Debit cards are the staple of online casinos and have been since the dawn of online gambling. Every single person has a VISA card in their wallet and as such, all online casinos take VISA deposits. However, in recent years, debit and credit cards have taken a back seat in the online casino industry. Nevertheless, it’s still the most convenient deposit method out there, whether you play at a local Canadian casino or an international one.
International casinos that have lost the industry’s trust come in ample amounts. Highlighting three was very easy as there are just so many of them. For what it’s worth if you are playing at an international casino, it’s best to choose a different payment method.
Extreme Casino
High wagering requirement
Failed payouts
Rigged games
Cool Cat Casino
High wagering requirement
Failed payouts
Rigged games
Planet 7 Casino
High wagering requirement
Failed payouts
Rigged games
VISA at a glance
Positive
As safe as bank accounts
Limited budget
Available worldwide and in many currencies including CAD
Supports withdrawals
Negatives
Banks might charge fees
Not convenient for high rollers
Some banks don’t allow casino transfers
Company Overview
Company name
VISA Inc.
Type
Private company
Founded
1958
Solution type
debit/credit card
Headquarters
San Francisco, USA
Key markets
Canada
Website
visa.com
Advantages of using VISA for online gambling
VISA credit and debit cards have come a long way, improving their security systems over time and reducing the competition gap leaving no room for others to join. The VISA log simply imbues a sense of trust and security. In most cases, this is true.
Wide availability
Two decades ago, when online casinos were in their infancy, VISA along with MasterCard were the backbone of the online gambling industry in the world, including in Canada. Literally, every online casino accepts VISA deposits. In addition, it grants you access to any online casino bonus, unless otherwise specifically stated. If you’re ever short of options, VISA will in most cases be the go-to payment option.
Convenience
It’s in your pocket. Most people have a VISA card in their wallet. Whether it’s a VISA electron, VISA debit, or a VISA credit card, it can probably do the job. We will come back to the “probably” a bit later. For what it’s worth, VISA is the most easily accessible payment method to any online casino player.
Security
VISA’s security and encryption systems are state of the art. With two-factor authentication, SMS messages sent from your bank and email reports, your deposits are certainly getting to the right place.
Disadvantages of VISA
Besides the anti-competition behavior of VISA and MasterCard, debit and credit cards as a whole are prone to several threats that other payment methods have no problem overcoming.
Card fraud
You’ve probably heard of somebody who has had their card hacked, or their card details were compromised in some way. Due to the way it operates, stealing or getting your card details stolen is very likely to happen if you use it at places that are not reliable.
The 16-digit code, your name, the expiration date and the CVV code at the back of your card are everything the culprit needs to get access to your details. Chances are, if this person buys gift cards or vouchers, you can’t identify who they are.
This, for example, can’t happen with direct online banking methods like Trustly, Interac Online and e-wallets.
Certain banks don’t allow casino deposits
There are quite a few banks that won’t allow you to deposit at online casinos. If they do, then you cannot deposit and play with real money at international online casinos which are known to offer much better bonuses. In the event your bank prevents you from using your VISA card to deposit at a casino site, you must choose an alternative payment method, such as an e-wallet or a prepaid card for example. If you feel tech-savvy enough, you can get cryptocurrency as well.
Privacy issues
While your casino transactions won’t show the term “casino” on your bank statement, it can raise some questions. It may also affect your credit score if, for example, you are planning on applying for a bank loan.
Fees
VISA’s credit and debit card fees are notorious. Your bank might also be charging you an annual maintenance fee on top of the transaction fees, which go up to 2.5% of the amount. Some casinos absorb this charge, but well-established ones don’t. Avoiding the 2.5% fee basically gives you an automatic cashback bonus of 2.5%.
How to deposit with VISA at online casinos
How to deposit with visa ONLINE
Depositing at an online casino with a VISA card is the same as paying for anything else online. The only thing you should be aware of is if you’re registering with a reliable online casino, something which we have taken care of for you. Nevertheless, for the avoidance of doubt, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deposit with a VISA card at a casino site.
Choose a Visa casino and head to the Cashier
Navigate to the casino’s cashier – usually, in the top right part of the screen, the button is called “Deposit” or “Cashier”.
Select Visa from the list of options
Find the VISA logo in the cashier and click on it.
Enter the desired amount
Add the amount you wish to deposit.
Enter your card details
Provide all the details required, such as your card number, full name, expiration period, billing address and so on.
Complete the transaction
You might be asked to verify the transaction if you have two-factor authentication – this depends on your bank.
Note: Once you verify/approve the transaction the money is instantly credited to your casino balance.
The privacy issues are mind-boggling. You must provide so much information to the casino to a point it’s ridiculous. However, it’s highly unlikely that by providing your information to the casino you will be subject to fraud.
Online casino withdrawals with VISA
Withdrawing with a VISA card is sometimes not possible. This, again, depends on the type of card you have. It also depends on the type of account you have with the bank. However, online casinos do have the capability and the systems in place to pay out winnings to players directly to their accounts.
Here’s how VISA casino withdrawals look like in practice:
Online casinos that have a closed-loop policy pay out winnings up to the amount you’ve deposited back to the card, and the remainder is transferred as a bank transfer. This ends up being a refund, in a way. Cards that show your bank account number on them enable you to withdraw with your VISA at casinos.
Navigate to the cashier
Find the withdrawals tab
You should be able to see all available withdrawal methods, among which you can find bank transfers and if you’ve deposited with a card, your card logo too
Select it and enter the amount you wish to withdraw
Your money is transferred to your account within 1 to 5 days, depending on the banks
Note: KYC checks are almost inevitable with VISA card casino deposits. Due to the high risk of card fraud, online casinos conduct these checks regularly. The goal of the KYC check is to verify that you are the rightful owner of the card and that it’s truly your funds. One might argue that they should conduct this check before a player does a deposit, but that’s a hot topic for a different occasion.
To verify you are who you’ve claimed you are, online casino operators require the following:
– Proof of identity – photo ID such as a government issued ID, passport, or driver’s license. – Proof of address – a utility bill or a bank statement with your name on it, showing the address you’ve used to register.government-issued – Proof of payment method – a photo/scan of your VISA card, front and back, showing the last 4 digits only.
Credit and debit cards are the necessary evil. Despite all their flaws, all the problems that come with them, they are still one of the most frequently used payment methods. VISA has the lion’s share of the market and they are not modest showing their dominance. It’s still a good payment method for casual players. If it’s your first time dipping your toes in an online casino, VISA is the most convenient option you have, readily available.
FAQs
Is Visa a reliable payment method at Canadian casinos?
Yes, it is. It’s one of the safest and most secure casino payment methods that features bank-level security for peace of mind.
Can I use Visa for casino withdrawals?
Absolutely. Visa can be used for both deposits and withdrawals, making it a convenient option for all types of players.
Are there any fees on Visa casino transactions?
It depends on the issuing authority. In case of bank-issued cards, there might be a charge when you make a casino transaction, but it’s not on the casino’s side, but the bank’s.
Must I have a bank account to use Visa at online casinos?
No, you don’t, but it’s the easiest way to get a Visa card for free. Plus, the cards issued by major banks are among the safest options you can use.
Does Visa accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin?
No, Visa only works with fiat currencies. Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are a decentralized payment option that’s in stark contrast to the nature of bank accounts and cards.
