The invention of online poker also brought the invention of ewallets along with it. An ewallet is an online banking wallet that adds a layer of protection, security and convenience for online poker players. The most popular ewallets are Neteller, Moneybookers and Paypal. While Americans may be familiar with these ewallets that are convenient for peer to peer transfers, all of these are available to online poker and casino players outside of the United States. Neteller and Paypal were once available for U.S. gamblers but that is no longer the case.
Ewallets give players more options for making deposits and withdrawals to and from online poker rooms. Some deposit methods incur a small fee but in some cases the poker rooms accepting the deposit will cover the fee. Players that give action on multiple online poker rooms will enjoy the convenience of being able to easily move money from one online poker room to another.
Ewallets are an easy and secure way to store money online. This is beneficial to players that enjoy taking advantage of reload bonuses or other promotions. Players in countries that have access to many online poker rooms should not feel obligated to give action to just one online poker room. Ewallets make it easier to take advantage of the best available promotions to players.
U.S. Online Poker Deposit Methods
Players in the U.S. are limited in their options for making deposits and withdrawals to online poker rooms. The most common online poker deposit option available to Americans is cash transfers. These types of services are offered by Western Union. Some players will find that their credit card is accepted by an online poker room. Players that do not want to send cash to an online poker room may want to try prepaid debit cards. International debit card have a higher rate of acceptance at online poker rooms than traditional U.S. based credit and debit cards.
U.S. players can take advantage of cash transfers for withdrawals as well. The biggest issue with cash transfers for withdrawals is the fees associated with these cashouts. Most players are willing to pay these fees in exchange for fast cashouts. Some U.S. friendly online poker rooms will offer a debit card that works similar to an ATM card. This may be used at cash machines or at a point of sale that accepts credit cards.
International Ewallet Options
Neteller – Neteller was one of the first ewallets in online poker. The company was founded in 1999 and is accepted by every online poker room and casino. Players can deposit by credit card and wire transfers. Withdrawals may be made by bank wire, debit card and credit cards.
Moneybookers/Skrill – Moneybookers rebranded as Skrill in 2011. Skrill still operates exactly how Moneybookers did. Skrill is accepted at all online poker rooms and casinos. Skrill is popular among Canadian players since Neteller is not available in their country.
Paypal – Paypal is best known for its payment processing for the online auction website Ebay. Paypal was once well known in the online gambling processing business in the U.S. but this stopped when it was acquired by Ebay. Paypal started processing European gaming payments in 2009. Paypal is only available for non U.S. uses in the US.
Click2Pay – Click2Pay is widely accepted as a payment method in the online poker industry. Click2Pay is also available to U.S. players that set up accounts before 2007, although U.S. players can only use the ewallet to move money from one poker room to another.
Ecocard – Ecocard processes payments for players around the world but excludes U.S. players. The U.S. version was called QuickTender but is no longer in business.
U.S. Online Poker Deposit Methods
Cash Transfers – Cash transfer is the generic name given to Western Union and other similar services. The types of transfers are popular among U.S. players and all U.S. friendly online poker rooms accept them as a deposit method. Most of these rooms also offer it as a withdrawal option.
Wire Transfers – Wire transfers are used for large transfers at some online poker rooms. Some poker rooms will accept them for large deposits as well.
Checks – All poker rooms will send a check by courier to U.S. players. There is typically a fee of $20-$50 for a check sent to a U.S. address.
NuCharge – NuCharge is a deposit option accepted by Bovada. NuCharge is not available for withdrawals.
Options No Longer Available
Epassporte and MyWebATM are no longer options for players as these payment processors have closed.
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