bet365 has stopped accepting credit cards for deposits in the United States, reflecting a wider industry shift as regulators tighten rules around consumer protection in sports betting.
According to the operator, credit cards will not be allowed to be used by consumers to fund their accounts, other methods of payment (debit cards and Apple Pay) will still be available as long as those methods are not linked to any type of credit line.
Given the increasing focus on gambling-related financial risk, this decision by bet365 is in-line with actions taken by many other significant operating companies in the industry, DraftKings and FanDuel, who already have similar restrictions in place.
There is frustration with many gamblers because of the excessive charges and interest fees that credit card companies charge for any type of credit card transactions related to gambling. Many states across the United States are either considering establishing an outright ban on consumer use of credit cards for gambling, or they are sitting back and “waiting for the dust to settle.” Elizabeth Warren indicated her displeasure with these actions in a letter to operators in February, calling the excessive fees being charged by credit card companies for gambling transactions “abusive” and stating that many of these transactions are designed to, and ultimately do, rob American citizens of their money.
While bet365’s decision may help them secure a stronger position in the marketplace, as many operators are focusing on entering Massachusetts where credit card deposits are currently illegal, they cannot re-enter the Massachusetts marketplace as indicated by previous actions taken by Massachusetts when the state legalized sports wagering in 2023.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has since reopened its licensing process following a request from bet365, potentially paving the way for its entry.
Commission chair Jordan Maynard welcomed the renewed interest, stating:
That does hearten me, that people still want to enter the legal market in Massachusetts… So I have to say I respect that.
Operators such as FanDuel have also highlighted the advantages of aligning payment rules across states, noting that consistent policies can help reduce friction for users moving between jurisdictions.
