Paysafecard is one of the most popular payment methods for players at online gambling sites, and these days there are plenty of bookies that accept it, thanks to its widespread popularity and the ease with which it can be used.
In this article, we’re going to look at how to use Paysafecard, and cover the basics on adding and receiving funds.
Gambling Sites That Accept Paysafecard
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What is Paysafecard?
Paysafecard is a popular prepaid method of payment, and with over 3,500 websites currently accepting it – including both betting sites and non-betting sites- it’s become a favourite of many.
In its most simple form, Paysafecard is nothing more than a pre-paid voucher like Ukash. You just head to a local store that offers Paysafecard top-ups, tell the staff member how much you wish to credit to your card, then make the payment.
You’ll be given a printed receipt which has a 16-digit value printed on it; this code is extremely important as it’s the way in which you will exchange the voucher for funds online. Enter this code when requested, and the betting site will credit your account instantly.
One thing to point out is that many people think that the Paysafecard is a physical card; this is an easy mistake to make given the name of the service, but remember, all you’ll get is a small receipt, so it’s vitally important not to lose this. Without the receipt you’ll have virtually no chance of recovering your funds.
How to Buy a Paysafecard Voucher
As detailed above, pretty much the only thing you need to do in order to use Paysafecard is purchase a voucher; there are, however, a couple of things to watch out for.
First of all, you can only pay for a Paysafecard voucher in cash, so you can’t use your card at the counter even if they accept it for other purchases. The second thing to remember is that the 16-digit code can (understandably) only be used once.
This means that if you buy a voucher for £50, for example, and decide to spend £10 at one betting site and £40 at another, neither deposit will work. You’ll need to purchase separate vouchers for each site. This is because when you make a deposit, you must input the amount of the voucher as well as the 16-digit code.
Hint: If you head to the official Paysafecard website you can view a sortable list of most of the retailers that operate the Paysafecard scheme; this is ideal, as not only does it allow you to view the best places to buy the vouchers, but it also lets you take a look at the merchants currently accepting the payment method at the same time.
How to Spend a Paysafecard Voucher?
Once you’ve got your 16-digit code, it’s simply a case of heading to the online betting site you want to deposit at (or any site you wish to use the code at for that matter), and heading to the cashier section.
You’ll now be able to select a payment method, and of course you’ll want to select ‘Paysafecard’, after which you’ll be taken to a new screen where you can input the 16-digit code, along with the amount of the voucher. Click the ‘Continue’ button (this may say something slightly different like ‘Confirm Deposit’ depending on where you are betting), and once you’ve pressed it, the site will quickly run your code details against that of the Paysafecard website. As long as you’ve entered the code correctly and everything checks out, you’ll see the funds credited to your account in a matter of seconds.
It’s this simplicity that is one of the main reasons why players choose Paysafecard over other payment methods. Of course, another benefit is that you don’t have to deal with banks potentially refusing your transaction – a common problem at online gambling websites – although it should be pointed out that there are a few disadvantages too.
Advantages and Disadvantages of using Paysafecard
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to consider when using Paysafecard, and we’ll cover both of these in the selection below. None of them are deal breakers, it’s more a question of personal preference; what suits you may not suit somebody else.
Advantages:
- Easy to use: There’s no verification required (unlike some VISA and MasterCards), and there’s no chance of your payment being rejected by the bank either.
- Help Limit Gambling: If you’re using a credit or debit card, then unless you’ve set deposit limits up on your account, there’s very little to stop you making multiple transactions – which is potentially disastrous if you’re on ‘tilt’ and losing. While Paysafecard also allows you to make unlimited deposits, there exists an obvious physical barrier; you must walk to a shop, buy a new voucher, and then walk home again. Of course, this won’t stop problem gambling completely, but the walk would likely give you the time you need to calm down after a bad losing session, and stop you losing even more.
- Secure: So long as you keep your 16-digit number to yourself, there’s no chance of it being used by somebody else, or having fraudulent transactions made on your behalf. This is due to the fact that no money is stored on the voucher aside from the funds you’ve pre-loaded. This essentially prevents your financial details being phished and used by scammers.
Disadvantages of Using Paysafecard
- No Withdrawal Function: The main disadvantage is something we haven’t touched upon yet, and that’s the fact that you can’t use it to withdraw from your online betting accounts. Now, this is obviously slightly problematic, as you of course want to be able to get hold of your winnings. It’s not a huge issue though, as thankfully all online betting websites allow you to withdraw using another payment source; although this does mean that you’ll need to register either a Credit or Debit Card, or an EWallet with the site as well.
- Risk of a Lost Voucher: The only other real downside is the fact that you’ve got to physically buy the voucher, which can potentially be lost. This can also cause issues for those who live far away from a shop that offers Paysafecard facilities, or for those who are disabled. In both of these situations, it can be better to simply use an alternative payment method.
Other than the issues listed above, there are very few disadvantages to using Paysafecard. These days the payment method is widely accepted at some of the countries largest chains like One Stop, and even some Post Offices.
Conclusion
Paysafecard is like marmite, and it will either suit you down to the ground or be a complete pain to get along with. It’s great for situations when you either don’t want to use or don’t have a debit card, although as mentioned above, due to the fact that you can’t withdraw via Paysafecard it can make this a little redundant, anyway.
That said, Paysafecard remains one of the easiest and quickest ways to add funds to your online betting accounts, and you’ll find it offered at almost all corner shops and high street stores.