Online poker has certainly risen in popularity — in 2022 alone, the online gaming market was valued at $63 billion. The adoption of smartphones and the increased spending power people have has fuelled the use of new technology to improve a user’s poker experience. Like VR games, online poker provides players with an immersive experience by sitting around a virtual table opposite other players or experiencing a live casino studio. Beyond the enhancements in play, however, users have also leaned towards virtual gambling due to the convenience of its payment methods.
For online poker aficionados, it’s easy to be swept up by exciting tournaments or promotions. Of course, you’ll have first to understand which payment options are available to you before you can start playing. While the list below is by no means exhaustive, we do touch on the three key online poker room deposit methods that are equal parts efficient and effective.
Prepaid cards
Prepaid cards are widely accepted amongst different poker sites. As a deposit-only option, you’ll have to pay ahead of time. However, there aren’t any limits on how much you can deposit, making prepaid cards beneficial for those who don’t want to load each time they start a round of poker.
Additionally, prepaid cards are easily purchasable. They can be found in locations such as newsstands, gas stations, or convenience stores. At your location, either pick the card you want or request the teller add an amount. You’ll receive the voucher after, and you can use the code in it to transfer money to the poker site of your choice. Amongst the choices in this group, one popular choice is a Paysafecard.
Paysafecards, as with any prepaid card, are independent of your bank account, credit card, and personal information. However, Paysafecards are powered by Mastercard, so you may be charged an annual maintenance fee or small fees when you top up your card.
Bank transfers
Using real money to play poker is a safe and secure process given that you choose a reliable site or an app. Real money poker online requires you to deposit money into your account, and one way to do that is through a bank transfer.
First, you’ll have to create an account on your chosen poker site or app. Some poker sites may prompt you to give additional documentation, like a scanned copy of your ID or a utility bill in your name. These are just measures that help prevent breaches of important personal data like your bank details. Once you’ve completed the sign-up process, you can make a bank deposit by clicking on “Cashier” on the poker site. Wait until a new tab pops up since that’s where you’ll undergo the deposit process.
There may be additional fees for bank transfers, so it’s best to anticipate them and plan your spending accordingly. Do note that while some bank transfers are instantaneous, there may be delays caused by bank cut-offs or bank holidays.
Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have become a mainstream option for making purchases. Online poker sites, too, recognise these currencies as legitimate payment methods. Although not all poker sites offer cryptocurrency deposits, there are a number of sites that do. So first, you’ll need to check if your regular online poker site carries this option before you can apply it.
To play using Bitcoin, for example, a player only needs a Bitcoin address to make the deposit. The entire process might take a couple of minutes, but this option excludes transaction fees that other traditional payment methods charge. Interestingly, using your crypto wallet for deposits also provides an added layer of anonymity if you’d prefer to keep your online poker habits private.
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