- Gift cards are one of the more common deposit methods at online blackjack sites for their added security and ease of purchase.
- Most gift cards purchased at major retailers like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, etc. will work so long as they have international use approval.
LAS VEGAS – Using gift cards for online blackjack or any form of online gambling depends on several factors, including the policies of the specific online casino, the type of gift card, and the jurisdiction in which you are gambling.
In most cases, gift cards work just like playing blackjack with a credit card but may have some more specific issues surrounding them.
(1) Acceptance by Online Casinos:
Not all online blackjack sites accept gift cards as a form of payment. Some only focus on crypto transactions while others would rather go through a third-party banking app or a direct transfer.
Those sites that do accept gift cards generally further segment it, having specific requirements regarding the type of gift cards they accept and the limits they put on them.
- The most popular blackjack sites taking gift cards allow anywhere from $20 to $1,000 to be transferred at a time.
(2) Type of Gift Card:
Prepaid gift cards from major credit card companies (Visa, Mastercard) are more likely to be accepted. These cards function like credit or debit cards and can be used for online transactions, including deposits to online casinos.
- Retail-specific gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Walmart) are typically not accepted for gambling.
- American Express AMEX gift cards are also accepted but may come with a higher fee from the casino.
(3) Jurisdiction and Legal Considerations:
The legality of using gift cards for online blackjack varies by country and state.
In some regions, online gambling is heavily regulated and gaming commissions must approve every method of funding a blackjack account first. Others may prohibit online gambling in general.
- It’s essential to find a state with online blackjack and confirm their laws before depositing money.
- You may see your gift card decline at first. This may not be a legal issue but the bank confirming your transaction. Wait for an alert message and try again if it fails the first time.
(4) Terms and Conditions:
Online casinos have specific terms and conditions regarding payment methods. It's crucial to read these terms to understand any restrictions or fees associated with using gift cards for deposits and withdrawals.
The most common mistake first timers make is buying a gift card for online blackjack that isn’t approved for international use. Some of the best blackjack casinos online are located outside of the US, and if your gift card is US-only, you’ll be unable to continue.
- Before depositing, also look for any blackjack betting bonuses, fees, or withdrawal limitations from using a gift card.
Are there any benefits to using a gift card for online blackjack?
Added security is our biggest push when recommending someone to play blackjack with a gift card. Mistakes happen and hacks are a common issue online as well. The fact that there are no ties to your bank account or credit card under your account name is an amazing thing.
This means that no matter what issue happens, you’ll know the hackers can’t get any money or bank data from you since gift cards are generally a one-off transaction.