MasterCard is one of the most popular credit card brands in the entire world, so it should come as no surprise that virtually every online sports betting site supports MasterCard deposits. It is a very sought after credit card sportsbook deposit method. The MasterCard SecureCode feature provides added security that fosters a safe environment for using your card online, protecting cardholders from fraud and theft. However, you should keep in mind that there are some crucial differences between using MasterCard for online gambling purposes as a USA sportsbook deposit method versus using it as a UK sports betting deposit option.

First of all, US-facing offshore sites don't support MasterCard withdrawals, which means that you'll be forced to cash out your winnings using an alternative banking method. More importantly, credit card deposits in general aren't 100% reliable in the US, as the American regulations sometimes prevent financial institutions from processing sports betting related transactions. Quite obviously, this doesn't apply to UK-based bettors: the UK laws are very gambling friendly, so virtually every MasterCard deposit attempt is pretty much guaranteed to be successful.

MasterCard also supports a branded debit card for UK players known as the Maestro Card, as well as various prepaid debit card options for customers around the globe. Prior to using a prepaid option we recommend that you visit our page on prepaid card sports betting deposits to learn how these cards work and how viable they are for US players. Once you determine what type of MasterCard deposit you want to use, you can then check out our sportsbook reviews to find out what each MasterCard sportsbook has to offer you.

In order to make a MasterCard deposit to a US-friendly site, simply pick the appropriate option in the cashier menu and fill out the form, which will require you to enter basic credit card information, including the CVV code, billing address and expiration date. MasterCard payments are free and shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete, but the success rate is estimated to be around 50%. Consequently, if you want to go for maximum reliability, you might consider using a Visa card, which has a success rate of 75% or greater.

The sportsbook brands that we recommend are well aware of the challenges that US credit card companies face when processing gambling related transactions. In order to accommodate their American players, they have invested in securing multiple premium payment processors that are experienced in the US market. This has greatly improved the transaction approval rates for sports bettors in the United States, rendering major credit card brands such as Mater Card a viable resource for them once again. This hasn't guaranteed 100% success in obtaining transaction approvals, but has definitely tipped the scales in favor of US bettors. This investment isn't cheap, and demonstrates the type of commitment to player satisfaction that we like to see in an online sportsbook brand.

Funding your online sports betting account via MasterCard in the UK is very similar to making a payment to a US-facing site, as obviously you'll also be required to submit your basic credit card information using a simple form. Most sites won't require you to cover any transaction fees unless you decide to withdraw your deposit without placing any bets. However, UK-based players don't have to deal with any reliability issues, as neither the US Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act nor the US Wire Act apply to UK-facing sites dealing with UK-based punters. As mentioned above, UK players have access to the Maestro Card which is MasterCard's debit card option.

US-facing sites don't support credit or debit card withdrawals, so US-based bettors who deposit via MasterCard have to choose a different banking method for cash outs. The most popular option is to withdraw via a standard bank wire transfer – this usually takes less than 14 banking days and requires you to cover a small transaction fee. Another option is to request a cash out via a check by courier. There are sometimes some fees associated with this option as well, and it can take between 2 weeks and 30 days to receive your payment. I personally prefer this option as I usually receive my check in less than 2 weeks, and have never had a problem depositing them into my bank. It has been a hassle free option as far as I'm concerned.

MasterCard withdrawals are fairly common in the UK – in most cases, the money will be automatically cashed out to the same credit card that was used when making a deposit. Credit card cash outs tend to be completely free and take around one or two days for UK-issued cards. If your card has been issued abroad, the entire process might take between 3 and 5 days. Please note that some card issuers don't support credit card withdrawals. In such a case, you'll usually be required to choose between a wire transfer or a check by courier, just like the US-based players. However, wire transfers tend to be processed faster, which means that you could receive your winnings within 2-10 business days.

If you'd rather have access to withdrawing your funds via one of the popular ewallet sportsbook deposit methods, such as Neteller, Skrill, Instadebit, EcoPayz, EntroPay, Click2Pay or PayPal, then we suggest you use your MasterCard to fund your eWallet account, and then request your payout via this option. This also provides an extra buffer between your credit card information and third party merchants, which can never hurt.

MaterCard Official Website: US Players: www.mastercard.com/us | UK Players: www.mastercard.com/uk

MasterCard Email Contact: Use Internal Contact Form

MasterCard Phone Contact: 1.800.627.8372