For more than 50 years, Mastercard has been at the forefront of the financial sector. It is one of the world’s largest financial institutions and card issuers, with products and services accepted in 210 countries and territories.

Mastercard occupies a prominent spot in the casino industry due to its widespread usage, state-of-the-art security measures, and flexible payment limits.

MasterCard logo

History

Founded in the 1940s as a joint venture between several leading U.S. companies, Mastercard was the first to offer customers specially-issued cards that could be used in local stores. Then, in 1966, one of the groups formed the Interbank Card Association (ICA), which became known as Mastercard International in the 1970s.

Over the next few decades, Mastercard made considerable strides in the financial sector, such as the purchase of the Cirrus ATM network and the launch of the first Maestro card in 1985, setting in motion the world’s first online point-of-sale debit network.

Mastercard went public in 2006, after which the company made several acquisitions that led to an expansion across 210 countries and territories.

In 2019, the company even dropped the Mastercard name from its logo and switched completely to the interlocking yellow and red circles that reflect the company’s desire to operate seamlessly across the financial landscape dominated by the digital revolution.

Mastercard Updates

  • November 2023 — Feedzai and Mastercard team up to expand crypto fraud protection and monitor and block all instances of fraud in crypto.
  • October 2023 — Mastercard leverages AI in its Payment Resiliency solutions to make payment processing more secure.
  • September 2023 — Mastercard begins collaborating with Paysend to improve cross-border payments for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
  • November 2022 — Mastercard and J.P. Morgan Payments launch Pay-by-Bank, an ACH payment that uses open banking.
  • October 2022 — Mastercard reveals Mastercard Crypto Secure™, a tech solution designed to assess the risk profile of Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), a term used for crypto exchanges or other providers.
  • June 2022 — Mastercard offers a PayByLink system to allow businesses to accept payments from anywhere.
  • September 2021 — Mastercard creates its unique NFT in partnership with José Mourinho, a renowned football coach and a brand ambassador for Mastercard.
  • June 2021 — Mastercard introduces Cloud Tap on Phone, the first Cloud Point of Sale (POS) acceptance technology.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Well-known brand
  • Supports credit, debit, and gift cards
  • Zero Liability policy
  • Accepted by most online casinos
  • Click-to-pay

Cons

  • Does not support cashouts

How to Use Mastercard in Online Casinos

Mastercard is an excellent choice for online casino deposits. Note that online casinos do not support withdrawals through this method. Provided that the clients already have an active online casino account and a Mastercard, there are only a couple of steps left:
  1. Head to the Cashier/Banking section of your account.
  2. Click on the Deposit option and scroll down to Mastercard.
  3. Insert the amount you wish to deposit.
  4. Type in the Mastercard card number, expiry date, and CVV code.
  5. When prompted, verify the transaction using your PIN code, SMS verification code sent to you by your bank, or biometrics (Mastercard ID Check™), such as facial recognition or fingerprint scan, in case you are using a banking app.
  6. Complete the transaction.
The transfer is almost instantaneous and incurs only the fees associated with your bank, not the casino.

Regions

Mastercard operates in 210 countries. Therefore, it enables operators to cater to an international clientele and exert immense influence on the financial trends in online casino gaming. As a trusted brand with a global reach, advanced security measures, and flexible payment options, Mastercard can help casino operators build a loyal customer base, enhance their satisfaction rates, and streamline the entire operation.

Payment Methods

Mastercard offers several easy ways for customers to deposit in online casinos, such as:
  • Click to Pay — Click to Pay system is a secure way of saving credentials on your device and using them to complete subsequent transactions. A special Mastercard sign will be available at the checkout, and upon clicking on it, you’ll see the list of all Mastercards saved on your device. Choose the one you wish to use and complete the transaction.
  • Pay by Bank — Pay by Bank is an online checkout option that lets users pay using the bank apps on their phones. No passwords and payment details are needed — just the control of the bank app.
Mastercard issues credit, debit, and gift cards through its partner banks, all of which can be used for making fast and secure deposits.

Currencies

Mastercard is available in 210 countries worldwide and allows users to load up cards with up to ten different currencies on any card.

Main Benefits

Working with the Mastercard payment system brings players a familiar way to process deposits and withdrawals. Here are some of the main benefits of having Mastercard in your online gambling platform:

Advanced protection systems

— Mastercard employs the latest security systems and measures to protect businesses and customers, including ID Theft Alerts™, fraud protection, and Zero Liability Protection systems. Moreover, there is a 24/7 global emergency system for lost and stolen card reporting.

Supports online gambling payments

— Mastercard does not block players from using their cards to make deposits and withdrawals.

Various payment systems

— Mastercard has implemented multiple payment features into its solution, including click-to-pay, automatic billing, real-time transfers of funds, and much more.

Global acceptance

— Mastercard is available in 210 countries worldwide, so it’s likely that your casino players are already familiar with the method.

Player Experience

Reliability and security are synonymous with the Mastercard brand. Players using Mastercard for their online casino transactions benefit from stringent security measures, including advanced encryption and fraud protection protocols.

The wide acceptance of Mastercard ensures improved market penetration for operators and ease of use for players who are already accustomed to their Mastercard products.

Furthermore, Mastercard’s quick transaction processing is a boon for players. It allows for swift deposits, meaning players can start their gaming sessions almost immediately after funding their accounts. Withdrawals, too, are processed efficiently, enabling players to access their winnings with minimal delay.

Ultimately, Mastercard payments allow players to claim welcome bonuses and other forms of promotions, unlike Skrill or Neteller.

Customer Support

Mastercard offers a global emergency service that provides 24/7 assistance to users worldwide. Local toll-free numbers are available on the official website, together with global contacts for reporting stolen or lost cards, detailed FAQ sections, and more.

Minimum Deposit and Withdrawals

The minimum transaction limits depend on the casino in question, but the typical minimum deposit and withdrawals via Mastercard are set at €10.

Security

Mastercard has a Zero Liability policy that protects you from fraud every time you make a purchase or deposit money into your casino account. Additionally, the Mastercard ID Theft Protection system works round the clock to detect potentially fraudulent activity and identity thefts, adding an extra layer of protection.

Licenses

Mastercard is licensed by each country and territory that approves the use of its debit, credit, and gift cards. The current total of markets where the company is available is 210.

FAQ

Can players use Mastercard for gambling?

Yes, Mastercard can be used for making deposits at casinos and sportsbooks, provided that the intermediary banks do not restrict such transactions.

Can I withdraw money using Mastercard?

Most online casinos do not offer the possibility of Mastercard withdrawals, but it would be prudent to check the casino’s terms and conditions page for more information.

Is Mastercard safe to use?

Mastercard runs on multi-level security systems that include fraud detection, identity verification, and many other features.

Are there any fees for using Mastercard?

No, online casinos do not usually charge any commission or fees for processing Mastercard payments.