- It has a “Refer-A-Friend” program
- Deposit could be made speedily
- Absolute client privacy
- E-mail address needed only
- U.S residents not accepted
- Below average customer service
- 48-hour process for verification now and then
Credit cards are still the preferred method of a payment/deposit option for players; on condition the purchase through it could be facilitated. But internet gamblers are wary of the fact that their privacy might be at stake since all credit card transactions are linked to a bank. When clients opt this route they must realise they will be investigated, especially if it’s an international cash transfer taking into consideration that we live in an era gripped by panic from possible terrorist attacks. Activities such as these are closely monitored especially if there are large amounts of cash at stake.
This is the case in the U.S where we have the Patriot Act and the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), potentially these pieces of legislation empowers the government to force banks in the U.S to divulge certain information about their clients, this is done under the auspices of fighting terrorism.”
The player who wants to effect a financial transaction with internet casinos is looking for alternative payment methods in order to guarantee optimum privacy. This is where the electronic wallet comes in; it acts as a conduit between the player and the internet casino thus safeguarding the player’s right to privacy.
The positive side of matters is that government agencies don’t have the same clout as in the case with credit cards over these companies, besides a large proportion of these companies are headquartered in an area where internet gaming is controlled and regulated. A good example of these payment facilitators is MoneyBookers.
Not so long ago companies like PayPal had their headquarters in the U.S, as a result of the UIGEA and political pressure they were compelled to exit the U.S market. Neteller is the globe’s biggest sovereign cash transfer business also had a strong presence in the U.S but became suspended for domestic gaming transactions and its accounts were frozen by the government. For the time being Neteller has decided to stay out of the U.S market.
