Go to any Canadian online casino and among the offered payment methods, you’ll certainly find VISA. This is one of the most popular global brands, which in addition to its signature credit card program, offers many other products, all offered across online casinos. This is the brand that has taken over the world as a whole, and especially the online gambling industry, due to the convenient service it offers. Why choose to use VISA across online casinos?
About VISA
As introduced, VISA is one of those names that resonate across the globe, as it is a global credit card program that has been existing for years and will continue for years to come. It was launched way back in 1958, so it is also one of the oldest and longest-running credit card programs anyone knows of. Even though launched in the US, it is today accepted worldwide, in over 200 countries and territories, and particularly popular in Canada.
A project manager at the Bank of America first came up with the concept behind it. This regular bank employee believed that by using the bank’s computer systems, instead of manually, they could manage to prepare users’ bills across businesses, and basically let the system do their job for them. The concept proved genius, and there it is, still existing to this day.
This is the most widely used credit card in Europe, accepted virtually everywhere, both offline and online. Believe it or not, it holds around 50% of the credit card market in the US, a market where the competition is huge. What’s its secret? Well, aside from the years-long operations, it holds one of the largest payment networks in the world, processing transactions of millions of government entities, businesses, customers and financial institutions. The brand gained international recognition, though, mainly due to the Verified by VISA protocol, where the CCV2 and PIN codes are needed for a transaction to be successful. Along with its encryption protocol and two-factor authentication, this is one of the safest card brands to use.
Considering it collaborates with literally hundreds of banks and financial institutions, which issue the cards on its behalf, you can apply for your VISA card at basically any bank or financial institution available in Canada. And after being issued with one, you can use it in any store, restaurant, shop, gas station, online platform, and any online casino, for that matter. When it comes to the casino choices at your disposal, you’ll see that most, if not all, Canadian casinos accept it. So, stay with us to learn how to get started with it and use it across online casinos for seamless transactions.
Getting Started with the Solution
As mentioned, VISA credit cards are issued by virtually any bank or financial institution in Canada. But the only condition you need to meet to get issued with one is to have an active bank account. As long as you do, all you need to do is to fill out an application form where you’ll specify the type of credit card you’re applying for. Additionally, of course, you’d need to enter personal and financial details and provide your credit history and ID documents, to verify your status and identity.
Considering your credit history and the details you provided, naturally, your card may be denied or approved. If you provide all the needed documents and all is in order, you will get issued with your card. The card can be sent to your home address, or you can claim it at the bank. Regardless of the way you choose to get it, it will arrive in an envelope with the needed PINs and codes for authentication you might need along the way.
If you wish to activate an online banking profile, you might need to ask for additional permissions while at the bank. The bank should give you your password and credentials to your online banking profile, where you could get an insight into the transactions you’ve made with your card.
When the card is ready, you can start using it. Since the card is connected to your bank account, you can start using it right away, considering you already have money on your account. But, you should know that you can top up your balance at any ATM with cash, too. Continue reading to find out how to use it for deposits and withdrawals across online casinos.
Depositing and Withdrawing
When your card is up and ready to be used, it is time for you to start searching for a suitable online casino for you. There are hundreds of Canadian online casinos you could join which accept this credit card, so you can rest assured that you’ll have plenty of choices to explore. Find one that you think suits you most and register your account with it.
To make a deposit with the credit card, you would need to go through the following steps:
- Head over to the casino’s Banking/Deposits/Cashier page.
- From the list of offered payment methods, locate VISA’s logo and press it.
- In the pop-up window, enter your name as the cardholder, the card’s number, CCV2 code and expiration date.
- Specify how much you’d like to deposit and go through the two-factor authentication.
- The deposit will arrive on your balance instantaneously.
Withdrawals are as easy. Essentially, you’d need to go through the same first 3 steps, and in step 4, specify how much you’d like to withdraw. After the casino reviews your withdrawal request, it will take a few hours (or days, depending on the casino), to approve your request. Once approved, the money will arrive on your card.
Applicable fees
We cannot sugarcoat this: VISA credit cards do come with fees. These fees would depend on the issuing bank/financial institution and its policies, but generally, they are low.
Therefore, before you choose a bank to open an account with or before you apply for a card with your bank, make sure you discover more about the fees involved.
Online casinos will not charge extra for using the solution as your deposit/withdrawal method, at least you have that convenience.
Accepted Currencies
All currencies available in the globe are accepted currencies with VISA, considering this is a global credit card program that functions in collaboration with banks. In any country, the bank will offer that country’s currency as the default currency for the bank account. Therefore, you can rest assured that as a Canadian player, you’ll be able to use it with Canadian dollars, since it will be issued by one of the many leading Canadian banks.
For a currency conversion fee, you would be able to use other currencies as well, the ones your bank account supports. These can be US dollars, euros, Australian dollars, UK pounds, etc.
Coverage
It cannot be emphasized enough how widespread VISA is. The brand has global recognition, so you can rest assured that it is accepted across the world, Canada, of course, included.
However, on a side note, when it comes to online gambling transactions, some countries have forbidden the use of credit cards. Credit cards are accepted no more in the UK, for instance. Therefore, in such countries, even though available, VISA won’t be an option for online casino deposits and withdrawals. In Canada, too, some banks have decided not to accept credit cards for online gambling transactions, such as the Toronto-Dominion Bank and the Royal Bank of Canada.
Customer Support
When you visit VISA’s official site for Canada, you will see that there are plenty of options to get assistance. First, you should know that its website is thorough, and detailed, offering information on anything you might need. Second, you have the blue Start Chat button you can click to get in touch with its Customer Support team. Third, you have a whole Support Center page you can explore to find answers. And last but not least, the company has displayed its Canada address in Toronto where you could reach someone, its Canadian phone line 1-800-847-2911 and other contact options on its Contact Us page.
In case you’re having difficulties making a deposit or withdrawal, you can always contact your casino’s Customer Support team. And for any transaction difficulties, you better contact your bank/financial institution’s Customer Support agents.
Conclusion
VISA is, without a doubt, the brand you need to choose if looking for a credit card brand to go with for online gambling transactions. It is available across most, if not all, Canadian casinos, it offers transactions with Canadian dollars and deposits and withdrawals with it are seamless. Sure, there are some fees involved, but you’d need to check with the issuing bank/financial institution to find out more about them. Casinos won’t charge you for using it for deposits and withdrawals, though.
FAQs
Is VISA’s official website available in many languages?
Sure. The international website is offered in many languages. But there’s a separate Canadian website, too, which you can access in both Canadian English and Canadian French, so that’s a plus.
Which VISA credit card types are available in Canada?
In Canada, you can choose from the Classic, Gold, Infinite, Platinum and Infinite Privilege credit cards, each arriving with different perks for different users.
What are some of the financial institutions that issue VISA cards in Canada?
Among the financial institutions that issue these cards, we can mention Chase Canada, TD Canada Trust, Bank of Montreal, Desjardins, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Royal Bank of Canada and Scotiabank. So, you can rest assured that the leading banks and financial institutions are at your disposal.
Is there a chance to use cryptocurrencies to transact with this credit card?
The company started offering crypto solutions and promised huge things to happen in near future, connecting its network of millions of users and businesses to blockchain networks, so you can explore that, too.
Is the brand available on social media?
Sure thing. In fact, it has dedicated Canadian Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn profiles you could explore to find out all about the novelties regarding the Canadian market.
