MasterCard is second only to VISA as far as payment methods are involved, and can be used at millions of retailers both off and online. However, the UK Gambling Commission banned the use of all credit cards, including those issued by MasterCard, from the 14th of April 2020. That said, you can still use MasterCard debit cards at your favourite online casino sites, and here we will guide you through how to do exactly that.
How to choose the best MasterCard casinos?
Since MasterCard Debit payments are available at most online casinos, you will want to find the very best online casinos. This is easy enough, actually – just follow the steps below:
✓ Read our casino reviews
First, it goes without saying that you should read our casino reviews. The expert CasinoHawks team ranks casinos on a number of different criteria, and that includes the payment methods available.
✓ Always verify that the online casino is licensed and regulated
The gambling licence is the most important point when choosing an online casino. Here in the UK, a casino site needs to hold a licence issued by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) if it is to operate legally.
✓ Check what security measures the casino has in place
MasterCard brings its security measures to payments, but it’s always good to check what else the casino does to ensure players’ peace of mind.
✓ Investigate the speed for MasterCard transactions
As a rule, MasterCard deposits tend to be instant, while withdrawals can take up to 3 business days. As such, check that the casino doesn’t take longer than this!
✓ Ensure that the casino accepts the currency that you need
Of course, all properly licenced UK casinos accept the one currency that matters, the Pound Sterling!
✓ Look out for bonuses specifically for MasterCard users
One of the good things about MasterCard Debit cards is that, unlike e-wallets, they are eligible for most bonuses. But do check if a casino offers bonuses that are specific to MasterCard users!
✓ Review the transaction limits for MasterCard users
Every casino has limits on transactions, from minimum deposits to maximum withdrawals. This means you need to confirm that these limits are right for your needs.
✓ Make sure the casino offers a wide range of games that you enjoy
Last but definitely not least, the casino needs to have a wide range of games that you enjoy! After all, online casinos are meant to provide a fun experience through the titles available.
| A payments veteran |
|---|
| MasterCard has been in the business of payments for over 50 years, and it continues to change and reinvent itself to fit the times. |
Is it safe to use MasterCard in casinos?
So long the casino is properly licenced by the UKGC, it is definitely safe to use MasterCard as your payment method. Security is at the top of the payment provider’s priorities, with measures such as “Open Banking” offering casinos safe and non-invasive means to access MasterCard users’ financial data.
| Security through Open Banking |
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| MasterCard has additional security through Open Banking Protect. This is a system designed to protect individuals from unauthorised third parties trying to access their account information. |
How to use MasterCard at online casinos
Using MasterCard at UK online casinos is as easy as making any other online purchase. When making your first deposit, head to your casino’s cashier or payments section, select MasterCard as your payment method, and enter your card details. If you want further details, then follow the guides below; just keep in mind that this process can vary slightly between different casinos.
How to make a deposit using MasterCard
- Go to the casino’s cashier section
- Select “MasterCard” as your payment method
- Enter the amount you want to deposit
- Confirm the transaction
How to withdraw your winnings with MasterCard
- Go to the cashier
- Select MasterCard as your withdrawal method
- Enter the amount you want to withdraw
- Confirm the transaction
| Confirm transactions via SMS |
|---|
| One way MasterCard secures transactions is through SecureCode. This is a one-time-password (OTP) sent to you via SMS that is required to confirm your online casino payments. |
Are there any fees when depositing and withdrawing at MasterCard casinos?
Most of the best online casinos we recommend do not issue charges for deposits and withdrawals done via MasterCard. However, this differs between casinos, and sites can charge a fee of up to 2.5% when using a debit card. We recommend checking our casino reviews, where we always point out any charges put on customers.
| Add MasterCard to your smartphone |
|---|
| Both Android and Apple users can safely add their MasterCard debit card directly on their devices. Android has Google Pay, while Apple has, of course, Apple Pay. Both these options keep your MasterCard details private, and are accepted by many online casinos. |
What are the pros and cons of MasterCard casino payments?
What are the positives and negatives of MasterCard payments? Find out in the table below:
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Accepted by most casinos | ❌ Withdrawals can take longer compared to other methods |
| ✅ A safe payment option through features such as SecureCode | ❌ MasterCard may not be available as a withdrawal method |
| ✅ Is very popular in the UK | ❌ Some casinos apply a fee to withdrawals |
MasterCard vs Other payment methods
How does MasterCard compare to the competition? MasterCard ranks highly in our books, thanks to its popularity and security, but the relative lack of privacy might have you consider other options. Find out which payment method suits you best through the following table:
| Features | MasterCard Debit | VISA Debit | PayPal | Neteller |
| Widely accept for both deposits and withdrawals | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Fast payouts | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-fraud and encryption technology | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| App available | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Check for MasterCard rewards |
|---|
| Check with your bank for the availability of the MasterCard Rewards program. This gives customers points for making purchases using their MasterCard debit card, and can be available even for online casino deposits. That said, as mentioned earlier this differs between card issuers, so confirm with your bank first. |
Using MasterCard at mobile casinos
One point against MasterCard is its lack of a mobile app, although you can easily add it to Google Pay or Apple Pay, depending on the device you use. That said, you can easily use MasterCard at either any mobile casino or casino app, with the same security functionality as the site visited on a PC or laptop.
New MasterCard casinos
Want to check out a great new casino that offers MasterCard payments? Check out these three latest additions to our roster of casino reviews:
- Jackpot Village – go for the jackpot at this new casino that, yes, is all about big prize draws!
- Planet Sport Bet – This slick online casino offers both online gambling and betting.
- Luck.com – One for the slot fans, with plenty of games and unique features.
Solutions to common issues experienced when using MasterCard at UK online casinos
- I can’t find MasterCard in the list of payment methods on the casino site I’m on. Am I doing something wrong?
If you are unable to find MasterCard as an available payment method at your chosen casino site, it could be that MasterCard isn’t an accepted payment method on that particular casino site. Just to make sure that you aren’t doing anything wrong, contact customer service for assistance.
2. I think I may be a victim of fraud. What should I do?
If you suspect that you have been a victim of fraud, MasterCard advises you to contact the financial institution that issued your card. There is also the option to call the MasterCard Assistance Center directly.
3. Will I need to be in possession of a Bank Identification Number for my MasterCard transactions?
On the official MasterCard site, the payment provider states that Bank Identification Numbers — otherwise known as BINs — are fundamental to payments.
According to the official site, cards with 2-series BINs were first issued in 2017.
4. I made a mistake with my deposit, can it be refunded?
It’s important to check to see if there are any terms and conditions that cover you if you’ve made a mistake with your deposit before reaching out to contact customer support for further guidance.
5. Why did I receive a message about the instant deposit limit?
For safety measures, some casino sites may set a certain deposit limit. If you’ve received a message about this limit, it could mean that you have exceeded the instant deposit limit set by the casino site. In this case, you can choose to either proceed with the payment or cancel it.
Best alternatives to MasterCard
MasterCard might be one of the best payment methods out there, but it might not be the one for you. In that case, her are some suggestions of some alternatives:
VISA Debit – The other, even more popular debit card option. VISA is as secure as MasterCard, and just as widely available at most, if not all, online casinos in the UK.
PayPal – If you don’t want to share your banking details with your casino, then e-wallets are the way to go. PayPal is definitely the most popular of these, and accepted by many sites.
Skrill – formerly known as Moneybookers, Skrill is a popular e-wallet solution based in the UK. It is accepted by around 500 UK casinos, making it something of an online gambling payment method leader.
A truly masterful payment method
MasterCard is one of the longest-standing payment methods available for British players, and is only second to VISA in the UK as far as popularity goes. It counts on over 50 years of experience in simpler and safer payments! As such, it remains one of our favourite ways with which to make both deposits and withdrawals at the best online casinos!
Frequently asked questions
