MoneyGram vs. PayPal

When at an online casino, trying to decide on the payment method to use to make a deposit, players are often in a dilemma whether to use PayPal or MoneyGram. These two are actually some of the most popular payment solutions across online casinos, mainly because they are both available to players from all across the globe. Thanks to that global availability, they are preferred by players as opposed to local methods, so, regardless of where you are from, stay with us to learn more about them, to see whether you’d want to consider them as your payment methods in the future. Why use PayPal or MoneyGram across online casinos?

About PayPal and MoneyGram

PayPal and MoneyGram are listed as payment options across most, if not all, leading online casinos accepting players from all across the globe. That’s because thetwo are global payment methods, which are available in practically every single country in the world. As such, they have gained quite the popularity among online casino players, and that’s why they are listed among the top payment methods for players who don’t wish to use credit cards or reveal any important banking details with the casino, regardless of their country of residence. But let’s look at them separately, to see how the two became so popular and why you should consider using them.

When PayPal first appeared on the financial scene, it started a revolutionary movement. Being one of the world’s first eWallets, one of the first digital alternative services, PayPal made a real boom at the time, since it was launched in 1998 when such services rarely existed. When it appeared, it started offering users an alternative for transacting online, without sharing any sensitive banking details with the eCommerce platforms they needed to pay at. It allowed users to connect their favourite payment methods into one single account, protected with bullet-proof safety and security measures, and transact online safely and easily.

Later, of course, the company behind it launched many other products, but the eWallet was and remained the most popular service the brand offered. The security measures implemented were the thing that made it a huge hit. But so did the processing times, which allowed users to complete an online transaction within seconds.

Its offering was further enhanced when PayPal partnered with MasterCard, to launch the PayPal MasterCard product. With it, players could use their eWallet account and MasterCard card for all types of payments and purchases. Then, it launched its proprietary PayPal Connect product. But, recently, when the eWallet started processing digital currency transactions, its popularity grew even further. That’s right, with it, you can use Litecoin, Bitcoin, Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash, and transact with cryptocurrencies via your eWallet.

All of this helped PayPal become a huge name across the online gambling industry. In fact, due to the alternative solutions it offers and its global availability, operators promote its usage. Players, as well, are satisfied with the things it has to offer, therefore, it goes without saying that you will find it across hundreds of online casino sites.

MoneyGram’s story has started way earlier than PayPal. In fact, its roots date back to 1940. This is when Travelers Express made the foundations of the solution we know today, as it worked as a money order company. When it joined forces Integrated Payment Systems Inc. years later, in 1998, it actually created the money transfer service MoneyGram as it is today. Considering the solution expanded its reach beyond the US, where it was only available, and it became available across all other countries globally, it rebranded to MoneyGram International. This happened in 2004.

Since then, there’s no person on this planet Earth that hasn’t heard of the solution. MoneyGram is a solution used by over 150 million people across the globe, from 200 countries and territories, across hundreds of land-based branches. Its network is huge and you can basically see one of its branches around the corner in your own town or city, regardless of where you live. Its land-based presence, considering the fact that it is a money transfer service, is unrivalled. Its logo can be recognized by anyone, regardless of age.

Now, even though previously, to use the money transfer service you could only do it by appearing in a land-based branch in person, with cash in your hands, today, MoneyGram is available digitally, too. And is, in fact, one of the leading P2P digital money transfer services in the world. Visiting its website, you can make an easy and fast transaction to and from anywhere across the world, paying with your card or bank account. Add to that the fact that you can do all that via any desktop and mobile device, and you’ll see that the convenience is incomparable.

Last but not least, you should know that MoneyGram is really generous with its online users. When you first create your account with it, you get a 20% discount on the fee for your next transfer. Additionally, you start collecting Plus Rewards with each transfer you make with it. These perks, along with the convenient transactions it offers, have led its way into the online gambling industry. While it was used by some players previously when it was only land-based, when it went digital, its popularity across online casinos increased immensely. So, simply start searching for sites that accept it and you’ll see that plenty of them can be your options.

Getting Started with the Two Methods

You would need to go through two different getting started processes, depending on whether you’d want to use PayPal or MoneyGram. With MoneyGram, you’ll have two ways to do that, either by visiting the nearest branch or doing it online. But we’ll get through all the steps together.

To start your PayPal experience…

… you would need to go to its official website. You would need to press the Sign-Up button, regardless of whether you’re doing it via your mobile or desktop device. If using your mobile device, you can additionally download its app, available for both iOS, and Android devices, and continue with the registration from the installed app. You would need to provide your home address, full name, social security number and email address. PayPal is serious with laws and regulations and has to ensure that you’re the person you’re claiming to be by verifying your identity.

After your account has been verified, you’d need to connect payment methods to it, that is, those you wish to use via your eWallet account. All the popular payment method options would be at your disposal, but which one you’ll use to fund your eWallet account will be decisive for the fees you’d need to pay. Each payment method arrives with different fees, so for instance, regular bank transfer comes with no fees, but credit cards arrive with a 2.5% fee. As soon as you fund your account with money, you can start using the PayPal eWallet for all kinds of online purchases and payments, online casino transactions included.

To get started with MoneyGram…

… as mentioned, you’d first need to decide whether you want to use it digitally or not. If not, you would need to visit one of its nearest branches to request the transaction. You can go to its official website and find the location locator tool, type in your home address and the tool will generate options, locations you can visit. When there, just give the desk clerk the money and the receiver's info and the transaction will be on route.

If you wish to do it digitally, you have two choices. You can either use the website or download the app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store and start the registration procedure. You would need to simply provide some basic personal info about yourself, your mobile phone number, password and email and accept the Terms of Use. With that, your account will be created.

Now, to actually use the account, you would need to specify how much you’d want to send and to whom. Then, you’d need to specify how the receiver would want to receive the money. A fee will be calculated depending on the amount of money and the payment methods used to process it. After the fees have been calculated, you’d need to pay for the transaction using your card or bank account. Immediately, you’ll be sent the reference number which you need to give to the receiver to successfully cash out their money.

Using PayPal and MoneyGram Across Online Casinos

We’ve established that both PayPal and MoneyGram have had quite the success across the online gambling industry. As two popular payment methods, they are available across hundreds of sites, so you can explore only a few of the best sites and you’ll easily find one you’d like to join. Create your account with the casino of your choosing, and you’ll be ready to make your first deposit.

To fund your online casino account with PayPal, you would need to do the following:

1. Look for PayPal’s logo on the list of Payment Methods/Deposit Methods at the casino’s Cashier/Banking section.
2. Click or tap on it and a new pop-up window will appear.
3. Log into your eWallet account using your credentials.
4. Enter the amount you’d like to deposit at the casino.
5. After the authentication procedure, confirm your transaction.
6. As soon as you’ve confirmed it, the money will instantly arrive on your casino balance.

PayPal is actually one of the fastest options for withdrawals across online casinos. Being an eWallet, it actually also processes cashouts instantly. The procedure is pretty much the same, so you’ll know how to do it, only this time, the casino may need to take a minute to review your request, and make sure you have no wagering requirements left unmet. If all is in order, the winnings you made will arrive on your eWallet account within minutes.

To make a deposit with MoneyGram, you’d need to go through the following steps:

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 get access to 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 it to confirm it so that the money instantly arrives on your casino balance.

Withdrawals with MoneyGram are particularly popular among US players, and the money transfer service is actually considered as one of the best methods for cashing out across online casinos for US players. To request a withdrawal, you’d need to go through the procedure in reverse, and wait to receive the reference number. From there, you can cash out your winnings as you requested.

Advantages and Disadvantages

One of the biggest advantages you get as an online casino player with either of these two solutions is the fact that they are both global. Therefore, regardless of where you’re from and where the casino is based, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to use them. Among other perks, we can mention the fact that they both offer instant deposits and are quite popular as withdrawal methods. The fact that you can use them for both depositing and withdrawing is a major plus, something players always look for in a payment method. Add to that the fact that they are so easy to be used and accepted across hundreds of online casino sites, and there you have the answer you needed. Both of these solutions can be quite useful for online casino transactions.

On the other hand, they both arrive with fees. These fees are quite reasonable and quite fair, considering the services you’re getting, but they are there. Other than the fees, we cannot say that either PayPal or MoneyGram has any other downside.

Therefore, after you compare the two and decide on which service would serve you better as an online casino player, make sure you start using the one that's suited for you. Both PayPal and MoneyGram are exceptional solutions, so whichever you go with, you won't make a mistake and you'll get world-class service.