MoneyGram vs. MasterCard Credit

If you’re an online casino connoisseur looking for a new payment method to use, MoneyGram and MasterCard will likely appear on your radar. These options have decades of experience under their belts, offering tried-and-true products that have withstood the test of time and adapted accordingly for the modern age. These international services have much to offer. They’re some of the safest options, offering users a convenient way to transact through their adaptable platforms. Of course, this isn’t always enough to make them top picks. Thanks to the competitiveness of the current banking market, many other options offer similar perks. Because of this, we’ll try to answer an important question about these services – Why use MoneyGram or MasterCard to play in online casinos?

About MoneyGram and MasterCard

MoneyGram is a service with a long history. Most people are unaware of this, but the company started in the 1940s! Back then, one part of today’s company was known as Travellers Express, a money order service available within the US. While it mostly stuck to more traditional money orders, things changed much later in 1998 when it partnered with Integrated Payment Systems Inc. After this merger, the company rebranded into the powerhouse we know now! It expanded its reach beyond the USA and dubbed itself MoneyGram International in 2004 to reflect this.

The modern MoneyGram is a company with incredible international reach, boasting over 150 million users worldwide. It’s one of the most popular P2P money transfer services of our time, so it’s easily recognized by most people, even if they don’t use it personally. If you’re looking for a physical representation of how popular the service is these days, all you have to do is go outside and take a walk down a few blocks. We’re sure you’ll find several branches near you, tucked away just around the corner. It has a practically unmatched land-based presence, and recently, it even launched a successful digital money transfer service!

While digital money transfer services are nothing new, this one has quickly garnered tons of positive attention. Naturally, there’s a good reason for this. Fans of MoneyGram have been asking for such a service for a long time, and not only has the company delivered but it’s made it a mission to implement user feedback into how it operates. Its convenience is its biggest strength. To use it, all players need to do is go to the service's official website and enter their bank account details when asked. The simplicity of this new addition is ridiculous, so it doesn’t surprise us that this branch of the service is now near the top of the list of best payment options.

Our praise for MoneyGram’s digital venture doesn’t stop with that. The service has gone above and beyond to show users how much it appreciates them, and we’re sure they got the message. When they sign up for the service, users are given a 20% discount on the fee of their next transfer! Additionally, they’re automatically entered into the MoneyGram rewards program, accruing Plus Reward Points with each transaction. As you might have guessed, players can redeem them down the line for some interesting treats!

MasterCard is another method with a much longer history than most of its competitors. The service started much differently than what we know today. It debuted as a membership organization called Master Charge in the US, and it consisted of some of the most powerful financial institutions in the region at the time. These were the Bank of California, United California Bank, Wells Fargo, and Crocker National. The popularity of this organization spread quickly, amassing an incredible number of more than 25,000 financial institutions as shareholders. At this point, Master Charge started gaining international attention. To expand its reach, it rebranded into MasterCard and released its most popular product to date – bank cards.

There are many reasons why MasterCard is such a beloved choice for users everywhere, but the biggest one is its worldwide network. The service boasts one of the biggest global networks out there, encompassing over 180 countries. As you can imagine, this reach extends far beyond traditional online and in-store shopping. The service is a big player in the world of online gambling. It’s available in nearly every online casino out there, with a few obvious exceptions like exclusive crypto casinos. Of course, not only does it allow players access to some of the best casinos out there, but it ensures the experience is safe and as convenient as possible.

With such a long history behind it, it’s not strange to assume that MasterCard offers many different products and services. While this is true, the company’s most popular products are its bank cards, specifically credit and debit cards. Most people are already aware of these payment options. Next to cash, they’re easily the most popular payment option worldwide. If you’re not too well-versed in what they can do, here’s a summary. Debit cards give users a chance to spend as much money as is available on their accounts. Essentially, you can only spend what you have. Credit cards operate a bit differently. They allow users to spend past the funds they have in their accounts and go into debt.

Both options come with unique pros and cons, but credit cards have had an especially rough time in the online gambling space lately. In countries like Germany and the UK, the use of these cards for online gambling purposes has been prohibited. While this doesn’t affect players and casinos outside of these regions, there’s always the possibility that other countries might implement similar bans.

Getting Started with the Two Methods

Getting started with either of these two methods can seem more complicated than what you can expect from other services. The reason for this is pretty simple. Both options can require visiting a physical location and interacting with a clerk. While this isn’t too big of a deal, it is a slight inconvenience.

The first method we’ll look at here is MoneyGram. As we mentioned already, this method offers an online money transfer service and a traditional money transfer service. If you’re looking to avoid the inconvenience of visiting a physical location, we suggest you choose the online option. If you prefer the more old-school approach, you might need to take a few additional steps. First, you can visit the service’s official webpage and open the locator tool. This should help you pinpoint nearby locations, where you can proceed with the next step. Once you find one close by, give the clerk the necessary information for a transaction, and you’re done!

The online option offers users a way to make a truncation like this from practically anywhere. To get started, you’ll need to download the method’s dedicated mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store first. Alternatively, you can head over to the MoneyGram official website and get things ready there. Once you’re in, you’ll need to create an account with the service. This requires filling out a form with some personal information. Naturally, this data isn’t shared, so you needn’t worry about casinos having access to your details.

With your account ready, you can proceed to make a transaction. This part of the equation is simple. Enter the amount you want to send and choose a recipient. Additionally, choose how you’d like the recipient to get the transaction. After this is finished, the service will estimate a fee automatically and apply it to the total amount. There’s only one thing left to do now, pay. You can do this via a bank card or bank account. When everything is confirmed, you’ll be given a reference number used to cash out. You should only share this number with the recipient of the transaction.

Getting started with MasterCard can feel like a mix of the two previous processes. Of course, it’s likely that you’re already familiar with how it works, as getting a bank card is something many people take part in. In any case, the first thing on the list is visiting a local bank or financial institution that works with the service. Given its popularity, it should be easy to find one. Once you do this, you’ll need to decide on using a debit or a credit card. This decision can be pretty impactful, so do your research before choosing one or the other.

When you’ve decided on a credit or debit card, head to the bank you’ve picked out and start the application process. The first thing you’ll need to do here is to fill out several forms with information about yourself. Some of the questions can get pretty personal, prodding into your financial status, marital status, etc. It’s worth noting that this information will be used exclusively to set up your account. On top of these forms, you’ll also need to submit a valid identity verification document. You have several options here, but a passport or driving license works best.

After the bank reviews the forms and verifies your identity, it should start working on your card immediately. You can expect it to be ready within a few days. You’ll be notified when your card is finished and presented with the option to pick it up on-site or have it delivered to you by mail.

Using MoneyGram and MasterCard in Online Casinos

If there’s one thing both of these methods can boast about, it’s their worldwide reach. They’re incredibly widespread in the online gambling world, opening the door to countless online casinos that players can visit. These include niche sites and popular venues alike, so take the time to choose the best fit for you before proceeding to deposit.

On that note, here’s how you can start depositing if you’ve opted to use MoneyGram as your go-to choice:

1. Visit the casino’s Banking/Cashier/Payment Methods page.
2. Look for MoneyGram’s logo and click or tap on it.
3. In the new window, enter your credentials to access your account.
4. Specify how much you’d like to deposit, as well as the casino’s receiving details, if not specified already.
5. Pay the total sum with fees calculated using your card or bank account.
6. Send the reference number to the casino and wait for confirmation. When confirmed, the money will instantly arrive on your casino balance.

We have good news regarding MoneyGram withdrawals. Withdrawing with the service is known as one of the safest ways to cash out your winnings! It’s a staple amongst US players, and that sentiment is spreading far beyond just the states. Regarding how the process works, it shouldn’t be hard for most users to manage. Essentially, you can withdraw by following the same steps we’ve listed above for depositing. The only change users should implement is in the last step. Instead of you sending the reference number to the casino, it should be the other way around.

For users who’ve chosen MasterCard as their primary payment method, here’s how the process goes:

1. Choose the “Deposit with Credit/Debit Card” option.
2. From the list of offered credit/debit cards, select MasterCard as your deposit option.
3. Enter the card’s number, expiry date, your name as the cardholder, and the CCV2 code on the back of the card.
4. Specify how much you wish to deposit and confirm the transaction.
5. In an instant, the funds will arrive on your balance!

While withdrawing through MasterCard is a possibility, it comes with a few downsides that users should be aware of. The first, and arguably biggest issue, is the processing time. Withdrawing from the service takes 5-7 days. This is a pretty long period as is, but compared to the minuscule waiting times of most modern methods, it makes it seem even more unbearable. The other issue comes from the scarcity of the option. While this issue isn’t that widespread, some operators only accept deposits from the service and not withdrawals, which can be disappointing.

Advantages and Disadvantages

It’s easy to see that both of these services have plenty to offer. They come with top-tier perks that give them an advantage in the online gambling space, but they also have a few cons worth considering. Up next, we’ll go over them one more time.

MoneyGram has many perks players should consider. It’s available in tons of online gambling venues, it’s secure, and it boasts quick processing speeds. The service is a great choice for players that prioritize convenience, especially when its online option is in question. Something to watch for with this method is the fees. While they’re not unreasonable, they’re still an additional cost not everyone might be willing to pay.

With MasterCard, the biggest perk is availability. Having one of the biggest payment networks comes with the benefit of being accepted in nearly every online casino. Coupled with the security and convenience of this method, choosing it is a no-brainer. Of course, it’s best to consider some of its cons before doing so. The downsides to this service come from withdrawing. Mainly, it has much longer processing times than most other payment options.

No matter which one of these services you go for, you’ll likely have a good experience. They’re two of the best option available for online casino fans, so they shouldn’t disappoint in the grand scheme of things.