the availability of the service. Different casinos have slightly different options and you as a customer may be constrained by different requirements such as a cash-only service. For an easy overview of what each casino banking method requires and offers, check out the chart above.
Why does an online casino ask for ID when I want to make a withdrawal?
To play at an online casino you must provide them, at some point, with photo I.D. This is known as a Know Your Customer check and ensures that players are over 18 and registered under the correct name and address as given to the casino. This check is usually done when you join the casino, but you may also be asked to verify your I.D again when you make your first withdrawal. This is a standard procedure and will normally be requested within 24 hours of your withdrawal request.