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PayPal in UK Casinos
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Since online gambling was regulated in the UK, PayPal has been offered as a payment method by some licensed online casinos and sports betting sites. It is an eWallet that can be linked to a bank account or a debit card and used to fund a casino account. PayPal only lets gambling merchants it has approved take payments, so not every casino offers it, and UK rules on credit cards also reach eWallets, as explained below.
The eWallet…
… is funded from a linked bank account or debit card, and the casino is paid by PayPal rather than receiving your card or bank details from you. It has been listed as an accepted payment method at some UK casinos.
However…
… as of April 2020, the UK Gambling Commission officially halted the use of credit cards for gambling purposes in the UK casinos. The credit card gambling ban also applies to credit card payments made through eWallets like PayPal. This left UK players confused whether they can still deposit with PayPal across online casinos or not.
The reality is…
… though, the UK Gambling Commission explicitly stated that if major eWallet providers would put measures into effect to prevent credit card payments for gambling, they could still be used across online casinos. Therefore, you can still make a deposit with PayPal, as long as you’re not intending to link your eWallet to your credit card. Operators are the ones responsible to vet the eWallet and see whether it prevents gambling payments by credit card, and only accept payments through other payment solutions. So, you can use PayPal if you link it to debit cards and bank accounts only.
If you start exploring…
… UK online casinos to join, you will see that some of them list PayPal and some do not, because PayPal approves gambling merchants one by one. Stay with us to learn how to get started with it and use it to fund your online casino account, and which benefits and downsides it comes with.
Top 4 Casinos that offer PayPal:
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How to Get Started with PayPal?
Getting started with this eWallet…
… is a short online form. You need an active email address and a mobile phone number. Visit its official UK website to see where else you can use it besides online gambling. On the homepage, click or tap the Sign Up button to begin.
Assuming you’ve clicked on the button…
… you will see a new window opening where you’ll need to select that you want to open a personal account. Another page will open where you’ll need to enter your mobile phone number. You will receive a verification code on your phone, which you need to enter in the designated field on the site.
Next, you will need to…
… enter your email address and your first and last name. Then create a strong password, fill in your address, postcode, country and date of birth, and accept the Terms and Conditions. Once you have verified your account you can use it at casinos that accept PayPal.
Keep in mind that…
… you can link your account to a debit card or your bank account to fund payments. PayPal does not publish a fee schedule for gambling payments, so check its fees page for your account before you deposit. You cannot fund casino payments from a credit card as a UK player.
Casinos for Players from United Kingdom that Offer PayPal
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Online Gambling Regulation in the UK
Getting started with this eWallet…
Gambling has been legal and regulated in Great Britain for decades, and the country is known for well-established gambling regulation. The UK is regarded as one of the most mature regulated markets, with a strong focus on player safety.
The Gambling Act 2005 created the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) as the regulator, and since the Act came fully into force in September 2007, operators serving Great Britain have needed a UKGC licence. When online gambling was first regulated, the UK was a member of the European Union; since Brexit, the rules set by the UKGC apply to operators serving Great Britain.
Online casino, online poker, online sportsbetting, online lottery and online bingo are the legal verticals in the UK. Operators who apply for a licence go through vetting, and the UKGC can fine operators or take away licences where rules are broken.
The UKGC works to make the industry safer, with a unified approach to make the industry safer. UK-licensed casinos verify your ID, must limit gambling advertising to protect the vulnerable and minors, and must follow rules on player safety.
The UKGC introduced a ban on credit card gambling on 14 April 2020. The ban also reaches alternative payment solutions such as eWallets: they may continue to serve online gambling only if they stop credit cards being used to fund them and let UK users top up with other methods, for instance.
That is how PayPal responded. In line with the UKGC rules, it continues to serve UK users with credit cards off the table. UK users can top up with other methods, and PayPal is offered by some UK-licensed casinos, though not all, since it approves gambling merchants individually. If it sounds like a solution you would like to use, keep reading to find out more.
Using PayPal Across UK Online Casinos
PayPal launched in the US in 1998 and has since expanded across the globe as an alternative to standard banking services. Gambling is a restricted category for it: PayPal requires gambling merchants to be approved in advance, which is why you will find it at some casinos and not others.
With PayPal, the casino receives the payment from PayPal rather than your card or bank details from you. PayPal is offered in many currencies, the British pound included. If you would rather pay a casino with coins, see our Bitcoin page.
PayPal says approved gambling merchants may use its service only where gambling is legal. That is why it continues to serve UK players while blocking credit card funding for gambling. Pick a casino that holds a UK Gambling Commission licence first, then check whether it offers PayPal.
To open an account you visit PayPal's official website, tap Sign Up and enter your email address and phone number. After you create a password and confirm your details, you fund the account from a bank account or debit card, and PayPal may ask you to verify your identity before you can use all of its features. If you would rather use coins, see our crypto pages instead.
As a UK player you can top up your PayPal balance from a bank account or debit card, since credit cards are not allowed for gambling. You can also download the free PayPal app for access to its other services. Once your account is ready, here are the steps to deposit and cash out at a casino that accepts it.
Deposits and Withdrawals Across PayPal
Fantastic Spins, Villento and LeoVegas are reviewed here at WoO. Check each one's cashier for PayPal and confirm the licence before you join, as acceptance varies by casino.
Once you do make your decision and join the site you wish, by registering an account with it, you are ready to make your first deposit with PayPal. So, just take the following steps:
Withdrawals to PayPal are possible only where the casino offers them. Take the same first two steps, but select PayPal from the Withdrawals tab, enter the amount you want to cash out and confirm your request. The casino reviews the request and checks your balance, and the winnings then go to your PayPal account. Timing depends on the casino, so check its stated payout times; if PayPal is not offered for withdrawals, you will need another method.
Pros and Cons
PayPal is without a doubt…
… a well-known eWallet in the UK, and even though the credit card gambling ban changed how it can be funded, it is still offered by some licensed casinos. Its main strengths: the casino receives the payment from PayPal rather than your card or bank details from you, and signing up and depositing takes a few steps. Its limits: it only works at casinos PayPal has approved, so you need to check the cashier.
The fact that…
… it cannot be funded by a credit card in the UK is a rule PayPal has to follow. PayPal can also freeze or close an account that breaks its Terms and Conditions, so read them. Another downside is cost: PayPal does not publish gambling fees, and currency conversion can be expensive, so playing in British pounds avoids that.
Conclusion
PayPal can be a convenient way to pay and cash out at UK-licensed casinos that accept it, but it only works at casinos PayPal has approved, so check the cashier before you register. Choose a UK Gambling Commission-licensed casino first, then see whether it offers PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, and set a budget before you deposit.
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FAQs
Can I use PayPal at UK online casinos?
Some UK-licensed casinos offer it. PayPal says gambling merchants must be approved and may operate only where gambling is legal, so not every casino lists it. Check the cashier before you register.
Can I fund PayPal with a credit card to gamble in the UK?
No. Since 14 April 2020 the UK credit card gambling ban also reaches eWallets, so operators may accept an eWallet only if it prevents credit card funding. Link PayPal to a bank account or debit card.
Can I withdraw casino winnings to PayPal?
Only where the casino offers PayPal as a withdrawal method. Look for it in the Withdrawals tab, and check the casino's stated payout times.
Where can I get help with gambling problems in the UK?
The National Gambling Helpline offers free, confidential support on 0808 8020 133 in England and Scotland, and 0808 2819 265 in Wales.
Other ways to pay in the UK
We also review these payment methods for players in the UK: Monzo, Apple Pay, Bank Wire Transfer, Bitcoin, Mastercard Debit, NETELLER, Paysafecard, Skrill, Trustly and Visa Debit.
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