Is Paysafecard your Ideal way to Pay at Online Poker Sites?
Pros
- Highly secure way to pay
- Easy to use
- Widely accepted by poker sites
- Good way to manage spending
Cons
- Can be fiddly to deposit larger amounts
- Usually not possible to cash out using Paysafecard
- Maximum deposit limits may be lower than other banking methods
Paysafecard in a Nutshell
Created in Austria in the year 2000, Paysafecard allows customers to spend money online using prepaid vouchers purchased at bricks-and-mortar retailers. As Paysafecard describes it, this is “cash for the internet”, removing the need to provide bank account, debit card, credit card or e-wallet details when making online transactions.
Paysafecard’s success early in the millennium led to a massive expansion across Europe, and the company was eventually acquired by Skrill. Today, its popularity among iGamers is highlighted by the sheer range of poker sites that accept Paysafecard.
How does Paysafecard Work?
If you’re looking to play Paysafecard poker online, the good news is vouchers are on sale at thousands of outlets across the UK. They are most frequently available in £10, £25, £40, £50, £75 or £100 denominations. However, PayPoint outlets also offer £125, £150, and £175 options.
Each voucher has a 16-digit PIN number, which you input whenever you want to make a payment online. The full value of the Paysafecode voucher doesn’t have to be spent in one go, so you’re free to keep re-using the PIN code until the voucher is used up.
You can also purchase and use Paysafecard in other ways, as we’ll explain below.
How Do I get a Paysafecard?
Paysafecard voucher
Physical Paysafecard vouchers can be bought in retailers throughout the country. Just ask for the value of voucher you’d like, then purchase the voucher using cash or a bank card. You can now also buy vouchers from certain sites online, in which case the PIN number will be sent to you by email.
My Paysafecard
A good way to manage your Paysafecard payments is to sign up for a My Paysafecard account online. You can then add multiple PIN numbers to your account and make use of the cumulative amount whenever you like.
Paysafecard Mastercard
Customers who create a My Paysafecard account can order a physical Paysafecard MasterCard that can be topped up over and over again. The card has exactly the same functionality as a traditional Mastercard, meaning it can be used both online and offline at retailers that accept the card provider.
Paysafecard Security
It could be argued that using Paysafecard is the safest way to pay at online poker sites. Much like using cash, paying with Paysafecard means that no personal details, such as bank account or debit card information, ever have to be entered. However, it is still important to look after your Paysafecard PINs to ensure your funds remain safe.
If you keep your Paysafecard PIN to yourself, you’re pretty much guaranteed complete security. It’s impossible to hack paysafecard PINs or to alter their balance in any way. Paysafecard employ a number of technical security measures to prevent this.
On the off chance that you become the target of fraud, you can lock your paysafecard PIN(s) with ease. While this means you won’t be able to make payments, this immediately protects your existing balance from further attacks. Plus, you’ll be able to request a refund, should you wish to.
Paysafecard Fees
There are no fees involved to purchase a Paysafecard. However, you may find that some sites charge an additional processing fee for using this method of payment. While this isn’t particularly common, we’d recommend checking out the terms and conditions just to be sure.
Where you will encounter some fees is if you opt to use the Paysafecard prepaid Mastercard. This costs £8 annually and requires a 4% top up fee as well as a 3% ATM withdrawal fee.
Using Paysafecard to Deposit at Online Poker Sites
Compare and choose an online poker site
We’ve put together a list of top poker sites that offer full support for Paysafecard payments. Simply have a browse through and see which one takes your fancy – our list is jam-packed with casinos featuring some great bonuses, promotions and of course, the best online poker rooms.
Sign Up
Once you’ve decided where you want to play, follow the link we’ve provided which will direct you to a dedicated poker account sign up page. Here, you just have to provide some basic personal details to become a new member, and potentially unlock your welcome bonus at the same time.
Buy a Paysafecard
If you haven’t already got one, you’ll need to purchase a Paysafecard to make your deposit. The Paysafecard site has a search feature to help you locate stores that sell vouchers. Alternatively, you can buy a Paysafecard PIN code from a reputable online vendor like Dundle.
Make a Deposit
With your Paysafecard PIN at the ready, you should head over to the cashier page of your chosen online poker site. Follow the on-screen instructions and select Paysafecard as your payment option. Enter your desired deposit amount – making sure you don’t exceed the value of the card – then type in the PIN and confirm your poker deposit.
Find a game to join
Paysafecard deposits are processed instantly, so you can start playing immediately. You’ll be able to choose from a number of variants based on gameplay style and wagering limits, including the ever-popular Texas Hold ‘em. If you’re a complete novice, you might want to start on smaller stakes while you learn the ropes.
Deposit & Withdrawal Limits
When it comes to minimum deposit limits, Paysafecard is usually no different to other kinds of payment methods. At partypoker, for example, the minimum amount payable into your account using Paysafecard is £10, just as it is with debit card and e-wallet deposits. It’s exactly the same at one of our other top recommended poker sites, 888poker.
A drawback with Paysafecard is you can only purchase vouchers in set denominations. This means you’ll have to input multiple 16-digit PIN codes when depositing a larger amount into your poker account. Some sites also have lower maximum limits on Paysafecard deposits. All of this means it’s generally not the preferred payment option for high rollers.
Paysafecard is typically a one-way payment method. The vast majority of poker sites will require you to use an alternative deposit method, such as a debit card or e-wallet, to cash out your winnings. That said, some operators may allow you to make withdrawals to your MyPaysafecard account by entering your registered email address.
Claiming a Bonus with your Paysafecard Deposit
There’s always the chance that making a Paysafecard deposit disqualifies you from certain bonuses. Fortunately, this isn’t a frequent occurrence and is much more common with e-wallet options like Neteller and Skrill. Still, it’s always a good idea to play it safe and check those terms and conditions before making your first deposit.
When it comes to bonuses, there are two main types to look forward to. First up, the welcome bonus, which is a perk given to you by the poker site when you sign up. Then there are ongoing promotions which are offered to regular visitors, which can really enhance your experience – and, potentially, your winnings. Some of the most popular bonuses and promos include:
- Matched deposit bonuses, where your poker account will be credited with a percentage equivalent of your deposit, up to a certain limit. For example, if there’s a matched deposit bonus of “100% up to £200” and you deposit £100,” you’ll be given an extra £100 in bonus credits
- Free play, where you’re awarded a certain amount in tournament tickets and/or bonus credits
- Rakeback, or cashback, where the casino site gives you back a percentage of the rake (ie, the money it takes from each poker pot) once you’ve racked up enough loyalty points
- Other promotions, such as “supercharged” or boosted prize pots for tournaments, daily rewards like tournament tickets, and the potential to win free entry to big tournaments
Always bear in mind that bonuses often have certain strings attached. These can include:
- Wagering requirements, where you have to bet your bonus amount a certain number of times before you can cash out winnings
- Time limits by which you’ll have to fulfil wagering requirements or bet your bonus credits
- Maximum limits on how much you can win using bonus credits
Play Poker on the Go with a Mobile Paysafecard Poker Site
You can play Paysafecard poker online pretty much anywhere there’s an internet connection – all operators have mobile-friendly websites you can access on your phone or tablet’s browser. Some sites, like 888poker and PokerStars, go the extra distance by providing a native app for poker players to download. These offer an even smoother experience, as you can enter the poker rooms with a few taps rather than having to fire up the browser. Native apps also provide push notifications, so you’ll always know when exciting new promos are made available.
New Online Poker Sites
There are always fresh ways to play poker with Paysafecard, thanks to the new sites that regularly arrive on the market. Our in-house experts keep a close watch on the online casino landscape, so we can alert you to the best new poker sites that accept Paysafecard.
Other Payment Options
Paysafecard Alternatives
These days, the best online sites for poker support multiple alternative banking methods on top of debit cards and bank transfers. These include:
How to Stay Safe when Playing Poker with Paysafecard
How to Stay Safe when Playing Poker with Paysafecard
One of the biggest selling points of Paysafecard is how secure it is. After all, you’ll never have to input any sensitive bank or debit card information when using this method. That said, it’s important to keep your Paysafecard PIN number safe from prying eyes. Here are some tips for staying safe:
- Beware of phishing emails purporting to be from Paysafecard, a casino operator, or any other organisation, asking you to disclose your PIN number
- Only bet at sites that are secure – look for the padlock symbol and “https” in the URL bar
- Stick to sites that are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission – these are the only sites we ever recommend
Sign Up to a Paysafecard Poker Site
Ready to take your place at the online poker table and see what hands you’re dealt? Simply browse our list of the top Paysafecard poker sites, compare the bonuses on offer, and sign up now to start playing!
Paysafecard payments can be made at a wide range of sites, whether you want to bet at online casinos and bookmakers, play videogames, watch films and TV shows, or sign up for internet services like video calls and cloud storage.
You can use the Paysafecard mobile app to keep track of your My Paysafecard account and load it up with new PINs. Whether you have the app or not won’t affect how you deposit funds at a poker site, though.
If there’s still money remaining on a voucher after seven months, a maintenance fee of £3 is deducted from the balance. After the 13th month, a monthly £5 fee is deducted if you’ve not used Paysafecard in the previous year.
Paysafecard is one of the most secure ways of paying money, as you won’t have to share bank details online.
First of all, we only list gambling sites that are licensed, so we can guarantee you a fair and safe online poker experience. If it doesn’t have a license, there’s no chance you’ll find it on Compare.bet. We then sift out the sites that don’t offer support for Paysafecard. To pick out the best of the bunch from the remaining sites, our expert team thoroughly assesses a number of key features. This includes its bonuses, promotions, software, variety of games and customer support among others. The end result is a list that only features the best of the best.
Yes, you can. The prepaid Mastercard has a limit of £4,000 so many consider this to be a better deposit option, especially for high rollers and VIPs.
Yes, they are. If you buy your Paysafecard PIN using cash, this virtually eliminates any security concerns. All you need to do is keep your PIN to yourself – there’s no way your funds can be used without it.
It’s quite simple. You can go to Paysafecard’s website and use the balance checker tool. This only requires you to insert the PIN and it will inform you how much money is remaining. Alternatively, you can set up a ‘my Paysafecard’ account, where you can attach your PINs and access your real-time account balance.
No, it is not possible to reverse any transactions once they’ve been confirmed, so please be cautious when depositing to ensure that you enter the amount you wish to deposit correctly. If you have any other concerns regarding a payment you’ve made, we’d suggest getting in touch with your chosen poker sites customer services team – many of the top sites even offer a live chat feature.
See our references & visit related external links
Please note that Compare.bet is not responsible for the content of third-party websites.
- paysafecard.com – ‘Finding paysafecard online shops’
- neteller.com – ‘Pay online’
