M-Pesa Casinos
One of the biggest challenges in online gambling is offering deposit methods for those who do not have access to credit cards or bank accounts, especially in emerging markets. One of the best solutions to this issue has proven to be allowing players to make payments through their mobile phone accounts. One of the many companies that offer such services is known as M-Pesa.
M-Pesa allows players to make payments by storing funds in an account, which can then be used to deposit funds at a variety of online casinos. This is a secure and safe way to transfer funds that has become especially popular in some African nations.
We’ve taken the time to carefully select the best casinos that offer this deposit method for our readers. At these sites, you can feel confident that they offer quality software and other features like:
- Safe, fast deposits through M-Pesa
- A friendly and helpful customer support staff
- The best selection of online slots, table games, video poker and more
History
M-Pesa was launched in 2007 by the large mobile phone operator Vodafone. Originally, the service was rolled out for use on Safaricom and Vodacom, the largest mobile networks in Kenya and Tanzania respectively. Like other, similar services, the idea was to provide a payment system that could be used in the absence of strong banking networks, though this service also acts as a financial institution of sorts in and of itself: by allowing users to store funds and make transfers, it acts largely as a banking service for many of its users.
Over the years, the network has grown to include a series of additional nations, mostly in developing regions of the world. Along with India, Afghanistan, and South Africa, this option has also more recently been rolled out in Romanian and Albania over the last few years.
How to Use
In order to get started with this method, you’ll need to open an account with M-Pesa. To do so, you’ll need to provide some information to the service, including your mobile number (which must be on a participating carrier) as well as some other personal information. You’ll also set a secure PIN for your account.
Next, you’ll want to fund your account in some way. Often, you can do so through retail outlets near you that will act as agents for the service, possibly allowing you to get money into your account from cash. However, other options also exist, including connecting this wallet with your credit card, debit card, or a bank account in your name.
Finally, you’ll need to sign up for one of our recommended casinos that offer this as a deposit method. From there, find M-Pesa listed under the cashier or banker section, and choose it. You will be guided with instructions on how to process the payment. Once you have chosen how much to send and taken the appropriate steps to verify and submit the transaction, the funds will appear in your account, ready to use.
It’s worth noting that you may also be able to process withdrawals through this option. This is due to the fact that players can store value in their M-Pesa accounts. Essentially, this can be treated a lot like an e-wallet, only one that is attached to your cell phone account.
Advantages and Drawbacks
One of the major advantages to this service is that it offers what are essentially banking services to users who might not have the ability to acquire a credit card or open a bank account. That’s a large part of the reason why this company has taken root in mostly developing nations, where these more traditional financial instruments are harder to come by.
Beyond this, however, this is also a safe and secure method to transfer money to real money casinos. Players can get money into their accounts quickly without worrying about fraud or other issues. In addition, it can often be used as a withdrawal method, and can store your bankroll, making it a great way to keep track of your money as you play at multiple sites.
If we needed to point out one drawback, it would be that the limits on transactions tend to be relatively low. However, this varies by market, and should only impact higher-stakes players; even then, it is possible to eventually get around this by processing multiple transactions. In addition, there are some small fees associated with these deposits.
FAQ
Where Can This Method Be Used?M-Pesa is currently available only in a handful of countries. These include Kenya and Tanzania as well as Afghanistan, India, South Africa, Romania, and Albania.
Do I Need to Register to Use This Service?In order to make payments through this system, it is necessary to register for an account. It is possible to receive funds through this method without having registered, though the fees for such transactions are higher than with payments to registered members.
What Are Some Similar Options?If you like the idea of using mobile payments, but M-Pesa is not available in your country, similar programs are available in other parts of the world. Programs such as iDeal, POLi Payments, and Boku service various regions of the globe. It is worth noting that these companies generally allow payments to be charged to your mobile phone bill, which is slightly different than the mobile banking service described here. Another option is an e-wallet such as Neteller or Skrill, which operate in a similar manne and allow you to store funds as well as both deposit and withdraw from sites.
Are There Any Fees For Using This Service?Small fees are required for all payments made through this network. However, while these fees can be significant for very small transfers, larger transfers carry fees of less than 1% in almost all cases. While these charges are generally paid by the one making the payment, some casinos may pick up these costs when you deposit into their sites.
