As the seemingly endless evolution of online casino payment methods continues, consumers’ choices continue to grow. Two of the most common ways to deposit and withdraw from accounts are e-Wallets and Trustly.
The problem with too much choice, however, is that making a decision becomes difficult.
Trustly is relatively new in the fintech space. e-Wallets, on the other hand, have been around for the entire 21st century. Both offer convenience, security, and much more to online casino players.
But what are their main differences, and which pros and cons are worth considering for both? This article will cover all of these.
What is an e-Wallet?
Also known as a digital wallet, an e-Wallet is a payment solution that allows users to hold their money in an account separate from their bank.
Examples of popular e-Wallets in online casino gaming include:
- PayPal;
- Neteller;
- Skrill.
Besides holding your money in an account, digital wallets also enable you to pay at other merchant websites.
What is Trustly?
Trustly is a fintech company serving iGaming, travel and eCommerce – plus many other industries. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Trustly was founded in 2008 and also has an office in London.
When it comes to online casino gaming, Trustly’s best-known solution is Pay N Play. Pay N Play has been around since 2015 and allows players to deposit and withdraw money instantly.
With the gaming-focused Trustly solution, all users need to do for withdrawals is enter their bank details, log in, and verify their identity. Withdrawals are even more straightforward; the technology simply transfers players’ money back to their linked bank.
Can I Use e-Wallets and Trustly at Online Casinos?
Numerous regulated online casinos in the UK accept e-Wallets and Trustly.
To check on a case-by-case basis, you’ll need to do some research. Some websites only accept certain kinds of e-Wallets – for example, you may discover that a casino accepting Neteller does not facilitate PayPal.
The Pros of Using an e-Wallet
Using a digital wallet for online casino is a handy alternative to credit cards, which are banned in the UK. This payment method is also more convenient than traditional banking services.
Below are the main benefits of using an e-Wallet to fund and withdraw from your online casino account.
Widely Accepted
When betting with a licensed British online casino, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that doesn’t accept some form of digital wallet.
Skrill and Neteller were both designed with gambling in mind. Numerous websites allow customers to pay with either of these; neither is overly dissimilar from the other, so pick whichever you prefer.
Besides Skrill and Neteller, many online casinos also welcome PayPal customers. All three of these options can be used for both deposits and withdrawals, but it’s worth noting that e-wallets are commonly excluded from welcome bonus eligibility. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of the bonus to make sure you don’t miss out!
Additional Schemes and Rewards
Many digital wallet solutions offer their own non-gambling-specific loyalty programmes. Skrill and Neteller both offer Knect, the reason being that they’re run by the same company, and this lets customers earn points for making transactions, depositing into their wallet, and more. You can then redeem these points for real-money rewards later down the line.
Some digital wallets also have showcase pages. On these, customers can find a range of bonuses for various casino websites. They can then enjoy these after signing up and depositing.
Convenience
One of the primary reasons online casino players deposit and withdraw using digital wallets is their convenience. Payments are instant and possible in multiple currencies.
In some cases, like with PayPal, users don’t even need to deposit money into their accounts manually. Instead, they can link their bank account, and the transaction will automatically take place when they pick this option on the confirmation page.
Digital wallets also make moving money around online easy. Users can choose to either withdraw funds to their bank account or keep them there to shop elsewhere.
The Cons of Using an e-Wallet
Despite the positives associated with using a digital wallet, you also need to keep in mind the cons of this payment method. The main ones are below.
Associated Fees
When you use an e-Wallet, depositing into your betting account is generally free. However, some providers will charge fees for using their services.
From 26th June 2021, for example, Neteller money transfer fees will come with a 2.99% surcharge. You will also need to pay additional fees when withdrawing from your Neteller account, which varies depending on where the money is going.
When using Skrill, you’ll need to pay 1% on top of all deposits. Fees for withdrawing and other forms of transfers also apply.
Withdrawal Times
When withdrawing from some digital wallets to your bank account, you’ll need to exercise a little patience. For example, Skrill’s team can take up to three days to review withdrawal requests – and the money may take 24 hours after that to show up in your account.
With Neteller, you may have to wait up to five business days for the money to appear in your bank after withdrawing from your wallet.
The Pros of Using Trustly
As with e-Wallets, players enjoy a wide range of benefits when paying with Trustly for online casinos – particularly when it comes to Pay N Play. We’ve listed the main ones to consider below.
Instant Deposits and Withdrawals
When using Pay N Play, you won’t need to wait for the money to appear in your online casino account. Once you’ve verified your details and the amount you want to deposit, you’re all set and ready to start playing your favourite games.
When you’re ready to withdraw your winnings, the process is equally straightforward. Enter the amount you want to take out of your account, and the transfer will take place without delay.
Security
If you’ve got this far, you’re probably wondering: “Is Trustly safe?”.
The short answer is yes – Trustly is one of the safest alternative payment methods on the market.
Beyond being regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (SFA), the solution also uses high levels of encryption to keep your transactions secure. The company doesn’t store any of your details either: once the transaction is complete, your details are wiped from their servers.
No Fees
Perhaps the most significant advantage of using Trustly is that doing so is free. When using Pay N Play, you won’t pay any fees for depositing or withdrawing.
Keep in mind, though, that individual casinos might charge you for using the service. As such, it’s a good idea to check the online casino’s terms and conditions before making a deposit.
The Cons of Using Trustly
Despite Trustly building Pay N Play specifically for gaming, you’ll need to remember one disadvantage that might sway your decision.
Not All Banks Supported
Pay N Play supports a variety of UK banks, but not all of them. If you mainly use a service not currently integrated, you won’t be able to use Trustly either.
Should you find that you’re unable to use Pay N Play, checking out one of the digital wallets listed above is a good idea.
e-Wallets vs. Trustly: Who’s Your Money On?
Both Trustly and digital wallets are secure payment methods that offer convenience for online casino players in the UK. The pair of them have similar advantages, such as their wide acceptance.
At the same time, you also need to look at the drawbacks. While Pay N Play is free, digital wallets are a better option if you can’t use Trustly with your bank.
Once you’ve weighed the positives and negatives, pick whichever works best for you.