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Last checked 21 October 2026 by Tom Perkins. Rules checked on the Gambling Commission’s own website on 21 October 2026.
No. You can’t bet with a credit card at UK-licensed betting or casino sites. Since 14 April 2020, Gambling Commission rules have banned licensed gambling businesses from accepting credit card payments, including credit cards used through e-wallets. Use a debit card, or an e-wallet or app funded by your debit card or bank account.
What the credit card ban covers
The Gambling Commission announced the ban on 14 January 2020, and it came into effect on 14 April 2020. It’s written into licence condition 6.1.2, which says licensees “must not accept payment for gambling by credit card”, including credit card payments made through a money service business such as an e-wallet.
According to the Commission’s guidance, the ban applies to:
- online betting, casino and bingo sites
- high street bookmakers and track bookmakers
- lotteries that take payments online or by phone
The main exception is lottery tickets and scratchcards bought in a shop alongside other goods, because the Commission decided it would be unreasonable to expect shop staff to spot credit card payments in a mixed basket.
E-wallets funded by a credit card
You can’t get round the ban by loading an e-wallet from a credit card. The Commission’s guide to using e-wallets says the ban “includes using a credit card through an e-wallet or to deposit money into your e-wallet”. Gambling companies must reject payments from any e-wallet provider that doesn’t block credit card funds being used for gambling.
Payment methods you can use
Licensed UK sites accept a range of methods that draw on your own money:
- Debit cards (Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit): accepted almost everywhere.
- Apple Pay and Google Pay, using a debit card in your wallet. See betting sites that accept Apple Pay and Apple Pay casinos.
- PayPal and other e-wallets, funded by debit card or bank. See betting sites that accept PayPal and PayPal casinos UK.
- Pay by Bank / open banking and bank transfer.
Check the offer terms before you deposit, because some welcome offers exclude certain methods. For example, Unibet’s casino welcome offer excludes Apple Pay and PayPal deposits, and Sky Bet’s sports offer excludes Neteller and Skrill. Our guide to payment methods excluded from welcome offers explains more.
Prepaid cards and Paysafecard
The ban is on credit. Prepaid cards and vouchers such as Paysafecard aren’t credit cards, so the ban doesn’t stop sites accepting them, but each site decides which methods it takes and many welcome offers exclude them. Withdrawals usually can’t go back to a voucher, so you may need to add a bank account or debit card to withdraw. Check the cashier and terms first.
Why the ban exists
The Commission said credit card gambling “can lead to significant financial harm”. Its research found that 22% of online gamblers using credit cards were classed as problem gamblers, with more at some risk of harm, and UK Finance estimated that 800,000 consumers used credit cards to gamble. The Commission also pointed to cases of people building up tens of thousands of pounds of debt, and said card fees could make chasing losses worse. Its then chief executive, Neil McArthur, said the ban “should minimise the risks of harm to consumers from gambling with money they do not have”.
What to do if a site accepts a credit card
A gambling site that takes credit card deposits from players in Great Britain is breaking the rules or isn’t licensed here at all. Sites advertised as “not on GamStop” usually fall into the second group. They don’t offer UK protections such as deposit limits, GamStop self-exclusion, the 10x wagering cap or access to an approved dispute resolution service. Don’t deposit. Check any site on the Gambling Commission public register and read how to choose a safe gambling site.
Borrowing to gamble
The ban also covers more than a single card swipe. If you’re tempted to use an overdraft, loan or buy-now-pay-later account to fund gambling, that’s a strong sign to stop. Many banks let you block gambling payments on your debit card in their app, which adds a useful pause.
Licensed sites with current sign up offers
These operators are licensed by the Gambling Commission and don’t accept credit cards. Significant terms appear with each offer.
New customers. Min £5 deposit. First bet only: min 5p single/each-way at odds 1/1+ within 30 days of registration. 3 x £10 Free Bets (singles/each-way, excl. virtuals), expire after 30 days. Free Bet stakes not returned. Neteller and Skrill deposits excluded. No wagering on Free Bet winnings stated.
Promo code:
AB5G30· Low qualifying stake (5p) and Free Bets usable on singles and each-way.Full T&Cs
New Sky Betting and Gaming customers 18+ only (previous Sky Bet, Vegas, Casino, Bingo or Poker account holders excluded). Register, add card details and make a minimum £5 deposit. Your first bet must be a single or each-way bet of at least £0.05 on any Sky Bet market at odds of 1/1 or greater; accumulated smaller stakes do not count and only your first bet counts. Staking requirement must be met within 30 days of registration. Rewards: three £10 Free Bet tokens, usable on any single or each-way market excluding virtuals, not with any other offer. Free Bets expire 30 days after crediting, are non-withdrawable and stakes are not included in returns. One claim per customer. Customers depositing with Neteller or Skrill do not qualify. Offer may differ if you arrive via another link. Sky Bet General Promotion Terms apply.
New customers. Opt in at sign-up. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ bet at odds 1/1+ within 7 days (excl. virtuals, esports, non-UK/IE racing). 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 for football accas (4+ legs), 2 for sports multiples (2+ legs), valid 7 days. Free Bet stake not returned.
Rewards credited on settlement of one £10 qualifying bet, win or lose.
Full T&Cs
New BetMGM customers 18+. Select the Sports Welcome Offer at sign-up. Deposit at least £10 and place at least £10 on a qualifying bet within 7 days of registration: min odds Evens 1/1 (2.0); each-way bets need £10 each way (£20 total); Bet Builder total odds must be 1/1+. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Free Bets, Profit Boosts, Odds Boosts, void, cashed-out, partially cashed-out and system bets do not qualify. Not with other offers. On settlement you get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 x £10 on football accas (4+ selections) and 2 x £10 on sports multiples (2+ selections), selected via the betslip checkbox. Free Bets expire after 7 days; stake not included in winnings. Once per household/computer/IP. Operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc (UKGC 39198). General and promotional T&Cs apply.
New customers. Opt in at sign-up. Deposit £10+ and place a £10+ bet at odds 1/1+ within 7 days (excl. virtuals, esports, non-UK/IE racing). 4 x £10 Free Bets: 2 for football accas (4+ legs), 2 for sports multiples (2+ legs), valid 7 days. Free Bet stake not returned.
Same LeoVegas offer structure as BetMGM, with UK/IE racing allowed for the qualifier.
Full T&Cs
New BetUK.com customers 18+. Opt in by selecting the Sports Welcome Offer at sign-up. Deposit at least £10 and place at least £10 on a qualifying bet within 7 days of registration: min odds Evens 1/1 (2.0); each-way needs £10 each way; Bet Builder total odds 1/1+. Excludes virtual sports, esports and non-UK/IE horse racing. Free Bets, Profit/Odds Boosts, void, cashed-out, partially cashed-out and system bets do not qualify. Once only; not with other offers. On settlement: 2 x £10 Free Bets on football accas (4+ selections) and 2 x £10 on sports multiples (2+ selections). Unused Free Bets expire after 7 days; stake not included in winnings. Operated by LeoVegas Gaming plc (UKGC 39198). General Promotional and General T&Cs apply.
New GB customers. Opt in. Deposit and bet £20+ on sports at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 7 days. £40 in Free Bets, expire 7 days after issue. Debit card or instant bank transfer deposits only. Geo restrictions and T&Cs apply.
Qualifying bet can be on any sport at evens or bigger.
Full T&Cs
18+. New GB customers only. Opt in. Deposit and bet £20+ on sports at minimum odds of 2.0 (1/1) for £40 in Free Bets within 7 days. Debit cards or instant bank transfers only. Free bets expire within 7 days of issue. Geographical restrictions and T&Cs apply. (Summary terms as published on the Unibet promotions page; the full offer page could not be opened from our checker.)
- Debit card
- Instant bank transfer
Frequently asked questions
Can you bet with a credit card in the UK? No. Since 14 April 2020, Gambling Commission licence condition 6.1.2 has banned licensed gambling businesses from accepting credit card payments, online or in betting shops. The ban also covers credit cards used through e-wallets. Shop-bought lottery tickets and scratchcards are the main exception.
Are there betting sites that accept credit cards in the UK? Not legally. Any site that accepts credit cards from players in Great Britain is breaking Gambling Commission rules or isn’t licensed here. Unlicensed sites don’t offer GamStop, deposit limits or dispute resolution, so avoid them and check the public register.
Can I use PayPal funded by a credit card to bet? No. The Gambling Commission says the ban includes using a credit card through an e-wallet or to load your e-wallet. Gambling companies must reject payments from e-wallet providers that don’t block credit card funds being used for gambling. Fund PayPal from a debit card or bank.
When did the UK credit card gambling ban start? The Gambling Commission announced it on 14 January 2020 and it came into effect on 14 April 2020. It applies to online and land-based gambling, except lottery tickets and scratchcards bought in shops alongside other goods.
Can I use Apple Pay to bet? Yes, at sites that accept it, as long as the card in your Apple Wallet is a debit card. A credit card in Apple Pay is still a credit card, so it isn’t allowed. Some welcome offers exclude Apple Pay deposits, so check the terms.
Staying in control
Set a deposit limit before your first deposit (licensed operators must prompt you to), decide your budget in advance and never chase losses. You can self-exclude from all online gambling sites licensed in Great Britain for free with GamStop, and many banks let you block gambling payments. The National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is free, confidential and open 24 hours a day. See our responsible gambling page.
Sources checked
- Gambling Commission – Gambling on credit cards to be banned from April 2020
- Gambling Commission – Preventing credit card use
- Gambling Commission – Using e-wallets to bet online
- Unibet – casino welcome offer terms
Affiliate disclosure: onlinebetfree.co.uk may receive a commission if you open an account through links on this page. This does not affect the offers we list or how we describe them, and it never changes the terms an operator gives you.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. For free, confidential support visit BeGambleAware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.