Credit and Debit Card Processing for A Growing Online Gambling Industry
Online gaming and gambling exists in a legal gray area, with some states taking action to prohibit it and others taking a more lenient stance. For this reason, online gambling is considered a high risk industry, but that doesn’t necessarily make it criminal. If you run an online casino or internet gambling business in the U.S. or EU, you may still be able to process credit card payments through a high risk merchant account provider. High risk merchant accounts tend to come with higher rates and fees, but they can still provide helpful customer support and products to help streamline your e-commerce gaming company. In short, while it may be difficult to find a processor that can serve you, it isn’t completely impossible.
With the rise in popularity of online fantasy sports, the online gambling industry has been growing quickly in recent years, and is now responsible for roughly $8 billion annually. Payment processors have been somewhat reluctant to catch on, still pointing at high charge back rates as a reason to shy away from the high risk industry. However, since 2018 when Murphy v. NCAA overturned existing legislation from 1992, several legal limitations that prevented merchants from entering the industry have been reduced or downright removed. This is helping to normalize the risky business, making payment providers more likely to offer online gambling payment services.
To help you find a credit card processor that can assist your business, we’ve put together the following list of the best merchant accounts for online gambling. The companies on this list offer e-commerce solutions, offshore merchant accounts, marketing tools, and other useful services for operating your online casino. They are also known to provide low-commitment contracts with transparent pricing and quality customer service. To find the right provider for your online gaming site, be sure to research each processor’s products and features and compare pricing and terms.
Note: This list contains providers that are capable of serving online casinos in regions where online gambling is legal. The companies on this list are not recommended for physical casinos. If you are looking for a casino merchant account, see our list of the best merchant accounts for brick-and-mortar casinos
Top Picks for Merchant Services for Online Gambling
PaymentCloud
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Fast approval for numerous "high-risk" industries
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Broad product and service offering
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Highly praised customer support
Based in Woodland Hills, California, PaymentCloud is a merchant account provider that specializes in serving high risk business types. The company’s products and services include point-of-sale solutions, mobile phone swipers, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, EMV-compatible terminals, and merchant cash advances. PaymentCloud is a good option for online gaming sites that may or may not include chance-based games.
PaymentCloud provides a dedicated account rep to all new merchants for the life of the account. The company has not received any negative complaints on consumer forums, and it customizes its pricing according to each merchant’s business type and processing history. The BBB does not maintain a profile for PaymentCloud at this time, but CPO gives the company an “A.”
For more information, visit the PaymentCloud website or call (888) 506-7859.
eMerchant Broker
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Maintains numerous banking partners
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Can get approvals for international businesses
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Top-rated in "high-risk" industry satisfaction
eMerchantBroker.com is a Los Angeles, California-based company that offers high risk e-commerce processing solutions including online gambling merchant accounts. The company’s products include ACH processing, an online payment gateway, merchant cash advance, and a chargeback management system to help merchants dispute and resolve chargeback claims. eMerchantBroker.com can provide an offshore merchant account for online gaming sites as long as they are properly licensed and willing to sign a high risk addendum to their contract.
eMerchantBroker.com offers custom pricing for each merchant and maintains a low complaint rate relative to its size and merchant portfolio. Our review of eMerchantBroker gives the company an “A” rating overall and the BBB assigns the company a rating of “A+.”
For more information, see the eMerchantBroker website or call (877) 301-3442.
Host Merchant Services
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Fast approval for most industries
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No contract or cancellation fees
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Highly rated customer support
Host Merchant Services is a Newark, Delaware-based merchant account provider that is able to provide merchant accounts for a large number of high risk business types. The company’s products and services include online marketing tools, an online payment gateway and virtual terminal, gift and loyalty programs, merchant cash advance, and offshore merchant accounts. Host Merchant Services specializes in e-commerce businesses and provides a free website and email address to interested merchants. Host may be able to serve online gambling business that utilize offshore merchant accounts to accept payments.
Host Merchant Services has received only positive feedback on public forums, with most reviewers singling out the company’s customer service for praise. Host offers custom pricing to all of its merchants, but most merchants will enjoy transparent pricing and the ability to cancel service without penalty. The Better Business Bureau gives Host an “A+” rating, and CPO also gives the company an “A+.”
For more information, visit the Host Merchant Services website or call (888) 727-4538.
National Processing
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Top-rated choice for businesses that want Clover POS
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Fast approval and next day deposits
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Quick equipment deliver and 24/7 support
Based in Lindon, Utah, National Processing is a high risk merchant account provider that is capable of serving international gambling merchants. The company’s products and services for gambling businesses include multiple currency support, offshore banking partners, an online payment gateway, shopping cart integration, and fraud protection. National Processing is a good fit for internet gambling companies that have international customer bases.
National Processing customizes its pricing depending on each merchant’s size, business type, and processing history. The company has earned an “A+” rating in our review as well as an “A+” rating with the BBB.
For more information, visit the National Processing website or call (385) 777-1235.
