The Pros and Cons of Betting With Revolut

With online bookmakers constantly looking to make life easier for their new customers, it’s no surprise to see Revolut offered as a payment option. But before you dive in, we suggest that you examine the pros and cons of betting with Revolut, all discussed throughout this article in detail.

What Is Revolut?

Simply put, Revolut is a digital bank that gives you an electronic wallet with a personal IBAN, along with a payment card. Launched in the UK in 2015, it also offers its customers a bank card that is attached to accounts holding any one of 31 available currencies. Though it’s not recognised as a bank in the UK, it nevertheless bills itself as a one-stop financial resource. As such, Revolut is a great platform to help you take charge of your spending, saving, and investing.

Because the card accepts and handles multiple currencies, it’s proved to be a favourite of travellers and globetrotters. Revolut allows you to make instant transfers and exchange money seamlessly and affordably, all within the app itself. As for transferring money to your bank account, the whole process is straightforward and takes just a few minutes.

There are four types of Revolut cards to choose from – which one you’ll receive depends on the type of account you have. Let’s have a look at each one, along with the applicable fees:

All these cards will come with either Visa or Mastercard, though you can’t choose which, as the cards are assigned depending on the country where the customer lives. All physical cards come with a magstripe, so you’re able to use any Revolut card for ATM withdrawals, as well as for contactless payments.

If you only want a card to use online, then their virtual card is perfect. It’s free to order and connects to the Revolut app. However, because it’s not a physical card, it lacks a PIN and thus can’t be used at ATMs. That said, the virtual card does have a unique security feature in that it deletes itself every few months and is then replaced with a new one.

How to Join Revolut

Revolut is available for customers in the European Economic Area, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Japan, Switzerland, and the US.

To join Revolut, just follow this simple step–by–step guide:

Ways to Fund Your Revolut Account

To add funds to your Revolut account, simply tap on the “Add Money” icon on the home screen of your Revolut betting app. Here, you’ll see the various options available. If you’ve previously linked your bank account, this will appear at the top of the list. For security reasons, once you’ve added the desired amount, you’ll be taken to your own bank’s page to confirm the transaction.

Bank Transfer

The method to transfer funds from your bank account to your Revolut card will depend on whether it’s an international or domestic transfer. In the “Account Details” section of the Revolut betting app, you’ll see which currencies are supported. If you don’t see a “local” section, then you’ll only be able to use SWIFT.

We suggest that you stick to local details, as the transfers are faster – in many cases, they are either much cheaper or free, especially when compared with SWIFT transfers associated with betting from abroad.

Credit Cards

Unfortunately, from July 2020, topping up your Revolut card using another credit card for betting with Revolut is no longer accepted. Nevertheless, you can still utilise a debit card or bank transfer.

E-Wallets

Many e-wallets are not listed as IBAN/BIC in the app’s drop-down menu of payment options for UK customers. Since Brexit, though the UK remains part of the SEPA scheme, a number of new requirements have been introduced. Thankfully, there are some workarounds. For example, you could claim a Skrill Virtual Mastercard and then add it as a payment source, providing you’re in the UK, as both Skrill and Revolut are UK companies.

Other e-wallets like NETELLER and PayPal can be added to your Revolut account, allowing you to transfer funds from your e-wallet to Revolut. Take note that this e-wallet feature is only available in Europe. If you’re looking to transfer funds in the other direction, from Revolut to your e-wallet, then there’s a fee.

How Can You Use Revolut for Betting?

Revolut offers a secure platform for making online deposits at Revolut betting sites. It’s also an excellent means for effective money management, thanks to the in-app budgeting tools. You’ll see that all your gambling activities are listed separately under “entertainment.” This helps you monitor your betting spend by keeping track of your funds as a separate budget from your other day-to-day expenses.

Once you’ve found a betting site that lists Revolut as a payment option, using the card is as simple as using any other credit card. What’s more, all deposits are instant, meaning you can start betting straight away. A main disadvantage is that withdrawals take much longer, up to six working days. The good news, though, is that Revolut charges no fees for using your card for your online betting account.

Online Betting Deposits:

Online Betting Withdrawals:

Which Betting Sites Accept Revolut?

Though Revolut has been an option for funding betting accounts over the last couple of years, it’s been superseded by many other electronic payment platforms. As of the time of writing, we could only find a handful of bookmakers accepting funding via Revolut, but we will make sure to update this guide as soon as this changes.

Revolut Gambling Block

If you’re looking for a means of helping you keep an eye on your gambling spending, then Revolut has a great tool within its app. Though disabled by default, the Gambling Block, once enabled, will automatically block any payments to online casinos, sportsbooks, and betting shops.

We should also mention that Revolut is dedicated to helping problem gamblers, offering a long list of problem gambling signs. Their app lists support groups, charities, helplines, and gambling organisations where any player experiencing difficulties can reach out and receive a sympathetic ear.

What Are Revolut’s Fees and Withdrawal Limits?

With several different Revolut accounts to choose from, you’ll find that fees are dependent on the type of card you’re using.

Security of Revolut

Obviously, when betting with Revolut and gambling online, your safety is of paramount importance. Using Revolut should put your mind at rest as it’s one of the most secure methods of funding your online betting account. The platform offers multiple forms of protecting yourself from bad actors, including fingerprint identification for logging into your account. In order to mitigate the risk of fraud, you can even turn off certain features of your Revolut card. For example, you can disable the ATM facility or e-commerce payments.

In order to counteract any fraudulent activities, the company utilises its “Sherlock Anti-Fraud System”, which makes use of real-time alerts. And finally, we should mention their 2-factor authentication, whereby you’ll need to verify any payments separately after receiving a mobile notification. All these measures add up to a secure and safe platform.

Pros & Cons of Using Revolut

Alternative Payment Options

Due to recent legislation, from 14 April 2020, credit cards can no longer be used in the UK for gambling purposes. Because Revolut utilises either Visa or Mastercard, its use is now forbidden in the UK, too. You may well find that this also is the case for some other countries. To that end, we’ve compiled a list of other payment methods to help you make deposits at online betting sites.

1. Credit and Debit Cards: On the positive side, these offer a secure, convenient, and fast method for funding your account. Deposits are instant, with withdrawals taking two to four banking days. But there are some major disadvantages. For example, you can’t use credit cards at UK bookmakers anymore. American Express does not permit any gambling transactions whatsoever.

2. E-Wallets: You’re probably aware of PayPal, Skrill, and NETELLER, as these are well-known for being able to make instant deposits and fast withdrawals. Even better, all transactions are free of charge from the betting site. That said, you may well find that the e-wallet may charge a transfer fee. For example, Skrill will charge you 1.9% for making a deposit and 1.75% for a withdrawal. We should also mention that many bookies don’t give out bonuses if you’re using Skrill or NETELLER.

3. Bank/Wire Transfers: Compared with modern e-wallets, this method appears to be somewhat dated and clunky. And though it’s secure, the main disadvantages are entirely outweighed by lengthy delays in the funding process. On the whole, it’ll take between one to five working days to process a deposit and up to 10 days to receive any withdrawals. In addition, there are hefty fees charged.

4. Pay By Phone/ SMS: This option for funding your online betting account has become one of the most popular methods over recent years. The general idea is to add funds via your phone bill. Unlike other methods, there’s no need to log in to another account – all you need to do is send a text message or call a number. One of the best companies in this space is Boku. Nevertheless, there are some downsides. For example, you can only deposit relatively small amounts on a daily basis. Of course, if you’re a low-roller, having a maximum limit of £30 will be fine. Also, as you’re using your phone account, you can’t cash out with this method.

5. Cryptocurrencies: This is probably the newest method of moving funds. In truth, betting with cryptocurrencies is a little complicated for many people, as you’ll need to set up a wallet and buy crypto to begin with. Whether you’re Revolut betting with Binance or Bitcoin, you’ll need to educate yourself on the intricacies of cryptocurrencies before you start. Though it’s billed as being completely anonymous, the truth is that in order to cash out, you’ll still need to provide KYC details. Also, all cryptos are subject to frequent volatility. At the time of writing, for instance, the cryptocurrency markets have fallen 30% in just one day!

The Future of Revolut

Revolut’s desire to be a one-stop banking solution really comes unstuck, as they don’t have a UK banking licence despite being a UK-based company. Presently, they operate on a Lithuanian banking licence, meaning that European account holders can only utilise a Lithuanian IBAN. Another negative is their apparent lack of money laundering oversight, for which they’ve been fined in the past.

Though Revolut applied for a UK banking licence in January 2021, it appears that the UK Financial Conduct Authority are taking their time to perform due diligence. This is unsurprising in some ways, as the FCA represents the gold standard for banking regulation. Because Revolut is not technically a bank in the UK, your funds are not protected in the same manner as those for European customers. To illustrate this point further, should the bank fail, they are guaranteed up to €100,000 as deposit protection.

ThePuntersPage Final Say

Though Revolut was a payment option for betting sites, it’s increasingly difficult to find today. This may well be connected to its terrible reviews, which have seen its reputation take a beating. In the age of social media and review platforms, this can greatly influence any company's standing. On paper, the platform looks great as an all-in-one banking platform. But in practice, it’s hard to recommend a company that blocks customer account access at random and offers a frustrating customer support experience.

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