MasterCard is a payment provider that needs no introduction, being one of the world’s favourite ways to pay. It also happens to be a favourite among Canadian players, thanks to its widespread availability and strong security features. In our guide, I’ll be walking you through all of the pros and cons that come with using MasterCard at Canadian online casinos, helping you get a better understanding of what this provider brings to the table.
Once you’re done, you can pick a site from our top recommendations and enjoy all your favourite games at a MasterCard casino.
Top Casinos That Accept MasterCard in 2024
What Is MasterCard and Why is Popular Among Canadian Casino Players
MasterCard is one of the world’s most popular multinational payment card services, facilitating transactions between banks and sellers with credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards. Founded in New York in 1966, the company has grown to become one of the most recognized names in the global finance industry, handling billions in transactions around the globe. It is also one of the most preferred payment methods among Canadian casino players.
Safety and security are the prime reasons for this popularity. MasterCard uses E2EE or end-to-end encryption to safeguard your payment data throughout the entirety of the payment process. When I make a transaction using MasterCard, my card information is encrypted as soon as the sale is completed, and it remains in this encrypted format across payment gateways and processors until it finally reaches its destination. This ensures that no cybercriminals can manipulate or intercept the transaction during the transfer process.
Beyond end-to-end encryption, MasterCard also uses tokenization, which switches sensitive data characters with unique tokens that would be useless to hackers, in the unlikely event that the transaction would be intercepted. With encryption, tokenization and additional security methods like real-time fraud detection, MasterCard offers one of the most robustly secure online payment methods.
Transaction speed is another reason to pick MasterCard. You get instant deposits, so you can start playing as soon as you complete the transaction process. Withdrawals, on the other hand, are not as efficient. They’re not as cumbersome as bank transfers, which can take up to seven business days to process, but they can take up to five business days, which is far longer than the fast withdrawals you get with cryptocurrency solutions and e-wallets.
But perhaps the biggest reason for MasterCard being so widely popular with Canadian casino players is the payment provider’s widespread availability. Millions of people in the country have a MasterCard debit or credit card that they use daily, and the overwhelming majority of online casinos offer it as a payment option. So, players tend to gravitate towards MasterCard because it’s a name that they know incredibly well and can easily trust.
How to Use MasterCard for Deposits and Withdrawals at Online Casinos
Payment methods like MasterCard are crucial for playing at online casinos since they’re needed to fund your account and withdraw potential winnings. One of the biggest advantages that MasterCard brings to the table is that it can be used to make both deposits and withdrawals, so you can use the same payment method to handle all your transactions.
How to Deposit Using MasterCard
Depositing with MasterCard is a very straightforward process and while the exact steps might vary from one casino to another, I’ll walk you through the common elements that you’ll need to go through at every online casino. Remember that to use MasterCard at an online casino, you must of course have a MasterCard debit, credit or prepaid card.
- Visit Your Preferred Online Casino – Start by navigating to one of the casinos that accept MasterCard. Casinos generally display their supported payment methods at the bottom of the site or on a dedicated payment methods page. Alternatively, you can check out our casino reviews, which specify the respective site’s supported payment providers.
- Access the Deposit Function – The deposit page will be placed in different areas around the main menu or screen, depending on the online casino you’re using. In my experience, it’s generally found in the main menu, or else under the account or cashier tabs.
- Select MasterCard as Your Payment Method – Deposit pages tend to ask for your choice of payment provider first and in this case, you’ll want to pick MasterCard. You can then enter the card’s details in the provided text boxes. This includes your full name, as well as the card’s number, expiry date and security code (the three-digit number at the back of the card).
- Complete Your Deposit – Next, you’ll be asked to input the amount that you wish to deposit in Canadian Dollars (make sure it’s over the minimum requirement at the casino and that it goes above the requirements for any available bonus deals). I always double-check all of the data I’ve input to make sure everything is in order, before finalizing the transaction.
You’ve now made your MasterCard deposit casino and can start playing all your favourite games.
How to Withdraw Using MasterCard
Withdrawing your winnings is as easy as making a deposit. Once again, the process may vary slightly between casinos with MasterCard, but you can follow the steps I’ve put down below to transfer your funds into your MasterCard.
- Access the Withdrawal Function – The withdrawal function is generally found in the same place as the deposit link. So, this can be in the account section or under the cashier tab.
- Select MasterCard as Your Payment Method – The withdrawal function asks for your preferred payment method, so be sure to pick MasterCard. You’ll need to input your card’s details once again, although, with some online casinos, you can save your card’s details on the site, so you don’t have to input them again every time you need to make a transaction.
- Input Your Withdrawal Amount – You’ll need to enter the amount you wish to withdraw back into your MasterCard. Be aware of any minimum and maximum withdrawal restrictions at your online casino, as your withdrawal will need to fall in line with these limitations. I also recommend making sure that you’ve cleared all wagering requirements related to your funds, as you won’t be able to withdraw any winnings that are still tied to a particular bonus.
- Finalise the Withdrawal – Once you’ve entered all the relevant details, I suggest double-checking it before finalizing the withdrawal. Your money will take up to five business days to reach your MasterCard, so don’t expect it to show up instantly.
Do Casinos Offer Exclusive Casino Bonuses for MasterCard Users
At the time of writing, I have not come across any promotional offers that offer exclusive deals to MasterCard users. That’s not to say that you can’t use MasterCard on regular bonus offers. Pretty much all the deals at online casinos that support the popular payment provider let you use it to claim the bonus.
How Does MasterCard Compare to Other Payment Methods?
Of course, there are several other payment methods you can opt for apart from MasterCard, but I’d say that the popular card provider is one of the best options out there. Other credit/debit card options have similar advantages and setbacks, but the biggest difference comes when comparing MasterCard to e-wallets, bank transfers and cryptocurrency solutions. You can find a detailed breakdown of this contrast in the table below.
Payment Method | Transaction Fees | Processing Time | Security | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|
MasterCard | None | 1-5 business days | Medium to High | Very High |
VISA | None | 1-5 business days | Medium to High | Very High |
Bitcoin | None | 0-24 hours | Very High | Medium |
Interac | $1-$5 for each withdrawal | 1-3 business days | High | High |
MuchBetter | None | 0-24 hours | High | Medium to High |
Paysafe Card | None | N/A for withdrawals | Medium | High |
How We Ranked the Best MasterCard Casinos
Here at GamblingInformation, we’ve played through our fair share of online casinos and have come up with a fantastic formula to decide on the best sites that offer MasterCard as a payment option. When we put this list of recommendations together, we considered the following key elements.
First of all, we make sure that the casinos we suggest have top-notch safety and security. That’s why the online casinos we’ve picked sites that are licensed by trusted regulators such as the MGA, UKGC, AGCA and KGC. This guarantees safety and fairness across the board.
Of course, no online casino experience would be fun without a strong variety of gaming options. We choose online casinos that mix quantity with quality, offering a selection of different bonus features, enticing payouts and cutting-edge graphics. They’re also provided by the best in the business, with developers such as Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming and NetEnt.
Our top picks also offer robust customer support, making sure your needs are dealt with swiftly and professionally around the clock. Our best MasterCard casinos give you 24/7 live chat support, with short response times and proven, efficient support from helpful representatives.
We also understand how important it is to be able to play comfortably across a variety of devices, which is why we make sure our choices have great mobile casinos too. These sites have optimized versions that can run across several popular mobile browsers across both Android and iOS systems.
So, you can rest easy knowing that all of the online casinos we’ve included in our list of recommendations have successfully met this criteria.
Pros and Cons of Using MasterCard at Online Casinos
MasterCard is an immensely convenient payment method, with wide availability and strong security features. But it also has its setbacks, particularly concerning the longer withdrawal processing times. You can take a closer look at the payment method’s pros and cons below.
Pros
- MasterCard is widely available at the overwhelming majority of Canadian online casinos.
- MasterCard has strong encryption technology to guarantee your safety and security.
- There are no MasterCard fees for deposits and withdrawals at online casinos.
Cons
- Long processing periods when compared to other payment methods.
Do I Suggest Using MasterCard at Online Casinos?
Overall, MasterCard is a great payment method to use at online casinos. Sure, it gives you a robust level of security, but its biggest advantage is the payment method’s widespread availability.
I tend to prefer going for e-wallets and cryptocurrency solutions, but these tend to be far less available than debit/credit card solutions like MasterCard. So, in my experience, I’ve found that MasterCard can be just the sort of reliable payment solution I can count on if none of my top choices are present.
The biggest downside here is the long processing period, which can feel like an eternity when compared to the relatively lightning-fast speeds you get with cryptocurrencies and e-wallets. But when balancing the pros against the cons, I still feel like MasterCard is a strong payment provider that I can easily recommend when playing at Canadian online casinos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use MasterCard Credit Cards at Online Casinos?
Yes, you can use your MasterCard credit card to make deposits and withdrawals at Canadian online casinos.
Should I Directly Input My MasterCard Details at an Online Casino?
It’s safe to directly input your MasterCard details at trusted online casinos. Be sure to use one of our recommended sites, all of which come with robust security features. Alternatively, you can use your MasterCard through an e-wallet like PayPal, Google Pay or Apple Pay.
How Fast Are MasterCard Deposits and Withdrawals?
Deposits with MasterCard are instant but withdrawals can take up to five working days to process.
Are There Any Fees Associated with MasterCard Transactions at Online Casinos?
MasterCard doesn’t impose any fees on online casino transactions, but specific online casinos might add fees for deposits and withdrawals. Read through the site’s terms and conditions to find out.