Deposits and withdrawals on betting apps: methods and times
Getting money in is easy on every betting app. Getting it out quickly depends on the payment method you choose and the checks your account has passed. Here is what I have learned over the years about deposits and withdrawals.
Ways to deposit
- Debit card (Visa or Mastercard): accepted everywhere and usually qualifies for sign-up offers.
- Pay by Bank / Instant Bank Payment: pay straight from your banking app. Fast, and increasingly popular.
- Apple Pay: quick on iPhone. Check whether it counts for sign-up offers.
- PayPal, Skrill and Neteller: widely accepted, but often excluded from welcome offers.
- Paysafecard: a prepaid voucher. Usually deposit-only, so you need another method to withdraw. Betfair stopped accepting it in June 2026.
You can’t use a credit card. Credit cards have been banned for gambling in the UK since 14 April 2020.
Withdrawal times by bookmaker
Taken from each bookmaker’s help pages, checked 2 October 2026. Times start once the bookmaker has approved the withdrawal.
| Bookmaker | Fastest options | Debit card | E-wallets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betfair | Instant bank transfer: immediate | Instant card withdrawals 1–4 hours; otherwise 2–5 working days | PayPal and others available |
| Paddy Power | Pay by Bank: immediate | Instant 1–4 hours; otherwise 2–5 working days | PayPal, Skrill, Neteller: up to 24 hours |
| William Hill | Apple Pay: immediate; Pay by Bank: up to 1 working day | Visa Direct within 4 hours; otherwise 1–3 working days | PayPal, Skrill, Neteller: 1 working day |
| Betfred | Cards: usually within 4 hours | Usually within 4 hours | Instant Bank Payment within 6 hours; BACS about 3 days |
Betfred says its checks can take up to 48 hours before a withdrawal is released.
Why withdrawals get held up
- Verification: you may be asked for ID or proof of address, especially on your first withdrawal. Upload clear photos early to avoid delays.
- Closed-loop rules: money usually has to go back to the method you deposited with.
- Pending period: some bookmakers hold a withdrawal for a few hours before processing.
- Bank holidays and weekends can slow down “working day” methods.
My tips
- Use the same method to deposit and withdraw. A debit card or Pay by Bank keeps it simple.
- Do your ID checks as soon as you open an account, not when you want to withdraw.
- Withdraw winnings rather than leaving them sitting in your account. Out of sight, out of temptation.
- Set a deposit limit when you sign up, and review it regularly.
For more on choosing an app, see our betting app reviews.
18+ only. Betting should be fun, not a way to make money. Set a deposit limit, never chase losses, and if it stops being fun, get free, confidential support from BeGambleAware or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.