Regardless of what you want to use them for, there is no denying that prepaid cards are a quick and convenient way to fund your online casino account. Maybe you want to just keep your bank account separate for security reasons. Or maybe you want to buy a gift card for a friend. There are tons of use cases for these cards and they are growing ever more popular.
Here are the most popular gift cards to use at online casinos:
1. Vanilla Prepaid Visa/Mastercard
Vanilla visa cards are single-use and non-reloadable gift cards. You can’t withdraw back money to them, but you can fund your casino account and then withdraw your cash to your bank or an e-wallet. They also provide anonymity since they’re not linked to your bank account. Once the funds are exhausted, the card cannot be reused.
- Features: Single-use, non-reloadable, widely accepted
- Values: $25, $50, $100, $200, $500
- Where to Buy: Retail stores, gas stations, pharmacies, online
2. Paysafecard
Paysafecard is another popular card. It’s very popular in the online casino community. You basically buy a voucher, then you top up your paysafe account. It’s available as an app for the phone or you can login online and top it up. Then it basically acts like an e-wallet. So you can both deposit from it, and withdraw money to it from online casinos. This is basically the perfect gift card/e-wallet hybrid if you don’t want to use your bank account. Fees are somewhat high, but apart from that it’s a great choice.
- Features: Voucher-based, secure, anonymous, no bank account needed
- Values: $10, $25, $50, $100
- Where to Buy: Online, convenience stores
3. NeoSurf
NeoSurf, like Paysafecard, provides a secure and anonymous way to deposit funds into online casinos. It’s easy to use and available at many retail locations. This card does not support withdrawals and may incur fees for currency conversion.
- Features: Anonymous, easy to use, available widely
- Values: $10, $25, $50, $100
- Where to Buy: Online, retail stores
4. BMO Prepaid Mastercard
This reloadable card is ideal for frequent players. It offers Mastercard’s security features and fraud protection. It can be reloaded as needed but cannot be used to withdraw winnings from your casino account.
- Features: Reloadable, widely accepted, linked to Mastercard’s security
- Values: Customizable, up to $10,000
- Where to Buy: BMO branches, online
5. Canada Post Prepaid Visa
Available in both reloadable and non-reloadable options, this card provides flexibility for online casino deposits. It offers secure transactions but, like many prepaid cards, does not facilitate withdrawals.
- Features: Reloadable or non-reloadable, secure transactions
- Values: $25, $50, $100, $200
- Where to Buy: Canada Post locations, online
6. Flexepin
Flexepin is a voucher-based prepaid card that allows players to keep their gambling funds separate from their main accounts. It’s secure and easy to manage but does not support withdrawals.
- Features: Voucher-based, secure, easy to manage
- Values: $20, $50, $100, $500
- Where to Buy: Online, retail outlets
7. CIBC Air Canada AC Conversion Visa
This card supports multiple currencies, making it an excellent option for international players. It is reloadable and offers flexibility in managing your funds. However, it does not allow for casino withdrawals.
- Features: Multi-currency, reloadable, great for travel
- Values: Varies, up to $10,000
- Where to Buy: CIBC branches, online
8. TD Connect Reloadable Visa
The TD Connect Visa is a secure and reloadable option, suitable for regular online casino players. While it provides easy access to funds, it does not support withdrawing winnings from casino accounts.
- Features: Reloadable, secure, widely accepted
- Values: Customizable, up to $5,000
- Where to Buy: TD branches, online
9. RBC Visa Prepaid Card
This card offers the reliability of RBC’s banking services with the flexibility of a prepaid card. It’s ideal for controlled spending but cannot be used for withdrawing casino winnings.
- Features: Reloadable, secure, managed by RBC
- Values: Customizable, up to $5,000
- Where to Buy: RBC branches, online
10. Scotiabank Reloadable Visa
Linked to Scotiabank, this card provides a secure and reloadable option for online casino deposits. It supports Visa’s global acceptance but does not allow for withdrawals from casino accounts.
- Features: Reloadable, secure, linked to Scotiabank services
- Values: Customizable, up to $10,000
- Where to Buy: Scotiabank branches, online
11. BMO Travel Mastercard
Designed primarily for travelers, this card supports multiple currencies and is also useful for online casino deposits. It provides secure transactions but cannot be used for withdrawals.
- Features: Multi-currency, travel-focused, secure
- Values: Customizable, up to $10,000
- Where to Buy: BMO branches, travel agencies
What Are The Reasons People Use Prepaid Cards?
People choose to use prepaid cards for online casinos for several reasons:
- Privacy and Anonymity: Prepaid cards provide a layer of anonymity as they are not linked to your personal bank account. So if you’re someone who wants to keep your gambling activities private, gift cards can help with that.
- Budget Control: Gift cards also give you better bankroll management. If you make it a habit to only use gift cards, you can’t lose control and suddenly deposit your whole bank account budget. So gift cards basically prevent overspending and allow you to stick to a budget, which is crucial for responsible gambling.
- Security: These cards reduce the risk of fraud and identity theft since they do not require users to input sensitive personal or financial information online. The risk is also limited to the amount loaded onto the card. Basically like a buffer.
- Accessibility: Prepaid cards are widely available and can be purchased from various retail locations, including convenience stores, gas stations, and online. So you can just pop into the store and get a gift card quickly or just grab one on your way out when you’ve shopped for groceries.
- No Bank Account Needed: If you don’t have a bank account or prefer not to use it for online transactions, gift cards still allow you to play at online casinos.
- Ease of Use: Using prepaid cards for deposits is really straightforward. Depending on which card it is, you normally just enter the gift card number and security code. This simplicity makes them accessible to everyone, even if you’re not that tech savvy.
- Avoiding Debt: Since prepaid cards are funded with a pre-set amount, so you can’t accrue any debt. This is a significant advantage over credit cards, where the risk of spending beyond your means is real.
- Global Acceptance: Many prepaid cards, especially those branded by major companies like Visa and Mastercard, are accepted globally. So you can basically use them anywhere.
How to Withdraw When Using Prepaid Cards?
Prepaid cards like the Vanilla Prepaid Visa/Mastercard don’t support withdrawals, which means you can’t directly transfer your winnings from an online casino back to the card. To withdraw your winnings, you typically have several alternative options:
- Bank Transfer: You can transfer your winnings directly to your bank account. This is one of the most common methods, but it requires providing your bank account details to the casino.
- E-Wallets: Online casinos often support e-wallet services like PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller for withdrawals. These platforms offer secure and fast transactions.
- Cheque or Money Order: Some casinos offer to send your winnings via a physical cheque or money order, which can be mailed to your address.
Make sure you first check the withdrawal methods available at your online casino before you deposit with your gift card. You can also ask their live chats in case the info is not publicly available. And also be aware of any fees, processing times, and limits associated with each withdrawal method.