PayPal is widely recognised as a leader in the digital payments industry. Its stronghold in sectors like e-commerce is well known, but it also possesses an envious position in the online gambling industry, particularly in the UK. With players increasingly seeking secure and convenient payment options, PayPal has become an essential feature for British online casinos.
To understand PayPal’s impact in this space, Payment Expert spoke to Joonas Karhu, CEO of Bojoko.com, one of the biggest comparison sites in the British igaming sector. The company actively reviews and tracks PayPal casino sites available in the UK, and the number is now in the hundreds.
Karku discusses PayPal’s availability, market share and influence, as well as its advantages and limitations for British players.
Payment Expert: Why has PayPal become such a popular payment method for British online casino players?
Joonas Karhu: PayPal’s popularity in the UK’s online casino space is largely due to its reputation for being a highly secure and user-friendly payment method. One of the key concerns for online players is the safety of their financial and personal information. PayPal eliminates the need to share sensitive banking details directly with the casino, which gives players peace of mind when making transactions.
Moreover, PayPal is fast. Whether you’re making a deposit or withdrawing your winnings, transactions are processed quickly, often within 24 hours. This speed is a huge advantage, especially compared to traditional payment methods like bank transfers or even some other e-wallets, where withdrawals can take days.
Beyond security and speed, PayPal’s ease of use is a major draw. Many players are already familiar with PayPal from everyday online shopping or bill payments, so it’s a natural choice when they move to online gambling.
In terms of adoption, how widely is PayPal accepted in the British online casino market, and are there any challenges with using it?
Joonas Karhu: PayPal’s acceptance in British online casinos is closing in on universal at this point. Yes, players might find that smaller or newer operators may not yet support it, but among the trustworthy casinos we review, it is almost a given at this point.
For players who prefer PayPal, this means that finding PayPal casinos is not the issue. Rather, the opposite is the problem. Players need to take time to figure out which of the hundreds of available options is the best for them.
PE: What specific advantages does PayPal offer to British online casino players over other payment methods like credit cards, debit cards, or other e-wallets?
Joonas Karhu: PayPal’s main advantage over traditional payment methods like bank transfers and debit cards is its added layer of security. When you use a credit card, you’re sharing your card information with the casino, which opens up some potential security risks if the casino were to suffer a data breach. With PayPal, the casino never sees your card or bank account information. All transactions are processed through PayPal, which acts as an intermediary.
In terms of e-wallets, PayPal tends to be more widely trusted and used than some of its competitors, particularly in regions like North America. Skrill and Neteller are also popular, but PayPal has a broader user base and is generally considered easier to use, especially for players who aren’t as familiar with digital wallets.
One other thing worth noting is PayPal’s dispute resolution process. If a player feels they’ve been wronged by a casino—whether it’s because of a delayed payment or some other issue—they can file a dispute through PayPal. This adds a layer of consumer protection that isn’t necessarily available with other payment methods.
PE: How does Bojoko help players navigate the complexities of finding casinos that accept PayPal, and what role does the platform play in educating users about payment methods?
Joonas Karhu: At Bojoko, one of our main goals is to empower players to make informed decisions when choosing an online casino. We do this by offering detailed reviews and filters that allow players to search for casinos based on their preferred payment methods, including PayPal. If a player wants to find a casino that accepts PayPal, we have a dedicated page where our users can filter the brands based on their criteria.
Beyond that, we provide in-depth guides on how to use various payment methods, including PayPal. These guides cover everything from how to set up a PayPal account to how to make deposits and withdrawals at an online casino.
We also offer information on any potential fees or restrictions players might encounter when using PayPal. We want our users to have all the information they need before they make a decision, so they can choose a casino that fits their preferences and needs.
PE: Looking to the future, what do you see as the next steps for PayPal in the British online gambling market?
Joonas Karhu: That is very hard to say. They are quite dominant at this point and showing no signs of weakness, so something big would need to happen for a shift in an overly positive or negative direction.
We have seen alternative payment methods grow across quite a few markets. Therefore, we know that PayPal will face increasing competition from other e-wallets. However, they are so well positioned at this point that there is no real threat beyond the margins.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see PayPal continue to innovate, possibly introducing new features or partnerships that further streamline the payment process for both players and casinos, but we have to wait and see.
