Bank transfers, also known as wire transfers, are among the oldest and most trusted methods of transferring money from one bank account to another. The method is used by millions of people worldwide to send or receive money and to pay for various purchases. Many people who use bank transfers consider them just as safe as paying in cash, and they have a point because bank transfers usually do not involve the physical transfer of money between bank accounts. The balances of the sender’s and the recipient’s accounts are merely adjusted, and both parties are identified before the transfer is initiated.

| Bank Transfer Summary | |
|---|---|
| Available in | Worldwide |
| Website | Depends on the bank |
| Connecting bank card/account to Bank Transfer | N/A |
| Withdrawal balance from Bank Transfer to your bank card/account | N/A |
| Pay to online merchants | Yes, the fees vary |
| Available for deposit | Yes |
| Available for withdrawal | Yes |
| Usual deposit time in online casino | Between 24 hours and 3 days |
| Usual withdrawal time from online casino | Up to 5 business days; delays are possible depending on the location of the recipient |
| Live chat | Depends on the bank |
| Telephone support | Available on the website of the specific bank |
| E-mail support | Available on the website of the specific bank |
The method first gained popularity after the telegraph was invented in the 19th century because it allowed for quick communication over long distances. That was when Western Union emerged and eventually became the world’s largest wire transfer service. Today this method is supported by most online gambling operators and is typically accepted for both deposits and withdrawals. Despite the explosion of digital wallets and online banking processors over the past decade, many casino players still prefer to use bank transfers to deposit to or withdraw from their favorite online casinos.
Using Bank Transfers for Gambling Transactions
Bank transfers will never go out of fashion because they are familiar and, above all, extremely secure. To use this option to top up their casino balance, players simply need to hold an account with a banking institution. There are two ways to process a bank transfer: visit the bank in person or use its online banking services from home.
The first method is less convenient as it requires bank account holders to visit their banking institution or one of its cash offices in person. To execute the transaction, players need the banking details of their chosen online casino. Make sure you collect all the necessary information in advance.
For this purpose, you must contact the casino’s support staff and obtain the gambling operator’s IBAN (International Bank Account Number) and SWIFT codes. Most financial organizations are issued one such code, which can contain either eight or eleven characters. Some banking institutions may use BIC (Bank Identifier Code) instead of SWIFT. Either way, one such code is needed to establish the identity of the receiver.
Once you have collected the necessary banking information, instruct your bank to transfer the funds from your account to the casino’s account by filling in a transfer form. Some banks that support online banking provide these forms on their websites, allowing players to initiate the transaction from home. Be very careful when filling in the form, because any mistakes in the information you provide will lead to undesirable delays.
Bank Transfer for Gambling Transactions Additional TipsThe casino will also give you a special code during the transfer to identify the deposit at your bank. Keep this code until you receive confirmation that the operator has received the funds. Once the casino has received the deposit, it will send the player a confirmation email stating that the money is available in their balance and ready to use.
The second, and preferable, option involves Internet banking: visit the online casino’s cashier, select bank transfers as your payment method, and fill in the required information there. Once you hit the bank transfer button, you again need to enter all the information required to initiate the transaction. This includes your bank’s name, your permanent address, and your bank account number. The gambling operator will provide the casino’s banking details, although in some cases an online account number, also called a VAN (Virtual Account Number), is used. Another option is telephone banking, but many casino aficionados prefer online transfers because they are more convenient.
Bank transfers are also suitable for cashing out winnings from your chosen online casino. The process is largely similar to depositing because you once again provide personal information such as your name, your bank account number, and the SWIFT/BIC code of your financial institution. Then you simply wait for the requested amount to reach your bank account.
| Bank Transfer Gambling Transactions | |
|---|---|
| Supported transactions | Deposit and withdrawal |
| Deposit pending time | Instant |
| Withdrawal pending time | Depends on the casino, usually up to 72 hours |
| Additional security | Encoding systems |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bank Transfers as a Casino Deposit Method
Like most online casino payment methods, bank transfers have both strengths and weaknesses. Some players view bank transfers with a certain degree of derision and consider them a remnant of the past. However, the fact remains that bank transfers are among the safest ways to deposit funds at online casinos or transfer money between bank accounts. One reason is that the player is not required to share any banking information with third parties. Only the two banks involved in the transfer, the player’s bank and the casino’s bank, have access to the data you provide when initiating the deposit.
Furthermore, banking institutions use state-of-the-art encryption to protect all transactions they process between customers’ accounts. The same applies to trusted online casinos, which typically encrypt the information players share to protect it from fraudsters. This familiarity gives players confidence that their money is well protected because people generally trust the bank where they hold an account.
Another advantage is that it is supported by the vast majority of online gambling operators. Unlike some other payment solutions, bank transfers can also be used to receive funds in your bank account, making them a viable option for cashing out your casino profits.
Additional Advantages and Disadvantages of Bank TransfersAs most players know, casinos usually impose limits on the amounts that can be transferred per transaction. Bank transfers enable people to send more substantial amounts of money, which makes them the perfect option for high rollers who like to bet big. Casino fans who opt for this payment solution can also scoop a nice deposit bonus. Many renowned gambling operators offer additional bonuses for deposits made with this method.
Being an old-fashioned payment solution, the bank transfer has several downsides you might want to know about before using it at online casinos. Many gambling enthusiasts consider this method overly complicated. Sometimes there are too many steps required to complete a transaction. This complexity can lead to player errors, resulting in annoying delays and frustration.
Bank transfers are also less time-efficient than more modern payment solutions such as digital wallets and credit cards. Financial institutions often need time to process a bank transfer, and this applies to both deposits and withdrawals. The required time frame varies widely depending on the bank. Transfers may sometimes be completed in a few hours, but more often players must wait several business days before the money reaches their casino balance. This is bad news for those who suddenly feel the itch to place bets but have no funds left in their online gambling accounts.
Another downside is the fees associated with bank transfers. These fees also depend on the banking institution you use. Sometimes the fees can be rather high, causing many players to avoid the method altogether. Note that bank transfers can occasionally be completed at no charge, but only if the sender (the player) and the receiver (the online casino) hold accounts at the same bank. The chances of this are slim, because your online casino will almost certainly be based outside your country of residence, which means you will have to initiate an international bank transfer.
| Bank Transfer Pros | Bank Transfer Cons |
|---|---|
| Safe payment method | Deposits to online casinos are not instant |
| Players do not have to provide banking details | Sometimes the deposit/withdrawal limits are higher |
| No third party involved | The fees can be higher compared to other payment methods |
| It supports both deposits and withdrawals | It takes longer to withdraw funds from an online casino |
Fees for Gambling Transactions with Bank Transfers
As already mentioned, bank transfers are generally a costly way to load money into your casino account. There are fees involved, and the worst part is that they differ from one bank to another. Fees may also be associated with withdrawals, with the sum being deducted from the amount you cash out.
How the charges are calculated also depends on the policies of your bank. Many financial institutions charge flat fees, but others deduct a percentage of the transferred sum; the larger the amount, the higher the fee. To prevent mishaps and unpleasant surprises, players should get in touch with representatives of their bank and request information on its policies regarding transfer fees.
Another thing players should take into account is whether they are carrying out a domestic or international bank transfer. Since most people register at online casinos based outside their country of residence, there is a good chance they will have to make an international bank transfer to deposit. Unfortunately, these are associated with even higher fees because the transfer involves banks located in different countries. Add currency conversion to the mix, and you may end up paying even more in fees.
| Bank Transfer Fees | |
|---|---|
| Gambling deposit fee | Fees vary between casinos |
| Gambling withdrawal fee | Fees vary between casinos |
| Bank account deposit fee | It varies between banks |
| Bank account withdrawal fee | It varies between banks |
| Credit/debit card deposit fee | N/A |
| Credit/debit card withdrawal fee | N/A |
| Maintenance fee | It varies between banks |
Processing Times for Bank Transfers
Bank transfers may be familiar and secure, but they certainly lack time efficiency. This is especially true when compared with modern payment methods like e-wallets, third-party banking processors, and debit or credit cards.
Using this casino deposit method may sometimes be a logistical nightmare. Some players need to go to their banking institution in person to fill in their money transfer forms, especially if their bank of choice does not offer such forms on its website. This visit must take place after you have spoken to the casino’s customer support and obtained the necessary banking details. If you enter a single digit incorrectly, your deposit will not go through.
Bank transfers that involve SWIFT codes can take between 3 and 5 business days to complete, but sometimes you may have to wait even longer. The reasons vary, but these delays are usually due to factors such as time-zone differences, currency conversion, or identity confirmation. Processing time can also be extended by the day of the week in the country where the casino’s bank is based; public holidays and weekends may further delay completion.
| Bank Transfer Processing times | |
|---|---|
| Gambling deposit time | Up to 3 business days |
| Gambling withdrawal time | Up to 5 business days |
| Bank account deposit time | Up to several hours |
| Bank account withdrawal time | Instant |
| Credit/debit card deposit time | N/A |
| Credit/debit card withdrawal time | N/A |
Mobile Bank Transfers
Because this payment method is somewhat old-fashioned, it is not always possible to use it when you want to deposit to your favorite online casino on the go. However, if your bank supports online banking, you will still be able to transfer money from your account to the casino’s account. Many financial institutions have developed their own mobile applications to give their customers quick and convenient access to online banking services.
The procedure is fairly simple. After you log into your casino account on the go and select bank transfers as your preferred payment option, you are automatically redirected to a page containing links to all major banking institutions in your country of residence. You tap on your bank, are sent to its online banking page, and log in to initiate the deposit.
You can also initiate the payment through your bank’s telephone banking service, if available. To transfer the money, dial a special number set up by the bank and authenticate the transaction. These services are sometimes carried out via automated systems with voice recognition, but many banks that support this option also provide live support representatives. The support agents will talk you through the process and ask you various security questions to confirm your identity.
If you wish to make telephone transfers, you will need to apply for the service and receive a customer number and password. However, using your bank’s online banking service is generally less hassle and more time efficient.
| Bank Transfer Mobile Payments | |
|---|---|
| Apple pay | No |
| Google pay | No |
Security at Bank Transfer Casinos
There may be faster and more advanced payment methods at online casinos, but bank transfers are still among the safest ways to carry out gambling-related transactions online. A good number of players prefer them over other payment solutions simply because they do not trust third-party payment processors. If you use bank transfers, there will be no need to share private and financial information with anyone other than the banks responsible for the transactions. No third parties are involved in the process, which also enables casino fans to retain their anonymity when placing bets online.
Banking institutions have adopted strict security policies to protect customers, their money, and their transfers. The bank initiating the transfer sends the receiving bank a message through a secure system that encodes the transaction. This encrypted message contains all the instructions concerning the payment.
Protection against cybercrime is further enhanced by the fact that the transactions can be tracked because they are conducted by your bank. If a player’s deposit fails to go through and the funds are not added to their casino balance, they can pinpoint the reason for the issue by contacting their bank and making an inquiry.
While it is impossible to reverse a transaction carried out this way, your bank may choose to issue a refund of the deposited amount. However, the easiest way to avoid such issues is to choose your online casinos carefully. If you sign up with a reputable gambling operator, you can rest assured that you will not have to deal with delayed or failed deposits.
| Bank Transfer Security | |
|---|---|
| Passcode | Yes |
| Fingerprint | No |
| FaceID | No |
| Two-factor authentication | It may apply, depends on the policy of the specific bank |
| Trusted devices | No |
| IP Restrictions | No |
Bank Transfer Casinos FAQ
We have condensed answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about using bank transfers to pay for your betting activities at online casinos. We hope you find the information you are looking for below.