Bank transfer

At a glance

How it works at a bookmaker

The bookmaker gives you an account number and a reference; you send the money from your bank; the balance appears when the transfer clears. Open banking has changed the experience in Europe: services such as Trustly, Sofort or the UK’s pay-by-bank move the money instantly and show up as a bank deposit. Withdrawals go to an account in your name, which is the method most operators fall back to when a card or wallet cannot receive money.

Deposits and withdrawals

Manual transfers took a day to appear in our tests, instant rails a few seconds. Withdrawals were same day through UK faster payments and SEPA Instant, and two to five days on international wires from the Curaçao platforms, with correspondent-bank fees taken along the way.

Fees and limits

Operators rarely charge. Banks charge for international wires and sometimes for currency conversion. Limits are the highest of any method, which is why professional bettors and anyone moving four figures use it.

Verification

Expect to prove the account is yours: a statement header or an IBAN certificate with your name. Third-party accounts are refused everywhere.

Blocked transfers

In monopoly markets such as Norway, and at some banks elsewhere, transfers to gambling companies are blocked. The bookmaker’s payment page usually says which rails work in your country.