ACH vs. Visa Credit

Players from different countries across the globe have access to online casinos. They get to enjoy all kinds of games and claim different promotions and bonuses, but they are usually faced with issues when it comes to the payment methods to use for deposits and withdrawals.

While there are many global payment methods that can be used by any player, from any place across the world, there are such which have limited availability. And this is where the problems arise. That's why before you make a decision on the method to use, you need to get informed ahead about all the restrictions and limitations, as well as all the benefits one payment solution has to offer. In this article, we offer two incredible solutions for you to consider, ACH and VISA. They are completely different solutions, so you will have a lot to learn about them to decide whether you'd like to use them or not, and more importantly, whether you are eligible to use them. Why are ACH and VISA methods to consider for online gambling?

ACH vs. VISA – The Basics

The two are, as explained, completely different solutions to consider. While ACH is available across a decent number of casinos, VISA is accepted in almost all. So whenever you find them at an online casino site, and you start thinking about using them, you better stop and consider all the ups and downs that come with them.

ACH is short for Automated Clearing House…

… which says a lot about the services it offers. It is a payment processing system that functions quite well in the US, as Americans love its modus operandi. Essentially, what this solution does is processing money from one bank account to another with a simple request and confirmation procedure.

It functions in a super easy and convenient…

… way as all it takes for you to make a transaction with it is to request from it to take the money from your bank account and transfer it to a desired recipient’s bank account. It eliminates the need for you to go to your bank to make the same request, or use your online banking system to do it. Plus, it comes with really low, insignificant fees, which makes it even better and more efficient to use than regular bank transfers.

The thing with it…

… though, is that it is only available to US players. If you’re a player from anywhere else in the world, you cannot use it. Another obstacle is the fact that, while transactions with it are extremely safe, they are not instant, not even fast. In fact, transactions with it take 3 to 5 business days. When you learn how the payment method works, you’ll understand why. Nevertheless, these two are the reasons why ACH never became a popular solution across online casino sites, since not everyone could play with it and no one wants to wait for that much for their deposits to reach their online casino accounts.

On the other hand, VISA…

… is a globally-available solution, so whichever country you come from, you’ll probably be able to use it. The list of restricted countries is very short compared to the list of eligible countries that accept VISA. Therefore, contrary to ACH, VISA is a highly-popular solution across online casino sites. Most, if not all, players can use it for deposits and withdrawals, from anywhere across the globe.

Another reason why…

… players choose it, is its ability to process deposits instantly. Sure, withdrawals with it have pretty similar waiting times to those offered by ACH, but players are not that bothered when it comes to waiting for their winnings to arrive on their account as they are when it comes to funding their account.

Essentially, VISA…

… is one of the most successful payment methods across online casinos due to its remarkable reputation and impressive track record, especially when it comes to the security measures it implements. The two-factor authentication, the KYC protocol, the SSL encryption, and the identification measures make it one of the safest solutions to use across online casino sites. And the fact that it exists since 1958 makes it one of the longest-standing credit card programs in the world.

On that note…

… due to its rich history, VISA offers users so much in terms of products and efficiency. The brand ensures that any user interested in it gets the opportunity to get issued with a VISA card. It does that by offering users so many different products, credit cards, online banking, debit cards, virtual cards, corporate cards, travelling cards, prepaid and gift cards, and whatnot. What's more, each of these card types has their own sub-types, to be suitable to literally any interested user. Basically, it leaves no space for you not to use it. It is that good. With that in mind, it is no wonder that is accepted across hundreds of online casinos and adored by players.

Getting Started

When it comes to getting started…

… with ACH, you’ll see that the process couldn’t be simpler and easier. Long story short, you won’t need to create an account with it. You won’t need to login to your online banking account, either, but you will need to have an active bank account, naturally, with a US bank. 

As long as you do…

… all you’ll need to do to start using ACH’s services is putting in a request to make a transaction with it. With no or low cost, you’ll put the background process in motion. That's when ACH deducts the requested amount of money from your bank account and returns to you to ask for your permission to complete it. Right after you identify yourself and approve the transaction, ACH will deduct the money and send it to the desired destination.

With VISA…

… as you may as well know, you would need to visit your bank. So, just like with ACH, you’ll need to have an active bank account to apply for a card. At the bank, you will be given an application form to fill out with the following details:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Bank account number
• Type of card you’re applying for
• A copy of an ID document
• Proof of address and income

The bank will review your application, and if any additional documents are necessary, depending on the card you’re applying for, you’ll need to provide them. If everything is in order, the bank will issue your card. You can get your card right there at the bank, or have it sent to you on your home address.

When the card arrives…

… it will come in an envelope. Inside the envelope, you’ll get further instructions on how to activate it, and you’ll get security codes, along with a PIN code. You need to keep those codes safe in case you’re required to authenticate your card when using it.

Making Deposits and Withdrawals

Both of these payment methods…

… are extremely easy to use for deposits and withdrawals. The hard job when it comes to ACH is finding a suitable online casino to join, as not that many casinos accept it. With VISA, finding a legit casino to join would be a piece of cake, since all leading casinos, by definition, accept it.

Depositing with ACH…

… would involve a few steps. Once you find a casino you like to join, register an account with it and:

• Go to the casino’s Cashier/Banking page.
• Visit the Deposit section and click on ACH.
• Enter the amount you wish to deposit.
• Enter your bank account number.
• Approve the transaction.
• ACH will deduct the amount and transfer it to your casino account.

That simple! However, keep in mind that the money won't arrive on your casino account instantly. In fact, it will arrive in 3 to 5 days. As mentioned, that's one of the reasons why players refuse to use it for deposits, since they don't want to wait a few days but want to start playing right away.

But that’s why they love it for withdrawals…

… because for a really low cost, they get to play with a perfectly safe solution that would process their withdrawal in 3 to 5 days. In fact, ACH is one of the most popularly used, best US withdrawal methods. Mainly, because the process of withdrawing is pretty much similar to the one for of depositing, only the other way around.

It is especially efficient…

… when it comes to processing large amounts of money, like ones you receive when you hit a jackpot prize. Most payment methods would transfer the money to your account in batches, as they have maximum withdrawal limits for a specific period of time. With ACH, you can take your entire jackpot prize at once, and that’s why players love it for withdrawals. The entire sum is moved to your bank account in a perfectly secure way, and in 3 to 5 days. What more can one ask for?

Deposits with VISA…

… are just like any online payments you’re making with it. Be it shopping online, paying utility bills, booking a flight, or depositing at an online casino, the steps are just the same. You need to log in to your online casino site and visit its Banking page. Then, you need to do the following:

• Go to the Deposit section.
• Find VISA’s logo and click on it.
• Enter your card number and expiration date.
• Enter your name as the cardholder and, if required, the CCV2 code.
• Specify the amount of money you wish to deposit.
• Confirm the transaction, and the money will arrive on your casino account instantly.

As you can see, contrary to ACH, VISA processes deposits instantly, in real-time, with no delay. You can start playing right away, without hesitation.

As far as withdrawals go…

… you would need to repeat the same procedure. But, you should know that withdrawals with it won’t be instant, but will take 3 to 5 days, just like with ACH. The difference is, VISA charges bigger fees. And, it is not always accepted for withdrawals. Therefore, before you request a withdrawal with it, make sure you check for fees and see whether the casino allows withdrawals with it.

Advantages and Disadvantages

If you're stuck with your decision and still don't know which one of these two solutions to use, let's make a summary of the good and the bad they come with.

When it comes to the benefits…

… you can get with ACH, they are all mostly related to withdrawals. ACH withdrawals are perfect for US players, without a doubt, since for a low cost, the service will process any amount you win, even a jackpot prize, in one batch. Contrary to other payment methods that do it in several batches. Plus, it is a well-reputed US solution and quite an easy one to use, since you never have to create an account to use it.

However…

… here comes the first downside, the fact that it is only available to US online casino players. If you’re a player from any other country, you simply won’t be able to use it. Another thing that players hate when it comes to it is, despite being a perfectly safe and easy solution, the fact that it does not process deposits instantly. In a world of modern payment methods which process deposits at an instant, this is a big problem for players.

With VISA…

… you get all in one product. It is a brand which resonates stability, reliability, security and convenience. It is accepted everywhere, including hundreds and hundreds of online casinos. You will find it literally in any casino that you’re eyeing, as it is one of the most popular methods across online casinos. The availability and ease of use are some of the main reasons why players choose to use it over any other. You know that your money is safe with it, and your deposits will be instant.

On the other hand…

… you also know that withdrawals will take 3 to 5 days. Add to that the fact that it is not always accepted as a withdrawal method, and there’s the first obstacle. Plus, for each transaction you make with it, you need to pay a different fee, depending on your bank.

Therefore, you need to compare all the pros and cons of the two solutions. ACH is only accepted in the US, so unless you’re a US player, don’t even consider it. VISA can be used in the US since 2015 when new payment codes came in effect for online gambling with credit cards in the country, but it can also be used all across the globe, so make sure you consider it.