How to choose the best bank transfer casinos?
Bank transfers might sound like an unlikely payment method, especially to younger players, but they have actually been around since the early days of online gambling. Also known as wire transfers, they are very secure as they use both the bank and casino’s safety features. But how do you go about finding a bank transfer casino that’s right for you? Simple – just follow our guide below, and you’ll find the perfect site in no time.
✓ Read our casino reviews
First off, check our casino reviews to learn all about the best casino sites out there. The expert CasinoHawks team analyses casinos using a straightforward step-by-step process that covers all aspects of the site, before giving it a final score.
✓ Always verify that the online casino is licensed and regulated
The license is definitely the most important thing about an online casino. In the case of us Brits, the licence must be issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which is the public body that regulates gambling and supervises gaming law in Great Britain.
✓ Check what security measures the casino has in place
While the licence ensures legality, a casino site still needs to confirm its commitment to security. This is done through the use of encryption technologies such as Secure Socket Layer (SSL).
✓ Investigate the speed for bank transfer transactions
Bank transfers are, alas, one of the slower casino payment methods, this does ensure the security of your transfers. Still, it’s worth knowing which casinos process bank transfers the fastest!
✓ Ensure that the casino accepts the currency that you need
This goes without saying, but your online casino needs to accept the one currency that matters – the Pound Sterling!
✓ Look out for bonuses specifically for bank transfer users
Casino bonuses are a great way through which one can get goodies, and some casinos might offer bonuses aimed right at bank transfer users.
✓ Review the transaction limits for bank transfer users
Most, if not all, casinos have minimum and maximum limits on the amounts one can deposit and withdraw. Do these suit your needs?
✓ Make sure the casino offers a wide range of games that you enjoy
Last, but definitely not least, the casino’s game selection should be right to your tastes. The online casino experience is all about the games on offer, after all!
| Your personal data is secure |
|---|
| In 2018, the UK Gambling Commission introduced the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This legislation aims to regulate and mitigate any risks that come with giving online casinos your personal information. You can read the fine print on the UKGC’s official website. |
Is it safe to use bank transfers in casinos?
Bank transfers use both the online casino and your bank’s security measures, effectively doubling the safety of your deposits and withdrawals. After all, security is one of the reasons you will have selected your particular bank! As for online casinos, licenced and reputable operators employ special encryption to stop third parties from accessing personal information from ongoing transactions.
| Accepted by most online casinos |
|---|
| You’ll be hard-pressed to find an online casino that doesn’t accept bank transfers – after all, the ability to connect directly with a bank is a sure sign of the site’s dedication to security. |
How to use bank transfers at online casinos
Most online gambling websites accept wire transfers as a form of payment. Some of the most popular banks for online gambling in the UK are the Bank of Scotland, Barclays, and Santander. Here is how to use bank transfers as your payment method of choice:
How to make a deposit using bank transfer
Bank transfers will require players to have a fully registered account with their casino of choice; this process will vary depending on the website you use.
- Go to your casino’s “Cashier” page. This can usually be found in your Account menu.
- Choose “bank transfer” as your deposit method.
- Enter your details and purpose of reference.
- Enter the amount you want to deposit.
- Select your bank and take note of the payment reference. You need to supply this code to your bank.
- Take note of the Payee Information given to you by the casino. You need this in order to confirm the fund transfer via either online banking, bank app, or phone banking.
- Confirm the deposit using your bank app, online banking, or phone banking.
How to withdraw your winnings with bank transfer
Once your account is registered and you have made your first deposit using bank transfer, withdrawing your funds should be a straightforward affair. Again, this differs slightly between casinos, but the process should be as follows:
- Go to the “Payments” page.
- Indicate you will use bank transfer under “Withdraw.”
- Input the amount you want to withdraw and follow the on-screen instructions.
| What to know when making a bank transfer |
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| You need a couple of pieces of information in order to make a bank transfer. First off, you need to know both your bank account and routing number. You need to contact your bank in order to get your routing number. Second, you need the casino’s IBAN code, which you should find on the site. Last, you need to provide a SWIFT code in order to receive your winnings via wire transfer. |
Are there any fees when depositing and withdrawing at bank transfer casinos?
As with most payment methods, there is a possibility of fees when using bank transfers. These fees differ between banks and casinos, and will depend on the bank you use as well as the amount you want to withdraw or deposit.
| Know Your Customer! |
|---|
| Once you create an account with an online casino, you will need to verify your identity. This is part of the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and is required by the UKGC. |
What are the pros and cons of bank transfer casino payments?
Bank transfers bring the main advantage of security, but they do have the disadvantage of slower processing times. Let’s check what are the pros and cons of using bank transfers as an online casino payment method:
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Utilizes both the casino and bank’s security – this can be particularly important given the expert-level encryption with which most banks are equipped. | ❌ No anonymity – your bank will have your contact and personal information and can see what you’re spending your money on. |
| ✅ Available everywhere – banks can be accepted overseas, and on virtually every online gambling site you can find. | ❌ Multi-step setup process – verification between different sites and banks may take a while. |
| ✅ Can transfer high amounts at once – other payment methods have, on average, lower caps on deposits and withdrawals. | ❌ No anonymity – your bank will have all of your contact and personal information and can see what you’re spending your money on. |
Bank transfers vs. other payment methods
How do bank transfers compare with other popular casino payment methods? Follow the table below to see what we believe are the main comparison points:
| Features | Bank transfer | Visa | Paypal | Neteller |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Widely accepted for withdrawals | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Anti-fraud and encryption technology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Availability of an app | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Fast payouts | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| How long do bank transfers take? |
|---|
| Bank transfers can take anything from 1 to 5 working days, depending on the casino’s verification processes. This is indeed slow compared to other methods, but this brings the benefit of peace of mind as far as security is concerned. |
Using bank transfer at mobile casinos
Most of us play at online casinos on our smartphones, meaning support for mobile casinos and casino apps is a must for any payment method. Thankfully bank transfer payments can be easily accessed through a mobile browser or app, making such payments a snap. A lot of apps also offer proprietary apps, making such payments even easier.
Latest casinos that accept bank transfers
Here are some recently reviewed casinos that offer bank transfer as a payment method:
Solutions to common issues when using bank transfers at online casinos
Bank transfers are among the most comprehensive of casino payment methods, but you might still run into trouble every now or then. But don’t worry! Here are some of the most common issues players run into when using a wire transfer to gamble online, and potential solutions to them.
I can’t withdraw my winnings
If you’re having trouble withdrawing your funds through your bank, first check to see if the online casino you’re using has any withdrawal limits. Then, make sure your funds aren’t affected by any bonus or promotional stipulations; this may require you to wager a certain amount or wait a specific amount of time before withdrawing. If none of these suggestions solve your issue, contact both your bank and customer support to see if your account on either end is holding up the process.
I can’t remove my bank number from my account
You can change or remove a payment method from your gambling account through the Account page on most sites. In certain cases where this isn’t working, some banks will allow you to block gambling providers from using them. Contact your bank to see if they offer a service similar to this one.
I can’t verify my bank information
Bank information is accepted through either verifying your account number or uploading the appropriate documents. If this isn’t working for you, make sure that your records match all of the information. If they do, contact your bank to see if there isn’t a hold or ban on gambling providers already placed on your account.
Best alternatives to bank transfer
While bank transfers are the safest way to add and remove funds from your online casino account, this security comes at the cost of extra waiting time. If you’d rather not wait, then you might prefer to use debit cards of the Visa and Mastercard variety. Keep in mind that these might also involve fees, so check at your online casino before using them.
E-wallets are another solid option. Paypal is the most popular of these. For more information on PayPal casinos, read our rundown of the best PayPal casinos. Outside PayPal, Skrill is another popular e-wallet option. However, these are not accepted at all casinos, and they might not be eligible for casino bonuses.
Transfer your funds safely directly from your bank!
There aren’t many forms of payment that we’d recommend more than bank transfers for online gambling. They provide the most secure coverage possible due to their access to multiple levels of checks and balances. The process to link your accounts may take a couple of days, but you’re guaranteed the safest gaming experience at the best online casinos.
Regardless of how you choose to add funds to your online gambling accounts, know that nothing beats the limits you place on yourself. Wire transfers can be monitored by your bank; they can even help enforce limitations or block certain sites from accepting them as payment. So gamble responsibly, and good luck!