The toughest thing about signing up at a South African online casino (see FhatsCasino) is banking. Understanding various banking options and choosing a method that best suits one’s convenience and requirements are not that easy, especially for a beginner. Most beginners hesitate to load their accounts with real money because they are worried about safety and security. They do not want to share their bank account or credit/debit card details with an online casino they just registered at because they don't feel comfortable about it.
However, making an online casino deposit is similar to purchasing any product or service online. If you have previously used your credit/debit card to make an online purchase, you shouldn't be worrying about making an online casino deposit.
Are Online Casinos Safe?
The best South African online casinos operate under licenses granted in reputed gambling jurisdictions. Their regulators require them to maintain the best industry standards when it comes to safety and security. To get a license, top-rated South African online casinos have to prove that their assets are greater than their debts and that they have more money than they owe to their players in winnings.
Licensed South African online casinos are required by the law to keep their gambling customers informed about how exactly they handle player deposits and how they intend to protect player funds in case the online casino has to pull down its shutters. Online casinos have to maintain player funds separately from operational costs so that they can refund players even if they run into loss.
To protect player's sensitive financial information and details of financial transactions, top-rated South African online casinos use the latest SSL encryption technologies along with the latest firewalls and anti-fraud measures. Online casinos are, therefore, as safe as banks and you needn’t worry about losing your financial details and money to Internet cheats.
Popular Online Casino Deposit Methods in South Africa
The following is a list of some of the most popular casino deposit methods in South Africa:
Debit Cards: The most popular debit cards in South Africa are Maestro and Visa Electron. Holders of debit cards will be making payments directly from their bank accounts. So they should maintain sufficient balance in their bank account to be able to use the debit card.
Credit Cards: The most popular credit cards in South Africa are Visa and MasterCard. Using credit cards to make payments for products and services purchased online or at physical stores is easy, convenient, and fast. Most South African players have used credit cards and feel comfortable using them at online casinos.
Skrill: Skrill is an online payment processing company that allows customers to make payments quickly, anonymously, and conveniently. You can use Skrill to make payments anonymously at online casinos. It is the ideal payment option for you if you feel uncomfortable about revealing your credit card details to the online casino.
Neteller: Neteller is a highly reputed and well-known casino payment method. It functions just like Skrill and allows players to make online casino payments quickly and anonymously. Neteller can be trusted because it is regulated by the British Financial Services Authority.
Entropay: This is a Visa virtual credit card, which is used just like a credit card at any online casino that offers Visa. Consumers who register for Entropay cards will receive a 16-digit number along with a CVV number. If you are familiar with making credit card purchases, you will find it very easy to use Entropay at South African online casinos.
EcoPayz: Operated by PSI-Pay, a company based in the UK and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), EcoPayz is an electronic wallet service that enjoys a lot of popularity in South Africa. This service allows you to make online casino deposits anonymously.
SID Instant EFT: SID was developed exclusively for South African consumers who do not hold credit cards. You can use SID to move funds from your bank account to your online casino gaming account through your online banking page. You don't need any credit card to do this. SID serves as a mediator between you and your bank. SID enjoys the support of major South African banks such as Nedbank, First National Bank (FNB), ABSA, and Standard Bank. The online casino need never know about your personal banking details.
Easy EFT: This banking method was also developed exclusively for South African players who want to make online casino deposits in Rands. Like SID, it serves as a link between the casino cashier and your bank, enabling you to move funds directly from your bank account to your online casino account. You can use this method to instantly and anonymously move funds into your gaming account.
How to Make a Deposit at a South African Online Casino
Here is a simple guide for those who have never made a deposit at a South African online casino:
Step #1: Register at a South African online casino, verify your email address, and log in with your username and password.
Step #2: Visit the cashier of your online casino and select your preferred payment method from the list of payment methods displayed.
Step #3: If you have selected credit cards, debit cards, or prepaid cards, you will have to enter your card details along with the amount you would like to deposit.
Step #4: If you have selected an electronic wallet service, you will have to input the amount you would like to deposit. The casino cashier will then direct you to your account at the electronic wallet service, where you can initiate payment.
Step #5: If you want to make a deposit using Bitcoin, you just have to enter the wallet address of your online casino and move the bitcoins from your wallet to the online casino wallet.
The time taken for the funds to reach your account depends entirely on the preferred deposit method. It is usually instant for credit/debit cards, electronic wallets, and Bitcoin. It may take a few days for bank transfer, wire transfer, eChecks, and paper checks.
Dealing with Common Deposit Problems
You may have to deal with the following common problems you might face while trying to deposit funds into your online casino account.
Declined Transactions: Your transaction could get declined because there are no funds in your account or because you have entered your card details wrongly. To avoid transactions getting declined, you must maintain sufficient balance in your account and enter your card details correctly.
Your bank may refuse to process the transaction because you are trying to deposit a huge amount of money. Some banks do not permit their customers to make large deposits into online gambling sites. You could try talking to your credit card company or bank and having this restriction lifted so that you can deposit as much as you wish into your gaming account.
Deposit Limits: If you are a high roller, you will feel frustrated when your online casino just won’t allow you to deposit as much as you please. This is because most reputed South African online casinos set deposit limits and won't allow you to deposit more than a specific amount at a time. If you don’t like deposit limits, you can just sign up at an online casino that does not set any limits to the amount you can deposit.
Deposit Amount Doesn’t Reflect in Account: You just don’t see the funds in your account. Usually, credit/debit card and eWallet deposits are instant. You don’t have to wait for the money to reach your account. If you have opted for methods such as wire transfer or checks, you may have to wait several days for the funds to reach your account.
The best way to deal with deposit problems is to contact the online casino’s customer support. All licensed and well-regulated South African online casinos have 24/7 customer support, which includes email, toll-free telephone, and live chat. Courteous customer care representatives are always willing to assist you with problems related to online casino deposits.
