Best Online Poker Rooms that Accept PaySafeCard Deposits
You’ll never be completely anonymous online – though using prepaid vouchers which you can buy for cash is pretty darn close. PaySafeCard is now the leading global prepaid voucher – with more than 100 countries covered, and 46 languages.
This page covers the best poker sites welcoming PaySafeCard. What you will find is that the best site depends on your location. If you are in the US, then this is not the right deposit method for you. I’ll direct you to this article, which is an in-depth piece covering the different deposit methods used at US poker sites.
After the best sites table, you will find a practical step by step guide to depositing at online poker sites using PaySafeCard. This takes you right from finding out where to buy a card from through to the point you are ready to withdraw your profits.
Best PaySafeCard Poker Rooms
The table below shows the best places to enjoy real money poker with your PaySafeCard. No two poker sites are exactly alike, and I have written a snippet to give you a flavor of what to expect at each one.
Practical Overview: How PaySafeCard Works
The unit you will use to deposit with is called a ‘PIN’. This is a small card, which comes in a sealed plastic envelope. Each PIN contains a 16-digit number, which is in the 4-4-4-4 format found on credit cards. You can buy them in predefined units. The units depend on your currency, though are on the smaller site. For example, £10, £25 and £50 in the UK.
Finding a Retailer: Most larger convenience type stores stock these cards, and many local newsagents too. On the website, there is a search box, you type in your location or postcode here. When you search, the map above will show you the closest locations. For the UK and Ireland, some will be marked in yellow with a distinctive PP logo. These are the PayPoint terminals.
You Have Your PaySafeCard – Now How to Deposit?
You’ll need a player account at your chosen PaySafeCard poker site before you can go any further. This part of the process is very easy. You can choose whether to download the poker client, play in your browser or play via a mobile phone app.
Head to the cashier, where you will see the PaySafeCard logo among several other options. When you click this, you’ll see a simple form, asking for the 16-digit pin number from your card, and the amount you wish to deposit (this should be the entire unit price).
When you submit, the voucher will be checked and the money will be credited instantly to your player account. You are now ready to go and crush the fish at the tables!
Redeeming Multiple PaySafeCard PINS
If you want to deposit a larger amount, the usual solution is to buy several of the highest denomination cards. There are two solutions for players looking to make bigger deposits. You can repeat the instructions above for each card until you run out. The poker room will not object, though this could be a time-consuming process.
Alternatively, you can combine up to 10 cards by using an app or online account. You will need to register, which does take away some of the anonymity, though the practical uses make up for this. By combining PINS, you can end up with one very valuable one!
I have an easy top pick as the best PaySafeCard poker site – 888 Poker. This is the fishiest major poker site, the most innovative and comes with some generous incentives including tokens to check out the real money games before you deposit (these will depend on your country). Check out www.888poker.com and see the deal for your location.
Online-Only Deposit Alternatives
While the anonymity of PaySafeCard is a big plus, I can understand that a lot of people do not want to go out and find a retailer to buy-one. If you are in this camp, then here are the most popular alternative payment options which do not involve leaving your seat!
Credit / Debit Cards: Easily the quickest and simplest poker deposit option. Some people are reluctant to give their bank card information to gambling sites – though this remains one of the most popular options.
Electronic Wallets: Services like PayPal, Skrill and Neteller base their business on people enjoying a secure 3rd party account between their bank and the poker sites. Some of these accounts have a debit card attached, and they can be used for withdrawals too.
Bitcoin: This is more popular at the offshore US sites than the regulated UK / European giants. If you are located in the USA, then Bitcoin (and sister currency Litecoin) have the big advantage of being beyond the reach of the US authorities. You can get around any volatility by only using BTC to transact, and not holding on to any for long.
Can I Use PaySafeCard for Withdrawals?
Nope. This is a one-way voucher system. There are plenty of alternative ways to get your money out. A paper check (cheque) is the last resort, though electronic wallets and local bank transfers will usually be quicker.
When you do withdraw, all legitimate poker sites will ask you for proof of Id. Two things here… First you need to make sure you use accurate info when you sign-up (otherwise you could have some explaining to do!). Second, keep in mind that this protects you – as well as the poker rooms.
Are PaySafeCard Poker Payments Secure?
The whole point of a prepaid voucher is to take any security risks out of the poker deposit process. If you lose your card, it can’t be reclaimed – think of the vouchers like you would cash.
PaySafeCard is owned by a big corporation, which also owns the well-known electronic wallet brands Skrill and Neteller. This should give you extra peace of mind that you are not dealing with some fly by night or unregulated outfit.
Your final check when it comes to safety / security should be the poker room you are depositing at. I stick to the biggest, best and fully regulated brands in my table here. If you want to step outside of the safety of these giants (and there are some good alternatives among the smaller rooms), then you need to make sure that a site checks out first. The minimum I recommend that you look for is a license from a well-known gambling licensing regime, recent testing certificate for their deal – and preferably a complete lack of any scandals / issues surrounding payments.
Final Steps: Grab a PaySafeCard and Head to 888 Poker
I’m a big fan of 888 Poker. Their games are soft, their software works on Android, iOS, Windows and Mac (and in your browser too) and their promos are entertaining as well as profitable. This is my easy top rec for a PaySafeCard compatible poker site – though there are plenty of other deposit options available too. These include PayPal (for selected countries), Skrill, Neteller, bank cards of many different flavors and plenty of localized options too.
If you have yet to discover the easy games at 888 Poker for yourself, head on over now and check them out – the address is www.888poker.com
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