Introduction
If there’s one brand that needs no introduction when it comes to popular payment methods across Canadian casinos, that’s MasterCard, and consequently the credit and MasterCard Debit cards. Cards that have the MasterCard logo on them are considered some of the safest, most popular and most preferred cards among Canadian online casino players. The debit card, in particular, is incredibly popular nowadays, considering what’s happening with credit cards across casinos all over the world, so if you’re interested in using it, continue reading to find out more about it and how to get one for yourself. Why choose MasterCard Debit as your payment method across Canadian online casinos?
About MasterCard Debit
As introduced, MasterCard is one of the few worldwide recognized card brands, a name that stands out from the rest with its excellence. Its roots date back to 1966 when four of the US most prominent banks decided to start a membership organization where charge cards will be used among participants. The Bank of California, United California Bank, Wells Fargo and Crocker National Bank might have founded the organization, but soon, over 25,000 financial institutions bought shares in it.
First, the Master Charge Card was launched, and since it was a huge success, the organization decided to start offering other types of cards, as well. Credit cards were second in line, several types of them, so that’s why the organization decided to change the name legally to MasterCard. And that’s when it went global, available in more than 180 countries and territories, Canada included.
In 1979, so more than a decade after the first charge cards went live, the organization launched the MasterCard Debit product. This was a card that attracted many existing and new MasterCard users, due to one particular reason. Contrary to credit cards, where you’d need to apply for a line of credit to be able to spend more than you have on your bank account, providing credit history in the application, with the MasterCard Debit card, all you need is to have an active bank account and fund the account with money. Since with debit cards you cannot spend more than what’s on your bank account, no additional criteria need to be met!
With that in mind, you must have gathered that the solution works through the banking system, so you must have an active bank account. Luckily, basically, any account with any bank you might already have will do; the solution is offered by most if not all, Canadian banks! So, you won’t even need to go through an added registration/application procedure; you just need to visit your bank to apply for your card!
Once you have your card, you can use it across all industries available in Canada, the online gambling industry included. The debit card is offered across the top Canadian sites, so you’ll have plenty of options to explore to find the one you’d like to join. So, if that’s on your mind, stay with us, as we’ll take you through the application process next.
Getting Started with the Solution
As previously mentioned, all you need to get started with MasterCard Debit is to have an active bank account, with literally any Canadian bank. You won’t need to provide credit history, since you’ll only be able to spend as much as you have on your bank account, so you won’t need to go through an exhausting procedure. In fact, the procedure you’d need to go through is quite straightforward and easy, and if you’ve ever applied for any card, you’d know what to do.
First, check with your bank whether they offer online card applications; if not, you’d need to go to your bank to physically apply for the card. As mentioned, most, if not all, Canadian banks are authorized to issue these cards, so any bank you already have an account with would do. Just visit it and ask the desk clerk for a card application form. You’d need to fill out the form with some basic personal info first, and then specify that you’re choosing to apply for a debit card, out of the many card options offered.
The next step would be specifying which type of debit card you’re applying for, the Standard, the Enhanced or the World Debit card. These are all excellent choices but offer different fees, rates and perks, so make sure you educate yourself on each of their characteristics to be able to make a wise decision on which one to apply for.
Finally, you’d need to wait for the bank’s approval, which you’ll probably get, and wait for the card to arrive at your home address. Alternatively, you could choose to get it from the bank. Regardless of how you choose to pick it up, it will arrive in an envelope along with a piece of paper where the needed authentication and verification codes are. Make sure you keep that piece of paper safe, as you’ll need the codes for payments and purchases with the debit card. And, once your card is active, you can start exploring Canadian online casinos to join.
Depositing and Withdrawing
There’s no doubt that you’ll find MasterCard Debit offered at the very best Canadian casinos. In fact, most, if not all, of them offer it. Some great examples are LeoVegas, Canada777, MrRex and EuroGrand, among others. Make sure you explore several legit sites like these, to find the one that would suit you best to join.
After you’ve joined a casino that accepts it, to make a deposit with MasterCard Debit, you’d need to do the following:
- Head over to the casino’s Deposits/Banking page.
- Select MasterCard Debit’s logo from the methods offered.
- Type in the card’s number, expiry date and cardholder’s name, plus the CCV2 code found on the back of the card.
- Specify how much you’d like to deposit.
- Authenticate and confirm the transfer and watch the money arriving on your balance instantly.
MasterCard Debit is a withdrawal method, too; however, as you will notice, it is not offered by default for withdrawals even if the casino operator accepted it for topping up your casino balance. You would have to consult with your chosen casino to check whether it is an option for withdrawals or not before you attempt to request one.
Provided it is accepted, to request a withdrawal with the debit card, you’d basically need to go through the same steps as described previously for deposits. Only this time, instead of specifying how much to send, specify how much you’d like to receive. After the casino reviews your request, and hopefully accepts it, in a period of five to seven business days, the money will arrive on your bank account/debit card. From there, you can cash your winnings out on any ATM or use them for further payments and purchases, anywhere where MasterCard is accepted.
Top MasterCard Debit Casinos
Applicable Fees
Fees are charged when using MasterCard Debit, but you must have suspected this. As with any other debit or credit card for that matter, the fees are charged by issuing the bank, not MasterCard itself.
Therefore, to figure out how big these fees can be, you’d need to get in touch with your bank’s Support team. The fees will vary, depending on the type of debit card you’re using, the bank’s policy, the transactions you’re making with your card, etc., but all will be explained by the Support agent.
Accepted Currencies
Since this is a solution offered in more than 180 countries and territories globally, it should come as no surprise that all of their currencies are accepted with MasterCard Debit, Canadian dollars included.
Should you choose to play at a casino that accepts your native currency, you’ll be getting conversion fee-free transactions. For a conversion fee, however, you are free to use any other currency at your disposal, be it Australian, US dollars, euros, UK pounds or Swiss francs, for instance.
Coverage
The credit card product may have wider coverage, but the MasterCard Debit card is accepted all over the globe, too, in more than 180 countries and territories.
While the brand is no longer available for online gambling transactions in some countries, due to regulatory reasons mainly tied to its credit cards, you can rest assured that it is available in Canada, so as a Canadian player, you have no legal obstacles to using it across online casinos.
Customer Support
If you’re uncertain about how the solution works or you have some other doubts in your mind, make sure you visit MasterCard’s official international site, choose Canada as your country, and you’ll be redirected to the Canadian version of the site. Once there, you’ll be able to explore the extensive FAQs section prepared by MasterCard’s top-notch Support team, plus, you’ll be able to see the Get Support button, where you can try the 1-800-307-7309 Canadian phone line to consult with an agent directly.
Or, you can get in touch with your bank’s representatives of the Support service, regarding any failed or cancelled transactions. Your chosen casino’s Support team is also at your disposal for any uncertainties, so make sure you contact them, too, to get the answers you needed.
Conclusion
MasterCard Debit is certainly a card worth considering as a Canadian online casino player, as it would allow you to make the most seamless deposits and withdrawals. The debit card is offered across the top Canadian casinos, it is easy to get issued with one and use, plus you will avoid paying conversion fees since you’ll be able to transact in Canadian dollars with it. Since you have no obstacles to giving it a try, make sure you do the soonest you can.
FAQs
Which are some of the Canadian banks that issue MasterCard Debit cards?
Most, if not all, Canadian banks issue MasterCard Debit, you can rest assured. Among them, we can mention ATB Financial, CIBC, Capital One, National Bank of Canada, Scotiabank, Desjardins, Tangerine, and People’s Trust.
Will I be able to explore the official website in French?
But, of course! Once you get redirected to the Canadian version of the official website, you’ll see that you have the option to explore it in both English and French.
Do all ATMs in Canada accept MasterCard Debit?
Most, if not all, do. In case you wish to cash out your winnings at an ATM, you could visit MasterCard’s official website to enter your address in the Locator tool, for it to search the nearest ATM locations near your home that accept the card.
How can I be certain whether or not the debit card is a withdrawal option?
Most Canadian casinos will display the logos of the accepted methods at the bottom of their homepages; some will have you look at them on the Banking/Deposits/Withdrawals pages. If you cannot find the info either way, you can always contact the casino’s Support team to get your answers.
Are the fees with this card hefty or reasonable?
As said, the fees are charged by the issuing bank, and depend on many things, so we cannot tell you exactly how big they can be. We can say that these are standard fees that go with most cards, of around 2%, but you’d still need to get in touch with your bank to find out more.
