Pros and cons of using bank transfer
Bank transfer is a robust payment option, but it does have one drawback you need to be aware of:
Pros and Cons
- Highly secure and regulated by the FCA
- Accepted at most UKGC-licensed poker sites
- Both micro players and high rollers are well catered to
- Near-instant deposits and timely withdrawals
- Takes longer to process than most options
Making payments by bank transfer – how it works in practice
Using bank transfer to fund your online poker account is straightforward. But how does this payment method work? First, you’ll need a valid personal bank account in your name. If you’ve yet to open one, you could visit your nearest bank branch, but most banks will allow you to open an account online. Note that you may need to provide proof of ID and address, so keep some official documents handy.
When you make a transfer request to your bank, you are effectively providing an instruction which prompts a series of electronic processes behind the scenes. It isn’t necessary to know the exact details for the purposes of this guide. Once the request is made to your bank, you will be asked to authorise the payment via your bank’s app or portal. This may require biometric verification, or just a simple check, it varies considerably between different banks. Note that standard bank transfers via BACS, may take 1-3 business days to complete.
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Using bank transfer to deposit and withdraw at online poker sites
Now you know how bank transfer works, let’s relate that to making deposits and withdrawals at online poker sites. This is typically done through the Cashier section simply by selecting BACS as your payment method, but it’s always best to check for any specific instructions, as they may vary between brands.
Making deposits by bank transfer
Before you get started, it’s worth checking if your bank supports any fast bank transfer options like Open Banking (via Trustly) which can cut the processing time. Otherwise, log into your poker site account, and follow these steps:
-
Go to the Cashier section and select Deposit.
-
Choose bank transfer/BACS from the list of payment options.
-
Enter your bank details: account name, sort code and account number.
-
Check the details, and click Confirm.
-
Enter the amount you want to deposit, and hit Deposit.
-
Confirm the payment using your bank’s authentication method
That’s it! Traditional bank transfers via BACS take 1-3 business days to complete, and could incur a small fee applied by your bank.
Withdrawing via bank transfer
Processing withdrawals at
online casinos with bank transfer
is an equally straightforward process at most poker sites. Just be aware that you may only be able to choose this option if you have used it previously to fund your account.
- Head to the Cashier section of your profile.
- Choose bank transfer from the list of payment methods available.
- Enter the amount you wish to withdraw.
- Check and confirm the transaction.
Standard BACS transfers can take 2-5 business days to reach your bank account.
Verifying your identity at a UK bank — what’s required?
To open a bank account and use online banking bank transfers, including Open Banking, FCA regulations mandate that you comply with ID checks. These are completed to ensure that you are a ‘real’ person and to prevent fraud. For this purpose you will be prompted to share official documents:
- Photo ID:
This is typically a valid copy of your passport, driver’s license, or national ID card (clear scan of front/back). You might also be required to submit a facial image via your bank’s app.
- Proof of Address:
As suggested by the name, this verifies your permanent UK residential address. Typically, a recent utility bill (showing your name) at the address is sufficient.
Best UK online poker sites to use bank transfer
Now that we're on the same page, let's have a look at some of the top poker sites that allow
online betting via bank transfer. These are all trusted UKGC-licensed sites that we recommend based on several factors.
Betfred - best UK poker hub, powered by the iPoker network
Betfred: Pros & Cons
- Very generous welcome offers
- Multiple product-specific bonuses
- Trusted, long-standing UK brand
Betfred needs little introduction. A trusted choice for UK players, founded in 1967 and transitioned to the online space in 2004. Its UKGC license is up-to-date, under the permit no. 39544 and poker gets full coverage, not just passing mention. The brand’s poker offering is powered by the Playtech iPoker Network, known for its high traffic and large pool of players, which can hit 10,000+ ring-game players at peak hours. Here, you get all the classics from Texas Hold’em to Omaha, Seven Card Stud, and fast-fold Speed Poker with cash games, MTTs, and heads-up tables.
Betfred’s tournament schedules always have something going, which include a weekly £50,000 guaranteed MTT, up to £12,500 in weekly leaderboard contests, and Twister Sit-and-gos (SNGs) with jackpots of up to £100,000. Tables fill quickly, owing to the platform’s high traffic, and the software is reliable, supporting Heads-Up Display (HUDS) and multi-tabling. Funding your Betfred account is fee-free, and instant bank transfer options are available.
BetMGM - great choice for live dealer poker games
BetMGM UK: Pros & Cons
- Wide range of casino games
- Great collection of live casino games
- Great selection of sporting events
- Comprehensive sports betting markets
- Mobile app available
- Small selection of payment methods
BetMGM, exported from the US to British shores, launched in the UK in 2023, and it’s run by LeoVegas Gaming PLC; a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International. As a one-stop shop, you get everything under one roof, including sports, casino, and, of course, poker. It also features prominently on Dialling in on Poker, BetMGM UK focuses more on live casino poker offerings, rather than a fully-fledged online poker room, making it ideal for casual players.
Here, you can get variants like Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, and Stud Poker tables—these feature real-time streams with professional dealers, but no traditional ring games. We also like the software; it has punchy graphics, is very intuitive to use, and is eCOGRA-certified for fairness. BetMGM UK accepts bank transfer via BACS or Open Banking, with all transactions processed promptly and fee-free.
Kwiff - mobile-first poker casino with instant bank transfer
Kwiff UK: Pros and Cons
- Excellent mobile betting app
- Generous welcome bonus options
- Great live betting features
- Limited payment method choices
Having launched in 2015, Kwiff is no newcomer. You may know it best for its “Supercharged” or Kwiffed odds, as some like to call it. Away from the sportsbook, the poker suite is just as good, and you’ll find gems like Deuces Wild and Jacks or Better. Kwiff also gets an honorary mention, as one of the first brands to allow
online slot play with bank transfer. You’ll find a filter option for poker under the live casino tab.
Popular names like Andar Bahar, Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em are included. What stands out is the clean and straightforward interface, with a toned-down colour scheme; priority goes to ease of use. Though Kwiff lacks Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs) or any traditional poker rooms, the options available are excellent. Notably,Kwiff supports instant bank transfers via Open Banking and Trustly, if your bank offers those.
Betano - a go-to choice for live poker games
Betano: Pros and Cons
- iOS and Android app
- Good range of payment methods
- Frequent promos and odds boosts
- 24/7 customer support
- Innovative ‘Watch and Bet’ feature
Betano ventured into the UK market in 2024, through a Kaizen Gaming and BV Group partnership. It operates under UKGC license number 39576, which covers all services including video poker and live poker options. Here you’ll find Ultimate Texas Hold’em, Jacks or Better Draw Poker, Hi-Lo Western Live, Casino Hold'em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud Poker. The brand focuses mostly on house games rather than player-vs-player. These and more are powered by top studios like Evolution Gaming and Playtech Live.
Betano features a sleek, highly navigable interface, with live poker made available through high-quality HD live streams. Deposits via bank transfer, including Open Banking, are available starting at £5 min, with no fees attached. Withdrawals via bank transfer, also start at £5 and typically process within 24 hours, but less if your bank supports Open Banking via Trustly.
The history of bank transfer - from ledgers to online poker
Bank transfer was established as a way of making payments during the 18th century. At that time, accounts were kept using manual ledger entities and paper bills of exchange. Safe to say it was prone to human errors back then. Fast-forward to 1968, and Bankers’ Automated Clearing Services (BACS) was introduced, which automated bulk payments in the UK, and reduced processing times to a 2-3 day window.
Beyond other updates, such as the SWIFT network (1973) and the UK’s CHAPS (1984), faster processing came during 2008, with the introduction of the Faster Payments Service (FPS). While 2018 marked the launch of Open Banking, which further improved transaction speeds and safety through API-based providers like Trustly.
Bank transfer vs other payment options - a side-by-side comparison
Bank transfer is one of the many
bookmaker deposit methods
that you’ll find at UK-licensed betting sites. It’s not long ago that it was sidelined for slow processing speeds that took days for transactions to complete; that has since changed. Below you’ll see how the more modern version of bank transfer holds up against popular competitors:
| Feature |
Bank Transfer |
PayPal |
Debit Cards
|
| Deposit speed |
Instant (FPS/Open Banking) or 1-3 days |
Instant |
Instant |
| Withdrawal speed |
1-3 hours (Open Banking) or 1-5 days |
1-24 hours |
1-3 days |
| Fees |
Usually none (bank-dependent) |
None (site-dependent) |
None (site-dependent) |
| Security |
Bank-level encryption, 2FA, UKGC-regulated |
High (encrypted, no bank details shared) |
High e.g. Visa Secure, 3D Secure |
| Anonymity |
Low (bank details required) |
Moderate (email-based) |
Low (card details required) |
| Limits |
£5–£50,000+ |
£10–£10,000+ |
£5–£20,000+ |
| Availability |
Widely accepted at UKGC sites |
Becoming more common |
Most popular option at UKGC sites |
Three essential facts about bank transfer - three pillars that hold true about online poker bank transfer
Bank transfer is a tried-and-tested payment method, with clear lines for recourse should dispute resolution be needed, as shown below:
- Bank transfer is FCA-regulated, plus it benefits from UKGC oversight. Combined with high-level SSL encryption and 2FA, it’s one of the safest methods for deposits and withdrawals at online poker sites.
- When using Open Banking (via Trustly) deposits are instant, and withdrawal times are reduced to around 24 hours, rivalling popular e-wallets.
- While bank transfer via BACS remains the norm, many more online poker sites like Kwiff and Betano are adopting Open Banking.
Final thoughts: online poker bank transfer is still the gold standard for safety today
Bank transfers have long cemented their place as the most reliable and secure way to transfer funds from your bank account, and that remains true today. Moreover, innovations like the Faster Payment Service (FPS) and Open Banking have removed a big obstacle to using bank transfer- delayed processing times.
Today, bank transfer deposits can be almost instant, with withdrawals taking less than one day, with the right bank and the best online poker sites. Although you still need to share your banking details when paired with 256-bit SSL encryption and 3D authentication, there is no need for concern. If you're keen to use bank transfer as a payment method, Betfred, BetMGM, Kwiff, and Betano are great online poker sites to get started with. Use our banners to register for an account, and simply follow the steps to make your first bank transfer deposit.
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Online bank transfer FAQ
💷 Are there fees for making bank transfers in the UK?
Most UKGC-licensed poker sites, like Betfred, Kwiff, or BetMGM, don't charge any fees for bank transfer deposits or withdrawals. However, some banks may apply a small percentage fee to transactions. Always check your bank's terms and conditions for clarity.
💰 What are bank transfer deposit and withdrawal limits at poker sites?
Some poker sites set the minimum deposit as low as £5, whereas the maximum can go up to £50,000, or more. Typically, the same limits would apply to withdrawals, but some sites apply a daily cap to withdrawals. Always verify the facts via your poker site T&Cs, as limits can differ greatly between brands.
🔗 What is Open Banking, and its relation to payments on online poker sites?
Open Banking uses a payment provider called Trustly, to enable instant bank transfers. It works by securely linking your bank to poker sites or
UK bingo sites that accept bank transfer
via FCA-regulated APIs. The result is faster than standard BACS transfers and eliminates the need for third-party apps. However, not all UK bank accounts are compatible with Open Banking.
