When gambling online, part of the registration process will require you to use a payment method.
One of the most common and secure options for transferring money to and from an online casino is using a bank transfer.
Read below to learn about which online casinos are accepting bank transfers in the UK and how to start this process.
Always Put Safety First
Bank transfers have been a staple of online casino payment methods since their inception. They are an incredibly secure option, given that these transactions have access to both the casino and your bank’s safety features.
Players that use a wire transfer instead of a credit card have the added benefit of automatically convertible currency.
Although processing times for deposits and withdrawals may be slightly longer, this ensures the safest transfer of funds possible.
When you create an account with your online casino of choice, you’ll have to verify your identity during the registration process.
This is part of anti-laundering legislation called Know Your Customer (KYC). Your bank account is an easy way to expedite this verification process, as they’ll have your personal information already on file.
To learn more about these online casinos’ legal information and how they must uphold their licensing, check out the United Kingdom Gambling Commission’s official page.
We only promote fully licensed and safe casinos on our site.
| Did you know? 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. |
How to Use Bank Transfers at Online Casinos
Just about every virtual gambling website will 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 are a few things to keep in mind when using a bank transfer in casinos online.
Are there any fees when depositing and withdrawing with bank transfers?
You’ll likely run into fees no matter which forms of payment you use when gambling online. Bank transfers are hit with processing fees that will depend on the bank you use and the amount you’re trying to deposit or withdraw.
You’d be harder pressed to find an online casino that doesn’t accept bank transfers than those that do.
The ability to connect to a bank is a sure sign of a website’s dedication to security.
Some of the best bank transfer casinos available to UK players include Betway, 888 Casino, the Hippodrome Online Casino, and LeoVegas.
These sites accept payment in this form with minimal fees depending on the amount you plan on depositing or withdrawing.
The Hippodrome Online Casino has a withdrawal minimum of £10, whereas others like LeoVegas and 888 only place minimums on credit cards.
New bank transfer casinos that are available to UK gamblers include Bet At Home Casino and The Sun Vegas. Although smaller in scale than the sites mentioned above, they both accept bank transfers and offer a fresh gaming experience.
How do you place a deposit and withdraw your winnings using a 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.
- You’ll then go to your casino’s “Payment” page, which can usually be found through your Account menu.
- Under the “Deposit” or Withdraw section, you’ll indicate that you prefer a bank transfer.
- You’ll be redirected to your bank’s webpage to put in the appropriate information related to both you and your casino of choice.
Solutions to Common Issues When Using Bank Transfers at Online Casinos
Even though bank transfers are the most comprehensive of the casino payment methods, don’t worry if you run into trouble here or there.
Here are some of the most common issues players run into when using a wire transfer to gamble online.
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.
Pros and Cons of Using Bank Transfers at Online Casinos
If you’re still not convinced to use a bank transfer when betting in online casinos or just want a refresher on what’s been mentioned thus far, check out this list of pros and cons.
| 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. | Slightly slower processing times – processing withdrawals and deposits may take longer than usual; this is due to the extra security bank transfers are subject to. |
| 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
Bank transfers are the safest way to add and remove funds from any online gambling account.
Part of the security that comes with choosing a bank transfer over another payment method is running the transaction through various steps before it’s approved and funds are disbursed.
This will likely incur extra waiting time for your funds to be added to or withdrawn from your gambling account.
The next safest method is using a debit/credit or a prepaid card. The fees and limits for using cards oftentimes can be cumbersome but are more immediately available.
Prepaid cards can also add a bit more anonymity to your gambling habits if that’s something you don’t want your bank to know.
PayPal is a solid option as a payment method but doesn’t carry the same level of security that the others have. Some online casinos don’t even allow players to make deposits or withdraw into a PayPal account.
When they do, deposits and withdrawals with PayPal have incredibly low wait times, so its benefit would depend on how soon you need your money.
When it comes to limitations, bank transfers allow you to move the most amount of money at any given time. Although this will still be subject to an extended waiting period, both the casino and your bank’s encryption power allows you to transfer large sums safely at once.
| Bank Transfer | Visa | Mastercard | PayPal | Bitcoin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wait Times | High | Medium | Medium | Low | Low |
| Security | High | High | High | Medium | Medium |
| Limitations (Deposit/Withdrawal) | Low | Medium | Medium | High | Low |
| Anonymity | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium | High |
Each different type of payment method brings its unique advantages and disadvantages.
We always recommend security first, which is why bank transfers and credit/debit cards rank slightly higher on our list of recommended methods than cryptocurrency.
| Did you know? Although extremely popular, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are still so new to the online gambling world that many sites won’t accept them. Gambling providers in the US are far less likely to accept Bitcoin than European sites. Sites that do accept crypto deposits hardly ever offer crypto-related bonuses. |
Conclusion
There aren’t many forms of payment that we’d recommend more than bank transfers for virtual gambling. They provide the most secure coverage possible due to their access to multiple levels of checks and balances.
If you’ve never used a bank transfer to add money to your casino account, give it a try.
The process to set up a link between your accounts may take a couple of days, but you’re guaranteed the safest gaming experience on the web.
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.
Gamble responsibly, and good luck!