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Card payments allow players to fund their accounts using credit or debit cards.

Most online gambling operators support:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Debit cards
• Prepaid cards

Card payments remain one of the most familiar and widely used payment methods worldwide.

Advantages of Card Payments

• Familiar to most players
• Instant deposits
• Global acceptance
• Easy integration with gaming platforms
• Trusted payment method

Despite these advantages, card payments are facing increasing challenges in the gambling industry.

What Is Open Banking?

Open Banking enables players to make direct bank-to-bank payments without using card networks.

Using secure authentication through their banking app, players can approve payments instantly from their bank account.

In the UK, Open Banking operates under regulations overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Advantages of Open Banking

• Instant bank transfers
• Lower transaction costs
• Reduced fraud risk
• Fewer payment declines
• Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

Open Banking has become one of the fastest-growing payment methods in UK and European iGaming markets.

Open Banking vs Card Payments: Key Differences

Which Method Has Higher Deposit Success Rates?

One of the biggest challenges for iGaming operators is deposit failures.

Card transactions may be declined because of:

• Bank restrictions on gambling transactions
• Expired cards
• Fraud prevention checks
• Insufficient funds

Open Banking payments are often more successful because they connect directly to the player’s bank account.

This can lead to:

• Higher conversion rates
• Fewer abandoned deposits
• Improved player experience

Cost Comparison

Payment processing fees directly affect profitability.

Card Payments

Operators typically pay:

• Transaction fees
• Acquirer fees
• Chargeback costs
• Fraud management expenses

Open Banking

Open Banking generally offers:

• Lower processing fees
• Reduced fraud costs
• No traditional card scheme charges
• Fewer chargeback-related expenses

For high-volume operators, these savings can be significant.

Security Comparison

Security is critical in the gambling industry.

Card Payments

Card transactions rely on:

• Card details
• CVV verification
• 3D Secure authentication

While secure, card fraud remains a concern.

Open Banking

Open Banking uses:

• Direct bank authentication
• Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)
• Encrypted bank connections

Because players authenticate directly with their bank, Open Banking often provides a higher level of security.

The Chargeback Challenge

Chargebacks are one of the biggest costs facing gambling operators.

Card transactions can be disputed by players, leading to:

• Lost revenue
• Additional fees
• Increased risk monitoring

Open Banking transactions significantly reduce this risk because they are authorised directly through the player’s bank account.

For many operators, this is one of the biggest advantages of Open Banking.

Player Experience Matters

Modern players expect:

• Fast deposits
• Secure transactions
• Mobile-friendly payment experiences

Open Banking allows players to complete payments directly through their banking app without manually entering card details.

This creates a smoother checkout experience, particularly on mobile devices.

Why Card Payments Still Matter

Despite the growth of Open Banking, card payments remain essential.

Many players still prefer using:

• Visa
• Mastercard
• Debit cards

Cards also provide broader global coverage than Open Banking, particularly outside the UK and Europe.

For this reason, most successful operators continue to offer both options.

The Best Approach: Offer Both

The question is not necessarily Open Banking or card payments.

For most iGaming operators, the best strategy is Open Banking and card payments.

A diversified payment stack allows operators to:

• Maximise deposit acceptance rates
• Reduce payment friction
• Lower processing costs
• Improve player satisfaction
• Reach a wider audience

Providing multiple payment options ensures players can choose their preferred method.

Future Trends in iGaming Payments

Several trends are shaping the future of gambling payments:

Growth of Open Banking

Adoption continues to increase across regulated markets.

Faster Withdrawals

Players increasingly expect near-instant payouts.

Reduced Reliance on Cards

Operators are exploring alternative payment methods to reduce costs.

Hybrid Payment Ecosystems

Leading casinos combine:

• Open Banking
• Card payments
• Crypto payments
• Alternative payment methods

This approach delivers the best overall player experience.

How iGamingCore Supports Modern Payment Solutions

At iGamingCore, we help online casinos and betting operators build payment infrastructures designed for growth.

Our solutions include:

• Open Banking integrations
• Gambling merchant accounts
• Card processing solutions
• Crypto payment gateways
• Multi-currency processing
• High-risk payment gateways
• Fraud and chargeback management

We help operators improve deposit success rates while maintaining compliance and security.

Final Thoughts

Both Open Banking and card payments play an important role in modern iGaming payment strategies.

Open Banking offers lower costs, improved security, and higher payment success rates, while card payments continue to provide global reach and player familiarity.

The most successful operators in 2026 are not choosing one over the other—they are combining both to create a seamless, flexible payment experience that maximises conversions and player retention.

If you’re looking to optimise your casino or sportsbook payment infrastructure, iGamingCore can help you implement the right mix of payment solutions.

Contact iGamingCore today to learn more about Open Banking and card payment solutions for iGaming.