One of the most popular and straightforward deposit options at US friendly casinos is via a credit card. The majority of sites will accept at least one type of credit card, with American Express, Visa and MasterCard the most popular choices. You’ll find American Express available as a deposit option at a good number of sites; however you’ll not find it available at as many sites as some other credit cards.
In this piece I look at all aspects of depositing using Amex. I start with a look at the deposit process itself, with a particular focus some of the problems some US users can encounter. I then look at the tricky bonus situation surrounding Blackjack and finish with some advice on choosing the best site for your games.
Depositing with Amex
Having found a site that accepts Amex, you’ll have to register at the site first if you haven’t done so already. You’ll then head to the cashier and click on the American Express logo. You’ll be asked to fill out a form with your name, the card number, the expiry date and the CID number. The final piece of information you’ll input is the amount you want to deposit. Check you have entered all of the details correctly and then hit submit. You’ll find the funds in your casino account almost immediately.
Having made a credit card deposit, some sites will require you to verify the credit card. This will usually involve you filling out a form and sending a photocopy of both your credit card and some form of photo ID. You should ensure that the address where the credit card is registered is the same as the address you have signed up with at the casino site, as it could cause you problems at a later date.
Deposit Problems for US Users
There might be occasions when a deposit using American Express can prove tricky. This is due to the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act introduced in 2006 which prohibited payments from financial institutions to gambling sites. This means that the payment can be blocked by the credit card company.
In this situation I would advise speaking directly to the customer service team at the casino, as many sites are particularly good in this area, some with dedicated staff for the deposit process. Many blackjack casinos, especially the larger ones, will have more than one payment processor, so you might find they’ll attempt the payment using another processor, so your problem might be resolved immediately. Failing this, they’ll suggest the use of an alternative deposit method. Since the introduction of the UIGEA, sites have become particularly good at introducing new deposit methods so you’ll find many alternatives. One of the most popular methods is by using a person to person transfer to deposit, using companies such as Western Union and MoneyGram. Other options may include a bank draft, or a prepaid Visa card.
Blackjack Bonuses
Blackjack offers a smaller house edge than many other casino varieties, and as such, the bonus situation isn’t as good as these other games. If playing slots for example, your entire stake will contribute to the bonus. This is not the case with Blackjack however. At some sites you’ll not contribute towards bonus clearance at all, while at others you’ll contribute at a reduced rate. As an example, a site might state that only 10% of your Blackjack states will go towards bonus clearance – so a wager of $10 will only see $1 of your stake contribute.
Choosing an Amex Site for your Blackjack
Having already considered the bonus situation you should also look at the promotions at a site. The majority of sites will offer either free spins at a slot, cashback, competitions or various other prizes when you play, so ensure you are gaining a good deal in this regard. There are many promotions out there, so if you are not able to take advantage of one, you’re probably on the wrong site.
You should also consider whether a site offers the Blackjack varieties you want. Some sites may only offer one game type, and this might be fine for you. However, other sites offer all kinds of varieties, including games with progressive bonuses and differing numbers of decks. Some sites also offer a live casino, where you’ll play Blackjack with a real dealer streamed directly to your desktop.
Choosing a site can be tricky, but sticking to a site with a big name and a good reputation is never a bad thing. These sites will offer you safety when it comes to your financial dealings and you’ll know you’ll be paid out when you hit that big win. If unsure about a site, check that they are licensed in a known gambling jurisdiction and look for “fair gaming” certificates on the site. To double check, there are a good number of independent casino review sites where you’ll quickly find out if a site is reputable.