How to Choose a Payment Method When Playing Bingo Online

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Which Kinds of Methods Will Be Available for Making Deposits?

In the main, the payment methods that you’ll see listed on the bingo sites can be divided into a few distinct categories. The leading brands like Wink Bingo will offer a variety of debit cards to choose from. There are likely to be a number of pre-paid options too, and these will come in several different forms. In some cases, you’ll be given an actual card to use online, but in others, you’ll be issued with virtual vouchers. In addition to these, there will be a selection of eWallets listed. These are often the preferred choice among players because of the ease and simplicity that they provide.

More recently, it has become common to include the digital currency, Bitcoin, among the choices. There has also been a marked increase in the number of players choosing to use their mobile to top up their funds, and the providers have been quick to respond to this desire. There are now several apps on the market for this.

The Benefits of Using an eWallet for Transferring Funds

You’ll find eWallets listed on almost all of the bingo websites, and it’s easy to see why this particular mode has become one of the trusted methods for making online payments at leading sites like bet365 Bingo. Firstly, it provides players with anonymity. During these transactions, no financial information is revealed to the venue, and this makes it one of the most secure ways of making deposits, too. Secondly, this mode is both fast and easy to use. It just takes a few clicks and your funds will be transferred into your account.

To begin, you will need to open an account with one of the eWallet providers. The leader for these in the UK is PayPal, but there are several recognizable names on the market. You are likely to see Skrill listed in the options. This business provides a number of services, including the 1-tap option. You’ll also come across Neteller, who is another leading brand in this field. Both of these companies run VIP schemes for their customers that provide some added benefits, such as lower transfer fees.

Once the eWallet has been set up, it acts as an intermediary between you and the site that you’re using. It is usually linked to your personal bank account, and money from there will be added to your playing balance. During this process, none of your banking details are disclosed, so this is a secure way of transferring cash online.

The Various Options for Pre-Paid Cards and Vouchers

There are lots of pre-paid payment methods on the market, and many of these are accepted at the bingo sites. Again, these are a popular choice among players because of the security and the confidentiality that they provide. Although the general principle remains the same, each of the cards or vouchers differs in format. For instance, every Paysafecard has a unique 16-digit number that can be used online. These have to be bought from one of the sales outlets. The Ecocard can be purchased from the EcoPayz website, and it is then sent to you by post. You can also buy the Entropay Card online, but this always remains a virtual version.

Paying in a Local Currency with the Pre-Paid Astropay Card

Astropay has a number of virtual cards, which can be bought in several different currencies. These offer instant transfers, and the company guarantees that your funds will be fully protected during the whole process. There is the additional option of downloading the Astropay app onto your smartphone or tablet. These are available for both iOS and Android devices.

The Process of Purchasing and Using an Astropay Card

1. Open an account at Astropay
2. Select the value and buy the card
3. Receive an email with the card details
4. Go to the cashier on the bingo website
5. Use the details on the Astropay card
6. Receive confirmation of your transfer

How Does a Debit Card Work?

Debit cards are the first payment choice for many players, and they rapidly expanding its share of the marketplace. Especially after April 2020 when UKGC banned credit cards to gamble. Most of the bingo sites, especially the long-standing brands such as 888Ladies support debit cards as payment options.

This mode has its own advantage, in as much that you won’t be able to overspend. If you don’t have enough cash in your account, the transactions simply won’t go through. You can usually pick between Maestro, Electron, or Visa Debit, and there may be some local possibilities listed as well.

Why Is Bitcoin Such a Popular Payment Method?

Bitcoin is frequently listed as a payment option on the websites, especially in the newer bingo venues. This method works on a peer-to-peer basis, and it operates without any centralized government or banking authority. Although a few may see this as a negative, it means that some of the restrictive legislation has been removed, and so transactions can be processed faster and cheaper. Money can be sent all around the world without any need for additional fees. There is complete anonymity too, because your Bitcoin purchases aren’t linked to your identity.

The process is incredibly easy, as you simply choose your wallet and then buy your coins. You’ll then be able to transfer these into your bingo account. This can be done by mobile as well, so you can use your phone or tablet to make the deposit. On occasion, you will find promotions that are specifically linked to this digital currency, and these can be very advantageous. Probably the only downside to using this mode is the fluctuations in the purchasing costs. As it is without any regulation, the market tends to vacillate quite a bit. However, this is still a perfectly viable way of exchanging cash, and it is one that is becoming ever more prevalent in the online venues.

What to Look for When Making Bank Transfers Online

This is almost the default payment method at the online venues, as it is pretty much listed on all of the bingo operators. Somewhat understandably, this is the first choice for many players, purely because it is the simplest. There isn’t any need to open a new account or to download any apps. You just complete the transfer request at your bank, either online or by telephone, and the transaction will take place. There are a couple of negatives with this option that will need to be considered. The first is that the processing times are often far lengthier. It can take up to ten days for funds to clear in some instances. The other thing to note is that there are usually fees associated with a bank wire, so you should be aware of what these are before you decide to proceed.

The Ease of Making a Deposit with a Mobile Phone

A recent survey revealed that 66% of bingo players access their games on their smartphones. For this reason, it’s good to be able to use your mobile to add some funds to your account. There are several different ways of doing this, and each of the methods is structured slightly differently. In some versions, you will need to download a specific app, and in other cases, your online payments will be added to your regular telephone bill.

• Boku Mobile Payments – Once you select this method on the website, you will be asked to input your mobile phone number. After this, you’ll be sent a text message, asking you to confirm the payment request. Once you’ve responded to this, your funds will be transferred to your bingo account. This sum is then added to your next telephone bill or taken from the credit balance, if you are on a pay as you go scheme.
• The Apple Pay Option – If you use an iPhone, you may want to take advantage of this option. With this system, you merely have to add a payment method to your Apple account, and your online payments can then be processed. Once this has been set up, you can transfer cash instantly. This method uses secure codes to make the transactions, so that your financial information will never be disclosed to the venue.
• Payforit Transactions – When you use this method, the amount that you transfer is added to your Three monthly bill, so you will need to have an account with this provider. The payment process is in two stages. You will firstly need to click on the buy now tab on your screen. You will then be sent a message, asking you to confirm the transaction. Once this has been completed, your funds will be added to your bingo balance.
• Transfer by Telephone – On many bingo sites, you’ll be able to add funds to your playing account by making a simple call to the venue, which can be very handy. When this is an option, there will be a dedicated telephone number, and in the majority of cases, these lines are free to use, even if you’re phoning from outside the UK. You’ll have access to a team of support agents who will be able to process your payment for you.

The Projected Trends for Future Payment Methods

At the recent ICE Totally Gaming event, the rise of Bitcoin and Blockchain, which is the leading platform for digital assets, was one of the key discussion points. This payment method is likely to grow in popularity, with other cryptocurrencies expected to become more mainstream. Forecasts for the immediate future suggest that the move towards a cashless society will continue. The biggest beneficiary in this development will be debit cards, with the contactless versions becoming more widespread. By 2025, it is thought that 50% of all payments in the UK will use some form of a card. The data also suggests that mobile payments will increase further, and this is supported by companies like Amazon and Samsung joining this market place.

Some Security Tips for Transferring Funds Online

On the whole, it is incredibly safe to transfer funds online. The majority of the sites and the providers use encryption technology to ensure that financial data remains confidential during all transactions. Before you part with any cash, you should take the time to check that your venue has these systems in place. Additionally, it’s better to refrain from storing your passwords or personal information on any devices, and especially so if they are shared or mobile. It’s also advisable to log out of your account at the end of your bingo sessions. These few simple precautions will help to prevent any fraudulent activities from taking place.

A Final Checklist for Making Online Transactions

There are a few things to bear in mind when you are deciding upon which of the payment methods is right for you. You will ultimately be looking for a fast and easy way to deposit funds into your bingo account, and so it’s important to look at the clearance times for each of the choices available. On the whole, the transactions are instant, but it’s still good to verify this. Also, you should check whether you can use the same mode to make withdrawals, as this isn’t always possible. Finally, see if there are any fees attached. If there are, you may prefer to pick an alternative way of transferring your cash.