eCheck / Instant Check Blackjack Casino Sites

An electronic check, or e-check, is the virtual version of paper checks. It’s as common a banking option as credit or debit cards, e-wallets and money transfer services. It shares the same umbrella as all of these services, too, being known as an EFT or electronic funds transfer.

An e-check is the ideal solution for blackjack players that don’t have access to debit cards or are uncomfortable with using them online. It’s great for US players, too, as they have few options as is, and cannot use banking methods like e-wallets. eChecks are easy to use, too, as well as quick to hit your player account and are available to most players for withdrawals.

The purpose of this page is to serve as a mini-guide to using e-checks to play blackjack online. Read on to find out what casinos accept e-checks, how to use them to make a deposit and the pros and cons to using this banking option versus others, such as a Visa or MasterCard debit/credit card.

Here are some of the top casinos and software providers that accept eCheck.

Casinos

• Bet365 Casino
• 888 Casino
• Jackpot Capital
• Roxy Palace

Software Providers

• Microgaming
• Rival
• Real Time Gaming
• Playtech
• BetSoft
• GameOS

I’ve read from other informational portals that if the casino doesn’t list their e-check option under “e-checks,” that you’ll be able to find it under the traditional check option. I haven’t found that to be the case. The two options are not the same. However, if the casino does accept a traditional check that might be another option to consider if they don’t accept e-checks. It will take longer to hit your player account, though, since you’ll need to send the check in via mail.

There’s not much you need to do to prepare for depositing to a casino with an e-check. You will want to have a checking account, your checkbook handy and identification. You might also be asked to send in further proof that you are you, and you live where you say you do. This is as simple as faxing in your drivers license and a recent utilities bill or two.

You’ll need your checkbook because you’ll need to use the numbers off the bottom of your check. This includes your account, routing and check number. Once written you’ll discard or ‘void’ the check.

You might also want your bank’s information, including name and address.

To make a deposit with an e-check you’ll visit the cashier, choose (instant) e-checks as your option and then fill out the details. You’ll tell the casino how much you want to deposit, your banks information and your check numbers. Then hit submit.

Funds deposited by e-check are available instantly, even though it can take a week to ten days for the funds to actually clear. The casinos are essentially floating the cash for you.

But because they float the cash that means you won’t be able to make a withdrawal until it clears, unless you have more money in your account than you deposited. Withdrawals, if allowed, will take about the same amount of time to clear and be available in your bank account.

Note – Even if a casino doesn’t mention accepting e-checks (for either deposit or withdrawals), you might see if they offer an ACH for withdrawals. That’s going to be pretty much the same thing. It’s a direct deposit into your checking or savings account. They’ll need the same information to process it, too.

eCheck Fees

I’ve not seen a casino or poker site charge fees for e-checks. However, you’ll want to check with your bank to see if they do.

There are advantages and disadvantages to all banking methods. I want to point out some that stand out to me so that maybe you can better decide which option to use to fund your blackjack account.

Advantages

Your funds are available instantly. Casinos will float the cash so that you can play right away, even though they won’t see the cash for a week.

e-Checks can be used for both deposits and withdrawals.

e-Checks are much faster for withdrawals, even though they’re essentially the same thing as the paper checks that take 2-8 weeks to process and be sent to you.

There’s no need to set-up additional accounts or wallets. Most people already have a checking account and checkbook.

No fees. At least on the casino’s end. Your bank might be a different matter, though.

Disadvantages

Few casinos continue to accept e-checks. After further research more and more casinos are doing away with e-checks. If I had to guess as to why, it’d be because of fraudulent activity. Floating cash for customers invite the scumbags that will take advantage of them.

With so much plastic out there, online banking and bill pay, checks are kind of old school. Who has them anymore? Maybe the older generations, but I’d bet it’s hit or miss with the younger crowd.

Ultimately, e-checks are a fading banking option that still works. I would recommend that US players open a secondary banking account that they can afford to lose. A secondary deposit option would be a good idea, too, because e-checks face declines just like debit and credit cards do. So try to find a casino that has a high credit/debit card acceptance rate, and have a money transfer service as backup, such as Moneygram or Western Union, in the unfortunate scenario that your check is declined.