Prepaid Debit Card for UK Gamblers

June 17, 2009 | News Category: Casino Banking

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The debate about ways to solve online gambling problems continues all over the world, however, in some countries, there is already a banking solution that will assist those online casino gamblers who need the help, to keep track of their hard-earned money.

In the United Kingdom, casino gamblers can now use an Eclipse Prepaid Mastercard for their online gambling transactions. This is a prepaid debit card, that allows online gamblers to better control their expenditure when it comes to online gambling. Eclipse card holders can set limits for themselves, and can also use the debit card to make deposits into their online gaming accounts.

GamCare advocate that players take control measures to help them stay within their budgets, and feel that the Eclipse Prepaid Mastercard is a good step forward in assisting gamblers with this. GamCare is a UK gambling charity that provides support, information and advice to people with gambling problems.

"Using a prepaid debit card when gambling online can help players stick to the limits they set themselves," says Eileen Kinghan of GamCare, "This is one way of gambling responsibly and helping gamblers to avoid financial difficulties."

The debit card is rapidly becoming accepted at the more popular gaming sites. Players can make transfers to their debit card accounts from their regular bank accounts via the telephone and other wired services. After this has been done, they can use these funds to transfer money to their chosen online casino.

The players who know that they are not good at setting limits, and will spend until they have no more money, possibly even going into overdraft, will find that the prepaid debit card is a great safety net for them. This way, players can relax and play until their self-imposed limits stop them from continuing, without worrying that they may overspend, use their rent money, and end up paying overdraft fees because they got caught up in the excitement of the game and forgot to stop playing when their funds got low.

GamCare's website states "We do not wish to restrict the choices or opportunities for anyone to operate or engage in gambling opportunities that are available legally and operated responsibly." They also note that they take a "non-judgmental approach to gambling."

In other countries, other measures are taken. For example, in South Africa, when online gambling was legalized, anyone who wished to gamble online needed to open a specially dedicated gambling account with any bank in South Africa. Funds can be deposited into the bank by credit card. The banks, along with the South African Reserve Bank, will monitor these designated accounts, which are only allowed a maximum balance of R20,000.