Why underwriters look closely at gaming & gambling
Licensing
Online gambling is legal only where a state or country licenses it, and acquirers verify the license.
Correct coding
Gambling transactions must carry the gambling merchant category code (7995). Issuers use it to decide whether to approve, and some block it entirely.
Deposit fraud and regret
Stolen-card deposits, bonus abuse and disputes from players who regret their losses.
A payment setup that fits
How we usually set up licensed gaming operators. Your consultant tailors it to how you actually sell.
- 1
Coded correctly, always
Disguising gambling as another category is transaction laundering and ends accounts. We set you up openly.
- 2
A mix of payment methods
Cards, ACH and other methods, because some issuers decline gambling on credit cards.
- 3
Player controls
Deposit limits, self-exclusion, and age and location checks.
What you’ll need to apply
Have these ready and your application moves faster. Your consultant confirms the exact list for the processor you’re matched with.
- Government ID for every owner with 25% or more
- Voided business check or bank letter
- Recent business bank statements
- Recent processing statements, if you have taken cards before
- Articles of incorporation and EIN letter
- A website with clear pricing, refund, cancellation and contact details
- Gaming license for every jurisdiction you serve
- Geolocation and age verification providers
- KYC, AML and responsible gaming policies
Why applications get declined, and how to avoid it
- No license, or one that doesn’t cover where your players are
- Asking for a non-gambling category code
- Weak identity and location checks
We review your website, policies and statements against these before anything is submitted.
Keeping the account healthy after approval
Getting approved is half the job. These habits keep your account in good standing, and our platform tracks the numbers behind them for you.
- Offer ACH alongside cards to lift approval rates
- Verify identity before the first withdrawal
- Make deposit limits easy to set
Gaming & gambling: common questions
Why are so many gambling deposits declined?
Some issuers block gambling transactions, especially on credit cards. Offering bank payments alongside cards recovers many of those deposits.
Can we use a different category code?
No. Gambling has to be coded as gambling. Miscoding is a card-brand violation and a fast route to termination.
Do skill games count as gambling?
It depends on the game and the state. Tell us how yours works and we’ll find acquirers comfortable with it.
What happens after I’m approved?
We keep working with you. Our platform gives you one view of every account, and we review your chargebacks, approval rate, fraud tools and fees with you so the account stays healthy and gets cheaper over time.