Among the fastest-growing industries in Canada, iGaming is certainly near the top of the list. The sector, which has benefited greatly from the adoption of new regulations and operating environments created through organisations like iGaming Ontario, is set to continue its meteoric growth.
With new operators in the market, novel methods have emerged for players to enjoy the thrills of gambling and play the latest games released by the best development studios internationally. With fierce market competition, operators must employ every strategy to attract players.
One of the best ways to do this, other than providing bonuses, is by offering a variety of trusted and user-friendly deposit methods familiar to players. Having a specific payment processor could be the difference between players registering an account or going to a competitor’s website.
Among the many deposit methods available in Canada, some stand out. These, listed below, are the most popular among gamblers in the country and can help take the stress of payments off your shoulders whenever you decide to try your luck.
Interac
When it comes to homegrown deposit methods, Interac is the most popular by far. Founded in 1984, the company was created through the cooperative work of numerous Canadian banks looking to simplify payments across different organisations.
From this simple vision, the company has grown to be a renowned name in financial transfers in Canada and offers multiple services such as e-Transfer and Interac Debit. It has also been widely adopted in the iGaming sector as a trusted payment method for withdrawals and deposits.
Part of the reason for this adoption is the incredible speed of transfers that make funds available in your player account almost immediately. As a bonus, Interac deposits attract little to no fees and ensure what you deposit is yours to play with.
ecoPayz (Payz)
Founded in 2000, ecoPayz, which rebranded to Payz in 2023, is one of the largest e-wallet providers in the world. It supports over 50 currencies and operates in more than 200 countries.
In Canada, ecoPayz is one of the most commonly accepted payment methods at online casinos due to its quick deposits, minimal transaction fees, and the company’s dedication to safety and security, as evidenced by its numerous awards.
Acting as a payment middleman, ecoPayz ensures that no online casino has access to your banking information, thus protecting you as the player when making deposits. Using this payment method also gives you access to the various other features of the brand, such as virtual cards.
Visa/Mastercard
Players worldwide would be hard-pressed to find an online casino that does not support Visa or Mastercard as an online deposit method. The two companies are synonymous with financial transactions and process more than 300 billion transactions annually.
Although somewhat limiting due to some banks restricting payments to online casinos, both payment options are among the most used and offer instant deposits with relatively low fees. Adding to the popularity of this deposit method is that most Canadians already have a Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card.
Aside from widespread acceptance, a primary attraction for using Visa or Mastercard is the trusted security offered by the brands. Both companies are strict on who they provide services to and are unlikely to be caught working with unreputable sites—a great comfort to online gamblers.
PayPal
Another international brand associated with casino payments is PayPal. Launched in the USA in 1998, the company is often credited with inventing the first practical e-wallet, leading to extensive growth and spread worldwide.
Available in more than 200 countries, the payment processor supports 25 currencies and offers near-instant payments across international borders. Deposits into player accounts are also almost instant, and many of the best casinos support the platform.
While PayPal’s security is one of its greatest selling points, the fees charged for processing transactions are not. Since the fees are higher than other deposit methods, some players choose to avoid them, while others accept them because of the brand’s safety and exceptional service.
Gigadat
Launched in 2013, Gigadat is a Canadian payment processor that has expanded rapidly and formed partnerships with multiple banks nationwide. The company works closely with Interac to process e-transfers and provide convenient access to money transfers.
The platform is steadily gaining popularity due to its offering of immediate transfers. It also charges no fees, although your bank may charge an amount depending on the transaction you are performing.
One of the things that makes the platform so popular is its unique stance on ensuring convenience and security when gambling online, which is why many AGCO licensed casinos accept this method.
MuchBetter
Founded in 2017, MuchBetter is at the forefront of payment technology and is constantly looking to innovate and revolutionise the payment process. This focus has led to multiple physical wearables, including the upcoming release of a payment ring. On the digital side of things, the company has also excelled.
Offering instant casino deposits that cost nothing for Canadian players, MuchBetter is accepted by nearly all online casinos in the country. Deposits are made with the utmost care for security, so you can be assured that all transactions maintain the integrity of your payment details.
The company also boasts numerous other features that can be used even when not gambling online. These include the MuchBetter Wallet and a unique loyalty feature that grants you MB coins each time you top up your wallet for use. These coins can be converted to extra cash you can try your luck with online.
iDebit
iDebit is another home-grown payment method launched in Canada in 2010. The company specialises in quick online transactions and hosts unique support for websites in the iGaming industry.
Because of this, payments to your player account using this method are instant and, if paid using your existing iDebit balance, don’t cost a cent. If paying from your bank account through the service, minimal fees are attached and can easily be ignored.
One of the standout features of iDebit is its security. Working directly with the biggest banks in Canada, such as Scotiabank and Bank of Montreal (BOM), the payment processor links directly with your online banking credentials and ensures that your transactions and information are secure at all times.
Notable Mentions
Although the deposit methods listed above are the most popular among Canadian players, some others are also widely used. Among these are Neteller, Skrill, Paysafecard, and InstaDebit.
Crypto has also been used increasingly often, allowing those with access to it to play with the security of the blockchain and (in some cases) with anonymity not offered by other processors. Each of these additional methods has unique advantages that allow players to keep on playing.