Payment methods are important casino features. They impact user safety and overall user satisfaction. Players want to use fast and convenient money transfer options when funding their accounts. E-wallets really took off in the past few years, especially those available on smartphones. Since mobile players mostly use Android phones, Google Pay casino sites have become their top choice. An operator that supports Google Wallet is simply deemed more secure and trustworthy, and the article will expand on this point later on.
The same can be said for Android’s biggest competitor Apple. There are lots of online gamblers who use iPhones and gravitate towards sites or apps that can accommodate Apple Pay. If anyone who is reading is looking for operators that accept Apple Pay, just click here and explore the options available on that list. Surely you will find more than one platform that is to your liking.
Before Google Wallet and Apple Pay, the world of online payments was dominated by PayPal. This company continues to perform well, and it is widely available in online casinos. So, let’s examine some pros and cons of these 3 payment methods, and see how they stack up against each other.
Accessibility
More businesses in general can now accept payments via Google Wallet and Apple Pay. However, PayPal has been around for a significantly longer period. As a result, it’s a lot easier to find online casinos that accept PayPal. Adding new payment gateways can be a hassle, so it’s understandable why some smaller businesses are lagging behind. PayPal on the other hand is a no-brainer for them. It would be too risky not to have that payment option right from the get-go.
A lot of operators in the US and Canada do accept all 3 e-wallets. But if we were to compare them on foreign markets, PayPal’s dominance would be quite evident. Also, it’s going to be more difficult to do international transfers, unless you are using PayPal. This means that if you are using VPN to play on foreign sites that aren’t available in your country, your only option will likely be PayPal.
Security
When it comes to security, Apple Pay is the best provider out of these 3. Users who value privacy often choose iOS products, because of their encryption and data-sharing policies. Basically, your card or bank info is never shared with the gambling operator when you use Apple Pay. So, you will save yourself from a lot of headaches if someone decides to hack an online casino and gain access to user data.
User privacy is also an important factor, especially in the time we live in. In fact, no-account casinos have become quite a trend in the iGaming industry. Without an account, you don’t have to receive notifications about new gambling offers. This is very important for those who are self-excluded and want to refrain from gambling in the current economy. According to some, we are in a perfect storm, for problem gamblers. The world is experiencing an economic crisis, amidst the FIFA World Cup. A time when betting skyrockets.
Payment Fees
One of the advantages both Google Wallet and Apple Pay have over PayPal is lower transfer fees. This might be an insignificant difference for some, but regular gamblers make dozens of small transfers, so these fees will quickly add up.
Another problem with fees has to do with operators. Many digital products purchased by Google Wallet and Apple Pay are more expensive. These companies charge a fee to merchants rather than buyers, so merchants will have a markup on the price to make up for the difference. Online casinos don’t do this. That being, they are more reluctant to enable these payment options, since they cost them more.
The Importance of Digital Payments
Over the past decade, there were lots of legislative efforts to make digital payments more accessible. Using digital payments gives regulators a better overview of money transfers. In other words, it’s easier to detect fraud and identify potential money laundering schemes.
Land-based casinos that accept cash are often viewed as high-risk institutions, as they can be used for money laundering. A big scandal involving fraudulent funds was recently unraveled in British Columbia. This is one of the reasons why many businesses are trying to steer clear of cash payments. E-wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay have made it possible for phones to completely replace regular wallets.
Conclusion
To sum up, if either Google Wallet or Apple Pay is available you should opt for these two over PayPal. This is mainly because the transfer fees are lower. Moreover, if you want to use the most secure payment options then Apple Pay is a clear winner. Still, if you want to show bigger support for the operators, then you can use PayPal. Also, you don’t have to limit your options if you choose PayPal. The list of available operators will be significantly bigger, as almost all gambling sites accept this transfer option.