American Express is not accepted at every online casino, and its cards come with rules that matter for gambling. This guide covers how deposits and withdrawals work, what they can cost, and when another method is the better choice.

How to deposit with American Express

  1. Check that the casino lists American Express in its cashier for your country; acceptance varies by casino and market.
  2. Open the cashier, choose card payment or American Express, and enter the card number, expiry date and security code.
  3. Enter the amount and confirm. You may need to approve the payment in your Amex app or with a one-time code.
  4. The money can show in your casino balance straight away.

If the payment is declined, the cause is often the issuer blocking gambling payments, not the casino. Our guide to deposit problems lists the usual reasons.

Fees and cash-advance rules

Casinos may or may not charge a deposit fee; the cashier shows it. The bigger cost can come from the card issuer. Some credit card agreements treat gambling transactions as cash advances, which can mean a cash-advance fee, interest from the day of the transaction and no reward points. Check your card agreement or ask the issuer before using the card at a casino.

Where credit card gambling is restricted

Some markets restrict gambling with credit cards. In Great Britain, the UK Gambling Commission banned gambling on credit cards from 14 April 2020 for online and offline gambling, except non-remote lotteries. Other countries and card issuers have their own rules. Even where it is allowed, gambling with borrowed money can lead to debt; a debit card or e-wallet funded from your current account keeps spending within what you have.

Withdrawals

Card withdrawals depend on the casino and the card network. Some casinos don't pay winnings back to American Express and ask you to add a bank account or e-wallet for withdrawals. Check the withdrawal methods before you deposit, and verify your account early so the first payout isn't held up. Compare alternatives in PayPal vs other payment methods, Skrill and Trustly.

Bonuses

Card deposits may qualify for welcome offers, but read the bonus terms for excluded methods and for how live games count towards wagering. See live casino bonuses.