These days, people who open accounts at online gambling sites have access to a variety of responsible gambling tools. In many cases, players are prompted to set limits as soon as they have registered.

Doing this allows them to maintain a degree of control over their finances and behavior. However, setting limits is just one way to protect players from the pitfalls of problem gambling. Choosing the right payment method also plays a pivotal role.

Online gambling enthusiasts have a wide range of payment options to choose from. These include credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, eWallets, and even cryptocurrency. Then there are the many bank transfer casinos that allow customers to link their betting accounts directly to their bank accounts. While each method comes with unique pros and cons, the one thing they have in common is convenience.

So, how does choosing a particular payment platform have an impact on responsible gambling? Let’s take a look at four of the most commonly used payment methods and find out.

Credit Cards

Credit cards are among the most widely used payment options at online gambling sites. This is largely because so many people already have at least one. However, credit cards enable users to spend money that they do not currently have. This goes against one of the most crucial concepts of responsible gambling which is to never gamble with money you don’t have.

According to a recent study conducted in the United States, 59.1% of problem gamblers who had gone bankrupt carried significant credit card debt because of gambling. This is so alarming that many regulators and government entities around the world have either banned or are considering banning credit cards for gambling. The United Kingdom, which was the largest online gambling market in 2021, banned credit cards use at online casinos in 2020.

Debit Cards

Debit cards are very similar to credit cards in that most people already have one and most online gambling sites accept them. The biggest difference between the two is that debit cards don’t allow users to spend more than they have in their bank accounts. As such, it is nearly impossible for debit card users to accrue debt. Of course, debit card users can still overspend. They can easily access and gamble away banked funds that have been set aside for other necessities like food, rent, college tuition, and so on.

eWallets

Skrill, PayPal, and other electronic wallets enable responsible gamblers to set strict spending limits. They can load their eWallet with a predetermined amount and then dedicate that money to gambling. Because their eWallet has a finite amount of money in it, it makes it difficult to overspend. The thing is that this involves self-discipline because users can simply reload their eWallet whenever they want to.

Prepaid Cards and Vouchers

Prepaid cards and vouchers can be purchased both online and at retail outlets like gift shops, gas stations, and grocery stores. These payment options are ideal for responsible gamblers who want to use disposable cash on hand. You can buy vouchers and gift cards in various denominations which makes it easy to establish and adhere to a budget.

Like eWallets, those who use these options still have to demonstrate a bit of restraint because there is nothing stopping them from purchasing more vouchers. With that said, going out to buy more vouchers at your corner gas station at least provides you with a bit of a cooling-off period during which time you can reconsider your decision. The biggest drawback to using vouchers is that very few of them facilitate withdrawals.

The Responsibility is Ultimately Yours

Almost all online gambling operators are required to provide players with responsible gambling tools. They are also supposed to monitor their customers’ online gambling activities and flag those who appear to be showing signs of problem gambling. However, players are not required to set limits and few operators do enough in terms of actively looking for and remedying irresponsible gambling behavior.

It is ultimately up to you to decide whether you want to take advantage of the available responsible gambling resources at online gambling sites. If you are serious about gambling responsibly, then choosing the most appropriate payment option will help you achieve your goal of maintaining that healthy approach.