Deposit Options

Payment methods are a very important aspect when you’re thinking about joining an online betting site. Do you prefer debit cards, e-wallets, or crypto payments? Are there any special offers available when you use a particular payment method? And what are the red flags when it comes to making a safe deposit? We’ll answer all of your questions in our payment methods guide.

Some betting sites in the UK have countless payment methods available, while others can literally only have one option. This is an important factor to consider before you sign up to a site. After all, what is the point in making a killing if you can’t cash it out?

Using my own personal experience at these sites, I’ve created a breakdown of which payment options are accepted at some of the best sites around. You can see all of the information I’ve collated in the table below:

The number of payment methods available can give you an immediate indication as to what type of site you’re dealing with. For example, if a website only accepts cryptocurrencies, you should at first approach it with caution. This is not to say that crypto gambling sites aren’t trustworthy; many are. But it’s also a currency which makes it easy for a site to scam you if you’re not diligent. Whenever I play at a crypto-only betting site in the UK, I always approach it very carefully.

At the same time, crypto betting sites tend to have some of the best special offers around! The trick is to check out the history of the site, see who owns it, check that they have a valid gambling license, and so on. Luckily, I’ve already done this for you at most of the best betting sites in the UK, so you can just look at the list of sites I recommend. Or you can do your own research – whichever you prefer. 

Variety is king 

Whichever betting site you go with, it’s always good to choose one with lots of payment options. Even if you exclusively use one method, that could change at any point. Your card may be blocked, or new fees may persuade you to venture into a different e-wallet. If you choose a betting site with PayPal, e-wallets, and traditional card payments all in one place, it gives you more flexibility.

The majority of online betting sites in the UK will allow you to make a deposit using a wide range of payment methods. The choice isn’t arbitrary; there are important differences between deposit methods, and this is something you should consider when you pick your top betting sites.

Here’s my breakdown of some of the main payment options, along with my analysis on which ones are best and worst. 

Credit cards

Traditionally, credit cards were one of the most common payment methods at UK betting sites. But that all changed in April 2020, when the UK government brought in an act which prohibited players from using credit cards to gamble.

This is a bit inconvenient, but in my opinion,  it makes sense. You should never be gambling with borrowed money, and this is just an added layer of protection for players who might struggle with self-control when betting.

UK betting sites which offer credit card deposits: None 

Debit cards

Unlike credit cards, debit cards are still a common deposit method at almost every UK betting site you’ll come across. Although more modern deposit methods are certainly on the rise, debit cards are still the go-to for many of us. And it’s a payment method most of us are already very familiar and comfortable with.

You’ll be able to save your debit card details to the betting site so that you can make faster deposits in the future. And you can easily withdraw in just a couple of clicks, too.

UK betting sites which offer debit card deposits: Betfred, Betfair, 888Sport, Bwin

PayPal

Many betting sites have PayPal as a deposit option, and I see it as a bridge between traditional payment methods – like debit cards – and more modern e-wallets. Most of you will already have a PayPal account, so it’s an easy way to make deposits in an account which is separate from your main bank account.

PayPal is quick and easy, and offers a decent level of protection if anything goes wrong at the betting site.

UK betting sites which offer PayPal deposits: Betfred, Betfair, 888Sport, Bwin

E-Wallets

You’ll find lots of different e-wallets such as Skrill and Neteller, and it really comes down to your preference. Some players like quick and easy online access, while others prefer the act of topping up at a shop in person.

Have a look around at the different types of e-wallet. At most sites, you’ll be able to open an account for free – so there’s nothing to stop you creating multiple e-wallets and testing them all out.

UK betting sites which offer e-wallet deposits: Betfred, Betfair, 888Sport, Bwin

Bank transfer

Bank transfers may sound a little old fashioned, but they’re still very popular – especially with casual players.

If you only deposit now and then, you probably don’t want to create a special account just for gambling. Instead, you could make a quick bank transfer from your regular funds into your betting site account. You’ll find bank transfers as a payment option at loads of the best UK betting sites.

UK betting sites which offer bank transfer deposits: Betfred, Betfair, 888Sport, Bwin

Crypto

Cryptocurrencies are no longer associated with shady deals and the dark web. Instead, they’ve moved into the mainstream as a viable option for both investors and people seeking alternate currencies.

One major reason for this is the blockchain technology behind it, which makes every transaction traceable and transparent. And that’s why it’s now a popular payment method at lots of top UK betting sites.

As I’ve touched upon, there are lots of payment methods at your fingertips. But which ones are best? And what should you look out for in order to make the best decision for you?

Firstly, don’t lock yourself into just one betting site, or just one payment method. Choosing the right site requires a combination of both aspects working for you, so try to keep an open mind. If you prefer debit card payments but don’t mind PayPal, consider betting sites which only offer PayPal as well. This will give you a wider choice of sites and more flexibility.

If you play online often, you should definitely consider setting up a payment method specifically for that purpose. This makes it easy to trace your profit and loss – and to put aside a fixed amount which you can afford to lose, without overstepping the mark. This is a method I use every time I hit up an online betting site.

Lock in extra value

At some UK betting sites, you’ll see that they have extra deposit bonuses which are linked to specific payment methods. For example, you might get a 50% bonus when you deposit using cryptocurrencies or Skrill.

Even if these aren’t your usual deposit methods, consider trying them to take advantage of such offers. It might take you a few extra minutes to set up a particular payment method, but the result could be lots of free credit to enjoy the site – with less cash invested.

The main thing is to think about what YOU want from a payment method. If fast withdrawals are important to you, take a look at e-wallets. If safety is your number one concern, you may want to use a traditional bank. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so do what’s right for you.

One thing you’ll want to keep an eye out for is bonuses and promotions which are linked to specific payment methods. Crypto is a common one – I’ve seen loads of sites which encourage users to make a deposit using Bitcoin. In exchange, you’ll receive an extra boost on your deposit, which you wouldn’t receive if you’d used a debit card. But it’s not just crypto – the same can be said for Skrill and other payment options, too.

Even if one of these aren’t available, check out the terms on the welcome bonus and ongoing offers. You may be able to get extra value on every deposit.

At the same time, look in the terms and conditions for exclusions. Just as certain payment methods will earn you extra funds on your deposit, so too will some be excluded from offers. For example, you may see a welcome bonus at a betting site but PayPal deposits are excluded. Have a quick read of the T&Cs to make sure you don’t get caught out.

Primarily, your focus should be on deposit and reload bonuses, as these are closely tied to deposit methods. These are the ones which reward you whenever you invest money into your betting account.

Some UK betting sites offer payment methods exclusively on mobile, like Apple Pay. But in my experience, this is quite rare, as most modern websites now make it easy for you to deposit on mobile or desktop with the same array of options.

Depositing on mobile is straightforward. If you already have payment details saved in your account, you can just switch from desktop to mobile and use them in a couple of taps. And if you’re adding a new payment method, the process is very similar to desktop. Depending on your phone, it may even be quicker. For instance, my iPhone auto-fills my payment details if I’m using my debit card.