VISA has the opposite problem to many other payment methods in that it's widely accepted by UK bookies.
VISA is a credit and debit processing network, much like MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
Banks decide which network they want to partner with, and then issue credit cards and debit cards under that brand.
Today, VISA is one of the most recognised and accepted payment networks in the world.
This guide digs into the best VISA betting sites to gamble on - ensuring you have a safe and reliable experience across websites and apps on both iOS and android.
Note to all UK bettors: As of 1 January 2020, betting with credit cards is illegal in the UK. This guide explains how you can use VISA Debit on betting sites legally.
Betting sites that accept VISA: Top 3 shortlist
William Hill
Paddy Power
Unibet
How we rated VISA betting sites: What do we look for?
Deciding which sportsbooks or online casinos are best is a simple matter of reviewing the sites for their overall quality and consistency. There’s no question that VISA will form a part of the payment methods listed in the cashier section. We rate casinos and bookies that accept VISA by splitting them up into a range of attributes and coming up with a combined score based on each. Here’s what we analyse:
- Welcome offers, bonuses, and promos. There’s no point signing up to a bookmaker or casino if you’re not going to get a great welcome offer out of it. Always compare the offer to what else is out there before making a decision. These are usually compiled of free bets, deposit matches, free spins, or risk-free bets.
- Unique betting features. There’s an increasing need for new betting sites to stand out from the crowd. They generally do this by creating opportunities that are unique and offer bettors an unexpected edge or betting boost. Look out for things like cashback, money back on non-winning bets, supercharged odds, and real money points programs.
- Odds and fixtures. It’s a no-brainer that when it comes to placing a sports bet, you want to get the best odds for your money. But every bookie is free to set odds as they please, so it really pays to shop around. Many punters prefer to split their interests, betting on horses at one bookie and on football at another, for example.
- Payment methods & withdrawal speed. It’s extremely important that your withdrawals are processed in a timely manner. Watch out for sites with lengthy payouts and withdrawal fees. Once bet settlements are confirmed, you should be able to instantly process a withdrawal - no questions asked. A top site will also come with a solid selection of payment options, including e-wallets and debit cards.
Our top 10 Visa betting sites for UK bettors
- William Hill
William Hill is something of a British betting institution. They’ve since expanded to a global scale, but you’ll still come across several kiosks and betting shops in every major city or town. William Hill also dominates the online gambling scene, establishing itself as a leader in the sports betting space, even offering a decent collection of online casino games.
Pros:
- A well-known and established brand
- Weekly cashback bonuses
- Strong selection of sports markets
Cons:
2. Paddy Power
Paddy Power is a very close competitor to William Hill, and they frequently compete on the bonus front. Ironically, they seem to run into similar limitations with player forums debating the same pain points. It’s a well-known sports betting brand and is a leading bookie during events like the World Cup and Champions League.
Pros:
- Competitive odds on all major sports markets
- Fantastic and frequent promos and bonuses
- Exciting rewards program
Cons:
3. Unibet
Unibet made its start as a straight-laced sportsbook, but it soon branched into casino games, offering players the best of both worlds in a single site. The highly recognisable black and green logo welcomes bettors to an extensive sportsbook, casino, poker, and bingo site that’s packed with promos.
Pros:
- Great for players who like sports and slots
- A solid option for laptop and PC users
- Frequent promos, Free Bets, and Free Spins
Cons:
4. bet365
As one of the leading names in sports betting, bet365 is well known to be well-stocked when it comes to sports, games, bonuses, and even payment options. It’s an enormous site, filled to the brim with every sports betting market possible, from the popular to the more obscure. Slots, bingo, lottery, blackjack, roulette, and more also join the ranks.
Pros:
- Fantastic live streams across most sports
- International sports and events
- Generous welcome offer
Cons:
5. BetUK
For a long time, BetUK wasn’t really a major player in the betting world. But in 2018 it was acquired by gambling giant, LeoVegas. This resulted in a dilution of the product, with casino games added to the mix. The welcome offer, promos, and bonus offers were all refreshed to really pack a punch and draw in a crowd.
Pros:
- Competitive welcome offers and bonuses
- Very responsive customer service
- Well-designed app for iOS and android
Cons:
6.Spreadex
If you’re looking for something a little different from the usual flashy banners and cheerful, grinning faces, then Spreadex Sports is just what you need. The site’s corporate look is a direct reflection of its other role as a foreign exchange platform. The aesthetics might confuse some players who are more used to traditional betting sites.
Pros:
- Sports-focused site
- Fantastic customer support
- Sports-focused for those uninterested in casino
Cons:
7.888sport
888 is a popular brand in the betting world, and 888 is a casino site in its own right. Players who prefer slots, jackpots, blackjack, roulette, and other games of this genre will find a dedicated home there. 888Sport is dedicated to wagering across football, baseball MLB, golf PGA, tennis, basketball NBA, ice hockey NHL, and every other major sport.
Pros:
- Part of a huge brand
- Full coverage of all international sporting events
- Exciting promotions and offers
Cons:
8.Tote
For bettors who prefer making pool betting wagers, Tote should definitely make your list. Of course, it's imperative that you only want to bet on football and horse racing because that’s all that Tote is packing. This limited scope works in its favour, because they’re able to offer superior totepools and syndicates to customers.
Pros:
- Premium sport for pool betting
- Easy to use app
- Excellent live streams
Cons:
9.kwiff
If you prefer to gamble on your mobile phone, then Kwiff is the bookie that’s meant for you. Their app-first philosophy has resulted in a highly intuitive platform for sports betting, with a smattering of slots and table games thrown in. kwiff is also well known for its exciting special betting options, giving punters an edge.
Pros:
- Unique betting options like ‘supercharges bets’
- Great odds on sports and events
- Highly optimised app
Cons:
10. Betfred
Having made its start as a one-horse betting shop in the north of the UK, Betfred has come a long way. But despite runaway success as an online bookmaker, the company has retained its down-to-earth reputation. Betfred is all about honest odds and frequent promos on all sports markets. They even added a casino section for slot and table game fans.
Pros:
- Fantastic bookie for horse races
- Very fast payouts
- Frequent free spins, promos, and offers
Cons:
What is VISA and how does It work?
VISA is a world-renowned payment service network that’s accepted at physical shops and online merchant sites globally. It’s virtually impossible to find a location or website that doesn’t include VISA at the top of its payment options list. Most people are in possession of a VISA card, its only major competitor being MasterCard. Your bank would generally partner with one or the other, and issue your credit or debit cards under this service. Have a look at the cards in your wallet to find out who your bank chose. Once you register an account at the site or app where you want to place your bets, just visit the cashier section and hit ‘deposit’. This will pull up a list of deposit options, and select ‘visa debit’ from the list. Follow the simple instructions to fund your account instantly.
What are the benefits of betting with Visa Debit?
The advantages of using VISA to make a bet are pretty obvious. It’s a payment system that’s been around for decades. As a result, it’s exceptionally trusted and very simple to engage with. However, specifically in relation to online gambling, VISA’s main advantages are:
- Transactions enjoy enhanced security. All VISA debit cards come with 256-bit encryption protocols to ensure your funds reach their destination safely.
- Almost everything runs on VISA. You can use your card to pay for services and goods at almost any store, both physical or online, as it’s the most widely accepted payment method in the world.
- Zero fees on debit cards. There’s nothing worse than paying a premium on your cash deposits and withdrawals. The majority of VISA transactions don’t come with customer fees, so you can gamble with 100% of your money.
What are the disadvantages of betting with VISA Debit?
It’s pretty difficult to come up with a list of negatives when discussing a premium product, but there’s no such thing as perfection. Based on our research, these are the two main points to consider before depositing and withdrawing online with VISA:
Are there any fees for using VISA at UK betting sites?
VISA has no control over any fees associated with its usage. Once a merchant, vendor, sportsbook, or casino signs them on, all the details are decided by them. What this means is that VISA will never charge punters for depositing or withdrawing, but the betting site might. Most bookies will allow you to select VISA in the cashier and transact with no additional fees. The costs for running VISA are absorbed by the vendor. Some sites will pass costs on to the bettor, with each deposit or withdrawal incurring a 1% or 2% fee. While this isn’t necessarily criminal, we would always advise you to seek out one of the many betting sites that keep VISA fees at 0%.
What is the minimum deposit when betting with VISA?
Minimum deposits at VISA betting sites don't really come down to the payment service network but are decided by individual online sportsbooks and online casinos. VISA itself can be used for any amount, even a 45p bottle of water at your local Tesco. But the site you choose to wager on has its own set of limits and requirements. Some sites will allow you to deposit as little as £5, but the majority require a min deposit of £10. Either way, these are reasonable and expected.
What is the minimum withdrawal with VISA?
VISA accepts incoming account debits of any amount. Since UK gambling sites can’t accept credit cards, there aren’t any of the usual concerns and considerations. You can only gamble legally with your own funds and not a line of credit. That means the only minimum withdrawal limits placed on punters come directly from the bookie or casino. As a general rule, withdrawal minimums are set at £10, £15, £20, or £25. Anything above £25 raises a couple of red flags, and you should consider looking for another place to play.
Is it safe to bet online with VISA?
The best test of security is longevity. And VISA has been going strong since it was established in 1958 in California. Over the decades, new security layers have been added transforming VISA into the super safe powerhouse it is today. You’ll find many sources touting its 256-bit encryption, but quite honestly, unless you’re an IT expert, that’s unlikely to mean much to you. Essentially, VISA is really good at making sure that no third parties are able to hijack all your financial data while it's being processed during a transaction. When this is happening, the only parties privy to the information is your bank and the merchant you're depositing with or purchasing from. More recently, all VISA cards come with two-factor authentication. This means that two points of security must be checked off before a transaction can complete. Most commonly, these are a password and a code sent by SMS to the registered mobile device. All of this means that VISA is an extremely safe banking option - even if you choose not to pair it with a digital e-wallet.
What are the alternatives to VISA?
VISA isn’t the only payment network in town. There are a few other networks that banks pair with. The most popular of these are MasterCard/Maestro, American Express, and Discover. The only difference between these is the number of merchants that accept them. It’s indisputable that fewer UK online bookmakers and online casinos accept American Express and Discover. If you were looking for more information on e-wallets that pair well with VISA, then you’ll have a myriad of options. The most popular of these are:
- Skrill
- PayPal
- Neteller
- Monzo
- Revolut
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
Responsible gambling
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.