Funding Online Sportsbooks in the USA
The best sportsbooks for US players make it easy to get into the action and gives you many different options to fund your account. It’s always free to sign up with an internet bookmaker, but winning real money online means you have to risk your hard-earned dollars first. Fortunately, there are many convenient methods, specifically for American residents, and getting some funds deposited into an online account will be quick and easy. On this page, you’ll find a listing of the most common options available to new and returning members, and each one has its own pros and cons.
There’s a level of safety that comes along with processing your funds electronically. In addition to confirmation numbers and the extra levels of verification, it’s nice to know that online sportsbooks process all credentials using secured networks and modern encryption. Cyber criminals are constantly on the lookout for vulnerable networks and while big US companies are getting their customer information stolen, sports betting sites have never lost a scrap of their member identification or account info. The best sportsbooks have never lost a US dollar, and I don’t expect they will any time soon. There’s no way that a site with millions of members and millions of dollars in action have any problems with security or else that member number would dwindle quickly. You can trust the biggest internet companies to make your deposits convenient and safe.
Yes, members have many legal options for getting their money into the sportsbooks. It’s understandable to be concerned when putting your money into the hands of internet based companies, but you can rest assured that these sites are not closing up shop tomorrow. You can make a deposit or request a sportsbook payout, any time. International betting sites have been in business for over twenty years, and while domestic sportsbooks in the US are getting shut down regularly, the American government has no authorization to stop the business of overseas betting sites.
All of the best online sportsbooks give players at least a few options for making deposits. The two most popular methods tend to be credit/debit cards and cash wire transfers via Western Union and MoneyGram. Every site worth its salt will carry these two options, but most offer much more. Below you will learn about the myriad of ways you will be able to add funds to your account depending on the site you use.
Credit Cards
Plastic currency is the wave of the future and hardly no one pays with a check or with real cash nowadays. It’s possible to use either of these methods online, but credit transfers are the fastest for depositing funds. You can expect funding your account at an online sportsbook with any credit method to make your money available instantly. All major vendors, like MasterCard card or Visa, are accepted. Additionally, it’s usual to see fees for credit deposit methods around 4-7%. These fees are very low compared to the sportsbooks that we don’t review. Credit cards are the culmination of fast and cheap.
Debit Cards
Not too much difference here from credit cards. Using debit does tend to be a little faster than credit, but both methods should take a few minutes at the longest. The small fees will be the exact same as using credit, and if a site accepts a brand (MasterCard, Visa, etc.…), you will be able to choose debit or credit. Cards are great for this internet age, never leave home without one.
Prepaid Cards
Another popular method is using a prepaid card, such as an AmEx prepaid or an ATM card. One advantage these have over credit/debit is the usual lack of any fees. Most sites will not charge, and all you will need to do is give them the number off the back of the card. The funds will usually transfer over within a day, but most of the time it only takes a few minutes. If you don’t want to use your own bank account, a prepaid card is an excellent alternative.
Bitcoin
Have you heard of an e-wallet or the new electronic currencies like Bitcoin? Internationally acclaimed sportsbooks have, and they’re accepting your bitcoins. Right now, millions of people exchange this currency on international wagering sites and these strings of electronic signals called "Bitcoins" are worth real money. This currency is stored on the cloud or on a hard drive and the codes can be transferred to internet betting sites for incredibly low fees. It takes less than one day to process any digital wallet transaction.
Cash Wire Transfers
If you aren’t the most computer savvy individual, or just don’t like giving your credentials to some machine, give the bookie a call. All of them have toll free numbers set up to take your bet and representatives are standing by to help you out with making deposits. You’ll be able to call in a rapid transfer by getting a redeemable code from MoneyGram or Western Union and sending it over to your sportsbook. These codes have real world value and after the codes are validated, you’ll receive the funds in your account. There are usually low fees, but often times the book will comp the fees for larger deposits.
Bank Wire Transfers
If you’re planning on depositing hundreds or even thousands into your sportsbook account, I recommend that you give bank wire transfers some consideration. These take a little bit of time to set up and you’ll need to call the bookie and speak with a customer service rep to finalize the transactions. However, the savings on large transactions are well worth it if you’re planning on making large deposits and these transfers are usually processed within a couple of days.
Mail In Your Deposit
It might be time to join the rest of us in the 21st century if you’re still mailing a check. However, the best online sportsbooks for US players will always accept deposits, even if you’re a cavemen. You can obtain a money order or a cashier’s check from any local retailer for a small fee and most betting sites will process any mailed deposit for absolutely no cost. You’ve already paid enough with getting the money order and/or paying for the postage. You can expect to see your funds as soon as the mail runs, but give it at least 7 days.
US Sportsbook Deposit Bonuses
Any member can receive bonuses from online US sportsbooks, and many of them have different types of rewards available for new or returning members. New members are able to pick up 50% matches on their initial deposits. When you make a deposit of $100 and satisfy your rollover, you get $50 deposited in your account instantly. Some websites will instantly grant the bonuses and put some restriction on withdrawals so check out the different options when you pick a perk. Bonuses are like free money to pick your favorites and play out the rest of the week. Plus, the bonuses don’t stop at your first deposit. Returning members can get different types, like match bonuses or free plays, and they are all depending on the size of your deposit.
If you’re curious and want to learn more about the best US sportsbook bonuses, you should check out our bonuses page to see the different kinds. Also, all the best US sportsbooks will post the rules for specific bonuses on their websites.
No one likes joining a sportsbook only to realize that it’s going to take days or weeks to get their account funded. You may think that this is a wild idea in this day and age, but believe me, some of these sites are very slow. Which is why the majority of people stick to the tried and true sportsbooks that have millions of members, and great deposit methods. Pick any of these sites and you will find variety, speed, safety, and contentment. Additionally, you will never have to worry about being late to put money on a game again.
Choosing a legal online sportsbook can be tough. I mean, it’s quite a commitment if you’re serious about it, and you want to be sure that the one you pick will be around for a while. BetOnline has been making sports fans money for over ten years, so you don’t need to worry about them going out of business or closing their doors any time soon. You can sign up today as long as you are over 18, and the process takes a few seconds. After that, you will have complete access to the sportsbook, and you can explore all of it before deciding to make a deposit.
Making a deposit at BetOnline is similar to being a kid in a candy store. This site offers more deposit options than most sportsbooks we have seen, and each one is safe and secure. The quickest and most favored method is to simply use a credit/debit card. The site accepts Visa, MasterCard, America Express, Discover, JCB, and Diners Club. All you need to do is enter your card information and the amount you would like to deposit, and within seconds, your account should be credited. You can even choose to have the site store your information for faster future deposits if you would like.
Since the beginning of time, twas written in the stones that one day a sportsbook would come. Well now that sportsbook is here, and it’s going to change the lives of thousands of U.S. players. Bovada sets the benchmark for professional, Vegas-style online oddsmaking, and fast deposit options. The best part is, you don’t even need to leave the house. Furthermore, if you do happen to be away from your computer when the game is about to start, Bovada has a convenient mobile feature that will allow you to make a deposit from the palm of your hand.
Signing up is free, and as simple as typing in some rudimentary contact information and creating a password. You don’t have to pay a red cent, and the site will even reward you for creating an account and making your first deposit. This $250 welcome bonus is a hell of a deal, and will add some extra weight to your bankroll so you can get a good handle on how the Bovada Sportsbook works. Just make sure you are planning on wagering somewhat frequently, as there is a 5x rollover requirement for the bonus which stalls the extra cash until you have wagered five times the deposit amount. This shouldn’t be hard for most sports fans to accomplish.