About PayPal
Founded in 1998, PayPal has become the most popular online payment method in the world with over a quarter of a billion users around the globe. You can use it at countless online shops, on eBay and at an increasing number of online casinos.
Its quick, safe and convenient transactions have proved a big hit with customers and investors alike. The company was ranked 204th in the Fortune 500 top US companies by revenue for 2019.
Pros and Cons of PayPal Casinos
After just scrolling through the top list of PayPal casinos, you may be wondering why PayPal casino sites are so popular. We look at all aspects of what you should consider when choosing PayPal at an online casino beginning with the advantages and disadvantages. See the table below for a quick and clear overview of using PayPal:
| Pros |
Cons |
| Very secure payment method |
Not all online casinos have it |
| Rapid withdrawals |
Some bonuses don’t allow PayPal deposits |
| Convenient and easy to use |
Certain country restrictions |
| High deposit + withdrawal limits |
|
| Mobile friendly |
|
How secure is PayPal?
You don’t get to become one of the biggest payment platforms in the world with millions of customers all over the globe if security isn’t super important. PayPal is considered one of the most secure platforms you can use for online casino transactions.
One major positive of using online casinos that accept PayPal is that you don’t have to give any debit card details to the casino. The payment is made using the PayPal account. You have already given your bank or card details to PayPal so you don’t have to risk putting them into the internet ether again.
PayPal uses advanced encryption technology to ensure that transactions remain secure. They also keep an eye out for any potentially fishy activity on your account and also monitor for fraud, phishing emails and identity theft.
There are some wicked people in the world trying to unscrupulously get hold of your cash. Don’t fall victim to these scams. Here are a few extra steps you can take to beef up your online security even further:
-
If responding to an email, make sure it’s genuine. There are a number of ways to make sure that an email is genuine. For example, an email from PayPal will always be addressed to you by name rather than ‘Dear User’ or ‘Dear PayPal Member’.
- PayPal will never ask for account information or card details in an email. Nor will it ask for a tracking code or include a software update for download. Here’s more information on how to avoid a PayPal phishing email.
- It’s worth logging into your account every few days to make sure there haven’t been any unwanted transactions.
- Only play at online casinos that have been verified by PayPal.
- Link your PayPal account to a debit card as this offers an extra layer of protection.
Another extra layer or protection is added if you activate 2-factor authentication. Each time you want to log in to your account, PayPal will send a 6-digit access code via text or an authenticator app like Google Authenticator. You’ll need your standard details as well as the code to gain access to your account. It can sound a bit fiddly but is certainly worth doing.
If you do need assistance, the PayPal contact centre operates around the clock, 365 days of the year. There’s also a detailed help section on the PayPal website which covers many common questions and queries. In summary, PayPal is one of the most secure methods when it comes to funding an online casino account.
Opening a PayPal Account
As you’d expect from an industry giant with millions of customers, opening a PayPal account is simple. With just a few clicks you can get up and running. An email address is all you’ll need to get things started. Then follow the steps below.
- Visit PayPal.com then click on Personal Account
- Fill in your first name, surname and email address. Then choose a password. Pick something long and strong and not just the name of a pet or favourite team! Confirm that password then hit Next
- Fill in the rest of your details including address, date of birth and nationality
- Once you’ve gone through the T&Cs and agreements, tick the box and click agree
- You’ll then receive an email at the address you registered with
- Click on the confirmation link in that email and you’re ready to go
You should be sorted with a new PayPal account in a matter of minutes.
Adding Funds to your PayPal account
So, you’ve signed up with PayPal. You’ll want to get some funds into your account. You can do this by linking your account to a card or your bank account. Once again, the procedure is nice and straightforward.
- Log-in to your account then open the Wallet section
- Click on Add a Card or Bank Account
- Fill in the required information
There are a number of advantages to linking to your bank account or card, speed and security being the main ones. You won’t have to fill in your card or bank details again at the online casino when you want to make a deposit. You email address and (sturdy) PayPal password are all you’ll need for a transaction. This also applies if you want to buy something from an online shop or other seller.
PayPal Casino Deposits
Like most things PayPal related, making a deposit to a UK online casino using PayPal is simple to do. First things first though, you’ll need to choose which PayPal online casino to play at. Our list of the best casinos that use PayPal is a pretty good place to start.
After you’ve made your decision, register as normal and create your account. Some UK online casinos offer no-deposit required bonuses (we’ll look at these in more detail below). That will only take you so far though. It’s time to make a deposit.
Find the cashier tab (it might also be listed as account, wallet or deposit). Click on that and you’ll be given the pick of the payment options. This usually includes debit cards, money wallets like Skrill and NETeller and prepay card options like Paysafecard. Some also offer mobile options like Boku. You’ll also find the PayPal option. Click on that and key in how much you want to deposit.
A new window opens where you’ll be prompted to log into your PayPal account. Fill in your email and password then hit confirm. It’s as simple as that. No keying in card numbers and expiry dates, just log in to your PayPal account and away you go. The deposited funds should hit your account immediately.
The process might vary slightly from one PayPal casino to another but the process (or something very similar) is what you’ll need to do to get funds onto your online casino account. Transactions will appear on your bank or card statement as PayPal Payment rather than the name of the online casino.
PayPal Casino Withdrawals
The process for making a withdrawal from an online casino via PayPal is just as straightforward as making a deposit. Just head to the cashier (or wallet or account section) and choose to withdraw.
You can usually make a withdrawal via the same methods you have used to make a deposit. If you’ve made a deposit using PayPal, you can make a withdrawal using PayPal too.
Casino PayPal Fees
It’s very unlikely that you’ll be charged a fee to make a deposit or withdrawal at a UK PayPal casino. Most PayPal withdrawals are free as the online casinos have no charges.
PayPal does levy fees for transactions that involve a currency conversion. That shouldn’t apply here though as all the online casinos that accept PayPal on our recommended list are regulated by the UKGC and offer GB pound sterling for their deposits and withdrawals. Check out the PayPal fees page for more details.
PayPal Withdrawal Times
As well as security and convenience, speed is one of the big pluses about playing at an online casino that accepts PayPal.
When you make a withdrawal, the money is usually back in your account very quickly. At some casinos, approved withdrawals are made pretty much immediate. At others, it can be a matter of hours. In pretty much all cases, PayPal is much a much faster option than using a debit card which can take days to come through.
PayPal Casino Bonuses
Another good reason to use PayPal to make your first deposit at a UK online casino is that you can claim a casino’s welcome bonus. Many casinos loudly shout about what goodies they have for new players. That often includes a deposit bonus and free spins. For example, make a deposit of up to £100 and the casino will often double it in bonus funds.
Look a little more closely at the small print though and you’ll often see the words ‘This offer isn’t valid if you use Skrill or NETeller to make your first deposit’. Maiden deposits using PayPal are valid for the casino bonus. As always, you should read the terms and conditions carefully before doing anything. Check out the list of PayPal casino bonuses above.
By using PayPal, you can enjoy the speed and convenience offered by the money wallets while also benefiting from a potentially tasty welcome package.
PayPal One Touch
Available for use on desktop, tablet and mobile devices, PayPal One Touch offers an even quicker way to fund your online casino account.
Activating One Touch means you’ll remain logged in until you state otherwise. From your PayPal account, choose ‘Stay logged in for faster purchases’. This will apply to the specific device you’re using.
Your transactions will remain safe and secure but you’ll be able to complete transactions with a single click of a button rather than having to key in your password every time you want to do something. You can of course, turn off One Touch at any time via the Security section of your PayPal account.
Mobile PayPal Casinos
More and more of us are using a mobile phone as their primary device. PayPal is a very mobile-friendly experience, offering all the security, speed and convenience found in the standard desktop version. There are PayPal mobile apps available for both Android and Apple devices. Head to the Play Store or App Store to download.
An average rating of over 4.8 out of 5 from the more than half a million reviews in the App Store should give you an idea of the quality of the user experience.
In the unhappy event that you lose your phone or it gets stolen, contact both PayPal and the online casino to make sure no transactions are processed. If you are using your mobile for online casino transactions, there are a couple of other payment alternatives worth investigating including the increasing popular Apple Pay and the innovative MuchBetter transfer service. PayPal mobile casinos are becoming more and more popular with players.
New PayPal Casinos
Not all new online casinos accept PayPal but there are an increasing number of PayPal friendly casino sites to choose from. By accepting such a well-known payment method as PayPal, an online casino is showing their trustworthiness. PayPal is one of the most secure banking methods around.
All the casinos that allow players to gamble online with PayPal listed here are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, which ensures minimum standards for safety and security.
PayPal Alternatives
Of course, PayPal isn’t the only way online and mobile casino players in the UK can fund their accounts. The money wallets Skrill and NETeller are very popular as they offer very fast and convenient transactions. As we’ve already mentioned, you can invalidate a potential bonus by using Skrill or Neteller.
Prepay options like Paysafecard are also a possibility but limits with these are often quite small. Mobile payments have become increasingly popular too with the likes of MuchBetter and Boku keeping up with the technology.
Credit card transactions to online gaming sites are no longer allowed in the UK. You can still use debit cards though. The downside here is that withdrawals are often much slower than if you use a money wallet.
PayPal Casino FAQs
Do casinos accept PayPal?
An ever-increasing number of reputable casinos now allow PayPal as a method for making deposits and withdrawals. In most cases, you can still take advantage of a casino welcome bonus if you use PayPal to make your first deposit. Check out our list of the top PayPal casinos for the pick of the bunch.
How do I gamble with PayPal?
Playing at a casino that accepts PayPal is dead easy. After you’ve registered with the casino, head to the cashier or account section then choose PayPal. Follow the on-screen instructions and the deposit money should be sitting in your account in minutes. For more details, check out the PayPal Casino Deposits section.
Can I use PayPal on mobile casinos?
Yes, there are plenty of PayPal mobile casinos. You can use PayPal to make deposits and withdrawals if you’re using a mobile device to play. All the casino sites listed here have mobile sites or Apps where you can use PayPal freely.
Are PayPal withdrawals quick?
When it comes to withdrawals, you won’t find many better alternatives than PayPal. You can expect rapid payouts with no fees in most instances. Check out the Casino PayPal Fees + Withdrawal Times sections for more details.
