Best betting payment methods for UK online bookmakers in May 2024

One of the key factors with any UK bookmaker is being able to deposit and withdraw money. When betting online it is so simple with many options available that can be used almost instantly. Let’s take a look at the methods that are available to punters in the United Kingdom and which are going to suit you the best. 

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In May 2024 there is no need to use bookmakers who do not offer you the deposit and withdrawal method you seek. Sign up with best UK sports betting sites who provides your preferred method.

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What payment methods are authorised by bookmakers for the UK market?

 Four main ways can be used to deposit with a UK bookmaker. They are:

• Bank cards
• E-Wallets
• Bank Transfers
• Prepaid vouchers

All four have their advantages and disadvantages when being used as we will discuss further down the page. These are the most common payment options that you will find when looking over a bookmaker in the UK:

• VISA
• Mastercard
• Bank Transfer
• PayPal
• Skrill
• Neteller
• Trustly
• Paysafecard
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay

Since 2020 it has been against the law for bookmakers to allow customers to bet with a credit card but a debit card is still the most common way for bettors to deposit into their accounts. If you would like more information about each of these methods then read on.

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VISA/Mastercard

A lot of welcome offers are confined to new customers depositing with a debit card so this is by far the most widely used method of adding money into a bookmaker's account. Payments are instant and they are one of the safest methods out there. 

We have an article about bookmakers that accept VISA and one for bookmakers that accept Mastercard if you would like more information on this deposit method. 

Bank Transfer

In a culture where speed is everything, having to wait around for a bank transfer to clear before being able to place a bet is something that has fallen out of fashion. Instant satisfaction is key and while there are positives like you can move bigger sums of money via this method if that is your desire, most punters have turned away. 

There are still a lot of UK betting sites that accept bank transfers so take a look if you want to deposit in this way.

PayPal

The rise of e-wallets has changed the face of the bookmaking industry and these are widely accepted by bookmakers across the UK. 33% of online transactions in the UK are made via an e-wallet and PayPal is the most commonly used. 

Link your PayPal account to your bank account and debit card and then once you have made a deposit you are free to use it as you like in the same way as a bank account. If you have not used this in the past then our article on bookmakers that accept PayPal will give you some more information. 

Skrill

Skrill has been around since 2001 when it was called Moneybookers. It is part of the Paysafe family and is used like any other e-wallet, i.e. you make initial funding of the account and then just use it as you would a debit card or bank account. 

It is a regularly used method across the UK bookmaking industry and you can see which ones on our betting sites that accepts Skrill page where you can find all you need to know. 

Neteller

Since 1999, Neteller has been an e-wallet which can be used for online payments. Like Skrill, it is a Paysafe e-wallet which has grown massively in the last decade once it was accepted by the betting sites. You can see which UK bookmakers accept Neteller on this page. 

There are the same advantages that are true of all e-wallets: that it is safe, quick and reliable which is what bettors are looking for when it comes to making deposits into a betting account. 

Trustly

Formally known as Glue Finance, it is probably a good decision for them to change their name to something much more apt for an e-wallet. From Swedish origins, they have made themselves into one of the biggest e-wallets globally and are now widely accepted by bookmakers across the UK.

For more information on this e-wallet and a list of UK bookmakers that accept Trustly as a deposit method then we have all the information that you need. 

Paysafecard

No surprise here that they are a part of the Paysafe family. This is a little different from an e-wallet as it is a prepaid voucher that can be bought either online or in a physical store. It has a 16-digit number that you use to check how much is left on the card. Enter these digits into your bookmaker to deposit with one. 

Deposit limits on these are much smaller than most methods. You can get more information on our UK bookies that accept Paysafecard page.   

Apple Pay

Anyone who has a phone with an iOS operating system. You can use Apple Pay as a contactless method via your phone, your tablet, Mac laptop or your watch which makes this a very helpful method to deposit. You can get a list of sports betting sites that accept Apple Pay here.  

Google Pay 

The equivalent of Apple Pay for users who have an Android device. It works in the same way, using the bank card that you have registered to them to pay when you want to deposit. Super fast, easy to use and with no fees, Google Pay is no doubt one of the punters' favourite.

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Sports betting & crypto: An increasingly popular option

While a little over 6% of Brits own some sort of crypto, bookmakers have been slower to respond to this option for depositing. This is a much more common deposit method in other jurisdictions but the UK has been slower to respond. Both Betfred and Netbet allow Bitcoin deposits and we expect that others are going to follow suit in due course as the demand for this method increases. 

How reliable are these payment options offered by UK bookmakers?

All bookmakers that operate in this market have to be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission which means that they have to be safe and secure when it comes to dealing with payments from their customers. Every payment that you make to any of the bookmakers that we have on the site is perfectly safe and reliable. 

Are there any added fees for deposits with UK bookmakers?

It is incredibly rare to find any bookmaker that charges a fee for depositing. If you are using an e-wallet for a deposit, there is a chance that they will charge you a fee rather than the bookmaker but it is very rare to find any charges for depositing into your account with a bookmaker.

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Is there a minimum deposit amount I can make into a bookmaker account?

There is no one answer for this as all bookmakers have their own terms and conditions which will cover this. It is rare that it is not either £5 or £10 but they can change depending on the deposit method so it is best to read our reviews for whichever bookmaker you are interested in joining as these will give you the help that you need. 

Do bookmakers have a maximum deposit limit in the United Kingdom?

There is a maximum amount that you can deposit into a bookmaker. These vary by method as well as by bookmaker, so it is best to check out the terms and conditions so that you know exactly what these amounts are. 

For example, if you would like to deposit into a William Hill account, the maximum you can add at any one time is £5,500 with PayPal but £80,000 with Skrill. This is a massive difference between the two e-wallets so always be aware of the different rules for each bookmaker.

How long will my deposit take to clear at a UK bookmaker?

Except for bank transfers, deposits with all other methods should be almost instantaneous. There are some occasions where something goes wrong but as a general rule, your money will be in your account within a matter of seconds. Bank transfers take a few days so if you want to use this method then consult our reviews or the terms and conditions of the bookmaker in question.

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What do I need to do to withdraw money back from a bookmaker?

Most bookmakers have a very similar method to follow. Head to your account where you will find the withdraw button but unless there is an exceptional circumstance, you will have to withdraw money using the same method that you used to deposit. The main exception is that you will not be able to put money back onto a Paysafecard. 

What waiting time is there to receive money back?

Again, this depends entirely on what method you are looking to withdraw. Some bookmakers are part of the VISA Fast Funds scheme which can see the money back to your debit card within 30 minutes. If they are not, then most debit cards take 1-3 days to receive the money back.

One of the reasons that e-wallets have become so popular is that most will see the money back within 24 hours and often a little quicker than that. At a busy time, like Grand National Day, for example, it might take a little longer as the volume of business is so much more than an ordinary day. 

Do any UK bookmakers charge withdrawal fees?

This is very rare for online bookmakers, more of a thing that you will find at a casino. It would not be good business to charge a customer to get their own money returned to them so it is almost always free to withdraw money. As always, you can check our reviews or the terms and conditions of the bookmaker in question to see if there are any fees that you will have to pay.

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Payment methods for betting sites in the UK:

• Mastercard Betting Sites in the UK: Bookmakers that Accept Mastercard
• Visa Betting Sites in the UK: Bookmakers that Accept Visa
• PayPal Betting Sites: The UK Bookmakers that accept PayPal
• Paysafecard Betting Sites: The bookmakers that accept Paysafecard
• Apple Pay: The UK bookmakers that accept Apple Pay
• Trustly Betting Sites in the UK: Bookmakers that accept Trustly
• Skrill Betting Sites in the UK: Bookmakers that Accept Skrill
• Neteller Betting Sites in the UK: Bookmakers that Accept Neteller