Credit cards used to be one of the most popular ways to fund a sports betting account. Over the past year, though, most major sportsbooks have stopped accepting them.
A few betting sites still take credit cards, and deposits with them are usually instant and fee-free. This guide covers which sportsbooks still accept credit cards, which ones stopped, and what to use instead
Are Credit Cards Still Accepted at Betting Sites?
Only a handful of sportsbooks still accept credit cards. Most of the big names dropped them over the past year.
DraftKings stopped accepting credit card deposits in August 2025, FanDuel followed on March 2, 2026, and bet365, BetMGM, Caesars, and Hard Rock have all since dropped them as well.
Credit card bans came from regulators and lawmakers worried about the cost of betting with borrowed money, which often means cash advance fees and interest. The turning point was a $450,000 fine against DraftKings in Massachusetts, a state that bans credit card deposits. Senator Elizabeth Warren then pushed the rest of the industry to follow.
What does that mean for you? Among the major sportsbooks, theScore Bet and BetRivers are among the few still accepting credit cards, and only in states where it's permitted. Almost everywhere else, you'll now fund your account with a debit card, PayPal, online banking, or a prepaid option like Play+ instead.
Online Sports Betting Sites That Accept Credit Cards
A handful of betting sites accept credit card payments, and they're one of the easiest ways to fund your account.
Most often, these are Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and/or American Express, but not all sportsbooks offer all four.
Note that credit cards only allow one-way transactions, meaning you’ll have to pick another method for cashing out your winnings. For example, you can opt for PayPal, an online bank transfer, or any other accepted withdrawal option on the betting site of your choice.
Here's an overview of which credit card betting sites accept which cards:
Here are some more details about the best betting sites that accept credit cards:
- BetRivers Sportsbook. BetRivers accepts Visa, Discover, and Mastercard. Apart from the easy and convenient deposit and withdrawal process, BetRivers also offers one of the best sportsbooks for bettors who enjoy wagering on soccer games.
- SugarHouse Sportsbook. You can deposit at SugarHouse by using Visa, Mastercard, and Discover. In addition to competitive odds, the popular sportsbook offers same-game parlays, low rollover requirements, and various other competitive odds boosts and promos.
- theScore Bet. theScore Bet accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards for deposits, which land in your playable balance instantly. Credit cards can't be used for withdrawals, so you'll need another method like PayPal or bank transfer to cash out. theScore Bet doesn't charge deposit fees, though your bank may apply a cash advance fee.
>> Read More: Best Mastercard Sports Betting Sites
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Using a Credit Card for Depositing Into a Sportsbook Account
Depositing with a credit card is simple. Enter your card details and the amount you want to deposit.
Most betting sites that accept credit cards process deposits instantly, but there are still a few things to keep in mind before funding your account:
How to Deposit Into a Betting Site Using a Credit Card
Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how to make a credit card deposit:
- Select an online betting site. Check out our guide to the best online sportsbooks to decide which is best for you.
- Open an account or log in if you’re already a registered member.
- Go to the cashier page and select one of the available credit card deposit options.
- Enter your credit card information to connect your card. This includes your card number, security code, and expiration date.
- Type in the amount you’d like to deposit and submit.
- Have fun, and remember to gamble responsibly!
Minimum & Maximum Credit Card Deposit Amounts
Most sportsbooks set limits on both the minimum and maximum you can deposit.
In most cases, the minimum limit is between $5 and $20. However, maximum deposits can vastly differ depending on the sportsbook, payment method, and player status (VIP players sometimes have higher deposit limits).
For new players, credit card deposits are usually capped between $1,000 and $5,000.
Speed of Credit Card Deposit
Credit card transactions are almost always instant, meaning you should be able to see the money in your account balance in a matter of seconds after confirming your deposit.
That said, your deposit requests can be rejected from time to time, as banks sometimes don’t allow gambling-related transactions.
Fees
Some credit cards charge a small fee if your deposit is treated as a cash advance. If not, these transactions come free of charge. However, make sure to check that before making your deposit to learn if any fees apply.
What to Do When Betting Sites That Accept Credit Cards Reject Your Deposit
Even if you’re in a legal state and playing on betting sites that accept credit cards, your deposits can sometimes get declined, usually due to bank policies, fraud prevention systems, or merchant coding issues. Here’s what to do if your deposit fails:
- Try a different card. Not all credit cards are treated the same. Mastercard tends to be accepted more reliably than Visa or American Express at most sportsbooks. If one card fails, another may proceed without issue. Credit card betting often comes down to trial and error between issuers and sites.
- Use an alternative deposit method. Most sportsbooks offer multiple deposit options. Consider switching to PayPal, Play+ prepaid cards (specifically built for gambling), ACH/eCheck, online banking, or debit cards—which are less frequently blocked than credit cards.
- Contact the sportsbook’s customer support. Top sportsbooks usually have live chat or email support that can explain why your transaction was flagged, suggest working methods for your location, or help you fund a Play+ account as a workaround.
- Check with your bank. Sometimes the card issuer blocks gambling-related charges by default. A quick call to manually authorize the transaction often resolves the issue, especially for first-time deposits.
- Don’t keep trying repeatedly. If your card is declined once or twice, avoid resubmitting it repeatedly, as this can trigger fraud alerts or result in temporary holds. Instead, switch to a different method or contact support for guidance.
Pros & Cons of Depositing With a Credit Card
Let’s take a look at some of the major benefits and downsides of using credit cards for sportsbook deposits:
Pros
- Some credit cards offer rewards on their transactions.
- Deposits are fast and usually instant.
- Credit cards are a secure and trusted payment option.
Cons
- Most major sportsbooks no longer accept credit card deposits, so your options are limited.
- A large deposit can spike your credit utilization (your balance divided by your credit limit), which may hurt your credit score. It's best to keep utilization under 30%.
- The maximum deposit limits can be lower than with other payment methods.
- Your deposit may not always be approved.
- You risk going into debt.
Using a Credit Card to Withdraw From a Sports Betting Site
Unfortunately, credit cards aren’t available as withdrawal methods. They are designed exclusively for making payments, so it’s not really possible to load money back to your credit card unless you are using your bank.
Once you decide to cash out your winnings, make sure to use some of the available withdrawal options. E-wallets, such as PayPal, are usually the fastest, but you can also rely on some more traditional options, including check, ACH, and bank transfer.
If you value getting your money quickly, check out our guide to the sportsbooks with the fastest payouts.
Which Card Brands Do Betting Sites Accept?
Not every sportsbook takes every card brand. Here's how the four major brands break down at the sites that still allow credit cards.
- Mastercard. Mastercard is one of the two most widely accepted brands. BetRivers, SugarHouse, and theScore Bet all take it where credit card deposits are permitted.
- Visa. Visa is accepted just as broadly as Mastercard, though it's slightly more likely to be flagged as a cash advance by certain issuers. BetRivers and SugarHouse both support it.
- Discover. Discover shows up less often than Visa or Mastercard. BetRivers and SugarHouse accept it, but many smaller books don't, so have a backup method ready.
- American Express. American Express is the least commonly accepted of the four. If it's your only card, expect to fall back on debit, PayPal, or Play+ at most sites.
Can You Bet on Credit and Pay Later?
You can't bet on credit and settle up later at a licensed sportsbook. Every state with legal online betting bars operators from extending credit to players, so no regulated book offers a “bet now, pay later” option.
Trying to route credit card money through a middleman usually fails too. PayPal blocks transfers to gambling sites when the funds originate from a credit card.
If you just want your money in the account quickly, a debit card or an online banking transfer clears instantly and skips the cash advance fees a credit card can trigger.
Sad svaka rečenica, izolovano pročitana, kaže tačno šta se dešava i sa čim. “A debit card or an online banking transfer clears instantly and skips the cash advance fees” stoji sama.
What Happens to Money You Already Deposited by Card?
Money already sitting in your sportsbook account stays available even after that book stops taking credit cards. Dropping credit cards ends new card deposits, but it doesn't touch your existing balance, so you can still bet with it or withdraw it.
Any withdrawal leaves by a different route than a credit card deposit came in. Credit cards can't receive payouts, so your winnings come back through bank transfer, PayPal, or another approved withdrawal method.
Travelers hit one specific catch. If you deposit by card in one state and then place bets from a state that bans credit card betting, that balance may be locked for wagering the whole time you're in the banning state.
Why a Card Works on One Sportsbook but Not Another
The same credit card can clear at one sportsbook and get declined at the next. Each operator routes and labels its deposits differently, and that back-end setup decides whether your issuer's gambling block gets triggered.
One book might code a deposit in a way that trips your bank's gambling filter while another codes it in a way that slips through. Same card, two sportsbooks, two different results.
When a deposit fails, trying a second sportsbook often works faster than calling your bank to authorize the charge. A debit card or Play+ also avoids the problem, since issuers rarely flag those as gambling transactions.
Things to Watch Out For When Using Credit Cards at Sportsbooks
Depositing with a credit card is usually fast and easy, but several behind-the-scenes issues can catch bettors off guard. Here’s what you need to know.
Some Banks Treat Deposits as Cash Advances
Certain banks and card issuers (especially with Visa or American Express) flag gambling-related transactions as cash advances, not regular purchases. If that happens:
- You might get hit with a cash advance fee (typically $10 or 3–5% of the deposit).
- The amount may start accruing interest immediately, even if you pay your card balance in full that month.
- You won’t earn credit card points or cashback rewards on the transaction.
To avoid this, check with your card issuer before making a deposit, or consider using a debit card, Play+, or an e-wallet like PayPal instead.
Your Deposit Might Be Blocked Even If It's Legal in Your State
Some banks continue to block gambling transactions regardless of your location. Even if you're betting legally within your state, issuers like Capital One, American Express, and many regional banks or credit unions may reject the payment based on internal restrictions tied to gambling activity.
In most cases, these declines happen without explanation. You may not receive an error message, and customer support often can't provide a clear reason. The issue typically stems from your card issuer automatically declining payments flagged under MCC 7995, the merchant code assigned to gaming and betting. This happens by default, even when your account is in good standing.
A card that works on one sportsbook may be declined on another. The difference usually lies in how each operator routes and labels the payment. The issue isn't whether credit card betting is legal in your state. It's how your bank interprets the transaction behind the scenes.
Credit Cards May Not Be Allowed in Your State
A handful of states prohibit the use of credit cards for gambling deposits altogether, regardless of whether sports betting is legal. These include:
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Vermont
If you’re in one of these states, credit card deposits will likely fail by default.
A Word of Caution on Using Credit Cards With Sportsbooks
Gambling can be addictive, and some players might get carried away and deposit more than they can afford.
If you have to spend more on your credit card than you can afford to pay off that month, you’ll be charged interest on that money which can be very expensive as credit card interest rates are often 15% to 30%.
For this reason, it’s crucial to only charge your card with what you can pay off that month. If you don’t, you may find yourself in a debt spiral that can be hard to get out of.
Credit Card vs Other Deposit Methods
A credit card is only one of several ways to fund a betting account, and it's usually not the most reliable one. Here's how it compares to the methods most bettors switch to when a card gets declined.
FAQs on Using Credit Cards With Sports Betting Sites
What kind of credit cards can I use with online sports betting sites?
The sportsbooks that still take credit cards usually accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express, with Visa and Mastercard the most widely supported. Keep in mind that most major sportsbooks dropped credit cards over the past year, so your options are limited.
Which sportsbooks still accept credit cards?
Among the major operators, theScore Bet and BetRivers are two of the few still accepting credit cards, and only in states where it's permitted. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, and Caesars have all stopped.
Does FanDuel accept credit cards?
No. FanDuel stopped accepting credit card deposits in March 2026. You can still fund a FanDuel account with a debit card, PayPal, online banking, or Play+.
Does DraftKings accept credit cards?
No. DraftKings dropped credit card deposits in August 2025, the first major operator to do so. Debit cards, PayPal, and online banking are the main alternatives.
Does Caesars Sportsbook accept credit cards?
No. Caesars phased out credit card deposits in 2026, along with bet365 and BetMGM. You'll need another method like debit or an e-wallet.
Which sportsbooks accept Mastercard?
The sportsbooks that still take credit cards generally accept Mastercard, since it's one of the two most widely supported brands alongside Visa. BetRivers and theScore Bet both take Mastercard where credit card deposits are allowed.
Are there any fees for using a credit card on a betting site?
The sportsbook itself usually doesn't charge a deposit fee. Many card issuers treat the deposit as a cash advance instead of a purchase, which adds a flat fee (often around $10) or a percentage fee of 3% to 5%. Interest on a cash advance starts right away with no grace period, so check your card's terms first.
Are credit cards safe to use with sports betting sites?
Yes. Credit cards are one of the more secure ways to fund a licensed sportsbook account.
How long do credit card deposits take with sportsbooks?
Credit card deposits are usually instant, so the money should show in your balance within seconds.
Can I withdraw money from my sportsbook to my credit card?
No. Credit cards only work for deposits, so you'll need another method like PayPal or bank transfer to cash out.
What do I do if my credit card company blocks my deposit?
Many issuers automatically decline transactions flagged under MCC 7995, the merchant category code for betting and casino gambling. Capital One is one issuer known to block this category by default. Try a different card, or switch to a debit card, Play+, or an e-wallet like PayPal.
Can I earn rewards by depositing to a betting site with my credit card?
Usually not. When your issuer treats the deposit as a cash advance, it won't count toward rewards like cash back or travel points, and interest starts building immediately.
Which states ban credit cards for betting deposits?
Eight states prohibit credit card gambling deposits regardless of whether betting is legal there: Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Vermont. In those states, a credit card deposit will fail by default.
