You can use branded gift cards or regular gift cards to make instant deposits at some of the top online casinos. This guide explains the various options at your disposal for transferring funds from a gift card to your casino account. We will discuss how to get paid out if you win and examine how a gift card compares to other payment methods.
of Gold Coins for $10
Gift card online casino key takeaways
| 🏛️ Casinos Accepting Gift Card | DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers |
| 🥇 Best Gift Card Casino | DraftKings |
| 💵 Avg. Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| 💲Fees | None for deposits, but a purchase fee may apply |
Gift card options at online casinos
The leading online casinos accept a variety of gift cards. These are the three main options:
- A branded gift card sold by the casino operator, such as a DraftKings Card.
- A branded gift card sold by Game On, which has six participating online casinos.
- A regular electronic gift card backed by a card issuer such as Visa or Mastercard.
If you wish to use a generic electronic gift card, it must be registered with the name and address associated with your online casino account.
How to deposit with a gift card
It is pretty straightforward to fund your online casino account with a gift card. Follow these steps at DraftKings, the best online casino for gift cards:
Step 1: Visit the deposit page
Click or tap the “Deposit” option in the top right corner of the homepage. Select the amount you would like to deposit from the prepopulated options or enter a custom amount.
Step 2: Select your payment option
Select the “Gift Card” option if you want to use a DraftKings gift card or a Game On gift card. You will then be able to enter your gift card details to complete the payment. If you have an electronic gift card issued by a major card company, choose the “Debit or Credit Card” option and enter the details.
Step 3: Confirm the payment
If you are happy with the deposit amount, click or tap to confirm the payment. The funds will arrive in your account immediately. If you used the full value of the gift card, you can discard it. If funds remain on the card, keep it safe for your next deposit.
Read more: Minimum deposit casinos
How to withdraw your winnings
You cannot withdraw funds to a gift card, so you will need to select an alternative payout method if you win money. An e-check or bank transfer would be the best option in this case. BetMGM advises customers to use VIP Preferred, as you do not need to have made a deposit via that method to use it for a withdrawal.
Pros and cons of using a gift card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gift cards facilitate instant, secure, free deposits at online casinos. | A one-time activation fee of $5.95 will be charged for purchasing a Game On gift card. |
| You have the opportunity to convert a regular electronic gift card to withdrawable cash at an online casino (if you’re lucky). | You cannot use a gift card for withdrawals, so you will need to request an e-check or bank transfer. |
| There are lots of ways to buy gift cards, including Game On, regular gift cards sold online or in-person, or direct from the online casino. | Some online casinos do not accept gift cards, which limits your choice. |
Alternatives to gift cards at online casinos
Gift cards only account for a small fraction of the deposits made at online casinos. These are some of the more common options to consider for regular payments.
Debit or credit card
You can use a debit card or credit card to fund your online casino account. It works similarly to a regular gift card, as you will be directed to enter your card details when making your initial deposit. The card details will then be stored by the online casino, which makes future deposits much quicker.
A debit card can also be used for withdrawals via services such as Visa Fast Funds and Mastercard Send. The casino will transfer the funds to the checking account that is linked to your debit card. This can be a very quick process if your bank supports instant payouts.
PayPal
PayPal is another very popular payment method at online casinos, as it removes the need to enter card details. You can simply choose your deposit amount, and you will then be redirected to the PayPal gateway where you can instantly log into your account and confirm the deposit. It will then take you back to the online casino, and the funds will be waiting for you.
This is also one of the fastest withdrawal options, so many online casino players use PayPal for transactions. Alternatively, you can use Venmo, but PayPal is available at more sites.
Play+
A prepaid Play+ card is similar to a gift card. Both are preloaded with funds, which can then be used for deposits at online casinos and sportsbooks. However, you can top up Play+ card at any time and use it for regular deposits.
Play+ cards are also available for withdrawals. It is often among the quickest available payout methods at the top online gambling sites. The funds will transfer to your Play+ balance, and you can withdraw them at an ATM, send them via an e-check, or use your card for purchases at thousands of stores.
Online casino gift card transactions FAQ
You can use a gift card for deposits at all the top online casinos in the United States, including DraftKings, BetMGM, and FanDuel. However, you cannot withdraw funds to a gift card, as they are disposable. You will need to use an alternative payout method.
You can use Game On gift cards to deposit funds at BetMGM, BetRivers, DraftKings, FanDuel, Hard Rock Bet, and Parx. Some online casinos also accept payments from electronic gift cards backed by reputable card issuers such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
You can load up to $400 on a Game On gift card, which you can then use to fund online casino accounts at sites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetRivers. Regular electronic gift cards through providers like Blackhawk can have higher limits.
Gift cards for online casinos can be bought at the Game On site–getgameon.com. You can purchase gift cards worth up to $400 in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Alternatively, you can buy regular electronic gift cards online or at stores such as CVS, Walmart, and 7-Eleven.
No. If you win, you can cash out your winnings via an e-check through VIP Preferred or a bank transfer. However, it is worth keeping hold of your gift card in case the casino refunds your payment to that card.
No, when all the value has been used, the card should be destroyed.
More banking guides
If you would like to learn more about some popular alternatives to gift cards, check out these payment guides for online casino players.
Prepaid Play+ cards
Learn more about the merits of prepaid Play+ cards at online casinos in our Play+ payment guide. All the leading operators provide a branded Play+ card, including BetMGM, Caesars Palace, DraftKings, and FanDuel, and it can facilitate instant deposits and fast, convenient withdrawals when you win.
However, there are some fees that you need to be aware of before selecting this payment method, all of which we explain in our guide.
Debit cards
Our debit card guide provides you with all the information you need on this popular payment option. We discuss the advantages of using a debit card as opposed to a credit card, prepaid card, gift card, e-wallet, e-check, or bank transfer, along with some of the potential drawbacks.
You will learn how to fund an account with a debit card and how certain online casinos allow you to use it as a withdrawal method.
Apple Pay
You can load several card types—credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and even gift cards—into your Apple Pay wallet. This means you no longer need to carry physical cards around with you, and it makes the deposit process very smooth and simple.
However, this method is naturally only available to iOS users. Many online casinos do not offer Apple Pay as a payment option either. Our Apple Pay guide explains which sites accept this method, why it is advantageous, and when alternative methods may work better. Follow the link provided to learn more.