Credit card betting sites are a great option for UK gamblers who prioritise safety and familiarity.
We’ve highlighted the best sites to bet with a credit card, claim generous bonuses, and take advantage of competitive odds in the list below:
Which Gambling Sites Accept Credit Cards?
If you’ve ever wondered if you can gamble with credit cards in the UK, the short answer is yes. UK credit card betting sites are typically non-GamStop sportsbooks that operate outside UK gambling regulations and accept a range of popular credit cards like Visa and Mastercard.
In April 2020, the UK Gambling Commission barred all UKGC-licensed operators from accepting credit card payments for gambling. But the good news is that overseas betting sites aren’t regulated by the UKGC, allowing UK players to deposit and bet using credit cards.
The best betting sites that accept credit cards are licensed by international regulatory bodies like those in Curaçao, Malta, or Gibraltar. This means that they can operate legally but are not subject to UK-specific limits.
Advantages of Using Credit Card Bookmakers
Like all payment methods, credit cards have their pros and cons, and so it’s important to have a balanced view when selecting which site to use. But for those looking for sites that accept credit cards, here are some of the many advantages.
Widely accepted
Due to their popularity, you can use credit cards at a huge range of sportsbooks online, Mastercard and Visa betting a solid choice for deposits.
Fee-free transfers
Transferring funds via credit cards like Visa won’t usually cost you a thing and the transfer rate is often instant.
High security
The security standards for credit cards tend to be much higher than alternative payment methods, with built-in fraud protection and secure processing for peace of mind.
Account management
You can conveniently track payments via your banking app or statements, giving you a better oversight of your budgeting.
Payment Options Available at Credit Card Betting Sites
When you bet with credit cards, you’ll come across several card types with different benefits, fees, and processing speeds.
Here’s a breakdown of the main options available at credit card betting sites:
| Credit Card Type | Deposit Speed | Withdrawal Speed | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MasterCard | Instant | 1-5 business days | 0-3% |
| Visa | Instant | 1-5 business days | 0-3% |
| American Express | Instant | 3-7 business days | 2-4% |
| Discover | Instant | 3-7 business days | 1-3% |
Best Credit Card Gambling Site Overall: Midnite
The perfect combination of solid odds, diverse markets, and seamless credit card payments makes Midnite a standout choice for serious punters.
Midnite has quickly established itself as one of the best sites where UK players can bet with credit cards.
Its no-nonsense payment system ensures that both MasterCard and Visa betting deposits are processed instantly without additional fees.
Plus, the platform offers great odds across a wide range of sports, with particularly strong coverage of Premier League football, horse racing, and tennis.
Bonuses Available at Credit Card Gambling Sites
Gambling sites that accept credit cards typically offer juicy bonuses to lure new players and look after their regulars. Here’s a breakdown of the common bonus types you’ll find at UK betting sites:
Welcome Bonus
What is it? A promotional offer for new bettors making their first deposit(s). Typically, this comes as a matched deposit bonus (such as 100% up to £200) or free bets.
Can you claim it with a credit card? Yes, all the Mastercard, American Express and Visa betting sites on our list allow you to bag welcome bonuses when depositing with Visa or MasterCard. Some sites, though, do exclude American Express or Discover cards from bonus eligibility.
Acca Insurance
What is it? Acca insurance protects your accumulator bets by refunding your stake (usually as a free bet) if one part of a multi-leg bet falls short.
Can you claim it with a credit card? Yes. Accumulator insurance is typically available no matter your choice of deposit method.
Free Bets
What is it? Free bets are bonus credits that allow you to place wagers without risking your own bankroll. Winnings from free bets are usually paid out minus the stake amount.
Can you claim it with a credit card? Yes, you can. Free bet offers are available to credit card users at all of our top picks.
Odds Boosts
What is it? Odds boosts temporarily increase the odds on specific events or selections, maximising your potential returns on wagers.
Can you claim it with a credit card? Yes. Odds boost promotions are available to all players regardless of payment method.
Cashback Offers
What is it? Cashback promos refund a percentage of your losses over a specific period, usually as bonus funds or free bets.
Can you claim it with a credit card? Yes, cashback offers are typically available using any deposit method.
Popular Sports for Credit Card Betting in the UK
Non-UK betting sites that accept credit cards offer a wide range of sports markets catering to UK punters. Here are the most popular sports for gambling sites that accept credit cards in the UK:
Football
Football remains the king of sports betting in the UK, with Visa credit card betting sites offering extensive coverage of the Premier League, Championship, and major European leagues.
The UK’s top football betting sites provide hundreds of markets per match, from standard match results to player-specific specials and minute-by-minute in-play options.
Betting with a credit card is really handy for football accumulator bets, as the instant deposit processing allows you to quickly top up your account and put your money down before kick-off, even if you’re betting last minute.
Horse Racing
Horse racing has a long and rich betting tradition in the UK, and credit card bookmakers offer solid coverage of races from British and Irish tracks, as well as international meetings.
From the Cheltenham Festival to the Grand National, these sites provide competitive odds and special promotions around major racing events.
Credit card deposits are particularly useful during big racing festivals when you fancy placing multiple bets across several days without repeatedly transferring funds from your bank account.
Boxing & MMA
Combat sports betting has surged in popularity, with Visa credit card betting sites offering extensive markets on major boxing events and UFC fights.
These high-profile events often feature plenty of betting opportunities beyond the simple winner market, including round betting, method of victory, and prop bets.
The instant processing of credit card deposits is valuable for boxing and MMA betting, as odds can fluctuate significantly in the hours before a fight. Being able to instantly top up your bankroll allows you to capitalise on tempting odds as soon as you spot them.
Tennis
Tennis provides year-round betting opportunities, from Grand Slams to ATP and WTA tournaments.
Credit card betting sites offer match winner markets, set betting, game handicaps, and extensive in-play options that allow betting on individual points.
The fast-paced nature of tennis in-play betting makes credit card deposits particularly useful, as you can quickly add funds to your account and capitalise on shifting odds during key moments, such as break points, crucial service games to stay in the set, or tiebreaks.
Best Credit Card Betting Site for Offers: BetMorph
BetMorph gives away weekly free bets and cashback on major leagues and events like the Premier League and Formula 1.
BetMorph keeps things interesting with weekly and monthly free bet offers, giving you regular chances to play for free and win real cash.
On top of this, there are regular cashback offers that run on specific leagues and events throughout the year. In terms of offers that keep you coming back, there’s nowhere better.
Other Payment Methods at UK Credit Card Betting Sites
While credit cards offer convenience and immediate deposits, other methods have their advantages. Crypto betting sites are great for bettors looking to stay anonymous, and bank transfers make large transactions easy.
Here’s a quick summary of the other payment methods available:
| Method | Speed | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crypto | Instant deposits, 1-24hr withdrawals | Privacy, low/no fees, fast withdrawals | Price volatility, technical complexity |
| eWallet | Instant deposits, 24-48hr withdrawals | Fast, secure, widely accepted | May exclude bonus eligibility, verification required |
| Prepaid Cards | Instant deposits | Fast, secure, widely accepted | Often deposit only, not withdrawals |
| Bank Transfer | 1-5 days for deposits, 3-7 days for withdrawals | Secure, high limits, direct bank connection | Slow processing, fees may apply, less privacy |
How we Rate the Best Credit Card Bookmakers
We’ve carefully curated this list of top sports betting sites that accept credit cards, comparing and testing the most important features ourselves. Here are just some of the key criteria we look for:
Bonuses and Game Offering
You visit a site for the games, and you come back for the exciting bonuses on offer. That’s why we compare the game libraries of all our sites and look closely at the bonuses on offer, from welcome promotions, to loyalty schemes, and VIP access.
Licensing and Security
Safety is paramount when gambling online, and so we always recommend to only place wagers on licensed and reputable sites. We make sure every site on our list is adhering to regulations of their relative jurisdiction.
Customer Support
Whether we like to admit it or not, things sometimes go wrong, and when that does happen, you want to know that support is available. That’s why we test the live chat 24/7 support and customer contact processes of every betting site.
User Reviews
There’s no better was to gauge how suitable a credit card bookmaker is than by looking at what the players are saying themselves. We take an in-depth look at how people rate the user experience, key features, and bonuses on offer to ensure you’re getting the best of the best.
Expert Tips for Mastercard or Visa Credit Card Betting Sites
Want to know how to bet online with a credit card? Follow these game-changing tips to ensure a smooth and safe experience when betting online with credit cards such as Visa or even Mastercard:
Plan Your Withdrawals Ahead of Time
Although credit card deposits are processed immediately, withdrawals typically take 1-5 business days to complete.
So, make sure you plan your cashouts well before you need access to your winnings.
Check if the Site Allows Credit Card Payouts
Beware of betting sites that take credit cards only for deposits and require different methods for withdrawals. Before depositing, check the site’s banking policy to see your payout options.
Read the Bonus Terms of Credit Card Betting Sites Carefully
Some bookmakers offer different bonus terms based on payment methods.
Although credit card deposits are mostly valid for promotions, always check the terms and conditions to confirm bonus requirements.
Watch Out for Fees
Credit card companies typically treat gambling deposits as cash advances, with immediate interest charges and fees of 2-5%.
Some betting sites add their own processing fees, and currency conversion costs can apply when using different currencies.
Aim to use a dedicated card with the lowest cash advance rate and stick to betting sites that process transactions in your local currency to avoid extra costs.
Use Secure Connections
Security matters when handling card transactions online. Unless you’re using a no-KYC betting site, it’s always worthwhile verifying your identity before starting to play.
Only make credit card deposits on secure, private internet connections. Avoid using public Wi-Fi when entering credit card details to minimise the risk of data theft.
Set Deposit Limits
The top betting sites with credit card capabilities allow you to set deposit limits. Take advantage of this feature to keep control over your spending.
With credit cards, it’s especially easy to lose track of how much you’re spending.
FAQs
Yes. The UK Gambling Commission introduced this ban in April 2020. But international betting sites still accept credit card payments from UK players.
Yes, some credit card issuers will decline transactions to gambling sites even if the site accepts credit cards. This can happen if the bank has rules against gambling transactions or if the card isn’t enabled for international payments. If your transaction is declined, get in touch with your card issuer to understand their policy on gambling transactions.
Yes, international betting sites that operate in the UK, including Midnite and BetMorph, accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards.
Yes, some credit card betting sites will charge fees on your gambling transactions. These could include cash advance fees from your card issuer, currency conversion fees, and general processing fees charged by the site (though the best online sportsbooks absorb these costs).
Some international betting sites let you withdraw straight back to your credit card, but don’t count on it everywhere. When available, credit card cashouts usually take 1-5 business days to land. Many sites will push you toward other payout methods like bank transfers, eWallets, or crypto, even if you used your card to deposit.
Yes, despite the ban on credit card betting at UK sites, you can still place a bet using a credit card at international betting sites that accept them.
References
- https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news/article/gambling-commission-publishes-interim-evaluation-on-the-successful (UK Gambling Commission)
- https://www.gamblingtherapy.org (Gambling Therapy)
- https://www.begambleaware.org (BeGambleAware)
- https://www.money.co.uk/business/card-payment-solutions/credit-card-processing-fees (money.co.uk)
