MasterCard

Casinos with MasterCard

Overview

MasterCard is one of the most well-known and respected multinational financial services in the world, with its headquarters in New York, United States. The service is principally used to process payments between the merchant banks and the banks who issue credit, debit and prepaid cards to the merchant’s customers. MasterCard can be used the world over in numerous venues, from the supermarket and local cinema to any MasterCard casino. You can make payments with this card virtually anywhere. Since 2006, Mastercard Worldwide has been a publicly traded company, whereas prior to its initial public offering, the cooperative was owned by more than 25,000 financial institutions that issue the MasterCard branded cards.

From 1966 to 1979, MasterCard was known as “Interbank” or “Master Charge”. It was created by several banks in California as a means to compete with the BankAmericard, issued by the Bank of America. This was later to become what is still MasterCard’s number one competitor, the Visa credit card issued by Visa Inc. It is perhaps the only competitor as widely used as MasterCard. In the world of payment methods, MasterCard has become synonymous with quality of service, reliability and security. Not only that, but with the success of some of its marketing campaigns, MasterCard has cemented its use as the leading payment provider in the world. Maintaining your bank balance is just $9 per month. Withdrawing funds from your casino only attract a 2% – 8% fee. Being able to pay anywhere and everywhere with a single card in your wallet? Priceless! Indeed, if you’re looking to play games online, there’s rarely a payment method that works as well as MasterCard. Accepted in a plethora of online venues, MasterCard offers speed and dependability like no other method.

Bonus

Most casinos that are worth their salt usually have a comprehensive array of welcome bonuses and promotions up for grabs, for anyone joining their site, regardless of payment method. Even though there are some that allow small bonuses specifically for MasterCard users, this is not a widespread practice. Casinos already offer bigger and more bombastic bonuses to everyone. If you’re dead set on finding one, though, you probably can, with some searching.

Advantages

Using MasterCard at online casinos brings many benefits, not least among which are its tight security, widespread availability and customer support. Most notably, the speed at which payments are completed is perhaps its most valuable perk. Who wants to find a great game, give it a couple of free spins, prepare to launch it for real money, and be hampered on the way to uploading money into their account?

Speed Of Service

When using MasterCard for making payments, you’ll be satisfied to find your funds will be added to your balance lightning fast, usually instantaneously.

Security

With the advent of the internet and the inter-connectedness it allows, security has become one of the highest concerns of online banking. MasterCard uses 128-bit SSL encryption and protects user’s data and sensitive information to the best of their ability.

Widespread Availability

MasterCard is used virtually everywhere, in over 210 countries the world over.

Zero Liability Protection

MasterCard offers extra peace of mind with this option. The bank or union which issued you your card won’t hold you responsible for unauthorised transactions.

Disadvantages

MasterCard offers plenty of advantages, but it’s not without some minor disadvantages too. Nothing is perfect, of course. Some of the main issues might arise when trying to withdraw funds from your account to your MasterCard, as some casinos prefer to use other banking methods for paying players out, discouraging credit cards for security reasons.

Limited Withdrawing Ability

Some casinos would prefer to use other services like e-Wallets to transfer money to your account, so you might find yourself unable to withdraw using MasterCard. Read through your casino’s terms and payment options to see if they support withdrawing using MasterCard.

Higher Fees

Sometimes, even when they allow using MasterCard for withdrawing, casinos might try to disincentivise players from using this method by attaching higher fees to it.

Self Discipline

This might sound strange, but a high level of discipline might be required to stop you from overspending, especially if you’ve got a credit card and can spend more funds than you’ve got in your balance.

Fees

As can be expected, most MasterCard casinos attach a certain fee to their transactions when using this method. Depending on the venue, the fee can be anywhere between 2% and 8% of your winnings. This might seem excessive, so be sure to inquire with your casino about all the expenses associated with each payment method, before you decide to play and withdraw with them.

Currencies

When using this payment option, you can pay in most currencies the world over, with standard conversion rates applying. A great piece of news concerning the various currencies used by MasterCard is the 2013 partnership with British Airways. This offers customers a Multi-currency Cash Passport, allowing multi-currency payments, including euro, British pound, U.S. dollar, Turkish lira and Swiss franc.

• EUR
• GBP
• USD
• CHF

Creating An Account

Getting a MasterCard is as easy as visiting your bank and requesting to be issued with one. Depending on your salary and level of income, you’ll be eligible for one of the various levels of MasterCard.

Open A Bank Account

First, you’ll need an account at the bank of your choice. This will be linked to your MasterCard, meaning purchases you make will get charged to that account and withdrawals you collect will also get transferred there.

Request A Card

The next step is also easy, and it involves you simply requesting to be issued a card by your bank. Depending on your level of income, you will be eligible to receive a debit, credit or prepaid card. This request can take up to several days to complete, usually a week.

Activate Your MasterCard

For this next step you’ll most likely need access to an ATM of your bank provider. Insert your card and follow the instructions you’ve received from your bank to activate your card.

Set And Memorise Your PIN

Without a PIN (personal identification number), you won’t be able to withdraw funds from ATMs. Every machine requests this number to protect your assets if you happen to misplace your card.

Use Your MasterCard Anywhere

After you’ve completed these steps, you’re good to go. Your MasterCard is up and running and can be used at most online shops and venues. Remember to keep your card safe, as any online purchases are completed without a PIN, and use the numbers on the front and the CVS located on the back.

Depositing

Casinos that accept MasterCard deposits are a very common sight in the online betting world. Indeed, it’s hard to find a venue that elects not to accept payments by this method, seeing as it’s the world’s leading financial provider. Just to be sure, though, you can double-check the information provided in the FAQ section or the payment details page of your casino of choice.

Open A Casino Account

To be able to make deposits, of course, you’ll need a venue to make deposits at. Choose carefully, as there are all kinds of casinos online. They are as different from each other as they come, with various selections of games, rules, promotions and payment options. Always make sure MasterCard is accepted.

Access Your Balance

Most casinos have an account page where you can check your stats, balance standings and payment history. Once there, you should be able to find a button that allows you to deposit funds. Simply click it and follow the instructions.

Enter Your Information

Once you enter the payment form and select how much you’d like to deposit, you’ll be prompted to enter your personal information and card number. Carefully and correctly enter each piece of requested information, including the card’s number and CVS.

Withdrawing

MasterCard casinos that allow withdrawals are, unfortunately, a bit rarer than those that allow payments. As mentioned before, casinos prefer other payment options to credit cards, so they take various steps to incentivise players to choose another form of withdrawal. However, many casinos do support MasterCard payments. Just make sure to check if they do, before you decide to play.

Access Your Balance

Again, to make a withdrawal, you’ll need to access your account and enter the casino’s withdrawal page. You should have no problems finding it, as all reliable and reputable casinos have intuitive page layouts.

Select The Amount To Withdraw

Choose how much of your casino balance you’d like transferred to your bank account. Keep in mind any applicable fees, and be aware that sometimes casinos keep these in small print to mask their high prices.

Choose MasterCard As A Payment Method

If MasterCard is available for making withdrawals, choose it from the menu and proceed to checkout. Your funds should arrive in between 5 and 7 business days, as withdrawals always take much longer to process than payments.

Security

MasterCard claims their mission is to build a “World Beyond Cash®”, where every customer, device and payment is protected with the highest industry-grade security. As one of the world’s leading banking providers, MasterCard takes the issues of privacy and protection very seriously. They also continuously work to upgrade their safety systems, as well as those of everyone that uses their service. With millions of payments being processed daily, you can rest assured the top players in the field of finance are working around the clock to ensure the safety of your funds and accounts.

For one, the physical MasterCard contains an ID chip which protects it from fraud anywhere in the world. With this, you can rest assured nobody will be able to falsify your card. Even if you somehow lose your card and a malicious person tries to use it, the Zero Liability protection means your banking provider won’t hold you responsible for unauthorised payments. As for online workings, all of your data is kept safe and secure behind encryption. As an additional layer of security, MasterCard even offers the SecureCode option, a secret PIN which only you and your financial institution have access to, not even the merchants you do business with.

Support

Customer support is yet another thing financial institutions take very seriously. They offer their services around the clock in case you have any questions or requests, such as blocking your card when you’ve lost it or changing your PIN if you’ve forgotten it.

Telephone

The fastest and most direct way to get capable support straight away is to telephone MasterCard at 001/636-722-7111. This way, you’ll be able to directly relate your problem to a trained professional.

Email

Another efficient way of contacting MasterCard is through email. Using this method, you’ll be able to compose a longer and more comprehensive question, so opt for email support if you’ve got lengthy, but not urgent, inquiries.

Twitter

You can tweet @AskMastercard and the social media people at the company will be quick to answer any of your questions.

VIP Programme

Players who’d like to gamble at any MasterCard casino, are used to being pampered by their providers with various VIP programmes and promotions. MasterCard, too, has a couple of levels of exclusivity, depending on your income level. The standard MasterCard is the first level, followed by the Gold and the Platinum cards. Even higher are the World MasterCard and the luxurious World Elite MasterCard. To top it all off, the highest and most exclusive level of this payment option is the MasterCard Black™.

Availability

As mentioned before, MasterCard is widely available in almost all of the world’s countries. Some issues might arise with customers from the United States trying to use MasterCard in some casinos. However, for most people worldwide there should be no problem using this popular payment solution. Unfortunately, some countries have had debit and/or credit card traffic blocked due to the risk of fraud. On the list of countries where you’re blocked from making online transactions with MasterCard are some places like Albania, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Russia, Tunisia and Yemen.

FAQ