What’s the best casino withdrawal method in the UK?
Banking at online casinos in the UK can often feel like a game of chance in itself, especially when it comes to selecting the best method for withdrawing your winnings. With an array of options available, each having its own benefits and drawbacks, it can be tricky to choose the optimal option that suits your needs.
In this article, we will guide you through some of the top withdrawal methods available to UK online casino players to help you decide. We’ll walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of each option, before then explaining the mandatory approval process that all casinos must follow.
E-wallets
E-wallets are the most popular withdrawal method in the UK online casino industry, with the majority of British players using them.
Here are a few reasons why:
- Fast speeds: Withdrawals via an e-wallet are almost always processed within a few hours, and are often done instantly.
- Security: You do not have to share any bank or card details with the casino, as everything is done via your account. E-wallets also have multiple security features to protect your account, such as two-factor authentication.
- Availability: Pretty much all online casinos in the UK accept at least one type of e-wallet. Most sites have several of these options available.
There are a couple of drawbacks to consider. For example, you have to create an account and verify your identity which can take some time. Also, many players like to get casino bonuses but these are not always available when using e-wallets. If you manage to win anything from a bonus then you might need to withdraw it using an alternative method. But this is quite rare and only affects a small number of players.
Out of all the options, PayPal stands out as the leading e-wallet for many players. This popularity is driven by the company’s reputation, ease of use, and the fact that most players already have an account setup. There’s also a wide range of PayPal casinos available in the UK that you can choose from when deciding where to play.
However, there are other e-wallets in the mix too. For example, MuchBetter, which launched in 2017, is gaining popularity in the UK thanks to its user-friendly interface and innovative features. Skrill and Neteller are also still available after many years in the industry. So there are plenty of options available to you.
Bank Transfer
One withdrawal method that’s really improved recently is bank transfer. It used to be a very old and outdated way of making payments, but this is no longer the case due to major upgrades in the UK’s banking system.
Here’s why many Brits are deciding to use it:
- Improved processing times: Bank transfers in the UK are now completed much faster than before. Players can receive casino withdrawals on the same day, and sometimes within just a few minutes.
- High limits: Bank transfers typically come with higher withdrawal limits compared to other methods, making them ideal for players with larger wins.
- No fees: The best online casinos in the UK do not charge any fee for withdrawing using bank transfer. So you’ll get the full amount back into your account.
Despite these advantages, bank transfers do have a few potential drawbacks. For example, if online banking isn’t available then you will need to provide your full details for the payment to be made. Also, although pretty much all online casinos in the UK offer bank transfer, not every site can process them quickly – so delays of several days can still occasionally occur.
But overall, withdrawing this way has massively improved. Many British players like the fact that the money goes directly to their account with no other steps required.
Visa
Visa is a globally recognized payment method that’s frequently used to process withdrawals from UK online casinos.
Here are a few advantages:
- Visa Direct: Some payments can be processed using the Visa Direct network, with players receiving the cash in just a few hours or even less.
- Direct access: The cash goes straight to the bank account that’s linked to the player’s card, eliminating the need for a separate account.
- Security: Visa offers robust security measures to protect transactions, including advanced encryption and fraud detection systems.
There are a few considerations to be aware of, such as needing to share your full card details with the casino. Although this is safe to do, it is not as seamless as other options. Also, while Visa Direct offers the possibility of quicker withdrawal times, its availability is dependent on both your bank and the casino, so it may not be an option for all players. If you are ineligible then payments can take a lot longer.
However, most UK casinos are starting to wake up to the Visa Direct network. It’s now pretty widespread and this has seen many British gamers starting to use this as their primary payment method.
Mastercard
Mastercard is another globally recognized payment method that’s commonly used by UK online casino players.
Here are some benefits:
- Widespread acceptance: Nearly all online casinos in Great Britain accept Mastercard, ensuring that players almost always have it as an option.
- Direct access: Funds go directly to the player’s linked bank account, bypassing the need for another account to be created.
- Security: All transactions are protected by encryption and fraud detection systems to keep payments safe.
Of course, you’ll need to provide the casino with your full card details for payments to be processed. However, the main drawback is that Mastercard does not have a fast withdrawal service like Visa Direct at the moment. This means you may need to wait a few days for the winnings to reach your account.
Even so, many UK players still use Mastercard due to the convenience of receiving the money without the need for any extra steps.
Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a mobile payment service that works with Apple devices. Players can link their bank card to this service which is then used for transactions.
Here are a few benefits of using it for casino withdrawals:
- Convenience: As most players use their mobile to play at online casinos, it’s very easy to authorise payments through Apple Pay using Touch ID or Face ID.
- Security: Payment details are not shared with the casino, while all transactions are heavily protected with security features.
- No fees: There is usually no charge for using Apple Pay, so you can receive the full amount back to your account.
Of course, this service is only available for players who have an Apple device and account. Also, not all online casinos accept Apple Pay, so you won’t have as many sites to choose from if you want to use this method.
While payout speeds are not necessarily as quick as Visa Direct, you will usually receive the money in a few days or less. It’s mainly the convenience of Apple Pay that attracts players.
What about casino processing times?
It’s very important to remember that all withdrawals must be manually approved by the casino first before they are processed. This is done to help prevent money laundering and other types of fraud.
The exact timeframe can vary depending on the casino’s policies, staffing, and how many withdrawal requests they are currently handling. To give you an idea, the fastest withdrawal casinos in the UK at the moment are able to approve in 24 hours or less in the best cases.
However, unexpected delays can occur during the approval process. For instance, a casino might request additional identification documents for verification purposes, or there might be issues with the chosen withdrawal method that need to be resolved.
How do I guarantee a fast payout?
Although it’s impossible to guarantee a quick payout every single time, there are a few things players can do to help speed up the process.
They include:
- Being verified: Make sure that your account is fully verified before requesting a payout. This may include sending documents that prove your name, age, and address. An unverified account is one of the most common reasons for a delay and can take several days to sort out.
- Using fast payout methods: As we’ve discussed in this article, some withdrawal methods are quicker than others. If you have the option, make sure to choose one that has fast transfer capabilities – like e-wallets, bank transfers, or Visa Direct.
- Requesting payouts as early as possible: Some casinos operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Many have specific working hours too. So requesting your withdrawal early in the day could result in a quicker approval time.
By taking these steps, you can potentially reduce the waiting time for your withdrawals.