MoneyGram Casinos
If there’s one name that people trust when it comes to land based money transfers…well, that name is probably Western Union, which has long been the leader in that field. But not far behind them is MoneyGram, another money transfer company that was established in 1940. Based out of Dallas, Texas, this firm helps users across the globe in more than 200 countries transfer funds safely and without the need for credit cards or bank accounts.
While this is definitely a very different way to make a deposit from most of the ways we discuss, there are some obvious advantages that come from using this service – namely, that it is essentially available to any user, regardless of what resources they have at hand.
MoneyGram might not be the most popular deposit method in the iGaming industry, but plenty of casinos do accept it. We’ve done extensive research to come up with a list of the top casinos that offer this method. These sites come with many player-friendly features, including:
- Safe and reliable deposits that can be made by MoneyGram
- Hundreds of slots and other games that are fair and fun
- Bonus and promotions that give you more value on your deposits
History
The company in its current form is the result of a serious of mergers and acquisitions over the years. In 1940, Travelers Express was founded, and would grow to become the largest provider of money orders in the United States. By the 1990s, the company had gone international with locations in over 100 countries.
In 1998, Vlad Corporation – Travelers Express’ parent corporation – acquired MoneyGram Payment Systems, which had been founded by a subsidiary of American Express back in 1988. The combination of the two businesses allowed their reach to grow across the world, to regions that were previously unserved, like Asia, Eastern Europe, and Central America. In 2017, Ant Financial Services Group announced that they would purchase the company for $880 million.
How to Use
In order to use this service to make a deposit, you’ll need to first find a casino that accepts this method. Then, you’ll want to take a look at their cashier page and see what information they provide to you. There, you may find the details you need in order to initial a money transfer; alternatively, you may need to directly contact customer support in order to get the necessary information to process your request.
Once the site has informed you of where to send the funds, you’ll need to actually push through the request. In some jurisdictions, this can be done online through the company’s website. In these cases, of course, you’ll be required to use a credit card, bank account, or other electronic payment method to pay for your order. But since most people would just use those methods to make a deposit if they are available, we imagine most of those using this service will instead want to find a local MoneyGram agent that can take cash. These can be looked up through moneygram.com, and usually consist of local retail outlets from which money can be sent or picked up.
After you complete the purchase, you’ll be given a reference number from MoneyGram. At this point, you should once again contact the casino and provide them with that number, so that they will know when your funds have arrived and can track the progress of your deposit. Once they receive the money, they’ll release your funds into your account balance, and you can begin playing on their site.
Not sure whether you want to withdraw money to your credit card, open an account with an e-wallet, or deposit with Bitcoin? We recommend you check out our guide to online casino payment methods.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The biggest advantage that MoneyGram provides for users is the flexibility to use it just about anywhere in the world, with any payment method. Even if you want to pay in cash, you can easily walk up to an agent and pay on the spot, with no questions asked. It is also a secure and safe way to transfer funds, with absolutely no risk of identity theft or electronic fraud for those who pay in cash in person.
However, it is important to note that this unusual degree of flexibility does come with some significant drawbacks. First, unlike options that result in instant deposits, there is typically a delay between when you initiate a transfer and when the casino will confirm receipt of that money, which means you may not be able to play immediately. In addition, senders typically have to pay rather heavy fees on each transaction, and if there is need for a currency exchange in the process, it will take place at unfavorable rates.
FAQ
Do I Need an Account to Use This Method?There are absolutely no accounts or third-party registrations needed in order to make deposits in this manner. The only thing you’ll need to register for is your casino account; these transfers can be made without signing up for anything, either in person or online.
Is This Available in the USA?MoneyGram was founded in the United States, and is offered as a deposit method at some US-facing casinos. However, acceptance is still not common even in that corner of the iGaming market. In fact, the USA is one of only a handful of countries where you can initiate a deposit through this service (though funds can be picked up at hundreds of thousands of locations worldwide).
Are Any Fees Charged?Yes, all transfers through MoneyGram come with associated fees. These charges will vary based on at least two different factors: where the money is being sent, and how much you wish to deposit. Because of these variables, it is impossible to say just how much you’ll be charged if you try to make such a deposit. It is even possible that the casino might find a way to pick up some of the cost in certain cases.
What Are Some Similar Alternatives?The most obvious alternative is Western Union, an even larger company that also deals with in person money transfers. If you don’t see MoneyGram at a site you want to play on, there is a reasonable chance that Western Union will be offered instead – in fact, it is a more commonly accepted option.
Are Withdrawals Offered By This Method?Some casino sites do offer withdrawals via this service as well. If so, the process will be similar to making a deposit, but in reverse: you’ll need to receive a reference number from customer service, allowing you to pick up your money from a local agent.
