In recent years, money transfers have become a very popular way of depositing money into online casinos. These services are offered by both Western Union and MoneyGram and offer casino users the chance to deposit using a variety of payment methods.
In this article I look at all the factors involved in making a money transfer. Firstly I explain why money transfers have become such a popular deposit method. I then move onto the deposit process itself and a look at choosing an ideal casino site. I finish with a look at the advantages of using a money transfer over other deposit methods.
Why Money Transfers are Ideal
Making a deposit to an online casino from the US can be a tricky proposition at times. This is due to the introduction of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of 2006, which made transactions from financial institutions to gambling sites unlawful. Many saw the UIGEA as the beginning of the end for online gambling in the US. However these fears have been unfounded, as many offshore sites continue to thrive in the US. These sites have had to adapt, particularly in the deposit process, with many of the options no longer available. One popular deposit option used at many sites is via a credit card, however even if a site lists this payment type, these payments can be blocked due to the UIGEA. This has led to casino sites looking for other deposit options and this is where money transfers come in. Using a money transfer is the ideal solution as your deposit will be guaranteed to go through, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy blackjack at the casino with no worries about payments being declined.
Money Transfers – The Deposit Process
Before you’ll be able to make a deposit you’ll have to register at the casino site if you haven’t done so already. You’ll then contact the customer services team at the site and tell them of your intention to make a money transfer using either Western Union or MoneyGram. The team will give you all of the details you’ll need to make the transfer. You’ll then head to the appropriate vendor and make the transfer. During the transfer process you’ll be given a number (a control number for a Western Union deposit and a reference number for the MoneyGram transfer). When the transfer is complete, contact the customer service team again and inform them of the number so they’ll be waiting for the transfer. When the casino receives the funds, they’ll verify the payment and add the funds to your casino account.
Choosing the Right Casino for Blackjack
You’ll find a good number of sites which accept money transfers, so choosing the right one is important. There are several factors you should consider in making this choice.
The most obvious factor is whether or not the site offers the blackjack varieties you want. Some sites will have a very basic offering (maybe just one game) while others might have several different variations of the game, as well as the chance to play in a live casino setting. Ensure you’ll be able to play blackjack the way you want to.
You should also ensure you’re playing at a reputable site. There are a number of ways you can check this. Firstly check that the site is licensed in a known gambling jurisdiction such as Antigua, the Kahnawake Indian reservation in Canada and the Netherlands Antilles. Also look for a “fair gaming” certificate on the site which ensures the randomness of the games. There are also independent casino review sites where you’ll be able to find out quickly if a site is one you can trust. Many of the biggest, longest standing casinos in the industry will tick all of these boxes.
You should also factor in the bonuses and promotions at the site. Although bonuses can be impressive in casino gambling, players of blackjack can suffer from the fact that sites will either not allow blackjack stakes to contribute towards these bonuses, or they will contribute at a much reduced rate. However, promotions can be more impressive, where you’ll be able to take advantage of cashback offers, competitions, free spins at the slots and many other prizes. Consider both the bonuses and the promotions at the site before signing up.
Advantages of Using a Money Transfer
When making a money transfer you’ll not be supplying an online casino site with your financial details. This is a particular benefit when playing at a range of online casinos, as your card details will not be stored across numerous sites.
You’ll be able to make a money transfer using a variety of payment methods, including debit and credit cards. However one of the biggest benefits for many is that you can make a transfer using cash, meaning this deposit method is one of the safest out there.
Having deposited with a money transfer, many sites will allow withdrawals using the same method.