Klarna is a leading provider of online payments that is increasingly becoming popular as a deposit method by casino players on the Internet. This is a Swedish-based company that offers several different products, including instant payments directly from your bank account, the so-called “pay after delivery” options, as well as monthly plans which allow users to divide a larger payment into smaller, more affordable instalments.
Compared to other types of online payment systems, Klarna seems very different and odd. That is because it is. It combines the speed and convenience of instant bank transfers and the undeniable appeal of credit cards. You are shopping online and find something you want right now, but cannot find the cash? This is where Klarna comes in – it allows you to purchase goods on the Internet without having to pay immediately. But this is only one of the options this company provides and to understand it better, we need to take a deeper look into what Klarna is, how it works and how casino players can use it to make deposits into their favourite gambling sites.
Klarna was founded in 2005 in Stockholm as a new and innovative online payment platform. Since its inception, the purpose of the service was to offer online shoppers safer, simpler and more flexible payment options. It started operating in Sweden only, but soon, it expanded to Norway, Finland, and Denmark. In 2014, Klarna merged with the German financial servicer provider SOFORT, a leading instant banking method in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, so the large Klarna Group was formed.
Over the years, Klarna has acquired several different companies and developed a few products which, despite being completely different from each other, have all been considered convenient, extremely secure and easy to use. Today, Klarna is one of the largest banks in Europe with approximately 60 million users in a total of 14 countries. It offers technologically advanced, consumer-oriented payment solutions and is widely accepted by online merchants across Europe and as of 2015, in the United States. More importantly for gambling fans, Klarna is now offered as a payment option at a large number of web-based casinos, allowing punters to fund their gaming accounts easily and within minutes.
How Klarna Works
Klarna works almost like instant banking services – casino players can transfer funds directly from their bank accounts, but unlike traditional online banking that is processed by the financial institution itself, payments through Klarna are instant. Moreover, they come with an added level of security, eliminating almost entirely the risk of stolen data or fraud. In order to use this service, punters simply need to choose a casino where it is offered and make sure that they have activated their online banking.
Now, it is important to understand that not all Klarna products are available for online gambling. Understandably, the billing option and the instalments plan cannot be used for depositing at online casinos. The third option, however, represents an instant banking processor and it is a wonderful alternative to services such as Trustly or Giropay. Unlike them and similar instant banking service providers, Klarna is available to the residents of multiple countries and is offered by an increasing number of online casinos. Currently, it supports the local currencies of the merchant countries – EUR, GBP, USD, DKK, SEK, NOK, AUD, and CHF. In the sections below, we will review the different options offered by Klarna and what their advantages are.
Klarna Billing Option
This type of service allows customers to make purchases online and pay later. This is a convenient payment method for those who cannot pay instantly for goods or services but are certain they will be able to afford them after a week or two. In fact, you will have between 14 and 30 days to pay, depending on the store and you will not have to pay any interest rates or additional fees.
This option is preferred by many customers also because it allows them to test the purchased item and if they are not satisfied, they can simply return it and make no payment at all. In order to take advantage of the “pay later” service, they need to set up an account on the Klarna website. They will be required to provide their personal details such as full name, physical address, banking account, etc. The process is incredibly easy and does not take more than a few minutes.
When shopping at a store that features Klarna Pay Later, customers simply choose it from the list of available methods, log into their account and confirm the transaction. It is instant, safe and your banking or credit card information is not shared with the merchant. Due to the fact that you do not pay for the order immediately, there is a certain risk the merchant has to take, which is why this billing option by Klarna is not offered by gambling operators.
Klarna Monthly Installments
This option functions like a credit card and customers apply for a Klarna credit account after registering at the company website. If you choose this payment method, you can use it for shopping and not gambling. It is a suitable option when purchasing costly items such as smartphones, expensive clothing or fashion accessories or consumer electronics. Before you can use this service, however, you need to be approved by Klarna, which can take a week or even longer to complete.
Once you are approved and make a purchase worth from €200 up to your credit limit, you will be given a personalized instalments plan. The cost of your purchase will be divided and spread into equal payments without additional interest. However, you should not miss the monthly repayments as these promotional conditions will be cancelled and the service will start charging interest on the payments.
Klarna Instant Bank Transfer
Since 2014, when Klarna acquired the German company Sofort Überweisung, it offers direct transfers. These instant bank transfers can be used by gambling fans for making deposits into their gaming accounts. More and more online casinos are offering Klarna, but depending on the country you live in, the service may appear on the casino Cashier page as SOFORT or SOFORT by Klarna. When you choose this payment method, you make the deposit from your bank account. In addition, Pay Now by Klarna allows you make a deposit using your credit or debit card. Klarna will remember the details in a secure way, so you will not have to enter them again the next time you wish to deposit.
This option is available only at certain, mostly European online casinos which support this type of service. Klarna works by connecting your banking account with the casino you play at, moving the funds directly between the two. Usually, when the bank system processes these transfers, this takes at least a few hours – often, between one and three business days. Klarna, however, is integrated with a large number of banks across Europe and manages to instantly make transactions. In Germany, for instance, all banks support SOFORT transfers.
Depositing into Online Casinos via Klarna
As explained above, the direct transfer service by Klarna can be used for fast and easy deposits into users’ casino balances. Players do not need to register a separate account – the transfer will be successful if the casino and the bank they have an account with support Klarna and SOFORT. Punters only need a bank account activated for online banking and a stable Internet connection.
When the window for Klarna’s payment system opens up, you need to choose the country you reside in and the bank you have an account with. Then, you simply need to enter login details provided to you by the bank (PIN, account number and password). You may be given a TAN (via email or text message on your phone) which you will need to enter to authorize the transaction. TAN stands for a transaction authentication number and is used by some banks as single use one-time passwords for authorizing financial transactions. Sometimes, banks use TAN generators that provide the customer with this password.
The funds are taken directly and in real time from their banking accounts and moved to the casino Cashier system. Deposits via this method are instant, secure, and with no additional charges. Indeed, the service does not impose any processing fees but still, players should check with their banking institution for additional charges. In addition, this method is available on the move and from any mobile device, making depositing even easier and more convenient.
Withdrawing Winnings via Klarna
Some casinos also offer SOFORT instant transfers as a withdrawal option. In order to retrieve funds from your casino balance using this method, you need to open the Cashier page of the gambling website and choose Klarna or SOFORT from the list of available options. When you do, a pop-up window will open and you will be asked to either log into your account or use the sign-up details that were remembered from a past Klarna/SOFORT transfer.
In most cases, you will not be able to directly move funds from your gaming account to your bank account without having a Klarna account. Also, note that the payment method will be displayed on the casino site as SOFORT. When the new window opens, you will see Klarna’s interface. As we mentioned before, this will depend on the country you live in and how Klarna/SOFORT is marketed there. Withdrawals through this method usually take 2 to 3 business days. There are no fees imposed by the service, but some casinos may charge you a small fee. Bank fees are also possible.
Security
Klarna is an incredibly secure payment method because with it, your banking details are not shared with the casino or another merchant. They are encrypted and stored securely, so you can be certain that any financial information will be kept private and safe while playing at casino websites.
The fact that you do not need to register an account with Klarna when funding your gaming balance with it is also a guarantee that you will not be sharing your personal information with third parties. Many other online payment services such as e-wallets and even other instant bank transfer methods require signing up with them – this means you need to provide your full name, address, bank account or credit card number, date of birth, etc. Instead of increasing the potential risks in such a way, Klarna keeps requesting sensitive data from the customer to the minimum.
Conclusion
Compared to most deposit methods supported by online casinos, Klarna is extremely fast and easy to use. It does not require you to open an account and log in – it only makes depositing directly from your bank account much simpler and more secure. As a real-time payment processor, it transfers the funds to your gaming account instantly, so you can start playing your favourite games within minutes.
Of course, the other services offered by Klarna cannot be used for gambling, but they are a great way to shop online in a secure and convenient way without worrying about the cost of the items you want. Indeed, the instalment plans by Klarna provide a risk when offered to customers with poor financial discipline. Still, the company always verifies your account and makes a full assessment of your credit and financial status. So, you can be certain that they will not give you a credit if you really cannot afford that new smartphone, for instance.
FAQs
What is Klarna?
It is Swedish provider of various different kinds of payment services.
How is it different from other services?
It allows for online purchases without having to pay for them immediately. It is one of its many services, and it’s called Klarna Pay Later.
Are there any limitations?
Klarna is available in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany. As of 2015, you can use it in the US, as well.
Can you use it for withdrawals?
Yes, but only if you use Klarna via SOFORT. In case you do so, be prepared to wait 2 to 3 days for your cash.
Is it safe?
Yes, it is, as there is no need to register an account and disclose any of your personal info.
Are Klarna deposits instant?
Yes, there is no waiting involved when you transfer some funds to your casino account
Can you use Klarna at mobile online casinos?
Yes, if they accept it as a banking option.
Is “Pay Later” option available for online casinos?
Obviously not, as it is available with Klarna’s online merchant partners only.