Prepaid cards are the second fastest-growing payment method in Canada, and CPPO research projects the market will hit $17.2 billion this year.
Online casinos are riding that wave too, with tons of options on the table. After personally using prepaid cards to deposit at Canadian online casinos, I can tell you they’re easy to use and naturally come with built-in security and spending control.
The trade-off is that most prepaid cards don’t do withdrawals, except for some reloadable ones—and even then, only if the casino allows it. That means you’ll often need another way to cash out.
Here is what you need to know about using prepaid cards at Canada online casinos.
Using Prepaid Cards at Online Casinos
Prepaid cards at online casinos fall into two main types. First, you’ve got the likes of Paysafecard, Neosurf, Play+, Flexepin, and ecoVoucher, which are voucher-based options you buy online or in stores, each with a fixed value. Deposits happen instantly, and you only need to enter a code. I like them because, for one, there’s zero link to a bank account. Plus, they double as a deposit cap. If you buy a $100 voucher, that’s exactly what you can play with. Anything more means going through the process all over again.
There are also debit-style prepaid cards that work like regular bank cards but with much lower limits. The most common ones are Vanilla Prepaid Visa, Mastercard Prepaid, and AstroPay (though this one can also be used as a voucher). Some come preloaded with a set amount and can’t be topped up once they run out, while others let you reload and keep using them. The latter have the best chance of allowing withdrawals as well as deposits, though it’s not something I see all that often at Canadian online casinos.
Fees depend on the provider. Flexepin and Neosurf usually don’t charge anything, but it’s not the first time that I saw third-party sellers add a service cost. Paysafecard then takes a $2.50 monthly maintenance fee if the balance sits unused for 19 months.
Debit-style options like Vanilla often have activation fees—I paid $7.50 at purchase on a $250 Visa card. Some also apply monthly deductions or foreign transaction costs if the casino uses a different currency.
Prepaid Card Casinos at a Glance
You’ll find plenty of online casinos in Canada that take prepaid cards. The following are the best ones I’ve come across:
| Casino | Prepaid Cards Accepted | Min Deposit | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | BetMGM gift card | $10 | No |
| Spin Genie | Paysafecard | $10 | No |
| Jackpot City | Paysafecard, Neosurf | $10 | No |
| BetRivers Casino | BetRivers Play+ card | $10 | No |
The casino payment options and terms can be different depending on the province. It’s best to always go through the fine print, and if anything’s unclear, reach out to the customer support team.
I used a prepaid card to fund my BetRivers account in Canada, and below I’ll walk you through the details.
How to Create a Prepaid Card Account
Most prepaid cards let you deposit into a casino account without setting up a separate account. But if you’d rather have more flexible limits and a way to manage your balance, Paysafecard and AstroPay give you that option.
Here’s how the process went for me with Play+.
I went to the Play+ website and found the sign-up option.
At this point, I was asked to enter details like your email, password, name, date of birth, and home address.
Check your inbox for a verification email or SMS code. I chose the SMS code option.
If higher limits or withdrawals are available, you may need to upload a government-issued ID, take a selfie, or submit proof of address. It was not necessary in my case.
Once finished, I took a look at the extra security features available and turned them on. Common ones include two-factor authentication (2FA), security questions, and biometric login.
My exeperience using a prepaid card to deposit at an online casino
Depositing with a prepaid card is probably one of the easiest ways to do it. Just double-check that the method qualifies for any online casino bonuses you’re after and whether a promo code is needed. Once that’s all set, here’s how it went for me:
I logged in to my casino account and went to the cashier or deposit section. In this case, it was in the upper right hand corner.
I selected my prepaid payment method from the list (e.g., Play+, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Vanilla Visa). I chose Play+.
I entered the deposit amount within the allowed limits for prepaid cards or vouchers. In my case, $50.
I provided the prepaid card details (card number, expiry date, CVV). Or, you may need to enter a voucher code.
It had me confirm the transaction, and the system validated the payment instantly.
I waited for the confirmation message indicating that the deposit was successful.
I checked my casino balance, which showed $50.
Prepaid Card Security & Safety
Prepaid cards, at their core, don’t come with all the over-the-top security features you get with e-wallets or credit cards. Sometimes, all you’ve got is a voucher you scratch with a loonie. But that stripped-down design is exactly what makes them so safe to use.
There’s no connection to a bank account or credit line, and you never have to share any sensitive details with the casino when you deposit. You can only use what’s already on the card, which kind of acts as a built-in responsible gambling tool. And if someone ever gets their hands on the card details, the worst they can do is drain whatever balance is on it—nothing more.
At the same time, there are plenty of extra steps you can take on your own to make the whole thing even safer, like
- Only buy prepaid cards from trusted retailers like supermarkets, gas stations, or official websites to avoid fake or tampered vouchers.
- Keep a separate email just for prepaid transactions so that you minimize exposure to phishing scams and spam.
- Never save prepaid card details on your phone or computer—if someone hacks your device, they’ll have full access.
- Use a VPN when depositing, especially if you’re on public Wi-Fi or an unsecured network.
- If using a voucher, deposit the full balance at once so you don’t accidentally leave money on a partially used code.
- Sign up for the prepaid provider’s online account if they offer one, since it lets you track balances and transactions.
- Never share prepaid card codes with anyone, even if a casino support agent asks—that’s an instant red flag and a sign of a scam.
Pros & Cons of Using Prepaid Card at Canadian Online Casinos
Pros:
- Instant deposits without waiting like bank transfers.
- Keeps casino spending separate from your bank
- No risk of overdrafting your account
- Available as physical or virtual prepaid cards
- Can be bought with cash for full anonymity
Cons:
- Withdrawals are rarely available
- Some cards have purchase or reloading fees
Troubleshooting Prepaid Card Casino Payments
Deposit Declined Despite Sufficient Funds
Most reloadable prepaid card declines happen because either the provider blocks gambling transactions or the casino doesn’t accept that brand. Also, it might be worth checking if the card or voucher needs activating first.
Transaction Went Through, but the Money Isn’t in the Casino Account
Most of the time, this is just a delay with the payment processor. Start by checking the casino’s transaction history—if nothing shows up after an hour, reach out to support with the transaction ID. Deposits that get deducted but don’t show up might need a manual push on their end.
You Accidentally Buy a Voucher That Can’t be Used for Gambling Transactions
Unfortunately, most prepaid cards can’t be refunded, especially when bought online. Some local shops might make an exception, so it’s worth asking if the voucher is still sealed and unused. For next time, check the casino’s payment options beforehand to be sure what you’re getting is actually supported.
Account Verification Required
Even though prepaid cards aren’t tied to you personally, the casino might still need to run its standard identity checks before letting you deposit. It’s a very simple process—you just need to upload a clear photo of your ID, a recent utility bill or bank statement to confirm your address, and maybe a selfie if they ask. Then it’s just a matter of waiting for approval.
Alternative Banking Methods Similar to Prepaid Card
While prepaid cards offer a secure way to fund an online casino account, other payment methods may be more suitable if you prioritize features like withdrawals, higher limits, or broader usability. Check out the table below for a list of alternative options:
| Payment Option | Best Features |
|---|---|
| Visa/Mastercard | Commonly available, strong fraud protection, often eligible for bonuses |
| PayPal | Works for both deposits and withdrawals, with buyer protection. |
| Skrill | Quick transactions, low fees, VIP rewards for frequent use |
| Crypto (Bitcoin, Ether, etc.) | No limits on deposits and one of the fastest casino payments. |
| Interac e-Transfer | Trusted in Canada, direct from bank, low fees |
| ecoPayz | Secure deposits without the need to share bank details, good for international transactions |
Prepaid Card Online Casino FAQs
Yeah, online casinos that take prepaid cards are fully legal in Canada as long as they’re either licensed by provincial regulators like Ontario’s iGaming or regulated by offshore jurisdictions.
Prepaid card deposit minimums usually range from $10 to $25, but it depends on the provider. Always check the cashier section since Paysafecard, Flexepin, and others might have different limits.
The way prepaid cards work makes cashing out tricky since they don’t support withdrawals. Even Visa and Mastercard prepaid options won’t take incoming payments. You’ll need to set up an alternative payment method, like a bank transfer, credit card, or crypto.
Most casinos don’t tack on fees for prepaid card deposits unless there’s a currency conversion involved, in which case you might notice some exchange rate shifts. The card providers, though, have their own rules, and might charge small amounts for activation, adding funds, or even if your balance just sits there past the expiration date.
If a prepaid card payment gets declined, it’s usually because the voucher code was entered wrong, the card still needs activation, there’s not enough balance, or the provider is blocking gambling transactions. The best move is to check with both the casino and the card’s support team. If that doesn’t fix it, using an e-wallet like Google Pay or Apple Pay as a bridge might be a good alternative.
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