Background on eCheck Adoption Rates
It's easy to think of eChecks as being a new trend, but they have actually been around for over 20 years now.However, it wasn't until 2011/2012 that they really started to gain ground, becoming widespread. Now, in 2017, they are one of the most popular methods for Canadian gamblers, although they have yet to overtake other methods.
There are millions of merchants around the world now accepting eChecks. These range from utility companies to catalogs. Even income tax can be paid via eChecks. eChecks function just like old-fashioned paper checks. The difference is that they have a higher degree of security and no costly processing fees. In a world of no-contact card payments, mobile payments and cryptocurrency, it only makes sense that such a familiar and secure virtual payment method would be so popular.
As of early 2017, there are over 200 online casinos accepting eChecks as a method of deposit. Many of them also allow the eCheck system to be used for withdrawals as well. They include several gambling web sites that welcome Canadian and U.S. players as well as a host of online bingo, poker, sports betting, casino and lottery businesses with customers worldwide. A variety of brands are associated with eChecks, and their logos can be seen prominently displayed on web sites that accept them. These have been listed below:
Popular eCheck Brands in the Gaming Space
- eCheck
- eCheckUS
- ACH eCheck
- Instant eChecks
- Electronic Check
- instantCheck
- Quick Deposits
- eCheck
- Deluxe eChecks
.... to name a few.
Why eChecks for Online Gaming
Online casinos offer a convenient, safe, and fun way to play your favorite casino games from the comfort of your home. However, it can be tricky to find the best way to fund a real money casino account. Credit cards aren’t always accepted. And even when they are, you may run up debt on your account. Standard checks are secure. But they can take several weeks to clear. That's assuming they don’t get lost on the way to the casino.
One of the best solutions for Canadian players is the eCheck. This combines the safety and security of a standard paper check with the speed and convenience of electronic payment methods like e-wallets. This allows you to have the best of both worlds: a payment method that’s both fast and reliable.
How do eChecks Work ?
An eCheck is essentially an EFT – or electronic funds transfer – that works in much the same way as a traditional paper check. In order to access these services, a prospective user must register his/her banking information with the eCheck casino. This entails proving basic details such as the name of the financial institution where the checking account is held, the name on the account, the account number, routing number and check number.
All of this information can be found on the user’s own paper checks. So, there is no need to contact the issuing authority for specifics. Once registration has been completed, players may transfer funds directly from their standard checking accounts straight into the accounts of the eCheck casinos for instant access when wagering. The process provides the speed and convenience of a credit card deposit with the security of checking. Privacy and security are guaranteed by use of an identity code that is unique to each user’s computer.
Like paper checks, eChecks can bounce. And if this happens then you will be charged a fee of $25. However, that's the only downside, and it's one that is easy to avoid. just make sure you have enough money in your account to backup your check!
Different Types of eCheck
Not all eChecking systems are created equal. For example, ACH eChecks make use of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) network—the same one used by the U.S. Treasury and other government agencies to transfer funds to and from major banks. For this reason, ACH eChecks are typically available only to holders of U.S.-based checking accounts, which may be disallowed for funds transfers with online casinos owing to restrictions of the Unlawful Internet Gambling and Enforcement Act (UIGEA) of October 2006.
However, there are other eCheck providers and services. Even PayPal provide a form of eCheck. Just look for the "Instant Payment" or "Instant Transfer" option. This should be available on your payment screen, either of your web wallet or of your bank account.
Canadian Casinos that Accept eChecks
There are many sites that accept eChecks in 2017, ranging from sports books to casinos and more. Even BetWay, one of the world's biggest gambling brands, have gotten in on the act. However, if you're in Canada then your options are a little more limited.
At the moment, there are only a few solid Canadian online casinos that offer eChecks as a deposit method. The most prominent of these are Spin Palace and Royal Vegas. Both of these brands are reputable and trustworthy. They have long histories of providing excellent service.
Spin Palace is powered by Microgaming software. It is an excellent option for players around the world – including Canadians, who are more than welcome to play for real money. You can even deposit and play in Canadian Dollars, which avoids any confusion over ever-fluctuating exchange rates. New players can earn up to $250 on their deposits, along with a number of free spins and other bonuses. Royal Vegas casino also utilizes Microgaming software. The brand is known for their generous bonuses and their decade of experience in the online casino industry. Canadian players can deposit at this website using eChecks, as well as with a variety of other deposit methods. There’s also up to $1,200 in bonuses available to new players.
Other Canadian Gambling Sites that Accept eChecks
It's not just about online casinos, as other gambling sites accept eChecks as well. One of the most popular and the most well-known of these is Pokerstars. This is the world's biggest online poker room. It dominates the market and is available to Canadian players. What's more, it also accepts eChecks!
After Black Friday many years ago, a day in which American players were banned from the site, Canada became a hotspot for US poker players. They crossed the border, setup home and have been playing professionally and legally in Canada ever since. Pokerstars is also a Canadian site, as it is currently owned by Amaya, who are the biggest gambling company in the world.
When you consider what they're up against, that's quite an achievement. But it makes sense when you consider that as well as Pokerstars, they also own Full Tilt, Cryptologic, and many other big brands.
USA Facing eChecks Nearly Extinct
One of the more liberal eCheck casinos is located in Panama. Known as BetOnline, it accepts eCheck deposits between $5 and $1,500 per transaction from players located just about anywhere. However, it does list no fewer than ten rules that must be adhered to for access. This brand is the exception to the rule for the US facing market, which is seeing the near extinction of eCheck compatible casinos. In fact, we have yet to hear of a more respected and well-known brand accepting this method for players in the US.
For example, the Rushmore, Cherry Red and Pure Vegas online casinos, all members of the Rushpod Investments NV group have discontinued the acceptance of eChecks for either deposits or withdrawals. In June 2012, Rome Casino returned to accepting eChecks for deposits after a brief hiatus caused by the UIGEA restrictions. But the option is currently unavailable as of 2017, even for their most trusted "VIP players". Countless other casinos have dropped the option as well.
eCheck Alternatives for US Players
An alternative method of using eChecks for online casinos that do not currently offer the service is to fund an eWallet directly from a checking account. It introduces one extra step to the process of making deposits and withdrawals, but it serves the purpose of using EFT for transactions rather than credit cards or other methods that may have associated fees.
However, even this option is not always possible. That's why most US casinos and other gambling sites only allow you to deposit via wire transfer. This is a method that you only use if you have no other choice (let's be honest) and for American gamblers, they don't have any other choice. On the plus side, it's accessible. On the downside, it's slow and there are fees involved.
eCheck Casino Laws
If you're thinking about making a wager online, we recommend that you brush up on applicable eCheck laws by reading our comprehensive article first. These haven't changed much over the last few years. We stay up to date with them regularly and can confirm that they are more or less the same in 2017 as when we started this site about 5 years ago. But it's still worth keeping an eye on that article.
Advice from Professional Canadian Gamblers
Be sure to check out our advice and strategy articles that are prepared with ample feedback from industry experts throughout Canada. No matter what your favorite casino game may be, we guarantee that our expert editorials will help you beef up your overall play by teaching betting strategies, card counting techniques, game selection advice, and hundreds of other topics.
At eCheckCasinos.ca we know that the more we help you win money, the more you'll return for future tutorials. This is especially relevant for modern gamblers, who have a world of options at their fingertips. All that we ask in return is for you to bookmark our website and to tell your friends about us.
For more information about online gambling in Canada, click on the topics along the navigation panels. Due to the nature of this complex business, there are always questions that need answering. Therefore, we have provided an extensive list of FAQs and help files and are also available by email if you need us.
eCheck Usage in International Markets
eChecks are very popular in Canada and they are also used in the US, but technically they are still available around the world. An electronic Check, in its most basic form, is simply a way of transferring money from one account to another, much like a paper check. This is something that can be done with everything from PayPal in Europe, Neteller in the UK, and the Taiwan Money Card in Taiwan.
In fact, taking that last country as an example, Taiwan is a country where a method known as “Web ATM” has become popular. As the name suggests, this is an electronic form of an ATM machine. But, like an eCheck, it has become popular because it takes something basic and something that people have done for decades, and it finds a way of bringing this into the virtual world.
That’s all an eCheck is. So, whether you’re using specific eCheck services in Canada, web wallets across Europe or many other methods in Taiwan and across China, you’re still embracing the brilliant simplicity of the eCheck and all it stands for.
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