Gambling payment methods compared
Which payment methods a gambling operator can offer depends less on popularity than on rules: credit cards are banned in some markets, crypto deposits are barred in Ontario, Italy requires traceable payments, and some US states cap gift cards. This page compares the main methods by how they work and how they are regulated.
- Coverage
- Great Britain, Ontario, United States, Europe
- Sources checked
- 24 October 2026
- Next review
- 24 January 2027
Key points
- Credit cards are banned for gambling in Great Britain, Ireland and several US states; debit cards are accepted in every market we cover.
- Ontario bars cryptocurrency deposits (note to AGCO standard 5.69).
- In Great Britain, e-wallets should be accepted only where the provider can assure that a credit card cannot fund gambling.
- New Jersey caps gift card funding at $500 per gaming day and requires a reloadable prepaid card to be verified as issued to the patron.
Methods and the rules that apply
| Method | How it works | Rules to check |
|---|---|---|
| Debit card | Card payment from the player's bank account through a card scheme. | Accepted in all markets covered. Correct MCC coding (7995 for card-absent gambling per Visa; US-only codes where they apply). |
| Credit card | Card payment on borrowed money. | Banned in Great Britain, Ireland, Massachusetts and Tennessee, among others; see our comparison. |
| Bank transfer and ACH | Direct transfer from the player's bank account. | Listed as approved funding in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Regulation GG covers ACH and wire systems in the US. |
| Open banking (pay by bank) | A payment initiation provider starts a bank transfer with the player's consent. | Provider must be authorised for payment initiation (PSD2 and UK Regulations). |
| E-wallet | Payment from a stored balance with an e-money or payment firm. | Great Britain: guidance on credit-funded wallets. Ireland: e-money loaded from a credit card is banned. |
| Prepaid card and vouchers | Pre-loaded card or voucher. | New Jersey: reloadable prepaid card verified as issued to the patron; gift cards up to $500 per gaming day. Italy: cash and untraceable retail top-ups capped at €100 a week. |
| Cryptocurrency | Transfer of a virtual asset. | Ontario: not accepted. Canada: FINTRAC report for virtual currency worth C$10,000 or more. Not listed among approved methods in the NJ, PA or MI rules we read. |
| Cash at a venue | Cash deposited at an approved cashiering location. | Allowed in NJ, PA and MI rules; Denmark bars cash deposits for online casino. |
Cards
Cards remain the default method in most markets, but card schemes treat gambling as high integrity risk and require it to be coded so issuers can recognise it. Visa's merchant data manual requires MCC 7995 for card-absent gambling transactions, except US transactions that qualify for its US-only codes 7800, 7801 and 7802. That coding lets issuers decline credit card gambling where it is banned, and lets customers use their banks' gambling blocks. See how the payment chain works.
Bank transfers and open banking
Bank-based payments avoid card scheme fees and chargebacks of the card kind, and the payer's name comes from their bank account, which helps with matching. Open banking payment initiation is a regulated payment service under PSD2 and the UK Payment Services Regulations, so the provider must be authorised for it.
E-wallets
E-wallets are convenient for players and give operators fast payouts, but they can hide how the wallet was funded. That is why Great Britain's guidance and Ireland's law both address wallets funded by credit cards.
Crypto
Ontario's AGCO bars cryptocurrency deposits outright. Where crypto is accepted elsewhere, the FATF's September 2026 report on gaming and gambling risks names virtual assets, with cash, e-wallets and mobile money, among payment systems vulnerable to money laundering risks, and AML duties apply. Visa's manual says ramp providers loading a gambling wallet must use MCC 7995 rather than the code for crypto purchases.
Choosing methods for a market
- Start from the market's rules: banned, restricted and required methods.
- Check which methods can also receive payouts, since some rules prefer refunds to the original method.
- Confirm the provider is regulated for each method and registered with the schemes.
- Check how each method supports name matching and AML monitoring.
Questions about gambling payment methods
Can I deposit with crypto on Ontario gambling sites?
No. A note to AGCO standard 5.69 says cryptocurrency is not legal tender and may not be accepted for deposits.
Which payment methods are allowed in New Jersey?
N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.3 lists methods including credit and debit cards, ACH, verified reloadable prepaid cards, cash at approved cashiering locations and gift cards up to $500 per gaming day, plus other methods the Division approves.
Sources
- Market pages for Great Britain, Canada, the United States and Europe, and the sources listed there
- Visa, Merchant Data Standards Manual (October 2026)
- FATF, Risks of Gaming and Gambling, press release of 9 September 2026
- All sources checked 24 October 2026.