Among them, credit cards have always been very popular, and until recently when it came to finding a credit card casino, the UK gambling scene would have offered a lot of options. But after certain legislation changes introduced by the UKGC, this is no longer so.
In this article, we will review why credit cards are no longer accepted by the UK licensed casinos and whether you as a player can use them at all. But before that, take a look at our list of some of the best casinos that offer alternative payment methods — all very easy to use!
Best UK Casinos That Provide Alternative Payment Methods
In the list below we collected some of the best casinos in the UK that offer alternative methods of payment. To give you a bit of a sneak peak into some of our favourites, check out a short review on our top 5 picks.
1
New Players Only. Wager from real balance first. Match Deposit Bonus 50X wager the bonus. Contribution varies per game. Selected games only. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 days / Free spins valid 7 days from receipt. Max conversion: 3 times the bonus amount or from free spins: £20. Limited to 5 brands within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
The Online Casino is a modern gambling platform offering a wide range of slots, live games, and jackpots. Players benefit from generous welcome bonuses, regular promotions, and a user-friendly mobile experience. The site supports popular payment methods and provides secure transactions. Licensed and reliable, it ensures responsible gaming and professional support.
Owner
ProgressPlay Limited
Compatible devices
Android, iOS, PC
New Players Only. Wager from real balance first. Match Deposit Bonus 50X wager the bonus. Contribution varies per game. Selected games only. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 days / Free spins valid 7 days from receipt. Max conversion: 3 times the bonus amount or from free spins: £20. Limited to 5 brands within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
2
New depositing players only. 18+. Min. deposit £10 Max bonus: £200, Min wagering 35x, Spins expire in 24hr. Offer is available to players residing in United Kingdom only. Full Terms apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
Queenplay Casino is one of the few casino sites in the UK that is inspired and dedicated to women. Of course, men are welcome, as long as they don't mind celebrating female power.
This online casino was launched in 2021 by Marketplay Ltd. This Malta-based company takes care of several other notable casinos, including Spin Rio Casino.
Compatible devices
Android, iOS, PC
New depositing players only. 18+. Min. deposit £10 Max bonus: £200, Min wagering 35x, Spins expire in 24hr. Offer is available to players residing in United Kingdom only. Full Terms apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
3
New Players Only. Wagering occurs from real balance first. 35X wagering the bonus. Contribution may vary per game. Available on selected games only. The wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 Days from receipt / Free spins valid 7 days from receipt. Max conversion: 3X the bonus amount & £20 for Free Spins. Limited to 5 brands within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
Launched in 2015, Fruity King Casino is a renowned casino site among UK players. This platform is owned and powered by ProgressPlay, an industry-leading provider of high-quality turnkey solutions gambling platforms.
Compatible devices
Android, iOS, PC
New Players Only. Wagering occurs from real balance first. 35X wagering the bonus. Contribution may vary per game. Available on selected games only. The wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only. Bonus valid 30 Days from receipt / Free spins valid 7 days from receipt. Max conversion: 3X the bonus amount & £20 for Free Spins. Limited to 5 brands within the network. Withdrawal requests void all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill and Neteller deposits. Full Terms apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
4
+1st deposit only | min deposit £10 | max bet £2 | max bonus £50 | 40x wagering | Bonuses playable on Casino Slots and Crash games | 30-day bonus expiry | User Agreement & Bonus T&Cs apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
7bet Casino is an online operator established in 2020 and introduced to the UK casino market in 2024. It operates under the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) regulation and is owned by Anakatech Interactive Ltd - a tech company renowned for developing iGaming products and solutions. The site offers players an engaging experience through its high-quality casino products.
Owner
Anakatech Interactive Ltd
Compatible devices
Android, iOS, PC
+1st deposit only | min deposit £10 | max bet £2 | max bonus £50 | 40x wagering | Bonuses playable on Casino Slots and Crash games | 30-day bonus expiry | User Agreement & Bonus T&Cs apply. 18+| BeGambleAware | #Ad. Gambleaware.org
Various wallets & pay apps
Various wallets & pay apps
Maestro & various wallets
Maestro & various wallets
Various wallets & pay apps
Various wallets & pay apps
Various wallets & pay apps
Various wallets & pay apps
Ban on Credit Cards in the UK Casinos
In April 2020 the United Kingdom Gambling Commission established a ban on the use of credit cards for all sorts of gambling activities. The establishments that wouldn’t be allowed to accept credit cards from players include:
- Online betting ;
- Online casino and bingo ;
- Lotteries who accept online payments or payments over the telephone ;
- High street bookmakers and track bookmakers;
- High street casinos, bingo halls and arcades.
On their official website, the UKGC cited the reason for this ban as gambling businesses having to reduce the risk of harm from gambling. Playing with money the player may not have (i.e. using a credit card) was mentioned as one of the important parts of the risks involved.
For casinos and other forms of gambling businesses mentioned above, this ban means that if they operate under a UKGC-issued license, they are not allowed to accept credit card deposits or payments from players.
Moreover, if they accept various types of e-wallets, like PayPal, they should make sure that the money on the account doesn’t come from a credit card.
Players can still buy lottery tickets or scratch cards using credit cards from shops that trade in mixed goods, including non-gambling products.
If players want to use their credit card for playing, they will have to find casinos that operate under a non-UKGC issued license.
Options to Play at a Credit Card Casino the UK Can Offer
When it comes to online casinos that accept credit cards, the UK licensed ones will have to be crossed off your list. However, this doesn’t mean that you can never play with your credit card again.
If you are used to playing at some well established and reputable UK online casinos and would love to continue doing so, you may want to consider alternative payment methods like debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and some others. All gambling establishments that are licensed by and operate under the UKGC umbrella will have a selection of payment methods, since they can’t use credit cards.
But if you would prefer to stick to your credit card as the method of payment for gambling purposes, here is some good news for you. A lot of internationally licensed casinos and gambling platforms still accept credit cards, and you are absolutely free to register an account with them.
Casinos that got their license from an authority other than the UKGC are still safe and provide some great services. Of course, you will have to verify their license to make sure they have one. You may also want to go for establishments that already have a good reputation and come from places with solid gambling industries (Malta and Curaçao are two such examples).
Be aware that using a credit card may come with possible additional fees. They are also more difficult to block from multiple gambling accounts for problem gamblers.
Is It Legal to Play at Credit Card Casinos in the UK?
While UKGC licensed casinos and other gambling businesses are prohibited from accepting payments with credit cards, it is still legal for gamblers to use them.
If you are a UK resident, it is not illegal for you to use your credit card for gambling purposes. However, you will now have to find online casinos that are licensed under a different authority. For example, Curaçao and Malta are well known for their gambling industry, and have a more loyal attitude towards the use of credit cards.
Whichever option you choose for your game, make sure you thoroughly check the license and terms of use to avoid any possible risks or scams.
Pros and Cons of Playing with Credit Cards
Playing with a credit card comes with its own pros and cons. If you choose to gamble at a non-UKGC licensed casino to be able to use your credit card, you should be aware of both the advantages and disadvantages that are associated with it.
Pros
- Faster and easier verification process. After you register, you won’t have to wait for a long time before you can start playing your favourite games.
- Easier deposit process. You won’t have to spend time setting up an e-wallet or waiting for the bank transfer to go through. Deposits with credit cards are almost instant.
- Welcome bonuses and promotions. Registration with a credit card will almost always qualify you for a sizable welcome bonus — and who doesn’t like free stuff? This is quite different from e-wallets that are often omitted from promotions if you use them for registration and deposits.
- Safety and security. Casino transactions made with a credit card are protected by the same security technology as the one used by your bank, which means your personal details are safe. In case anything goes wrong, you can dispute charges with the help of your card provider. Many other payment methods don’t provide this option.
Cons
- Additional fees may apply. Your card issuing company may charge extra fees when you make a deposit at an online casino. These charges typically come with an interest too. Make sure to check all terms and conditions with your credit card issuer before you use it at an online casino.
- Withdrawing is more complicated. Casinos that allow the use of credit cards for deposits aren’t as fast to accept them for withdrawals. Some don’t take them at all, others may have complicated withdrawal requirements.
- Blocking is more difficult. If you want to impose self-exclusion on yourself and block your card from being accepted at any gambling platform, it is more difficult to do with a credit card, and it still might not block all your accounts. Also, casinos that operate under a non-UKGC license might not be cooperating with UK based support programmes for problem gambling.
- License verification is a must. While you should always check a casino’s or betting platform’s license, no matter which payment method you use, it might be a tad more difficult with those that accept credit cards because they are not licensed by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
How To Make a Deposit Online with a Credit Card
Making a deposit online with a credit card doesn’t differ much from other payment methods, and in certain ways can be easier. However, there also are underlying currents you should be aware of.
- Step 1. Select a non-UKGC licensed online casino or a betting platform that accepts credit cards. Make sure to verify their license.
- Step 2. Create an account and fill in the required information. Often, you won’t have to verify your personal data straight away.
- Step 3. Go to the Banking section, in the list of deposit methods select “Credit card”.
- Step 4. Enter your card details and make at least the minimal required deposit. You can make a bigger first deposit if it qualifies you for a bonus or promotion.
- Step 5. Collect all the welcome bonuses you qualify for. Proceed to play.
One of the biggest advantages for credit card users in online casinos is that the verification process is much quicker than, for example, for an e-wallet. You can also qualify for some special bonuses if you register with a credit card and comply with the minimum deposit amount.
However, you should be mindful of the transaction fees. As a rule, those are significantly higher for credit cards than other payment methods.
How To Make a Withdrawal Online with a Credit Card
With withdrawals, it might not be as easy. While all online casinos that accept credit cards will have a fairly easy deposit process, not all of them will allow withdrawing to a credit card. Those that do may still have rather complicated requirements you have to fulfill before withdrawing your winnings.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises, you should read the terms and conditions at the time of creating an account. Make sure you fully understand their deposit and withdrawal terms and they suit your objectives. Different casinos might have different requirements, so don’t assume that your experience with one online casino that allows credit card withdrawals will automatically repeat itself with another casino.
If you choose to play at a casino that doesn’t practice credit card withdrawals, you may need to set up an alternative method. Bank transfer or an e-wallet are some of the most convenient and frequently used options.
Alternatives to Playing with Credit Cards
If you choose not to play at a non-UKGC licensed credit card casino, the UK licensed ones have a lot of alternative payment methods to offer, usually multiple per platform. You can select the one that is the most convenient for you. The most popular and frequently used payment methods include:
- Debit cards: debit cards are usually as easily and quickly processed as credit cards. The vast majority of casinos will accept Visa and Mastercard. The key difference is that you can’t take more money than what’s on your bank account when you play with a debit card. Unlike this, a credit card allows you to borrow money from the bank.
- eWallets: from PayPal to Skrill and Neteller, e-wallets allow for a fast deposit and withdrawal. Not all casinos use them, but you will still find plenty of those that do. One drawback to using them is that at some casinos they don’t qualify for bonus offers.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay: casinos have started introducing them into their payment methods. It is very easy to make a deposit using your phone’s security, but in many cases you can’t make a withdrawal with them.
- Cryptocurrencies: crypto has been growing in popularity as an online casino payment method. They allow for both deposit and withdrawal, are secure, anonymous, and very quick. Just check if the casino of your choice has already added them to their list of payment methods.
- Bank transfers: bank transfers are also very convenient both for withdrawals and deposits. The method is secure but may come with an additional fee when you collect your winnings.
Before You Start Playing
Since the UKGC licensed casinos have been prohibited from accepting credit cards for any activities related to gambling, the UK players now have two options.
You can choose to stay with your favourite gambling or betting platforms and switch to an alternative method of payment. If you opt to continue using your credit card, you can explore a vast number of casinos that have been licensed under a different authority.
While the ban for the casinos operating under the UKGC umbrella is very strict, for you as a UK resident it is still legal to use your credit card to play at online casinos that function under a different jurisdiction. Make sure you verify their license and confirm that the possible applicable fees are in line with your expectations.
Always practice responsible gambling, whichever option you decide to go with. With the credit cards, it is especially easy to go over budget, as they let you take more money than what initially was on your account. Make sure you have a set bankroll and stick to it. Whether you play with a credit card or with other alternative payment methods, gambling should be a form of entertainment, not a way of quick financial gain.