If you are one of those persons who are constantly getting their credit card declined at most of the online casinos, then it is high time for you to change your strategy. Let’s assume you do not have any other option for online deposit. Well, do not worry – all you have to do is to find an online casino that accepts prepaid cards.
Haven’t heard of such cards? Well, they are basically the same as the credit cards but the main difference comes from the fact that the credit card has a determined limit. You can use your prepaid card for many things aside gambling online – you can also shop or purchase different services.
Overview
Prepaid cards, which are also known under the term “stored-value cards” are the type of payment cards with a monetary value stored on the cards themselves. A specific feature of prepaid cards is the fact that the money or any other information implemented to such card are not “physically” stored and kept on it. The funds are present there in the form of binary-coded data.
These cards are different from regular debit cards, which hold a certain amount of money on deposit with the issuer. The monetary value of prepaid cards is not linked to an external account maintained by a certain financial institution.
Prepaid cards are usually anonymous, unlike debit cards, which are always issued to an individual account holder. In addition, all data related to prepaid cards is maintained on the computers and servers of the prepaid card’s issuer.
Normally, the names of stored-value cards, are specific for a certain country or company and are not identical all over the world. They are usually preferred when making money transactions of low value or micro-payments.
Types of Prepaid Cards
There is a great variety of prepaid cards offered worldwide. Some of the most popular ones are the closed system prepaid ones and the semi-closed system prepaid ones.
Closed system prepaid cards
This type of cards are primarily issued by merchants and are allowed to be used only when making purchases from the merchant. One of the features that are most typical for them is the fact that such cards are usually issued with a fixed amount loaded, which is why they are commonly known as merchant gift cards. Such cards cannot usually be redeemed for real cash.
Closed system prepaid cards are almost not regulated by any laws. No special licenses are required to be obtained by merchants who issue such kind of cards. In the US, gift cards have fallen under state laws related to abandoned property and escheat, which applicability, unfortunately, is not 100% guaranteed.
In addition, no refunds for lost or stolen cards are provided by merchants. It is the merchants themselves who decide on the matter if a refund is possible and if so, these issues are settled in a special agreement with the cardholder.
Semi-closed system prepaid cards
These cards are pretty much the same as the closed system prepaid ones, but there is one major difference between them – the semi-closed ones can be redeemed by cardholders at multiple merchants within a certain geographic area.
In addition, this type of cards is issued not by the merchant themselves, but by an independent third party. Unfortunately, the laws that govern semi-closed system prepaid cards are not well-settled and it is not uncommon for them to depend on the state or country where a card is used.
Advantages
Making a deposit to your online casino player account with a prepaid card comes with all benefits that are typical for credit cards: your deposits will almost always take place instantly, meaning you will have immediate access to your deposit.
In addition, depositing with a prepaid card at some casinos can earn you an additional bonus. Another benefit of depositing with a prepaid credit card is that you can easily manage your online gambling expenditures, because the cards are limited in terms of how much you can deposit at a given time.
If you make a deposit to the casino you have chosen with a prepaid card, then you will have lots of benefits such as the following ones:
- the deposit will be transferred to your account immediately
- many casinos give bonuses when you top up your account with a prepaid card
- manage easily your gambling spending since the deposit in the card is limited
- as most cards are co-branded with Visa or MasterCard, they can be used almost everywhere
All those things can improve your gambling experience.
Disadvantages
Usually, some prepaid cards, and especially those that are used by customers for paying bills and making online purchases, have fees. This is considered one of the greatest disadvantages of this payment method.
Normally, the first monthly money withdrawal is free of charge, but there are fees for any consecutive withdrawal made by using an ATM device. This is why every customer must make sure they check on the terms of use of such cards and take them into consideration before applying for one.
Prepaid Cards and Online Gambling
Most online casinos worldwide are selling prepaid cards, making it easier for customers to simply go and get one. The whole process is really easy and it will not take users a lot of time.
The good news is that prepaid cards are issued by banks that can give you credit ones as well. Otherwise, if the casino you have chosen is not offering prepaid cards, then you can go to the bank and vice versa. However, we recommend finding an online casino that can help you with your prepaid card issuing process.
If you find it hard to do so, we might be able to help you. Usually, you need to log into your account and go to the cashier section. Then click on the prepaid card option and you will be allowed to buy one. If you buy a prepaid card from the casino itself, you can be more than sure you will not have any problems using it.
Of course, the only source of getting prepaid cards is not only the online store of the casino. Those things can be found almost anywhere – grocery stores, drug stores and many other retailers. Users should also keep in mind there are various different kinds of such cards and each one of them has different features. Some customers take this as a disadvantage, because people might easily get confused about which one to use.
There are some cards that come with a certain amount of money, while you might have to load a sum in others. This is why you need to make sure you are familiar with the type of card you need.
Security
Most prepaid cards issuers and providers emphasize the fact that the method is quite secure and risk-free when it comes to protecting the customers’ personal data and other sensitive information.
A great feature of this type of cards is the fact that customers are provided with full control of their financial stability. The prepaid cards allow the cardholders to spend as much money as there is available on the card. In addition, they are not linked to any bank account of the cardholder, which also guarantees the safety of customer’s funds.
The fact that there is no connection between a prepaid card and already existing bank account of the user also makes it more secure for the customers’ personal data. No details are revealed by the merchants and card issuers to third parties, which sharply increases the level of protection.
Conclusion
Currently, prepaid cards are one of the fastest-growing payment methods all over the world. They guarantee fast and reliable money transactions, as well as great security level when it comes to sensitive data protection from eventual malware attacks. Prepaid cards are great not only when it comes to paying some bills, or purchasing goods or services over the Internet, but also for entertainment. This is exactly why they are some of the most preferred means of payment in online casinos globally.
FAQs
What Is a Prepaid Card?
Basically, it is a card for payments just like any other credit card, but it comes with a determined limit. It is commonly used for online shopping, but it can come in quite handy for online gambling, as well.
Are Prepaid Cards Anonymous?
Yes, they are, as you don’t have to share any of your personal info when making a payment using this type of card. This makes them ideal for online casino transactions.
Can You Use Prepaid Cards to Make Withdrawals at an Online Casino?
No, as these are meant for payments only.
Are There Different Types of Prepaid Cards Out There?
Yes, there are closed and semi-closed system prepaid cards available.
What Are Closed System Prepaid Cards?
These require no licenses for merchants to issue such cards, and these are mostly gift cards that can only be used to make purchases from the very same merchant that issued them.
What Are Semi-Closed System Prepaid Cards?
This are very similar to their closed system counterparts, but they are issued by an independent third party so they can be used at multiple merchants, depending on the state where the card is used.
What Are The Benefits of Using a Prepaid Card for Depositing at an Online Casino?
Immediate access to your deposit and additional bonuses at some casinos who encourage using prepaid cards as a banking method.
Are There any Fees Involved in Prepaid Card Money Transactions?
Some prepaid cards involve a fee when using an ATM to withdraw cash.