Visa & Mastercard at Ontario Casinos: What Still Works in 2025

For gamblers in Ontario, credit cards like Visa and Mastercard are still the go-to options at most online casinos. There are no rules against using them, as both the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Criminal Code allow credit card payments for online gambling. 

However, whether your payment goes through depends on the bank that issued your card. For example, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and TD Bank are known to block payments to gambling sites. Other banks may allow the payment but treat it as a cash advance, which can lead to higher interest charges and additional fees.

In this article, we’ll explain how credit card gambling works in Ontario. You’ll learn which banks allow casino deposits and which ones to avoid. We’ll also share safer alternatives if you want to avoid the risks that come with using your credit card online. Keep reading!

Casinos that Accept Visa & Mastercard in Ontario

*CC Scores calculated using our credit card acceptance methodology

Credit cards are among the oldest and most widely used payment methods in Canada. Reports show that 8 out of 10 Canadians have used a credit card at some point, and this number has stayed consistent since 2011. According to the Bank of Canada, the average age of a credit card user in the country is 49 years old.

Presently, Ontario has 85 online casino sites run by 50 licensed companies, according to iGaming Ontario. Most of these casinos accept Visa and Mastercard, making it easy for players to deposit with a credit card. We tested some of the best sites to find the ones where credit card payments work best. Here are our top picks:

Jackpot City Ontario (JackpotCity.ca)

Launched in 1998, Jackpot City is one of the longest-running online casinos in the industry. The site is operated in Ontario by Cadtree Limited and offers a wide range of casino games. Players can enjoy popular jackpot slots like Mega Moolah and King Millions, along with table games and live dealer options.

When it comes to payments, Jackpot City supports a wide range of options. You can deposit using your Visa or Mastercard credit card from most Canadian banks and credit unions. It also accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards, as well as trusted local methods like Interac, Instadebit, and eCheck. You can never go wrong with Jackpot City Casino. 

Ruby Fortune Ontario (RubyFortune.ca)

Next on the list is Ruby Fortune, a newer sister site to Jackpot City that launched in 2022. The platform comes with a modern design that’s easy to use on both desktop and mobile.

At Ruby Fortune, you can enjoy fast and secure payments using Visa and Mastercard credit cards. Interestingly, this casino accepts Amex credit cards. Ontarians can also use other convenient options like debit cards, Interac by Loonio, MuchBetter, and Apple Pay. The minimum deposit using your credit card is $5.

Spin Casino Ontario (SpinCasino.ca)

Spin Casino is another newly launched platform from Cadtree Limited in ON. This casino comes packed with hundreds of games for players of all interests. You’ll find diverse Microgaming titles, including slots, jackpots, table games, and scratch cards. Spin Casino also ensures diversity by providing several Pragmatic Play top hits, such as Big Bass Bonanza and Gates of Olympus.

Regarding deposits, this Vegas-themed casino has a range of trusted and secure options. You can use standard credit/debit card brands like Visa, Virtual Visa & Mastercard, and American Express to deposit funds from major financial institutions in Canada. The minimum deposit is pegged at $10 with your credit card and all transactions are free of charge.

Royal Vegas Ontario (RoyalVegas.ca)

Royal Vegas oozes the classic Vegas charm with a modern twist. Everything here is designed to impress, from the crisp layout to the dazzling slot thumbnails. Like its Cadtree sister sites, Royal Vegas delivers top-notch slot and table game experiences. You’ll find slots with high RTP jackpots like Mega Millionaire Wheel (94%) and Mega Diamonds Jackpot (94.45%).

Ontarians at Royal Vegas Casino can enjoy fast and secure payments using credit/debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and bank transfers. The available credit cards include Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. You can also use Interac, Apple Pay, iDebit, Instadebit, and MuchBetter. Credit card deposits are free and instant.

Captain Cooks Ontario

Captain Cooks is one of the oldest online casinos in Canada. It started in 2003 and has built a strong reputation over the years. The platform is owned by Apollo Entertainment, the same company behind Luxury Casino and Yukon Gold. The casino is fully licensed in both Ontario and the Territory of Kahnawake.

Meanwhile, the range of payment methods at Captain Cooks is awe-inspiring. You can deposit and withdraw funds using credit card brands like Visa, virtual cards, Mastercard, and JCB. Captain Cooks also accepts payments via debit cards, Interac via Payper, eCheck, Instadebit, GPay, and wire transfers. Cryptocurrencies are available as well.

Which Banks Approve or Decline Credit Card Gambling

Now that we know which casinos accept credit cards, let’s take a look at Canadian banks that accept and decline credit card payments. Remember, there’s no law in Ontario or Canada that bans the use of credit cards at online casinos (unlike in the UK and NZ). Each bank decides for itself whether to let the payment go through or not.

1.      TD Bank

In October 2014, TD Bank decided to stop all online gambling payments, including credit and debit card deposits. According to the bank’s spokesperson, gambling transactions could open the institution up to “hard-to-monitor legal and regulatory risks.” There have since been many cases of this bank blocking online gambling purchases.

2.      RBC

RBC credit cards can be used for online gambling in Ontario, often by making a cash advance first. According to the bank’s credit card agreement, you cannot use the card for certain transactions, including illegal internet gambling. The good news is that several users have reported success with gambling payments.

3.      BMO

BMO has a range of Mastercard and Visa credit cards with benefits like fee-free payments, cashback, and BMO rewards. It’s one of the most lenient banks when it comes to iGaming payments. There’s no mention of internet gambling in the credit card T&Cs. However, this bank treats all credit card gambling payments as cash advances, meaning interest starts piling up instantly.

4.      Scotiabank

Scotiabank is very clear about its stance against credit card gambling. This bank uses the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 to restrict gambling payments. This law prevents Scotiabank from processing illegal gambling payments using credit/debit cards, eCheck, and electronic funds transfers. However, the cash advance policy applies if the payment succeeds.

5.      EQ Bank

This Canadian bank offers an EQ Bank Card, which isn’t a credit card per se. Instead, this Mastercard-branded prepaid card lets you do almost anything a debit card can do. This means there are no annual fees or interest charges. However, the card agreement states that EQ Bank can block online gambling transactions and other cash-like payments.

6.      Neo/KOHO

Neo and KOHO aren’t traditional banks, but many Canadians use their cards. Neo offers credit cards, while KOHO gives out prepaid Mastercards. However, neither supports online gambling. KOHO blocks payments to gambling and adult entertainment sites, and Neo cards often fail when used at gambling sites.

Tip: Credit card payments in Canada can be successful, especially when gambling on legal casinos in Ontario. But both your bank and the casino have to allow it. Sometimes, the casino’s cashier may block the payment. To avoid issues, choose casinos known for accepting credit cards. You can also try a small deposit first to see if it works.

Credit Card Fees and Cash Advance Warning

Using a credit card to deposit at online casinos might work with banks like TD, BMO, and RBC. But be careful as there are often extra fees to worry about. For example, RBC charges $3.50 for each deposit at Canadian casinos and $5 for international ones. That’s why it’s smart to compare fees and choose the bank that charges the least.

Another problem is something called a “cash advance.” Most Canadian banks treat credit card casino payments as cash advances. This is the same as taking money from an ATM or making other cash-like purchases.

The drawback with cash advances is that you don’t get any grace period. For instance, if you deposit $50 using a TD credit card, you could be charged up to 10%, or $5, as a cash advance fee. BMO charges less, about 1% or $5, whichever is higher. Again, the best move is to find the bank with the lowest fee.

Thankfully, you can avoid these inconveniences by using Interac. This method lets you log into your online banking account and deposit money securely from any bank. Interac also partners with third parties like Loonio and Gigadat to ensure fast and convenient bank transfers. Best of all, you can enjoy fast Interac withdrawals in Ontario, unlike credit cards, which rarely support payouts.

What to Do If Your Card Gets Declined ?

It’s possible to get a “payment declined” error message when depositing money using your credit card. Most banks use 3D Secure (3DS) systems like Visa Secure and Mastercard Identity Check to block illegal gambling payments. You can expect even more declined credit card requests now that AI-powered detection systems are coming into play.

So, what happens if a bank refuses to process a casino deposit via credit card? Here are some tips:

1- Try Another Bank

The first step is to try another institution. Different banks have their internal policies concerning credit card use in internet gambling. Banks like Scotiabank have a strict approach to illegal gambling, while BMO is a bit lenient. Basically, try a different bank account if you have one.

2- Use Your Prepaid Gift Card

Another workaround is to use your prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift card. BMO offers a Mastercard Gift Card, and RBC provides a Visa Gift Card. You can load these cards with set amounts, which can help in situations where you need quick access to cash. Many online casinos accept gift cards, as long as they can verify the billing details. Vanilla remains one of the most widely accepted Visa Gift Card brands. In fact, Durham Post recently published an excellent roundup of online casinos that accept Vanilla Visa.

3- Connect Card to E-Wallet

Many users have also reported success in connecting their credit cards to third-party wallets like PayPal and MuchBetter. If your bank or casino blocks direct credit card payments, PayPal or MuchBetter can be excellent ‘middlemen.’ Simply use your card to load the e-wallet and proceed to deposit money.

Note that legal casinos in Ontario rarely decline credit card deposits because no law compels them to do so. The main culprit in this case is usually the bank. Therefore, read the bank’s credit card terms to ascertain if you can make a casino deposit. Always try with small amounts to see what happens.

Best Credit Card Alternatives

Let’s get straight to it. Here are the best alternatives to credit cards for Ontario casino deposits:

• Interac: This is the best option for transferring money from your bank account. You can use an online banking account to make deposits from 200+ banks and credit unions nationwide. It is free and widely accepted on most casino sites..
• Electronic Check: This option bypasses credit card restrictions because the deposit is directly from your checking account. Upfront verification via platforms like Instadebit and iDebit also means eCheck deposits rarely fall through.
• E-Wallet: E-wallets like PayPal and MuchBetter are commonplace at most casinos. These methods provide the convenience of linking your credit card and making instant deposits. Withdrawals are also usually faster than, let’s say, Interac and wire transfer.
• Cryptocurrencies: You can make a casino deposit using cryptocurrencies if you have a few unused coins in your wallet. However, AGCO doesn’t consider these coins legal tender, meaning ON casinos cannot accept digital coins.

Why Some Credit Cards Still Fail at Ontario Casinos

A gambling ban by the bank’s internal policy is the main reason for failed credit card deposits at Ontario casinos. However, there are several other reasons for this inconvenience. Below are some of them:

• Bank-Level Risk Filters: Most banks view gambling deposits as “high risk” due to issues like money laundering, fraud, and problem gambling. Therefore, these banks have systems that flag casino payments as suspicious, even legit ones.
• Incorrect MCC (Merchant Category Codes): MCC is a four-digit code that categorizes businesses by their product or service. Banks often use these codes to assess risks and add restrictions. Therefore, the bank can decline the payment if the MCC code is incorrect.
• Payment Processor Mismatch: Casinos use payment processors like Moneris, Paysafe, and WorldPay to process credit card payments. So, if this doesn’t match your bank’s processor, the payment can be auto-declined.
• Foreign Processing Routes: Legal and offshore sites in ON can route credit card payments using international brands like Paysafe and WorldPay. This makes Moneris, which RBC and BMO jointly own, arguably the best option for Canadians.

Remember that some banks offer American Express-branded credit cards. Scotiabank is an excellent option, offering Gold and Platinum Amex cards. However, these cards are not widespread in online gambling like Visa and Mastercard-branded cards. Still, you can find it on most Cadtree Limited and Apollo Entertainment brands in Ontario.

Final Verdict: Should You Still Use Credit Cards at Ontario Casinos?

After going through this guide, you might be skeptical about whether to use credit cards for casino deposits. Though the benefits are immense, the drawbacks can be concerning for players. Let’s list the pros and cons below:

Pros:

• Deposits are instant once the bank has approved the payment.
• Players don’t need to create a new account or log in to deposit.
• Bank-based security using real-time fraud-monitoring software.
• The user interface is familiar and straightforward.

Cons:

• High failure rate, especially with RBC, TD, and Neo/KOHO.
• Most banks treat deposits as a cash advance with no grace period.
• Credit cards are unavailable for casino withdrawals.
• Frustrating random declines without a clear error message.
• Some banks can block usage even on legal AGCO casinos.

In conclusion, credit card deposits are among the most secure and widely accepted payment methods in Ontario. However, the risk of declined transactions and the high interest from cash advances can make them less appealing. That is why many players turn to better options like Interac, prepaid Visa cards, and eChecks for long-term usage. So, don’t be left out. Choose a smarter way to pay.