
Bank transfer is one of our preferred payment methods at online sportsbooks because it’s safe to use, and it charges zero fees when we use it to make deposits and withdraw funds from our betting account.
If you would like to get started with bank transfer betting, you have come to the right place. We will take a close look at how this payment method works at sports betting sites and the verification processes you must complete before you can use it. We’ll also cover its history to help you understand where it all started.
Banking transfer was one of the first payment options available at sports betting sites after they went live in the 1990s. It’s still one of the most common payment methods you’ll find at top online sportsbooks today. We prefer using this payment option because it’s easy to execute bank transfers. We also love the fact that banks implement security measures to help ensure that all transactions are secure.
Many top betting sites accept bank transfer for deposits and withdrawals. However, you need to have patience because bank transfers take a little bit longer to process. To help you understand bank transfer processing times, remember that there are two components. You need to consider the time the betting site will take to process your withdrawal and how long your bank will take to clear the funds so they can be available in your bank account. One thing we have noticed while testing online sportsbooks is that the processing speed varies from one betting site to another.
Some sites support instant bank transfers and are referred to as Instant Funds or Fast Funds because they allow you to enjoy speedier transfers once you’ve set them up with your bank.
Before you make a bank transfer deposit at any betting site, you need to open a bank account. Decide what type of bank account you would like to open and choose your preferred bank. After that, you’ll need to complete the application process, which can differ depending on the type of account you want and how you decide to open it.
You can open a bank account in person and request online access. Some banks allow you to complete the application process online. Whichever route you decide to take, you’ll have to provide your government name, phone number, citizenship status, date of birth, and other information the bank will request.
Once you have received confirmation about your new account, you need to top it up.
The fastest way to add money to your bank account is with a debit or a credit card. As we explained in our guide about credit card betting sites, you can only use this payment option if it’s not restricted in your country of residence. You can also add money to your bank account using mobile wallets, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay.
Other digital methods of adding funds to your bank account include external bank transfers and direct deposits. Alternatively, you can top up in person by going to a physical branch and handing over the money you would like to deposit to the bank teller.
Once you have topped up your account, follow these steps to fund your sports betting account with a bank transfer:
Once you confirm the transaction, put your feet up and wait for your funds to reach your sports betting account. Expect your bank transfer to be processed within 1 to 3 business. Days.
Nearly all bank transfer casino sites and online sportsbooks that accept bank transfer offer this payment option as a withdrawal method. Some of the sites we have tested allow you to withdraw your potential winnings with a bank transfer, even if you funded your account using a different payment method.
If you select the bank transfer option when making a deposit, you won’t need to enter your bank details because they will be saved in your account. If you used a different payment method but would like to withdraw with a bank transfer, the site will ask you to enter your account number, account name, bank name, and sort code. If it’s a wire transfer, you may have to provide IBAN and SWIFT codes.
With that out of the way, here are the steps you’ll need to take to make a withdrawal at a bank transfer sports betting site:
Your money should drop into your bank account within 2 to 5 business days.
When opening a bank account online, you’ll be required to upload a photo of your ID to verify your identity and confirm that you are at least 18 years old. You may also need to provide proof of address, which can be a utility bill or a bank statement showing your name and residential address.
On top of this, you’ll have to verify your email address using either a link or code that your bank will send. Lastly, you must verify the phone number that you entered while opening your bank account online using a one-time verification code.
In 1872, Western Union became the first company to offer wire transfer, and it did this through its telegraph network. You had to pay money to one of their telegraph offices, then they could transmit a message and wire your funds to another branch. They would then authorize the release of the money you’ve sent to the recipient at that branch office using passwords and code books.
Between the 1800s and 1960s, bank transfers were known as telegraphic transfers because they used telegraph networks. It could take several weeks, and sometimes months, before receiving money via this method. Online banking started in the UK in 1982 when NBS’ Homelink was launched and teamed up with British Telecom’s Prestel service and Bank of Scotland. Many banks started considering online banking in the late 1990s. By 2000, most banks were offering internet-based services.
We have prepared a table to help you compare bank transfer with other payment systems:
| Provider | Fees | Deposit times | Withdrawal times | Availability |
| Bank transfer | None | 1 to 3 business | 3 to 5 business days | Widespread |
| Neteller | None | Instant | Up to 24 hours | 180+ countries |
| PaysafeCard | None | Instant | N/A | 30+ countries |
| Skrill | 0%-5% | Instant | Under 24 hours | 120+ countries |
Like Revolut betting, you first need to create an account to start placing wagers at betting sites that take bank transfers. The process of creating a betting account at most top sportsbooks is straightforward. However, you must meet the age requirements, which range from 18 to 21, at just about all sites we have tested. You must also live in a region where the betting site is legal and not restricted. With this in mind, here is how to sign up and get started today:
Pick a betting site that accepts bank transfer: To help ensure you choose a safe betting site, check the banners featured on this page and pick a site that suits your preferences. Once you have made up your mind, visit your preferred sports betting site by clicking its banner.
Initiate the registration process: Go to the top of the website and find the Sign-Up, Join, or Register button. Clicking this button will redirect you to a web page where you’ll find the registration form.
Enter your details: Start filling out the form by entering the information the betting site will request. While these details may vary depending on the site you want to join, most bank transfer sites we’ve tested require you to enter your legal name, date of birth, and email.
Create your login credentials: Select your user identification (username) that you would like the site to display on your transaction history and account dashboard. Then, set up a password for your betting account.
Agree to the terms and conditions of the site: Make yourself aware of the betting site’s privacy policies and terms and conditions. Check the Agree or Accept box to accept these terms of use.
Complete email and identity verification: Most betting sites require you to verify your email address using a one-off code or a link to activate your account. The vast majority of sites require you to complete ID verification before they can allow you to make your first bank transfer deposit and place bets. From our experience, this process takes between 24 and 72 hours.
Now you are ready to make your first deposit using a bank transfer and wager on your favorite sports.
We don’t just choose betting sites that take bank transfers arbitrarily, but judge all our picks by a strict standard. This is what we always look for when considering which sites to shortlist:
First and foremost, we evaluate the licence and trust of each site to help ensure your safety. All the bank transfer sports betting sites that we recommend hold a license from a recognized regulatory body. This is a good sign because it tells us that the operator implements safety measures on sports betting sites to help ensure you enjoy a safe environment for bank transfer betting. It also shows us that the site will pay your potential winning bets. Not only that, but we also dig into the brand’s reputation and its security protocols to help ensure we only recommend betting sites that put you first and don’t compromise on safety.
During testing, we investigate the sports variety of each bank transfer site we test and pick the ones that cover a long list of sports. Besides the usual suspects that we all love, like horse racing and football, we also want to see lesser-known sports with numerous competitions and sports betting markets, giving you plenty of options. The site should also provide competitive odds.
When reviewing bank transfer sites, we often look for standout features that make betting more interesting. These are some of the features that you’ll find at most of our recommended betting sites that accept bank transfer:
We understand that customer support is your first line of defense when you are new to bank transfer betting. So that’s the main reason we point you to sites that provide around-the-clock support through multiple channels. We always look out for phone, email, and live chat support.
Other nice-to-haves can include an FAQ page that provides answers to most of the questions we might have about that site, and an active social media channel. In the end, our main goal is to choose bank transfer sites that provide assistance swiftly, as this tells us they are committed to player satisfaction.
As we explore various bank transfer sites, we test each one to see how they perform on Android, iOS, and other mobile devices. We prefer sites that are compatible with multiple devices and are optimized for browsers running on tablets and smartphones. This allows you to make bank transfer deposits and place bets on your favorite sports right from your mobile device.
We prefer sites that support other payment methods apart from bank transfer, giving you plenty of options when you want to fund your account. So whether you want to try out Visa betting or would like to fund your account with e-wallets, the bank transfer sites we recommend support most of the popular payment options.
Bank transfers remain one of the most secure and reliable methods for depositing funds into your betting account and withdrawing your potential winnings. The payment method has long been established and you can benefit from reliable and secure transactions, albeit at a somewhat slower pace than modern e-wallets or card payments. You’ll find the option to fund your betting accounts at almost all of our recommended operators. If you are looking for the best bank transfer betting sites to join, go to our on-page banners, select a site available in your country, and sign up to get started.
Yes. Bank transfers are safe because banks deploy industry-standard security measures to help ensure your data is protected during transactions.
Yes. Most betting sites will ask you to complete the KYC procedure to verify your identity before they allow you to fund your betting account with a bank transfer.
No. You won’t incur any fees when you use a bank transfer to deposit money into your sports betting account.