Credit Card Betting Sites

Updated

Depositing at betting sites that accept credit cards is fast and convenient. The best credit card betting sites offer low minimum deposits, high maximums, and charge zero transaction fees.

Online sportsbooks that take credit cards accept Visa and Mastercard almost universally, but not as many accept Discover Card and American Express. Additionally, a handful of states prohibit funding online sports betting accounts with any form of credit.

Continue below for BettingUSA’s recommended credit card betting sites, state-specific rules, what to do when deposits fail, and more.

Best Credit Card Betting Sites

FanDuel SportsbookBet $5 Get $150 If It WinsFanDuel Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus
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BetMGM Sportsbook$1500 In Bonus BetsBetMGM Bonus Code: BUSABONUS Get Bonus
Bet365 SportsbookBet $5 Get $150 Win Or LoseBet365 Bonus Code: BETUSAGet BonusGAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL OR TEXT 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, NC, NJ, OH, PA, VA), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA) or 1-800-889-9789 (TN). 21+ only (18+ in KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from return. New customers only. T&Cs time limits and exclusions apply.

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

TwinSpires$200 Welcome BonusTwinSpires Offer Code: BET200 Get Bonus
AmWager$150 Deposit BonusAmWager Promo Code: BUSA150 Get Bonus
Iron Bets Racing50% up to $300Iron Bets Racing Promo Code: BUSA Get Bonus

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

PrizePicksPlay $5, Get $50 in LineupsPrizePicks Promo Code: BUSA Get Bonus
Boom Fantasy$100 First Entry RefundBoom Fantasy Promo Code: BUSA Get Bonus
Underdog FantasyPlay $5, Get $50Underdog Fantasy Promo Code: BETUSA Get Bonus
ParlayPlayFree Entry + $100 Deposit BonusParlayPlay Promo Code: BUSA Get Bonus
OwnersBox100% Deposit BonusOwnersBox Referral Code: BUSA Get Bonus
Betr Picks$10 Free Signup Offer & $200 Deposit BonusBetr Picks Promo Code: USGAMLING Get Bonus
Dabble Fantasy$25 Sign-Up BonusDabble Fantasy Promo Code: Not Needed Get Bonus

21+ to Play, T&Cs Apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER

Almost every licensed betting site in the United States accepts credit and debit card deposits. As a result, finding the best credit card betting sites is primarily a matter of identifying the best sportsbooks in general.

Unless the bettor lives in a state that prohibits credit card deposits, any online sportsbook or mobile betting app they choose is highly likely to accept credit cards. Readers can see BettingUSA’s recommended betting sites above to get started today.

Some bettors’ issuing banks may still automatically decline credit card deposits related to online gambling, but that is becoming an increasingly uncommon issue. For those who do have problems depositing, BettingUSA provides some tips and advice below.

Visa and Mastercard Sportsbooks With High Acceptance Rates

Visa and Mastercard are the two credit card brands with the highest acceptance rates at licensed US betting sites . Fewer online sportsbooks accept Discover Card and American Express, but there are some exceptions and workarounds BettingUSA will discuss below.

By comparison, Visa and Mastercard enjoy nearly universal acceptance. Readers who have a credit or debit card from either brand can pick almost any online sportsbook to get started quickly and easily.

Additionally, successful deposit rates for both brands have risen industrywide, but the best Mastercard sportsbooks and Visa betting sites recommended on this page are the least likely to have issues processing deposits from either type of card.

Some Visa betting sites also support Fast Funds withdrawals that can have money in customers’ bank accounts in as little as five hours. The Fast Funds service is available to customers who have made at least one deposit using a Visa debit or prepaid card issued by most major US banks.

For example, BetMGM Visa withdrawals automatically use the Fast Funds feature on all qualifying cards. Other mainstream betting sites that accept Visa offer similar features for compatible cards.

Betting sites that accept Mastercard are less likely to offer withdrawals back to the card initially used to deposit, but they always offer alternative cashout methods. Typically, online bank transfer withdrawals provide the fastest turnaround and least hassle.

American Express and Discover Card Betting Sites

Bettors with Discover and American Express credit cards have to be more selective in choosing where to bet online, but owners of both cards still have options.

Discover Card enjoys the most availability of the two, and the number of compatible online sportsbooks is growing. This page will list the most popular betting apps and which credit card brands each accepts in the next section.

Very few online betting sites accept Amex deposits today, although this page lists a couple of options below. Fortunately, the most prominent American Express betting sites are well-known and available in most states. In all other cases, the best option for American Express cardholders is to choose a different deposit method. The fastest and most reliable alternatives include:

  • PayPal: PayPal is an easy way to upload sports betting funds instantly and receive quick payments.
  • Play+ Prepaid Card: A Play+ account allows bettors to upload funds with Visa, Mastercard, and Discover Card to make instant online deposits. It also provides fast electronic bank transfer withdrawals and a physical Play+ card for cash withdrawals.
  • Venmo: Anyone with a Venmo account can use it to make instant online betting deposits and fast withdrawals.

Note: Some websites recommend PayPal as an Amex workaround by telling readers to fund their PayPal accounts with their preferred credit card then use that money to bet online, but that does not work. PayPal policies prevent customers from using funds uploaded via credit cards for online sports betting.

Credit Card Acceptance by Sportsbook

BettingUSA conducted firsthand research to compile a list of accepted credit card brands at each of the most popular online sportsbooks. The following betting sites and mobile apps allow customers to directly fund their accounts with the listed credit and debit card brands.

Readers who have a credit card brand not accepted by the sportsbook of their choice should consider trying a different card or alternative deposit method (PayPal, Venmo, and Play+ are two excellent options).

Note: Credit card brand acceptance sometimes varies from one state to the next even for the same sportsbook. The best way to find out for sure if one’s credit card works with any online sportsbook is to attempt to deposit. If the card does not go through, the next best option is to try a different deposit method.

Which States Prohibit Credit Card Deposits for Sportsbooks?

Most states with legal online betting allow credit card deposits, but there are six exceptions.

Sates that do not allow credit cards for online sports betting:

  • Iowa
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Rhode Island
  • Tennessee
  • Vermont

Fans who travel to states that restrict credit card deposits should also note those restrictions still apply even if they deposited while located in a card-friendly state. For example, a bettor who deposits $100 via credit card while in Kansas and then travels to Iowa will not be able to use that money to place wagers while they’re in Iowa. In that case, they might see a message like this when accessing the cashier:

credit card deposit notice

Problems Depositing with Credit Cards

Despite the widespread legalization of online sports betting and gambling, it is not all that uncommon for customers to have problems with credit card deposits.

If a bettor is sure they have adequate funds to complete the deposit, the issue is most likely due to anti-gambling policies employed by their bank. It is not a common issue, but it is frustrating when it happens. Fortunately, bettors have several options when they are unable to complete credit card deposits.

The best first option for anyone having problems depositing with a credit or debit card is to contact the betting site’s customer support team. Customer support reports employed by online sportsbooks are aware of the problems some people have making deposits and can sometimes provide workarounds to process troublesome transactions.

The next best option is to try an alternative deposit method. PayPal, Play+ card, and electronic bank transfers are all much more reliable at successfully processing deposits. PayPal and Play+ require customers to establish new accounts, but doing so is a quick process. Once customers have accounts with either method, both are among the fastest and most accepted deposit options.

Finally, bettors can also call their bank to ask for assistance. The odds of the bank being able to do much are low because the problem is likely due to policies implemented by the bank. However, calling can at least confirm that there is not some other issue preventing the deposit.

Despite the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn the federal sports betting prohibition, some banks are still uncomfortable processing transactions to online sportsbooks. There are multiple reasons why banks may refuse to process such transactions.

For example, Wells Fargo once explained its discomfort with processing betting deposits even after the Supreme Court ruling as follows:

“Our policy is based on multiple factors included applicable state and federal laws, credit risk, fraud and reputational risk.”

There is also the specter of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 (UIGEA), which lawmakers initially passed to target illegal offshore gambling sites.

Contrary to common misconception, the UIGEA did not make online gambling illegal. What it actually did was make it illegal for banking institutions and payment processors to facilitate transactions related to unlawful gambling.

Targeting financial institutions rather than gamblers proved to be a clever approach. The UIGEA’s authors knew it would be immensely difficult to dissuade gamblers from visiting offshore betting sites, so they designed the UIGEA to target the money supply.

UIGEA provisions only apply to illegal betting sites not licensed in the United States, but many card issues opted to ban all gambling transactions outright due to the difficulty and uncertainty in determining which transactions are legal and which are illegal.

In addition to all of the above, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has further complicated issues with its flip-flopping stances on how the Wire Act impacts legal betting sites.

As a result, some banks find it simpler to ban all gambling and sports betting transactions across the board. Additionally, some banks find transactions related to online betting to be at too high a risk of chargebacks to make it worth the effort.

Pros and Cons of Betting Online with Credit and Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are excellent in most cases due to their growing acceptance rates and the fact that most bettors already have everything they need to get started in their wallets. However, there are some pros and cons worth mentioning.

Credit card deposits are fast and easy the vast majority of the time. In most cases, all bettors need to do is pull out their credit cards, input the information requested by their sportsbooks, and get to betting. It’s as easy as buying something from an online retailer.

A typical sportsbook credit card deposit processes instantly, allowing customers to get busy betting with no wait.

Credit cards pose a greater risk of overspending than other deposit methods. Every state prohibits mobile sportsbooks from extending credit to gamblers for a reason – because it can lead to unhealthy gambling habits. However, credit cards effectively let customers dig themselves into a financial hole that can be very difficult to escape.

Customers who decide to use a debit card rather than a credit card can only spend money they have on-hand in their bank accounts. It is still easier to spend more than one intends, but debit cards make it more difficult to accumulate large sums of debt quickly.

State and federal laws require mobile betting apps to satisfy Know Your Customer Know Your Customer Regulations (KYC). As a result, sportsbooks eventually ask every customer to provide personal information such as their addresses, social security numbers, and maybe even upload a copy of their photo IDs. However, KYC regulations are not unique to credit and debit cards; they apply to every deposit method.

Credit card betting sites usually provide flexible funding limits. It is not uncommon for mobile sportsbooks to accept credit card deposits as low as $5 and as large as $50,000.

Some credit card issuers treat all online gambling transactions as cash advances, which may subject users to hefty fees, higher interest rates, and not qualifying for the rewards they would typically receive for credit purchases. Anyone considering using a credit card to bet online should consider first calling their bank for details.

The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) requires credit card issuers to provide fraud protection to customers. Under the FCBA, card issuers may not hold customers responsible for charges that occur after they have reported a credit card lost or stolen or if someone has obtained their credit card number.

Additionally, the FCBA limits consumer liability to $50 even for fraudulent charges that occur before customers report a lost or misused credit card. Many card issuers take it even further by providing zero-liability protection.

Credit card deposits provide less privacy than e-wallets such as PayPal because customers must share their card numbers and other details with each sportsbook they fund. The more eyes that see anyone’s credit card number, the greater the risk of fraud.

The Fair Credit Billing Act limits customer liability (see above), but fraud is still an inconvenience.

By comparison, e-wallets such as PayPal and prepaid methods such as PayNearMe do not share customers’ banking details with the recipients. Thus, bettors who use multiple sportsbooks can enhance their privacy by using one of those alternative deposit methods.

Credit Card Betting FAQ

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about using a credit card to bet online. The best bet for anyone with questions not answered on this page is to reach out to their sportsbook’s customer support team.

Various laws and regulations require licensed mobile sportsbooks to run Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to verify the identity of all customers and ensure they are:

  • Physically located within state lines
  • Of legal gambling age
  • Eligible to bet online (not self-excluded, prohibited, etc.)

When customers sign up for online betting accounts, sportsbooks run their information through public and government databases to confirm their identities and eligibility.

Additionally, some online sportsbooks may ask customers to upload a photo of their credit cards and IDs. All of the above is standard practice in the industry because state and federal laws require sportsbooks to prevent unauthorized individuals from betting online.

Credit card deposit minimums and maximums vary from one sportsbook to the next. Some betting apps accept minimum deposits as low as $5, but most institute a minimum of $10 to $20. Maximum deposits can exceed $50,000 in some cases, but each customer’s credit card issuer likely imposes its own maximum transaction limits as well.

Overall, credit card deposits are flexible enough that they work for the overwhelming majority of bettors. The exception would be high rollers who need to move larger sums of money. Bettors who need to make massive deposits and withdrawals should consider using an eCheck and giving their sportsbook a call for assistance. As an added benefit, doing so may result in high rollers receiving VIP treatment and other perks.

There are two common causes for declined credit card deposits. One potential issue is the customer lacks the funds or authorization to support such a large deposit. In those cases, the customer can contact their bank to transfer funds or increase their spending limits.

In other cases, the problem may be due to their bank’s policies on transactions associated with online gambling and sports betting. Readers can scroll up a bit on this page to read more about such policies and what to do if their bank has declined their deposit.

Yes. It is legal to bet online with a credit card in most states with legal mobile sportsbooks and online gambling. However, there are a handful of states that prohibit credit card deposits. In those cases, bettors must choose a different deposit method.

Sometimes. Some sportsbooks can issue withdrawals as refunds back to the credit card the bettor used to deposit but only up to the amount the bettor initially deposited. Customers can cash out the remaining balance via eCheck, PayPal, or another withdrawal method of their choice.

For example:

Consider a customer who deposits $50 via credit card, wins some money, and wishes to withdraw $200.

Some sportsbooks may automatically issue a $50 refund to the credit card and send the remaining $150 via another withdrawal method. Other sportsbooks may simply ask the customer to pick a withdrawal method other than a credit card for the full $200 request.

Yes. Every state that has legalized online sports betting to date has made it mandatory that licensed online sportsbooks offer customers the ability to set deposit limits, bet size limits, and self-exclusion periods.

Yes. Some sports betting sites accept American Express deposits, but many do not. BetMGM supports American Express, while FanDuel only accepts American Express through PayPal and DraftKings only accepts Amex for daily fantasy deposits.

Betting sites usually do not charge fees on credit and debit card deposits. However, some banks treat card deposits to online sportsbooks as cash advances and may charge additional fees.

Some banks charge cash advance fees to customers who deposit to online sportsbooks with credit cards. Bettors should check their banks’ policies before depositing. Note – customers may have lower cash advance limits compared to standard credit card transactions.

Some online sportsbooks require customers to sign agreements confirming they are the card owner and will not dispute the transaction. Betting sites do this to protect themselves and their customers from fraud.