American Express represents one of the oldest forms of credit card. The company dates back to the 1850's and their first charge card to the 1950's.
Experienced punters will have noticed however that bookmakers do not accept American Express. A lot of retailers and companies do not take AmEx due to the high fees involved although this is not the reason why you cannot gamble using the the card. In this guide we explain why Am Ex is not generally accepted as a way of funding your betting account directly. We also show you some ways in which you can still deposit into betting sites using Am Ex through indirect methods.
If you are looking for Visa and MasterCard betting sites see our debit card payment guide. From April 2020 no credit cards can now be used to deposit or gamble in the UK.
Online Bookmakers That Accept American Express
Given the recent CC ban you will not find an online betting site that accepts American Express directly and if you are outside the UK and you do fone one you are likely to have to pay hefty fees to use it. The main reason Am Ex is not available for online gambling is due to the terms of the card provider more so than those of the bookmaker, and there are several reasons for this.
American Express is an American company that carries the national name. As funding of online gambling is largely illegal in the USA their scrutiny is extremely high. The Am Ex credit card agreement also states that any gambling transaction is treated as cash and so falls under the cash advance rate. This rate is typically 27.9% making betting transactions largely infeasible for the customer even if they could use it. Many credit cards also treat deposition of funds to betting account as cash transactions too and this is something to look out for when using any credit card.
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Secondly Am Ex merchant fees are particularly high and this is the reason American Express card holders are restricted from using their card in a load of situations other than betting online. American Express typically charge merchants around 5% whereas Visa and MasterCard fees are usually 2% or less. Most UK bookies offer free deposits and withdrawals so you can understand from their point of view that they will not accept this payment method.
Even bookmakers that regularly charge fees for depositing like Betfair and ComeOn do not accept AmEx and that tells you something. Both bookies charge between 1-5% for most payment methods but even here there is no facility to bet with American Express. The high fees of AmEx is a principle reason why they can offer their card holders so many points and cash back rewards but the negative connotation of this is it reduced the number of merchants that are prepared to take it.
All is not lost however if you want to fund a betting account using AmEx there are other means, read on.
American Express Betting Tips
American Express Gambling
It is now illegal to fund a UK betting account using an American Express or indeed any credit card to bet in the UK. Even if you are not in the UK this does not mean AmEx will let you gamble however, as a private financial provider it is up to them which merchants they will allow transactions to and often this can mean you may not be allowed to fund a betting account. They will generally claim this is because it is an industry at risk of fraud and terrorism but we know UK bookies are as safe as houses so that rhetoric doesn't really fly. Where they will let you use your American Express card for gambling it will be classed as a cash transaction and so carry high cash fees.
With hundreds of millions of card users the credit card provider are certainly very popular, largely for their rewards schemes that give you points, access to airport lounges and other travel services. It is a fact that American Express users spend around 3-5x annually compared to a typical Visa or MasterCard user. It is therefore surprising that the company have not relaxed their policies in jurisdictions where gambling is legal, like the UK. If the situation ever changes we will be the first to let you know.
How To Bet Using American Express
It is now not even possible to use an AmEx card (or any credit card) to fund a digital e-wallet such as PayPal, Skrill, Neteller or EcoPayz and then use this intermediate account to fund a betting website. Prior to the 2020 ban this was a good option for those who's only means of payment is American Express, although this is still possible outside of the UK. The vast majority of bookies do not charge fees for depositing from an e-wallet or withdrawing back so this is a viable option. It is however unlikely that you will receive any reward points, bonuses or cash back from AmEx for funding an e-wallet.
Fees to fund a digital wallet with Am Ex vary but are usually in line with other credit cards. For examples Skrill's fee for all credit cards (inc Diner's club and JCB) is 1.9% irrespective. Be advised even when using a digital wallet your transaction may still be blocked by AmEx and you may still be liable for cash fees. Many sites however will still state in their terms that AmEx cannot be used even through PayPal to fun their accounts. Our advice is to check with AmEx, the e-wallet service and the bookie before you go ahead.
A final option is to use your American Express credit card to purchase cash vouchers such as PaySafeCard and then use this to fund a bookmaker account. This is however also likely to be classed as a cash transaction attracting those high cash fees.
On the whole if you can fund your betting account by any other means I would recommend avoiding American Express to gamble with, especailly in the UK where it is now illegal anyway.
History of American Express
Sports Betting Sites American Express
American Express, based in New York, was founded in 1850. Massive in the US they account for nearly a quarter of all credit card transactions made in US dollars. The brand has an estimated value of nearly $20 billion and annual revenues in excess of $33.5 billion.
AmEx was initially an express shipping company for the state of New York. With the expansion of the railroads and shipping routes the company quickly went national. The company moved into finance in 1882 and introduced travellers cheques in 1891 helping to establish the company as an international brand.
Am Ex introduced their first charge card in the 1950's where it went on to boom in a post war US economy. The first gold card was issued in 1966 and platinum in 1984 setting out the company's goal of appealing to business and higher classes. AmEx now have a range of cards, some fee free but most with annual fees and points or cash back rewards.
Sportsbooks that accept American Express credit cards can be difficult to find. American Express cards are famous for their exclusivity, which leads to some businesses not being able to accept them due to their uniqueness. We understand that it can be hard to find sportsbooks that accept American Express, and so we took the time to run them down for you. Generally speaking, state-licensed sportsbooks will not accept credit cards if you are betting at their lounge; however, those with online betting platforms can accept American Express.
This will, of course, all depend on the state and book. However, American Express cards are accepted at several USA online sportsbooks, and can provide a safe, easy, and convenient way for bettors to make quick deposits. However, there are some details that you should be aware of before using AmEx to fund your online sportsbook account, and we will discuss these later on down this page. We'll cover the entire gamut of American Express sports betting sites from which ones accept the card to what you should expect with fees, timelines, and security of your information.
Benefits Of Using American Express To Deposit
High Acceptance Rate - American Express has a very high acceptance rate for USA players at online sportsbooks. The transactions tend to go through with little or no inconvenience from the credit card companies or banks.
Rewards - The main reason people use AMEX is because they are generous in terms of what they do for you as a customer when you spend money. Using AMEX at an online sportsbook is similar.
Instant Deposits - Once accepted, your deposit is instantly transferred into your sportsbook account and available for you to use on any gambling products at your chosen online sportsbook.
Drawbacks Of Using American Express
Not Always Offered - American Express is not that common amongst online sportsbooks, but there certainly are some that accept them. In general, AmEx is the least-accepted 'common' payment method at the major USA online sportsbooks. That said, as of 2021, it has a fairly wide reach.
Not Always Easy To Obtain - Getting approved for an American Express card can be one of the toughest lines of credit to open. They are typically offered to Americans that have good credit scores and open lines of credit in good standing, with the requisite high limits. AmEx tends to be for wealthier folks who can maximize things like airline miles and other benefits related to American Express.
Acceptance Not 100% Guaranteed - Despite American Express having a high acceptance rate, it is not a guarantee for USA players that it will go through, because every electronic transaction has the potential to be restricted by the UIGEA (a federal banking law regarding wagering products on the Internet).
American Express Credit Card vs. American Express Gift Card Deposits
One of the nice features about online sportsbooks accepting American Express cards is that they accept anything with the American Express brand from the company. American Express gift cards are under this umbrella, and these are generally accepted wherever American Express cards are. The best reason to use AmEx gift cards instead of the brand's standard cards is that the gift cards are approved 100% of the time (if they're certified for international use). Because the funds are not held by the bank as such, sportsbooks tend to use loaded gift cards more or less as cash.
What Do I Do If My American Express Deposit Is Declined?
There are two major reasons why this will happen. First, some sportsbooks might not accept AmEx as a rule, which is why it's important to know which sportsbooks are good for AmEx users. Second, due to various government restrictions, most credit companies and banks are required to stop transactions to gambling websites if they notice it. This can mean that sometimes, transactions will be stopped through no fault of your own.
However, one of the nice things in general about online sportsbooks where USA players are accepted is that there is usually more than one funding method that they accept. This can be in the form of another credit card, but it can also come in the form of a wire transfer, money order, cashier's check, or even an e-wallet transfer. So if your card is rejected, just remember that there's nothing wrong with it (your card will still work for other transactions, for example), and you're not in any kind of trouble. Simply use a different funding option and get on with your betting!
We'll be honest: it's not easy to find sportsbooks that take American Express. But we're not going to let that stop us from finding the best services that do. Just accepting AmEx isn't enough to get on this list, of course, as these sites must be proven leaders not only when using American Express but also when it comes to all the other aspects of the website in question. We have used these sites extensively ourseleves, so we know that AmEx does work with them. With that said, we usually opt for VISA deposits because the terms of the card are more friendly for our situation (i.e. lower transfer fees).
Sportsbetting.ag - 95% Success Acceptance On American Express Transfers
SportsBetting is famous for a number of customer-friendly features, including their award-winning, robust odds boards and their unrivaled banking options. As one of the only major sportsbooks that openly accepts American Express, SportsBetting makes it easier than ever to fund your account. Users of AmEx report that their deposits are honored roughly 95% of the time, as AmEx's privacy protocols keep your transactions from getting caught in UIGEA's net far more often than not.
If you sign up with American Express at SportsBetting, you can choose to accept the site's 50% deposit match bonus, which can put up to $1000 in your account. These are in the form of free-plays, and you can score them by simply entering promo code SB1000 in the appropriate field when making your first AmEx transfer to the site.
Bovada Sportsbook – AmEx Accepted + Bitcoin Bonuses!
American Express is one of the few funding methods accepted by Bovada, as the site emphasizes ease-of-use and supports only the most commonly-used deposit types. American Express deposits at America's number-one sportsbook carry a premium compared to VISA and Mastercard, but unless you're depositing a huge chunk of change, the extra fees are worth it – especially if you have a good points program with American Express.
Bovada offers new members a welcome bonus to use in their sportsbook. This bonus matches your deposit by 50% for a total value of up to $250, which you can put towards the site's sports betting or racebook products. In addition to AmEx, Bovada also takes Bitcoin, which is fast displacing credit and debit as the most popular deposit mechanism. If you deposit via Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash at Bovada, you can claim a massive sitewide bonus worth up to $5000 (promo codes BVSBITCOIN50, BVSBITCOIN150).
BetOnline - One Of The Best Amex Sportsbooks
BetOnline is one of the best sportsbooks around, and of course, it accepts AmEx. BetOnline is built to provide the most betting lines for the most games possible. It's an excellently designed sportsbook that focuses on customer service in the form of a large volume of actionable lines. BetOnline really lives up to the name - it's a utility driven website where you can wager on anything you want. In addition, BetOnline offers both mobile and live betting, so if you missed the start of the game, or if you're on the go, you can place the wagers on live odds, instead of pregame odds. There's a lot to explore at BetOnline, and it's well worth doing so.
Best American Express Online Sportsbooks
American Express Sportsbooks | New U.S. Player Bonus | Go To U.S. Betting Site |
---|
Review | 50% Up To $250 |
Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! |
Review | 100% Up To $500 NEW! |
Review | 50% New Member Bonus! |
So far, we've talked about the different online sportsbooks that accept American Express and some of the benefits and drawbacks that this deposit option presents. Now, we are going to take that a step further and delve into some of the most important factors surrounding American Express deposits at online sportsbooks.
American Express Sportsbook Deposit Fees
So, if you're using American Express, you're probably familiar with how they tend to interact with deposit fees. Basically, American Express cards tend to have high fees across the board, and this holds true in the online sports betting industry as well. Of course, the benefits to American Express are many, from the rewards to the acceptance rate. Fees will, of course, vary depending on the sportsbook you use, but generally speaking, we're talking about 7-9% of the total value you are transferring. This can pose a problem in multiple cases. First, if you are depositing a large amount of money, it can be more economically efficient to use a different method of transfer, due to the fees this will incur. Second, fees of that size tend to cut into your margins as a sports bettor and must be taken into account when you are analyzing possible betting opportunities. As long as you are factoring the fees into your margins when placing your bets, you should be good to go, and it is entirely possible that if you are depositing a large amount of money, that some sportsbooks will be willing to work with you and waive the associated fees.
American Express Sportsbook Withdrawals
Those who deposit with an American Express credit card will have to choose another form of withdrawal, as sportsbooks no longer do card chargebacks as payouts. Bettors will be able to select their preferred cash-out method based on the options that their online sports betting sites will have in their Cashier or Customer Service sections. Most payouts will be processed within 24 hours and sent on their way to the player. Payout methods include checks in the mail, wire transfers, and – very occasionally – prepaid gift-style credit cards can be found.
Note: In order to withdraw via cryptocurrency (Bitcoin et al.), you will have had to also make your initial deposit via that same cryptocurrency. In other words, if you deposit with AmEx, you cannot currently request Bitcoin payouts of winnings associated with that card deposit.
Sportsbook Security - Keeping your American Express account safe obviously one of the main questions with these sports betting sites that are offshore will be security. But the more you know about these online sportsbooks, the more comfortable you feel about them. The ones that we have reviewed and played at are some of the most respected betting sites in the world. As such, they take the security of their site – and their players' private personal data – very seriously. Bettors who sign up and input personal and financial information into their accounts can take solace in the fact that these sports betting sites employ state-of-the-art encryption measures to ensure full safety.
Transaction Time For American Express Sportsbook Transfers
If accepted, an American Express card deposit method is instant, funding a player's account and allowing them to bet on what they wish right away. It only takes a couple of minutes to submit the information to make an American Express deposit, and once approved, future deposits take even less time with the card information already on file with the sportsbook. Depositing with an American Express Card is nice this way, as it doesn't have the player have to wait for the payment to be sent and received.
Sportsbooks that accept American Express credit cards can be difficult to find. American Express cards are famous for their exclusivity, which leads to some businesses not being able to accept them due to their uniqueness. We understand that it can be hard to find sportsbooks that accept American Express, and so we took the time to run them down for you. Generally speaking, state-licensed sportsbooks will not accept credit cards if you are betting at their lounge; however, those with online betting platforms can accept American Express.
This will, of course, all depend on the state and book. However, American Express cards are accepted at several USA online sportsbooks, and can provide a safe, easy, and convenient way for bettors to make quick deposits. However, there are some details that you should be aware of before using AmEx to fund your online sportsbook account, and we will discuss these later on down this page. We'll cover the entire gamut of American Express sports betting sites from which ones accept the card to what you should expect with fees, timelines, and security of your information.
Benefits Of Using American Express To Deposit
High Acceptance Rate - American Express has a very high acceptance rate for USA players at online sportsbooks. The transactions tend to go through with little or no inconvenience from the credit card companies or banks.
Rewards - The main reason people use AMEX is because they are generous in terms of what they do for you as a customer when you spend money. Using AMEX at an online sportsbook is similar.
Instant Deposits - Once accepted, your deposit is instantly transferred into your sportsbook account and available for you to use on any gambling products at your chosen online sportsbook.
Drawbacks Of Using American Express
Not Always Offered - American Express is not that common amongst online sportsbooks, but there certainly are some that accept them. In general, AmEx is the least-accepted 'common' payment method at the major USA online sportsbooks. That said, as of 2021, it has a fairly wide reach.
Not Always Easy To Obtain - Getting approved for an American Express card can be one of the toughest lines of credit to open. They are typically offered to Americans that have good credit scores and open lines of credit in good standing, with the requisite high limits. AmEx tends to be for wealthier folks who can maximize things like airline miles and other benefits related to American Express.
Acceptance Not 100% Guaranteed - Despite American Express having a high acceptance rate, it is not a guarantee for USA players that it will go through, because every electronic transaction has the potential to be restricted by the UIGEA (a federal banking law regarding wagering products on the Internet).
American Express Credit Card vs. American Express Gift Card Deposits
One of the nice features about online sportsbooks accepting American Express cards is that they accept anything with the American Express brand from the company. American Express gift cards are under this umbrella, and these are generally accepted wherever American Express cards are. The best reason to use AmEx gift cards instead of the brand's standard cards is that the gift cards are approved 100% of the time (if they're certified for international use). Because the funds are not held by the bank as such, sportsbooks tend to use loaded gift cards more or less as cash.
What Do I Do If My American Express Deposit Is Declined?
There are two major reasons why this will happen. First, some sportsbooks might not accept AmEx as a rule, which is why it's important to know which sportsbooks are good for AmEx users. Second, due to various government restrictions, most credit companies and banks are required to stop transactions to gambling websites if they notice it. This can mean that sometimes, transactions will be stopped through no fault of your own.
However, one of the nice things in general about online sportsbooks where USA players are accepted is that there is usually more than one funding method that they accept. This can be in the form of another credit card, but it can also come in the form of a wire transfer, money order, cashier's check, or even an e-wallet transfer. So if your card is rejected, just remember that there's nothing wrong with it (your card will still work for other transactions, for example), and you're not in any kind of trouble. Simply use a different funding option and get on with your betting!
We'll be honest: it's not easy to find sportsbooks that take American Express. But we're not going to let that stop us from finding the best services that do. Just accepting AmEx isn't enough to get on this list, of course, as these sites must be proven leaders not only when using American Express but also when it comes to all the other aspects of the website in question. We have used these sites extensively ourseleves, so we know that AmEx does work with them. With that said, we usually opt for VISA deposits because the terms of the card are more friendly for our situation (i.e. lower transfer fees).
Sportsbetting.ag - 95% Success Acceptance On American Express Transfers
SportsBetting is famous for a number of customer-friendly features, including their award-winning, robust odds boards and their unrivaled banking options. As one of the only major sportsbooks that openly accepts American Express, SportsBetting makes it easier than ever to fund your account. Users of AmEx report that their deposits are honored roughly 95% of the time, as AmEx's privacy protocols keep your transactions from getting caught in UIGEA's net far more often than not.
If you sign up with American Express at SportsBetting, you can choose to accept the site's 50% deposit match bonus, which can put up to $1000 in your account. These are in the form of free-plays, and you can score them by simply entering promo code SB1000 in the appropriate field when making your first AmEx transfer to the site.
Bovada Sportsbook – AmEx Accepted + Bitcoin Bonuses!
American Express is one of the few funding methods accepted by Bovada, as the site emphasizes ease-of-use and supports only the most commonly-used deposit types. American Express deposits at America's number-one sportsbook carry a premium compared to VISA and Mastercard, but unless you're depositing a huge chunk of change, the extra fees are worth it – especially if you have a good points program with American Express.
Bovada offers new members a welcome bonus to use in their sportsbook. This bonus matches your deposit by 50% for a total value of up to $250, which you can put towards the site's sports betting or racebook products. In addition to AmEx, Bovada also takes Bitcoin, which is fast displacing credit and debit as the most popular deposit mechanism. If you deposit via Bitcoin or Bitcoin Cash at Bovada, you can claim a massive sitewide bonus worth up to $5000 (promo codes BVSBITCOIN50, BVSBITCOIN150).
BetOnline - One Of The Best Amex Sportsbooks
BetOnline is one of the best sportsbooks around, and of course, it accepts AmEx. BetOnline is built to provide the most betting lines for the most games possible. It's an excellently designed sportsbook that focuses on customer service in the form of a large volume of actionable lines. BetOnline really lives up to the name - it's a utility driven website where you can wager on anything you want. In addition, BetOnline offers both mobile and live betting, so if you missed the start of the game, or if you're on the go, you can place the wagers on live odds, instead of pregame odds. There's a lot to explore at BetOnline, and it's well worth doing so.
Best American Express Online Sportsbooks
American Express Sportsbooks | New U.S. Player Bonus | Go To U.S. Betting Site |
---|
Review | 50% Up To $250 |
Review | 50% Up To $1,000 NEW! |
Review | 100% Up To $500 NEW! |
Review | 50% New Member Bonus! |
So far, we've talked about the different online sportsbooks that accept American Express and some of the benefits and drawbacks that this deposit option presents. Now, we are going to take that a step further and delve into some of the most important factors surrounding American Express deposits at online sportsbooks.
American Express Sportsbook Deposit Fees
So, if you're using American Express, you're probably familiar with how they tend to interact with deposit fees. Basically, American Express cards tend to have high fees across the board, and this holds true in the online sports betting industry as well. Of course, the benefits to American Express are many, from the rewards to the acceptance rate. Fees will, of course, vary depending on the sportsbook you use, but generally speaking, we're talking about 7-9% of the total value you are transferring. This can pose a problem in multiple cases. First, if you are depositing a large amount of money, it can be more economically efficient to use a different method of transfer, due to the fees this will incur. Second, fees of that size tend to cut into your margins as a sports bettor and must be taken into account when you are analyzing possible betting opportunities. As long as you are factoring the fees into your margins when placing your bets, you should be good to go, and it is entirely possible that if you are depositing a large amount of money, that some sportsbooks will be willing to work with you and waive the associated fees.
American Express Sportsbook Withdrawals
Those who deposit with an American Express credit card will have to choose another form of withdrawal, as sportsbooks no longer do card chargebacks as payouts. Bettors will be able to select their preferred cash-out method based on the options that their online sports betting sites will have in their Cashier or Customer Service sections. Most payouts will be processed within 24 hours and sent on their way to the player. Payout methods include checks in the mail, wire transfers, and – very occasionally – prepaid gift-style credit cards can be found.
Note: In order to withdraw via cryptocurrency (Bitcoin et al.), you will have had to also make your initial deposit via that same cryptocurrency. In other words, if you deposit with AmEx, you cannot currently request Bitcoin payouts of winnings associated with that card deposit.
Sportsbook Security - Keeping your American Express account safe obviously one of the main questions with these sports betting sites that are offshore will be security. But the more you know about these online sportsbooks, the more comfortable you feel about them. The ones that we have reviewed and played at are some of the most respected betting sites in the world. As such, they take the security of their site – and their players' private personal data – very seriously. Bettors who sign up and input personal and financial information into their accounts can take solace in the fact that these sports betting sites employ state-of-the-art encryption measures to ensure full safety.
Transaction Time For American Express Sportsbook Transfers
If accepted, an American Express card deposit method is instant, funding a player's account and allowing them to bet on what they wish right away. It only takes a couple of minutes to submit the information to make an American Express deposit, and once approved, future deposits take even less time with the card information already on file with the sportsbook. Depositing with an American Express Card is nice this way, as it doesn't have the player have to wait for the payment to be sent and received.
Sportsbook Security - Keeping Your American Express Account Safe
Obviously one of the main questions with these sports betting sites that are offshore will be security. But the more you know about these online sportsbooks, the more comfortable you feel about them. The ones that we have reviewed and played at are some of the most respected betting sites in the world. As such, they take security of their site, and their players very seriously. Bettors who sign up and input personal and financial information into their account can take solace in the fact that the sports betting site puts in different encryption and measures to ensure full safety. Using an American Express card could also get you a call from your bank as well, where you will have to verify the deposit.
American Express Sportsbook Deposit Bonuses
When you deposit with an American Express card, you are able to receive different deposit bonuses that are available at various top sports betting sites. But since credit cards are very common ways to deposit, you might sometimes see that the bonuses aren't quite as profitable as those associated with other methods. However, over time, things have mostly streamlined, and you're now able to claim standard welcome and reload bonuses regardless of your specific payment methods.
One thing worth noting in a section like this, however, is that most of the online sportsbooks provide extra incentives to those who use Bitcoin to deposit, so there may be high-level deposit bonuses that are unavailable to you if you use your American Express card, as they are only available to users of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin and other cryptos remain the exception to the above rule - it's pretty likely you won't get the maximum bonuses at an online sportsbook without using them.