Depositing at online casinos can be a real challenge for players from some markets, such as the United States. Many of the commonly used payment methods, including virtual wallets, online banking, and credit cards, are unavailable to them because of local regulatory restrictions. Some states have legalized forms of online gambling, but playing at offshore-licensed online casinos is generally prohibited nationwide.
Furthermore, federal legislation instructs banks and payment processors operating in the US to block gambling-related transactions to these unauthorized websites. US law makes it difficult for local casino enthusiasts to deposit and withdraw from offshore casinos, severely limiting their range of banking options.
Similar restrictions can be observed in other countries, albeit to a lesser degree. The limitations have given rise to several alternative banking methods, one of which is the prepaid gift card. Gift cards are available across many US-friendly gambling sites, acting as a workaround for these banking restrictions.
| Gift Card Summary | |
|---|---|
| Available In | Worldwide |
| Website | N/A |
| Connecting Bank Card/Account to Gift Card | N/A |
| Withdraw Balance to Your Gift Card | N/A |
| Pay to Online Merchants | Free |
| Available for Deposits | Yes |
| Available for Withdrawals | N/A |
| Usual Deposit Time in Online Casinos | Instant |
| Usual Withdrawal Time in Online Casinos | N/A |
| Live Chat | Depends on issuer/retailer |
| Telephone Support | Depends on issuer/retailer |
| Email Support | Depends on issuer/retailer |
There are many different brands of gift cards, with American Express, Visa, Discover, and Mastercard being the four most popular options. Gift cards facilitate fully anonymous deposits at online casinos because of their stored monetary value. This means they are not linked to external accounts maintained by banks or other financial institutions.
If you need help using gift cards for online gambling transactions, stick around. SuperCasinoSites will walk you through the depositing process and explain all the pros and cons of gift cards as a casino deposit method. Our seasoned reviewers will take a closer look at the security levels, processing times, and fees associated with gift cards.
Gift Card Registration Process
One of the safest and most secure ways to top up your player account at an interactive casino is by using a Visa Gift Card. Below, we have illustrated everything that gaming enthusiasts need to know about the process in several easy steps.
- Visa Gift Cards are single-use prepaid cards that can be used at any online merchant that accepts Visa as a deposit method. Visa Gift Cards can be purchased at many physical and online stores. Using one of these cards at an online casino is easy and works in the same manner as a traditional credit card.

- Players should navigate to the cashier section of the online casino and look for the Visa logo.

- With a Visa Gift Card, players have at their disposal a predetermined value they can use for their gambling transactions. To find out the available balance, Visa cardholders can call the toll-free number that is typically printed on the back of the card. Online casinos readily accept gift cards because they use the debit system. If the gift card is bought in a store, it is normally activated at the register. When it is purchased online, it might need to be activated online or by calling the toll-free number.
- Once players have signed up for an online casino of their choice and selected the Visa Gift Card payment option, they should enter the card number and the amount they would like to deposit. Visa numbers contain either 13 or 16 digits. To verify the card, players should also enter the expiration date and the three-digit CVC found on the back of the card.

How Do Visa Gift Cards Work?
Using Gift Cards for Gambling Transactions
Gift cards are the perfect solution for players whose payments are declined because of local gambling regulations. There are two main categories of gift cards, physical and digital. Physical gift cards closely resemble regular debit and credit cards; they have a magnetic stripe on the back along with a number on the front.
You can use them for payments at online merchants, retail shops, restaurants, and other terrestrial locations. Note that they lack Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), which makes it impossible to withdraw your gift card’s balance at an ATM. Physical gift cards have no monetary value until someone buys them.
You can purchase one at a local retailer by paying in cash or with a credit/debit card. In some cases, you must call a specific phone number to activate your card. In contrast, digital gift cards are intended for use online or via mobile devices to facilitate safer and easier payments on the go. You can load the codes of several digital cards into smartphone wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. You simply have to select the digital card as your chosen payment method during mobile checkouts.
Gift Cards for Gambling Additional TipsMany gift cards come with expiration dates, so you had better check whether yours has one in advance. This is usually the case with Visa and Mastercard gift cards issued in the United States. They are subject to the 2009 Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility, and Disclosure Act.
Under this bill’s provisions, gift cards must remain valid for at least five years and work everywhere the Visa and Mastercard brands are accepted. These are known as open-loop cards. Keep in mind that even if your gift card has no expiration date, you can incur fees for long periods of inactivity.
Closed-loop cards are usable only at certain merchants. For example, if you buy a gift card from Amazon, you can use it only for Amazon purchases. Some gift cards have a fixed value, while others allow you to reload them multiple times. It is worth mentioning that you may have to pay fees for repeatedly reusing your prepaid gift card. It all depends on the type of card and where you purchased it.
Depositing to an online casino with a gift card is straightforward. First, register a real-money account at your chosen gambling site. Make sure it works with gift cards beforehand by checking the website’s banking section.
After you sign up, log into your casino account and load the cashier system. Browse through the list of supported deposit options, which should include gift cards. After you select the method, the cashier will prompt you to designate your desired deposit amount. There is usually a check box you must mark to indicate you want to use a prepaid or gift card.
Gift cards work the same way as credit or debit cards. Enter the number of your gift card along with its expiration date and card verification number (CVN). The only thing left is to confirm the payment and wait for the funds to appear in your casino balance, which normally happens instantly.
| Gift Card Gambling Transactions | |
|---|---|
| Supported Transactions | Deposits |
| Deposit Pending Time | Instant |
| Withdrawal Pending Time | N/A |
| Additional Security | Deactivation in case of loss or theft |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Gift Cards
Gift cards offer various advantages, especially to players from the US market. They serve as a great substitute payment method for online casino customers who prefer not to use cards linked to their bank accounts. Furthermore, some people simply have no bank accounts or cannot use credit cards because of a poor credit rating.
Since most gift cards have no connection to bank accounts, the transactions are more likely to go through than be rejected. The higher acceptance rates make them the perfect workaround for issues related to blocked payments. Another benefit is anonymity. Some players are reluctant to use their debit/credit cards or bank accounts for online gambling purposes at offshore casinos.
More Advantages and Disadvantages of Gift CardsGift cards are ideal for such players because they do not necessarily have the user’s name printed on the front. This payment form is also incredibly safe to use and spares you from worrying about security breaches and other cybercrimes. Such incidents rarely occur at reputable online casinos, but even if they do, fraudsters cannot obtain your sensitive banking information. Gift cards are undeniably safer to use than standard bank cards.
Another reason many casino players turn to gift cards involves bankroll management. This payment form is a great choice for people who gamble recreationally and fear overspending. When using a gift card, especially if it is not reloadable, you can spend only the funds available on its balance. This gives you greater control over your spending, particularly if you lack discipline.
Many online casinos support this form of payment. It is very straightforward and simple to use, working the same way as regular debit and credit cards. You will experience no issues depositing if you have ever used a regular bank card for online purchases.
Gift cards allow for instant deposits to your real-money casino balance. The funds will appear in your account almost immediately after you confirm the transaction. Most gambling operators do not charge additional fees on deposits conducted with this method, making gift cards cost-efficient compared with virtual wallets and bank transfers.
Like most payment methods, this one is not without faults. The biggest drawback of using gift cards for online gambling is that they do not support withdrawals. You will have to look for alternative ways to cash out your gambling profits.
The most common options include wire transfers and checks, which are not the most time-efficient ways to withdraw from your casino account. While this is nothing to cry about, it still creates inconvenience for some players.
With reloadable cards, you may have to pay fees when recharging their balance. The same applies if you forget to use your card for some time, in which case additional inactivity fees are possible.
| Gift Cards Pros | Gift Cards Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents overspending | Unsuitable for high rollers |
| Suitable for recreational gamblers who play for small amounts | Offers less flexibility |
| Accepted at many US-friendly online casinos | Unavailable for withdrawals |
| Ensures secure and anonymous deposits | Dormancy and inactivity fees may apply |
| Higher acceptance rates at US-facing casinos | Some gift cards are available only in certain countries |
Gift Card Fees for Gambling Transactions
One great thing about transacting with gift cards is that most online casinos process such deposits free of charge. Of course, it all depends on the payment policies of the operator. Because of this, you should inquire beforehand whether fees are in place at your preferred gambling site. Conversion fees can also apply, particularly if your gift card was debited in a currency different from that of your casino account.
Bear in mind that you may incur nominal charges when purchasing your gift card. You may also have to pay fees for reloading your balance, provided that the card is reloadable. The exact charges vary based on the type of card and where you bought it.
Gift Card Fees Additional TipsFor example, Amazon offers non-reloadable $50 Visa gift cards with a one-time purchase fee of $4.95. There are no dormancy or service charges after the purchase. In many cases, the purchase fees vary based on the card’s monetary value. The higher the value, the greater the one-off purchase fee users pay.
In some cases, you must pay extra to activate your gift cards. The exact amount again depends on where you purchase the card. For instance, the $50 Visa gift cards available at Target come with a one-time activation fee of $5, while those sold at Walmart cost a little under $4 to activate.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some plastic gift cards do have an expiration date. You will have to request a replacement if your card expires so that its balance can be transferred to the new card. In this vein, it is also worth mentioning that inactivity might cost you extra in some instances.
Inactivity fees usually apply when you fail to use your card for a period exceeding one year. Some providers of bank-issued cards charge $1 to $2 for each month of inactivity, while others prefer to subtract the inactivity charges cumulatively once every six months. If you purchase a plastic gift card over the internet, you will likely pay shipping fees as well.
| Gift Card Fees | |
|---|---|
| Gambling Deposit Fee | Free |
| Gambling Withdrawal Fee | N/A |
| Bank Account Deposit Fee | N/A |
| Bank Account Withdrawal Fee | N/A |
| Credit/Debit Card Deposit Fee | N/A |
| Credit/Debit Card Withdrawal Fee | N/A |
| Maintenance Fee | Possible with some gift cards, but the exact inactivity fees vary |
Processing Times with Gift Cards
One of the strong points of gift cards is that they are just as time-efficient as standard debit and credit cards. Nothing is more frustrating than experiencing delays that prevent you from playing your favorite casino games right away. Gift cards facilitate online casino deposits in real time, meaning that the funds will be instantly credited to your gambling balance.
As previously mentioned, gift cards are mostly suitable for small-scale players who gamble occasionally and for nominal amounts of money. This is because gift cards typically have values ranging from $10 to $500. Combining the balances of several gift cards is usually not an option, which makes them unsuitable for high rollers and people who gamble frequently.
If you purchase a plastic gift card delivered to your address, you will generally have to wait at least a couple of business days until it arrives. The real waiting begins when you want to withdraw your winnings from the casino. Gambling operators obviously cannot send your money back to the gift card you used when depositing.
Gift Card Processing Times Additional TipsMost casinos, especially those friendly to US customers, prefer to return players’ winnings via bank wire transfers and courier checks. Saying these methods are slow would be an understatement. The casino typically requires one to three business days just to approve and process your withdrawal request.
Once the operator releases the approved withdrawal from your casino balance, you may have to wait up to ten more business days until your winnings reach you via a wire transfer. As usual, the exact processing timeframes are casino-specific and vary across gambling sites.
In some rare cases, gift-card depositors receive their money via regular mail checks. This process is very time-consuming for international players, who sometimes have to wait two to three weeks for their winnings.
| Gift Card Processing Times | |
|---|---|
| Gambling Deposit Time | Instant |
| Gambling Withdrawal Time | N/A |
| Bank Account Deposit Time | N/A |
| Bank Account Withdrawal Time | N/A |
| Credit/Debit Card Deposit Time | N/A |
| Credit/Debit Card Withdrawal Time | N/A |
Mobile Payments with Gift Cards
Smartphone and tablet players can conveniently use their gift cards to make casino deposits while on the move. The depositing process is basically the same as on desktop computers. Simply open your favorite gift-card-friendly casino in your phone’s browser or via a dedicated iOS/Android app.
Enter your login credentials to access your gambling account and navigate to the mobile cashier. Repeat the steps we described earlier and follow the instructions to confirm the money transfer. The funds will instantly appear in your casino balance. It goes without saying you can also purchase virtual gift cards online by using your smartphone or tablet.
Another cool thing about gift cards is that players can link them to mobile wallets like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, Huawei Pay, or Apple Pay. This enables you to store all of your gift cards in a single wallet and have them with you wherever you go.
Gift Card Mobile Payments Additional TipsHere is one example of how this works with the Google Pay wallet service. Load the Google Pay app on your smartphone and tap the card icon in the upper right corner. Select the Add a Card function and then choose Gift Card from the list of available options. Follow the on-screen instructions to add one or more gift cards to your Google Pay wallet.
There may be additional options for adding cards, depending on the device and mobile wallet you use. For example, the Huawei Pay and Google Pay wallets allow you to enter cards manually or by scanning the front of the card with your phone camera.
In the second case, you simply align the card’s barcode in your photo viewer and then snap a picture. You can even receive notifications when you are near merchants that support such gift cards.
Bear in mind that the Google Pay service has monthly restrictions on the number of cards users can add. You can add no more than ten cards in total and five cards per single merchant. Otherwise, you must remove some of your existing ones, with the steps being similar to those for adding cards.
In contrast, Samsung Pay enables you to store an unlimited number of gift cards in your mobile wallet. Mobile wallets make it far more convenient for players, allowing them to store multiple gift cards in one place.
| Gift Card Mobile Payments | |
|---|---|
| Apple Pay | Yes |
| Google Pay | Yes |
Security at Gift Card Casinos
Many players favor gift cards over other banking methods because they are highly regarded for their security. One of the biggest advantages of this payment option is that it does not put any of your personal or banking information at risk. Players who use it can maintain their privacy by conducting fully anonymous deposits.
These cards are practically untraceable since they are not associated with a bank account tied to a particular person’s name. However, anonymity and convenient use come with other potential issues. It is possible to lose your gift card or have it stolen. If this happens, you should act as soon as possible.
We recommend that you contact the issuer immediately after noticing your card is missing. You will have to provide the card number so the issuer can deactivate it and potentially reimburse you with a new one.
Some issuers replace stolen or lost cards only if they have been registered beforehand. Taking swift action is of the utmost importance since thieves can drain your card’s balance in no time.
| Gift Card Security | |
|---|---|
| Passcode | Possible, if you store your gift cards in mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay |
| Fingerprint | Possible, if you store your gift cards in mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay |
| FaceID | Possible, if you store your gift cards in mobile wallets like Google Pay and Apple Pay |
| Two-Factor Authentication | Yes, same as above |
| Trusted Devices | No |
| IP Restrictions | No |









