Why did I switch from PayPal to Apple Pay casino payments when both offer similar processing times and security protocols?
They’re both safe ways to make deposits and withdrawals, but in my experience, Apple Pay provides a better service for mobile users.
What is Apple Pay?
Apple Pay is a safe way to make online gambling payments. Specifically, it’s a next-generation eWallet. I say that because it takes what first-generation online wallets such as PayPal started and streamlines the experience.
I’ll talk more about how to use Apple Pay at the top UK online gambling sites later. For now, here’s a quick overview of what it does:
- Apple Pay is exclusively for iOS users (sorry, Android readers, you’ll need to use Google Pay).
- You set up Apple Pay by linking a debit/credit card or bank account to your Apple account.
- This turns your mobile phone into a portable payment device that can be used for in-person tap-to-pay transactions or online transactions.
In essence, Apple Pay is a conduit for financial transactions. This means you can make payments from your bank account without entering any banking details. There are a variety of benefits to this, including efficiency and security, which is why the top UK online gambling sites now offer this payment method.
A closer look at the top 3 Apple Pay casinos in the UK
More and more UK online gambling sites are starting to offer Apple Pay, but a few bright sparks got ahead of the curve. Of all the casinos that spotted Apple Pay’s benefits before it was trendy, the following three are my favourites, thanks to their games, promotions and unique features.
1. talkSPORT BET
talkSPORT BET is more than a sportsbook. Yes, it offers generous odds on the latest Premier League games and boxing matches, but don’t sleep on its slots. The developers quietly added a handful of exclusives to the already impressive gaming lobby at the end of 2024.
I’d still like a few more casual casino games to be added, particularly in the form of crash games. However, if you’re someone who wants to get the most from Apple Pay, you’ll have plenty of mobile games to choose from.
Age of the Gods: Cash Collect is my favourite progressive jackpot slot, and 10p Roulette is both fun and affordable. If I’m forced to recommend one game for all-round entertainment, I have to go with Vinnie Jones Card Chase.
 Pros |
 Cons |
|---|---|
| Withdrawals processed within 48 hours | Usability could be better |
| Withdraw up to £50,000 | No casino loyalty program |
| Unique features | |
| Exclusive slots like talkSPORT BET Hold & Win |
2. PUB casino
This pub is a hive of entertainment, and there’s not a drink in sight. With plenty of mobile slots and table games, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker, you won’t be short of ways to wager money.
I would love a few more digital table games, but the live casino more than makes up for the gaps in this area of the app. For me, the main reason to try Pub Casino is its casual games. Offerings such as Rock, Paper, Scissors and Flipping Fortunes are not only fun but simple enough that even a complete casino newbie can easily ante up.
When you combine the novice-friendly games lobby with almost instant withdrawals via Apple Pay, it’s hard not to call Pub Casino one of the best gambling sites for newbies.
| Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| Apple Pay withdrawals processed within 24 hours | Minimum withdrawal is £10 rather than the more common £5 |
| Plenty of exciting casino tournaments | Could offer more classic table games |
| Great selection of casual casino games |
3. Virgin Games
Rewards and freebies are the two reasons I joined Virgin Games. The fact that real-money players can play selected slots for free every day is hugely impressive. A lot of UK online casinos offer free spins, but none do it on a daily basis, like Virgin Games.
You’ll notice from my list of pros and cons below that you can’t make withdrawals via Apple Pay. I can’t pretend I’m happy about this. Any casino that offers Apple Pay deposits (as Virgin Games does) should make it a withdrawal option. That being said, you can make almost instant withdrawals using Visa Direct.
For a final flourish, Virgin Games offers poker and bingo. Again, that’s something of a unique twist on the usual line-up games you’ll see at the top UK gambling sites. So, if you want to try something different while making safe Apple Pay deposits, I recommend Virgin Games.
| Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
| Lucrative online slots with jackpots topping £100,000 | Can’t make withdrawals with Apple Pay |
| Offers casino games, poker and bingo | Bonus wagering requirements could be improved |
| Daily free games promotion |
The ideal Apple Pay user
The ideal Apple Pay user is, obviously, someone with an iPhone or iPad. Without one of these devices and an associated Apple account, you can’t use this payment method.
The second requirement is that you’re a registered user with one of my recommended Apple Pay casinos. You can be a member of more than one UK online gambling site, but at least one of them must offer Apple Pay.
Assuming you’ve got the basics in place, the ideal Apple Pay casino user is someone who wants the following things…
- Instant deposits and withdrawals that take no more than 48 hours.
- A simple one-touch way to make deposits and withdrawals.
- An easy way to play mobile casino games.
- Enhanced security features such as Touch ID and Face ID.
- The ability to make payments without entering your credit/debit card details or banking details.
I’m not saying you have to want all or any of these things to use Apple Pay. However, if you’re willing to try new technologies and want easy ways to make mobile gambling payments, Apple Pay is ideal.
Pros and cons of using Apple Pay at online casinos
Some players I’ve spoken to love the convenience of Apple Pay, while some see the ability to make instant mobile payments as a potential problem. I don’t think instant payments are a problem, but I can see why people might think so.
The fact that you can deposit and withdraw funds with a single tap does pose a risk for people prone to wagering more than they can afford to lose. However, as long as you adhere to the basic tenets of responsible gambling and set sensible deposit limits, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Based on my experience, this is the main argument against using Apple Pay for online casino transactions, but there are other things to consider. Some of the other pros and cons to think about are:
Pros
- You can verify payments using Touch ID/Face ID security instead of standard passwords.
- Payments can be completed in less than 30 seconds.
- Funds are processed safely using Apple’s cutting-edge mobile encryption software.
Cons
- This method is only available to iOS users.
- Not all UK online casinos offer Apple Pay for withdrawals.
How to make a deposit with Apple Pay
Making Apple Pay casino deposits is easy if you’ve already got an account with one of my top picks. If that’s the case, you can start from step #3 on the list below. For anyone who’s yet to join an Apple Pay online casino, here’s how to do it:
1. Create an account with one of my recommended Apple Pay casinos, such as talkSPORT BET.
2. Go to the Apple Store and download your chosen casino’s mobile app.
3. Log into your casino account via the iOS app.
4. Tap “Deposit” and confirm that you acknowledge the company’s fund segregation policy.
5. Set your deposit limit (daily, weekly, monthly or no limit).
6. Select Apple Pay from the list of payment options.
7. Enter a deposit amount (£5 or more).
8. Double-click the action button on your iPhone/iPad to initiate the transaction.
9. Enter your Apple Pay password or use Touch ID/Face ID to verify the transaction.
Your funds will be available instantly once you’ve successfully completed the above steps.
Apple Pay method compared to others
Apple Pay stacks up well when it’s compared to other UK online gambling payment options, which is why its popularity is increasing. Let’s take a look at how it compares in four key areas to see if it’s the right payment method for you:
| Payment method | Apple Pay | Google Pay | PaysafeCard | Skrill |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min/Max Withdrawal | £5/£50,000 | £5/£40,000 | Not Available | £10/£1,400 |
| Processing time | Instant Deposits/Withdrawals within 48 hours | Instant Deposits/Withdrawals within 48 hours | Not Available | Instant Deposits/Withdrawals take 24-48 hours |
| Security | Touch ID/Face ID verification + no need to enter banking details | Touch ID/Face ID verification + no need to enter banking details | Single-use voucher code + no requirement to enter your banking details | Third-party online wallet designed for digital transactions |
| Availability | Available at approximately 75% of online casinos in the UK | Available at approximately 50% of online casinos in the UK | Available at approximately 80% of online casinos in the UK for deposits | Available at approximately 90% of online casinos in the UK |
*For clarity, I’ve used talkSPORT BET, Pub Casino, and Virgin Games as the basis for withdrawal limits and processing times.
Tips when using Apple Pay as a preferred payment method
The simplicity of Apple Pay means that it’s almost impossible to mess up transactions. While that’s true, there are some things you can do to get the most out of this innovative payment method.
With this in mind, here’s how to use Apple Pay responsibly and take full advantage of its features:
- Make sure Apple Pay is connected to a bank account suitable for online gambling transactions. Specifically, the funds in your bank account should be disposable income, i.e. money set aside for gambling.
- Enable Touch ID/Face ID on your device to provide an additional layer of security to each transaction.
- Set a deposit limit via your casino account. You can do this before your first deposit or within the responsible gambling section of your account page.
- Only use Apple Pay for deposits if you’re happy to have winnings sent to this method. Online casinos typically require you to withdraw money to your original deposit method. If this isn’t possible, you can use another method. Therefore, if you use Apple Pay for your first deposit, it will be your default withdrawal method if possible.
- Make small deposits rather than one large deposit. One of Apple Pay’s benefits is the fact that you can make deposits from as little as £5. Use this to your advantage by dividing up your bankroll so you can make small deposits at multiple casinos and claim multiple bonuses.
My final verdict
Apple Pay has become my default method for mobile casino payments over the last 12 months. I previously put all my faith in PayPal and, to some extent, still do. However, there’s something about the convenience of Apple Pay that I can’t escape.
If you’re someone who prefers gaming on the go, Apple Pay is the only viable option, in my opinion. It’s extremely easy to use, transactions are processed swiftly, and there are multiple layers of security.
Why do I like using Apple Pay at online casinos?
I’m a big fan of mobile slots, and Apple Pay makes it easy to spin the reels of real-money hits such as Starburst and Big Bass Bonanza.
As well as giving me the necessary funds to play for six-figure prizes, the speed of Apple Pay transactions means I can jump into the slots competition without missing a beat. When you add ongoing promotions to the mix, Apple Pay is an ideal way to get more value from your time online.
Where could Apple Pay use some improvements?
As much as I rate and recommend Apple Pay for casino players with an iPhone or iPad, I have to be honest and say it’s not perfect. Aside from the fact that it’s not available at every UK online casino, withdrawals could be improved.
Some UK casino sites only offer Apple Pay deposits. I’d make Apple Pay a default withdrawal method if it’s available for deposits. In line with this, I’d increase the amount you can withdraw using Apple Pay.
Although I’ve never hit the maximum withdrawal limit, some people might, particularly if they win a progressive jackpot. Most UK online casinos allow you to withdraw between £35,000 and £50,000 via Apple Pay.
To reiterate, that’s a limit most people, including me, won’t hit in a single transaction. That being said, there may be times you want to withdraw more. Bank transfers are the obvious alternative for transactions over £50,000, but it can take up to 7 days to get your winnings via this method.
Therefore, if I’m being needlessly critical, I’d say that Apple Pay would be even better if the maximum withdrawal limit was increased to £100,000. What’s more, deposits are often capped at £1,000. This limit could also be increased to ensure Apple Pay is as suitable for high rollers as it is for casual casino players.
FAQ about making Apple Pay transactions at online casinos
1. Are there fees when I use Apple Pay as a payment method?
You won’t pay any fees when you make deposits or withdrawals using Apple Pay. The best UK online casinos absorb any processing fees levied by third-party processors, including Apple Pay. This means you can make transfers, no matter how big or small, without paying any extra costs. This is particularly important for withdrawals because you get to keep 100% of your winnings.
2. How long does it take for deposits and withdrawals via Apple Pay to be processed?
Apple Pay online casino deposits are processed instantly, and the average time for withdrawals is 24 hours. The majority of top-rated UK online casinos have security protocols in place for real money withdrawals. These protocols ensure that requests are legitimate and not fraudulent. The quicker a security review is conducted, the sooner you’ll receive your winnings. For example, talkSPORT BET typically reviews requests within 24 hours, which means withdrawals are usually completed in a day.
3. Are there any casino-specific promotions or cashback offers available for using Apple Pay?
Online casino bonuses aren’t linked to specific payment methods such as Apple Pay, but there are ways to get something extra using this payment method. Specifically, the best UK online gambling operators offer mobile casino bonuses. Because Apple Pay is a mobile casino payment method, it’s the ideal way to claim bonuses designed for iOS users. Check out popular UK casino sites such as PUB, Virgin Games, and Casumo for mobile bonus offers.
Read up on other casino payment methods
About the author
Daniel Smyth
Daniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years.
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the casino offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
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