Latest News: Happy 10th Birthday eCheckCasinos.ca!
We’d like to take just a moment to say thank you to all of our readers – new and old – for continuing to support this website over the years. eCheckcasinos will be celebrating its 10th birthday very soon. We went live in October 2011, and are looking forward to another decade of great content (and exciting casino gaming) to come! If you’re as sentimental as we are, you can take a look at our original homepage context as it appeared in October 2011, courtesy of the Internet’s digital historians at Archive.org: Original eCheckcasinos.ca – October 2011
Background on eCheck Adoption Rates in 2021
It’s common to think of eChecks and Instant eChecks as a relatively new trend in iGaming, and internet transactions in general. However, these nifty electronic versions of traditional paper checks have been around for well over two decades. It wasn't until around 2011/12 that they really began to gain traction in the eCommerce community. Now in 2021, they are one of the most preferred methods of payment for Canadian gamblers, but not the easiest to find.
Paying by eCheck has never been the most popular option, mind you. Visa and MasterCard credit cards used for gambling have always reigned supreme, mostly because they’re always the first option on the list, and also because, quite frankly, everybody seems to have one. But for those who wish to keep their card details private, eChecks are an exceptional alternative.
Today, millions of merchants around the world accept eChecks. You can pay your utilities, purchase items and services from a website or catalog, even your taxes can be paid with an eCheck. It’s just like using a traditional paper check, except that it’s faster, easier, offers a higher degree of security, and – best of all – comes with no processing fees attached. In today’s high-tech world of no-contact card payments, mobile payments and cryptocurrency (see our eCheck vs Bitcoin page), it only makes sense that such a familiar and secure virtual payment method would be so popular. Keep reading below to learn even more reasons why eChecks are the preferred online casino payment option of Canadians.
Availability of eCheck on the Decline – Or is It?
As of mid 2021, there are only about 100 online casinos, bingo halls, poker rooms, Canadian sportsbooks and lottery services promoting the acceptance of eChecks. That’s less than half the number of eCheck online gaming sites that were available in 2017. And only about 50% of those that are still available offer digital casino games, with far fewer welcoming Canadians to their virtual tables and gaming machines.
It would certainly appear that eChecks are becoming more rare in 2021, but is that really the case? Truth be told, it’s not the eCheck acceptance rate that’s declining, but rather the definition of what constitutes an eCheck that is expanding. Let me explain.
An eCheck, by definition, is an instant means of transferring money from one bank to another via “electronic funds transfer”, or EFT. An eCheck was one of the first viable ways to do this over the internet. Today, the exact same banking technology is being used under a variety of names – everything from Bank Transfers to Direct Deposits. Even ATM withdrawals and Canadian-exclusive Interac payments use the same EFT protocol as an eCheck.
Popular eCheck and EFT Brands in the Gaming Space
- eCheck
- ACH eCheck
- EFT eCheck
- Instant eCheck
- Deluxe eCheck
- EFT
- Electronic Check
- iDebit
- Instant Check
- Interac
- Interac eTransfer
- Bank Transfer
- Bank Wire Transfer
- Electronic Bill Pay
- Instant Payment
- Online Banking
- Quick Deposit
- Rapid Transfer
- Trustly
The bottom line is, eChecks are everywhere. When you look for them by their multitude of synonyms, almost every online casino that accepts Canadian players also accepts eChecks. That doesn’t mean every Canadian eCheck casino is worth your time, though. Our aim is to direct you to the tried, true and trusted websites, where you can enjoy the games with peace of mind. For your convenience, these have been listed below:
Updated List of eCheck Casinos in Canada
- Platinum Play Casino
- Royal Vegas Casino
- Jackpot City Casino
Canadian Casinos Promoting EFT Alternatives to eChecks
- Jackpot City Casino
- LeoVegas Casino
- Platinum Play Casinos
- Royal Vegas Casinos
Why eChecks for Online Gaming ?
Times have changed dramatically in recent years. For a multitude of reasons, we as a society spend much less time seeking gaming-style entertainment in the physical world. Whether it’s due to time constraints or a general preference for digital activities, we are more apt to play games – even casino style games like slot machines, blackjack, and roulette – on a mobile device.
Online casinos offer a convenient, safe, and fun way to play your favorite Vegas-style games from the comfort of home. The key is to find an equally convenient and safe way to fund your real money casino account, without any hassles, unnecessary delays, or added fees. Credit cards are notoriously rejected for iGaming. Debit cards are a primary target for identity thieves. Paper checks are extremely secure, but take an excruciatingly long time to arrive and clear your bank. E-wallets are great, aside from the ‘convenience fees’ they tack on to certain types of transactions. Alternatively, one of the best solutions for Canadian players is the eCheck. It combines the safety and security of a standard paper check, with the speed and convenience of electronic payment methods, at no cost to the user. It’s the best of all worlds: fast, free, secure, and reliable.
How do eChecks Work ?
An eCheck is essentially a paper check that is written and executed electronically. There’s no paper, no pen, no need to sign your name to it. It is processed as an EFT – or electronic fund transfer – wherein the casino and bank instantly communicate the details of the payment.
Here’s what happens the moment a player submits an eCheck / EFT deposit:
1. The casino sends a digital transmission to the player’s bank, asking if the amount of money to be deposited is available in their account.
2. The bank immediately responds with a digital transmission of its own, answering “Yes” or “No”.
- If “No”, the payment is declined by the casino.
- If “Yes”, the casino instantly credits the user with the deposited money.
Like a paper check, the casino won’t actually receive that money for the usual ‘3 to 5 business days’. But, since they know the money is available, and that the bank is already beginning to process that payment, the casino is more than happy to give the player immediate access to it. Such is the beauty of Canada’s impeccable EFT banking systems.
How to Deposit at an eCheck Casino
To use an eCheck at an online casino, you must first register your banking information with the 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 (your name), the account number, and the bank’s routing number.
Note that the personal information associated with your bank account must match the information you previously registered your online casino account with, or you won’t be able to process an eCheck payment.
All of the information you need to submit an eCheck – account number, bank name and routing number – can be found on your own paper checks. So, there is no need to contact the issuing authority for specifics, unless you don’t have paper checks. If that’s the case, a quick phone call to your financial institution will get you all the info you need.
A word of warning – like paper checks, eChecks can bounce. It’s rare, mind you. Your bank should deny the payment if the funds aren’t available. If they are available, your bank should put an immediate hold on those funds the moment the casino requests them. But, it can still happen, and if it does, you will be charged an NFS (insufficient funds) overdraft fee, which can cost you anywhere from $25 to $40, depending on your bank. This is the only potential downside to depositing with eCheck casinos, and is one that’s easy to avoid. Once you place an eCheck payment, don’t spend that money before it leaves you bank.
Different Types of eCheck
There’s more than one type of eCheck, and they aren’t all created equally. The two main types are EFT and ACH. We already discussed the way EFTs (Electronic Fund Transfers) work above, wherein the merchant and bank immediately initiate a digital communique to ensure the money is available in the user’s bank account. This is the method all Canadian-based banks use when processing an eCheck.
ACH eChecks are used by US-based financial institutions. ACH stands for Automated Clearing House, and while the process is basically the same, ACH payments are not always instant. Every bank sets its own time for ACH processing. Some will process them as they come in (instantly, like an EFT), but most banks let them pile up until a certain time of day. It could be end of business day, midnight, 6:00am next business day; whenever they choose. Once that time comes, all ACH payments are processed.
For this reason, ACH eChecks can take longer to appear in your online casino account, and may be more prone to bouncing. But remember, ACH is the method utilized by US banks. Only Canadians who have a US-based bank account will be subject to the ACH system.
As for Canadian banking systems, they all operate under the guidelines of Payments Canada, which regularly updates the rules and standards for its Automated Clearing Settlement System (ACSS). These are the rules by which EFTs are processed by Canadian banks. You can find the current ASCC / EFT Rules & Standards here.
Where to find Canadian Casinos that Accept eChecks ?
There are many sites that accept eChecks in 2021, either by its specific eCheck name, or any of its EFT-reliant variables. However, if you’re in Canada, your options will be more limited. And if you demand only the best online casinos with the strictest standards and highest reputation, they’re going to be a lot more limited.
As of now, there are only a few solid Canadian online casinos that offer eChecks as a deposit method. The most prominent of these are Jackpot City, Platinum Play, and Royal Vegas. Each of these brands are reputable and trustworthy, with long histories of providing excellent customer service.
Jackpot City Casino is a Microgaming-powered online casino boasting the eCOGRA seal of safety and fairness certification. Launched in 1998, it’s one of the oldest, most reputable online casinos on the web today. 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. A massive, $1,600 multi-deposit welcome bonus awards 100% up to $400 in bonus cash on the first four deposits.
Royal Vegas Casino also utilizes Microgaming’s eCOGRA certified software. The brand is known for their generous bonuses and more than two decades of experience in the online casino industry. Canadian players can deposit at this website using eChecks, as well as with a variety of other EFT-reliant deposit methods. There’s also up to $1,200 in bonuses available to new players over the course of the first four deposits, matching 100% up to $300 on each.
Platinum Play Casino is another eCOGRA certified iGaming portal powered by the leading Microgaming software. New players can earn up to $800 on their first three deposits. Each is matched at 100%, delivering a bonus of up to $400 on the first, $200 in the second, and another $200 on the third. Platinum Play Loyalty Rewards is an exclusive VIP program that continues to delivers special perks and bonuses beyond that point.
eCheck Casino Laws
If you're thinking about making a wager online, we recommend that you brush up on applicable eCheck laws (updated July 2021) 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 2021 as when we started this site nearly 10 years ago, with just a few exceptions to provincial markets. But it's still worth bookmarking and keeping an eye on that article, as the legal climate can change anytime.
Advice from Professional Canadian Gamblers
First, be sure to check if you meet the legal gambling age in your province. Then be sure to check out our advice and strategy articles that are prepared with ample feedback from industry experts throughout Canada. Fast cashouts are not a staple of the industry, so make sure to select casinos that have historically paid fast. 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 Canadian provinces, 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.
About Us: We are a small group of actual online casino players, ourselves. Being active members of the iGaming community, we strictly deal with reputable, trustworthy operators that our writers have personally and thoroughly tested for a number of quality assurances – including the acceptance of eCheck casino payments. If we recommend any iGaming operator, you can rest assured it meets our own remarkably high standards.
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