How To Fund Your Michigan Online Casino Account: Gift Cards, Electronic Banking, And More

There are a lot of available Michigan online casino options for iGamers in the state.

While each can have their own nuances and policies, most have similar options when it comes to funding your account.

Whether its online banking, using a debit card or gift card, or even making cash deposits at retail casinos, it’s good to know just what is available for you in the state of Michigan.

Depositing Through Your Bank Account

The most common option for Michigan online casino players will be funding your account directly through your bank account. These transactions are typically instant and don’t require any wait to appear in your iGaming account.

Each online operator will have a variety of options to do this. The most common and most efficient ways are:

• Debit Cards: Using a payment card that is directly linked to your bank account. It’s like using virtual cash, as any deposits are immediately accounted for and don’t need credit. Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted brands.
• Online Banking: This is where users provide their actual bank account numbers to make transactions directly through their respective bank, without using a card. Most national banks are available for this option, but additional verification can be required for each transaction.
• eCheck/ACH: Similar to online banking, these transactions are virtual checks done through Automated Clearing House. It’s a system that many companies use for making direct deposit payments. This method can sometimes take multiple business days to reflect in your bank account.
• Wire Transfer: These are transfers made directly from the bank into another account affiliated with the casino. The total would then be reflected in your online casino account. These transactions typically are done with overseas accounts, so they are reserved for large deposits or withdrawals. Most operators require multiple thousands of dollars to be deposited in order to use this method.
• Check By Mail: If online transactions aren’t for you, some online casinos will work with paper checks. However, it can take weeks for checks to reflect on your iGaming account and for any withdrawal funds to be received in the same manner.

Virtual Currency Deposit Options

Along with the banking options, there’s also other deposit choices that use third-party platforms or virtual currency to fund your account. These options are still usually tied to your bank account in some fashion.

Most of these alternatives will reflect within minutes on your account. They include:

• Credit Cards: These are deposits that are used with credited funds as opposed to available funds from a debit card. Visa and Mastercard are most widely used and accepted by iGaming platforms. Some credit card companies will add additional fees for online gambling transactions, or can increase interest rates for using on gambling platforms. Some iGaming operators, like DraftKings, Golden Nugget, and Fanatics have prohibited credit card use.
• Apple Pay: An increasingly popular online payment option for those using Apple mobile products, Apple Pay is a virtual wallet. It can store your respective debit and credit cards in one hub to make various payments or receive withdrawals.
• PayPal: This is similar to Apple Pay, but allows users to directly connect their bank account as an online payment option as well. Deposits are quickly reflected with PayPal, but withdrawals can take multiple business days.
• Skrill: Another virtual banking platform, Skrill differs as it is open to multiple forms of currency. Skrill is a popular option for international banking and transfers.
• Venmo: Under the ownership of PayPal, Venmo is a digital payment alternative that is linked to customer’s bank accounts or banking cards.

Gift Card Deposit Options at MI Online Casinos

For those looking to not use a bank account, but still want a digital option, gift cards are available for use at Michigan online casinos. There are a few different variations that can be purchased, each reflecting immediately on your iGaming account.

• Operator Gift Cards: A few selection online platforms offer branded gift cards of various value. BetMGM and DraftKings offer their own gift cards ranging from $25-$100. BetMGM also includes a $10 bonus on most of their cards. ESPN Bet also used to have a gift card available from PENN Entertainment, but ESPN and PENN severed ties in December. Their cards are no longer available. With these, customers enter the gift card information in the deposit page to receive the funds.
• Game On Cards: Another gift card option is the “Game On” card, which isn’t specific to a particular operator. These cards cover a variety of different participating online casinos in a given state. Values of the cards range from $20-$500.
• Play+: These are virtual gift card accounts that are used for online gaming and online gambling. Users fund their Play+ accounts in a means of their choosing and then can send the funds from their Play+ account to a respective online casino.

Cash Options for Making a Deposit

If using a bank account or any kind of virtual payment isn’t something you are comfortable with, most online casinos have cash options available.

• Cash at Retail Casino Locations: Some online operators will work with their retail partner and allow customers to make a cash deposit at the retail casino that will transfer into their online account. These transactions typically reflect right away, but require leg work by the customer. Withdrawals can also be done in the same way.
• Cash at Retail Stores: Some online casinos also have set up a similar option with participating retail stores. Users receive a code for a participating store to scan. Customers then provide a cash payment for the amount they want put into the iGaming account. That total then reflects online. CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Walgreens, 7-Eleven, and others participate in this option with select Michigan online casino operators.

Drew Ellis

Drew Ellis has experience covering the gambling industries in North America and around the world. Decades of media experience provide him with the background to handle the complexities of different gambling laws and policies around the United States and North America. Ellis has primarily focused on online and retail casino news since 2021. Prior to working in the gambling industry, Ellis spent over 20 years in the newspaper industry, covering sports and the gambling. His work for The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun and The Oakland Press was recognized with awards by the Associated Press and other media organizations. Drew has also contributed to the Detroit Free Press and the Associated Press.