A widely accepted banking option at online bookmakers like Betway and 888sport, Visa and MasterCard debit cards offer a secure way to deposit and withdraw from betting accounts.
Running since 1802, it has helped several horses on their way to legendary status, most notably the 19th-century horse Kinscem, who won the Goodwood Cup and ended her career with 54 races undefeated. Whether you’re a horse racing fan or an esports enthusiast, having alternative banking options up your sleeve is a smart move when it comes to online betting. Whether it's because PayPal is not accepted or isn’t eligible for a bonus code, it's good to have other payment methods to choose from. Below, we’ve listed some alternatives that you may want to consider when you can’t select PayPal from the cashier page. Keep in mind that the minimum deposit for these alternative picks can vary between horse racing betting sites. You’ll need to share your card details with the gambling site, but in return, you’ll enjoy excellent bonus eligibility and all the convenience that comes with using bank cards.
Debit card deposits land instantly, but unfortunately, the same can’t always be said for payouts, which can take upwards of three days where services like Visa Fast Funds aren’t available.
PayPal may well be the most well-known e-wallet, but there are other options available for online bettors, such as MuchBetter, ecoPayz, and Skrill.
Horses must navigate several fences that are typically larger than most other racecourses, many of which have become infamous over the years. Even those not all that familiar with horse racing may have heard of Becher’s Brook and The Chair, for example. Famous winners from past years at the iconic Aintree Racecourse on Merseyside include Red Rum and Mr Frisk, who broke the record with an 8:47.80 time. The Grand National also lends itself to live betting, so bear this in mind. Royal Ascot is bet betting apps uk not on gamstop undoubtedly the most regal horse racing festival.
PayPal betting sites regularly offer extensive odds, betting markets, and bonuses during the four-day event. Punters have 34 separate races to enjoy, making it one of the busiest festivals on the calendar. Some of the most distinguished races include the Queen Anne Stakes, Gold Cup, King George V Stakes, and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The inaugural 1768 Royal Ascot meeting was popular enough, but it has grown to become Europe’s biggest event averaging over 300,000 attendants in recent years. PayPal betting sites offer deep coverage during the Epsom Derby, the UK’s leading flat race per winnings. All offer similar benefits to PayPal, such as instant deposits, increased security, and speedy withdrawals, and some add their own unique perks.
| Site Name | Primary Esports Coverage | Live Betting (Yes/No) |
|---|---|---|
| GG.BET | CS2, Dota 2, LoL, Valorant | Yes |
| Rivalry | LoL, CS2, Overwatch, StarCraft II | Yes |
| Betway Esports | LoL, CS2, Dota 2, Call of Duty | Yes |
| Pinnacle | Major & niche esports titles | Yes |
For example, AstroPay account holders can order a Wolves branded virtual debit card.
The company rapidly made a name for itself in the early 2000s tech boom, so much so that the fledgling online auctioneer and marketplace eBay acquired it for $1.5 billion. This was the beginning of a fruitful partnership, with both sides benefiting from the practical new virtual e-wallet. PayPal split from eBay in 2014, kickstarting a new era in the e-wallets lifespan. The last several years have brought sustained success, with almost 500 million registered active accounts as of 2022. PayPal has also become popular for horse racing bettors due to its efficiency, mobile optimisation, and safety features.
The best PayPal betting sites cover a wide range of UK horse racing events, no matter how big or small, but the big events will always attract the most punters. Here are a few of the most significant events on the horse racing calendar, all available to bet on at sports betting sites: The main event during the National Hunt racing calendar, Cheltenham Festival is an iconic meet with its roots in the 1860s. Taking place annually in March, the four-day event is renowned for the outstanding racing and brilliant atmosphere, characterised by the “Cheltenham roar”. Cheltenham Festival stages several of horse racing’s most prestigious betting opportunities; namely the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champions Hurdle, and Stayers’ Hurdle. The Grand National is the UK’s most widely celebrated and bet-on horse racing event, a gruelling steeplechase covering four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs. Availability of e-wallet options varies across different bookies, and not all will qualify for welcome bonuses.
The 2002 edition had a massive £1,694,999 purse, which is unsurprising considering the Derby’s reputation as the most prestigious of the five British Classics. Open to three-year-old colts and fillies, the race covers one mile, four furlongs, and ten yards. The Epsom Derby takes place annually on the first Saturday of June, and previous famous winners include Serpentune and Troy. Glorious Goodwood is held at the picturesque Goodwood Racecourse near Chichester in West Sussex in late July and early August. Known for its unique twists and turns, the course stages three Group I flat races during the season: the Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Cup, and Nassau Stakes. Neteller and Skrill are frequently excluded from these offers.
| Feature | Description | Benefit to Bettor |
|---|---|---|
| Two-Factor Authentication | Extra login step via SMS or app | Prevents unauthorized account access |
| Buyer & Seller Protection | PayPal's dispute resolution service | Potential recourse for transaction issues |
| No Direct Bank Link | Betting sites only see PayPal email | Enhanced financial privacy |
| Encrypted Transactions | End-to-end data encryption | Secures personal & payment details |
Apple Pay and Google Pay are popular mobile payment services that enable you to make quick deposits to your online betting account.
Odds boosts give increased payouts on selected markets. Sometimes, punters can choose specific bets to receive an odds boost. Best odds guaranteed is a common horse racing promotion where winning bets are paid out at the best odds available, regardless of the price you took when the bet was made. Loyalty rewards are available at some PayPal betting sites, where customers accrue points which can be traded in for rewards. Cashback is paid at some sites as a percentage of your total deposits or losses in a given period, usually weekly.
Non Runner No Bet sees bookies refund your stake if your horse does not run. This offer mostly applies to ante-post bets, meaning bets placed before race day. Acca Insurance refunds your stake on a losing horse racing multiple if just one leg of your bet fails to come in. Extra Place Payouts is where bookmakers pay out on additional finishing positions in a race, beyond the standard number of places. PayPal launched in 1998 under the name Confinity before renaming to PayPal in 2001 following a merger with Elon Musk’s x.com. Apple Pay works with iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads, while Google Pay is designed for Android devices.
Both services incorporate biometric authentication, such as Face ID or Touch ID, which is a big plus for security-conscious bettors. Apple Pay and Google Pay are excellent deposit options for mobile betting apps, but unlike PayPal, they don’t currently support withdrawals.
Using Open Banking technology, Trustly processes direct money transfers between your bank and your betting account.
| Payment Method | Average Deposit Time | Average Withdrawal Time |
|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Instant | 2-24 hours |
| Debit/Credit Card | Instant | 1-5 banking days |
| Bank Transfer | 1-3 banking days | 2-7 banking days |
| Skrill/Neteller | Instant | Up to 12 hours |
There’s no need to open a Trustly account, and with transactions completed on a secure private portal, nor will you be required to share any sensitive financial details.Trustly’s security, bonus eligibility, and the speed of payouts can make the service an excellent alternative to PayPal.
PayPal betting sites have numerous special features that significantly enhance the overall experience. Our experts use some of the following characteristics to differentiate between leading UK bookies: Horse racing live streaming is available at the best PayPal betting sites, a significant benefit that is particularly useful when used together with in-play betting. It’s not always easy to find horse races on free TV channels, not to mention attend a popular racing meet in person. Bookmakers with a comprehensive live streaming platform offer customers an easy way to watch, especially via mobile apps. In-play betting is often better suited to other sports like football or tennis, but it can also be a particularly useful tool for longer horse races like the Grand National.
Live betting allows punters to place bets after an event has started, allowing for more accurate and informed bets due to being able to see how each horse starts, adjusting your forecast accordingly. Head to the in-play betting suite at your chosen bookies to find all odds currently on offer. Cash out is another highly advantageous tool when betting with PayPal, especially if you move quick enough. Many leading UK bookies allow their customers to cash out on a bet before the event has finished at a reduced price. It can be a great way to avoid losing your entire stake on a horse that has fallen out of the running or capitalise on an early lead from a runner known to falter towards the end of a race. However, you’ll need to feel comfortable with gambling transactions showing up on your bank account statement. Paysafecard is a prepaid voucher that provides a secure and anonymous way to deposit funds at online bookmakers.
Fast withdrawals are naturally top of the checklist for many punters at PayPal betting sites. The e-wallet can offer some of the most rapid payments, so finding a platform with fast processing speeds is important. Our experts always look at withdrawal speeds when reviewing platforms to give you the quickest access to any winnings. The most generous bonuses are usually awarded upon signing up. Here are some different offers you might find: Free bets are usually given in return for a qualifying bet, and let you place a wager without risking your own cash.
Matched deposits see the bookmaker award bonus bet credit based on the size of your qualifying deposit. Risk-free bets and bet refunds return your stake — either as cash or a free bet — if your first wager at the site loses. Free spins are sometimes offered alongside betting offers if the bookmaker also operates an online casino. These tokens can only be used on the slots, and often come with lofty wagering requirements. It wouldn’t be fair if new customers had all the fun — thankfully, those who stick around can often reap the benefits of ongoing promotions: Free bet clubs reward those who stake a certain amount each week with free bet tokens.
