Does BetMGM Take Credit Cards
Written by: Filip Gromovic | Reviewed by: Nashon Khamala
Read time: 10 minutes · Last verified: August, 2026
Quick answer
No. If you are wondering does BetMGM accept credit cards, the answer is no longer yes. As of March 31, 2026, BetMGM no longer accepts credit card payments. The operator announced the change during a Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board hearing on March 25, 2026, where it also received a $100,000 fine for identity verification failures. New credit cards can no longer be linked to accounts, and existing ones are being phased out across all US markets. BetMGM and Borgata, which share the same digital platform, enforce the ban identically. This guide covers what triggered the ban, which deposit alternatives still work, how BetMGM compares to other sportsbooks on payment flexibility, and what the shift means for players who relied on Visa or Mastercard credit for their deposits.
Why Did the BetMGM Sportsbook Platform Block Credit Card Funding?
The ban came from two directions at once: regulatory enforcement and a broader industry shift toward responsible gambling standards. During a March 25, 2026 hearing, the PA Gaming Control Board fined the operator $100,000 after uncovering four separate fraud schemes that exploited weak identity verification. Fraudulent groups had opened multiple accounts using stolen individual data and added credit cards to their accounts, funding them with compromised payment methods.
Chief Compliance Officer Rhea Loney confirmed at the same hearing that new credit cards could no longer be added starting March 31. Existing cards would follow. The decision was not purely voluntary. Massachusetts had already fined DraftKings $450,000 for approving credit card transactions on three occasions across 2023 and 2024, setting the regulatory precedent that other state boards were watching closely. Chase and other major issuers had also begun to automatically block credit card deposits to gambling platforms on their end, a sign that the financial industry was moving in the same direction.
For customers, the core issue is straightforward: using a BetMGM credit card deposit to place bets means wagering with borrowed money, which can quickly lead to debt. That carries both financial risk through cash advance fees and higher interest rates, plus the responsible gambling concern of betting funds you do not currently have. Players looking for current BetMGM bonus codes should note that promotional value is quickly erased by cash advance fees when funded via credit. The same applies to Borgata bonus offers, since both platforms share a single digital banking backend.
Latest Update: How Major US Online Sports Betting Platforms Ended Credit Card Deposits
The removal of credit card funding did not happen in isolation. It followed a pattern across the three largest US operators within an eight-month window, driven by a combination of state-level fines, regulatory pressure and voluntary responsible gambling commitments. Each operator ended credit card acceptance to prevent customers from accumulating gambling debt through borrowed funds.
📅 Credit Card Ban Timeline – Major US Operators
When each operator removed credit card deposits and the trigger behind each decision
Triggered by $450,000 Massachusetts fine. Covered sportsbook and casino across all licensed US states.
Nationwide ban covering sportsbook, casino and racing products in all US markets.
Announced during PGCB hearing alongside $100,000 fine. Phased rollout across BetMGM and Borgata; no final end date confirmed.
Fanatics Sportsbook and Betr took a different approach entirely, building their platforms without credit card acceptance from launch. Caesars Sportsbook and BetRivers still approved credit card transactions in eligible states as of August, 2026, though that landscape continues to shift as state legislatures advance new restrictions to prevent credit-funded gambling.
Which States and Boards Enforce a Gambling Credit Card Ban by Law
Before any operator voluntarily removed credit cards, several US states had already made them illegal for online sports betting through legislation. Players in these states were declined regardless of which sportsbook they used. Understanding which restrictions are state-mandated versus operator-driven helps you know whether your deposit method issues are location-based or platform-wide. Multiple lawmakers across the country have signed bills designed to prevent customers from adding credit cards to their accounts on any licensed gambling platform.
Players in Pennsylvania were not subject to a state-level legislative ban on credit cards, but the PGCB’s regulatory action against the operator effectively enforced the change there first. Borgata customers in New Jersey face a separate situation: the state has its own bill in committee that could sign a permanent ban into law. For state-specific deposit guidance and available alternatives, our online casinos hub covers digital payment options in each market.
What Digital Payment Methods Does the BetMGM App Still Approve for Funding?
Losing credit card access does not leave players short on funding options. The platform allows users to choose from more than ten deposit methods across most US states, with availability varying slightly by location. Security comes first here: all credit card transactions have been replaced by digital alternatives that run through encrypted processing, identity verification and two-factor authentication. Speed and convenience vary by method, which the table below breaks down.
PayPal and Venmo are typically the fastest digital withdrawal options after the internal review is complete, which usually takes 3 to 5 business days for the first payout. Subsequent withdrawals using the same method tend to process faster. Play+ is another strong option because it functions as an exclusive dedicated prepaid card that you load from your bank, keeping betting funds separate from your main accounts. Borgata allows users to access the same Play+ balance as BetMGM, so customers who use multiple platforms under the MGM umbrella only need one card. Players who physically visit a Borgata or MGM casino cage can also deposit cash in person and see it update in their digital account instantly.
Credit Card vs Debit Card: A Responsible Betting Strategy for Your Sportsbook Deposits
Many players searching for information about BetMGM credit card acceptance do not realize that their debit Visa or Mastercard still works on the platform. The ban applies exclusively to credit products, not to debit cards. The distinction matters because both cards look identical, carry the same network logo and use the same 16-digit format. Chase debit cards, for example, are approved without issue even though Chase credit cards are now blocked.
💳 Credit Card vs Debit Card – Key Differences for Bettors
Why one still works and the other does not
❌ Credit Card (Banned)
- • Uses borrowed money from your issuer
- • Deposits often coded as cash advances
- • Cash advance fee: typically 3–5%
- • Interest starts immediately (no grace period)
- • APR on advances: often 25%+
- • Leads to gambling debt if balance carried
✅ Debit Card (Still Accepted)
- • Uses funds already in your bank account
- • Processed as a standard digital purchase
- • No cash advance fees
- • No interest charges or debt risk
- • Withdrawal-eligible in most states
- • Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo all approved
If you are unsure which type of card you have, physically check the front of the card itself. Most debit cards display the word “DEBIT” near the network logo. You can also confirm in your banking app, where debit cards pull directly from your checking account balance rather than a credit line. Players who want similar convenience without using any card at all can deposit through PayPal, Venmo or online banking instead. The BetMGM app and Borgata app both allow users to sign up for multiple digital wallets directly from the cashier page.
How BetMGM Payment Options Compare to Other Online Sports Betting Platforms
The credit card ban puts BetMGM in line with DraftKings and FanDuel, but not every major operator has followed. Players looking to understand the full competitive picture need to see which books still approve credit card deposits and which digital alternatives each platform supports. The comparison below covers the six largest US operators by market share as of August, 2026.
The trend is clear. Within the next 12 months, credit card deposits are likely to disappear across all major US sportsbooks, either through voluntary operator action or state-by-state legislation. Players who have not yet transitioned to debit-based or digital wallet funding should update their payment method now rather than waiting for the final holdouts to follow.
What Cash Advance Fees and Debt Would Have Cost You to Fund Bets With Credit
Even before the ban, credit card deposits were often the most expensive way to fund a sportsbook account. Most card issuers, including Chase, automatically classify gambling transactions as cash advances rather than purchases, which triggers a separate fee structure and a higher interest rate with no grace period. Players who deposited regularly may not have noticed these charges adding up, but the resulting debt was significant over time.
💸 True Cost of a $200 Credit Card Deposit
Based on typical US credit card terms for cash advances
A debit card deposit for the same $200 costs $0 in fees. The cash advance fee alone on a credit card wipes out the value of most small promotional offers.
Players who were depositing $200 via credit card and carrying the balance for three months were effectively paying $21 in fees before placing a single bet. That 10.5% cost erases any edge from exclusive promotional offers or bonus bets. Switching to a debit card or digital wallet eliminates this entirely and prevents unnecessary debt. For players comparing credit card casinos more broadly, these hidden costs apply across the industry, not just at one operator.
Frequently asked questions
Final Verdict: The Best Responsible Money Strategy to Fund Your Sportsbook Account
The BetMGM credit card era, and the credit card era for US online sports betting more broadly, is effectively over. With DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM all removing credit card deposits within an eight-month window, and Fanatics having built its platform without them entirely, the remaining holdouts represent a shrinking minority rather than a viable alternative strategy.
For customers who previously relied on credit cards, the transition is simpler than it appears. A debit Visa or Mastercard works identically from a user experience standpoint, deposits are still instant, and you avoid the cash advance fees that were costing 3–5% per transaction plus interest. Digital wallets like PayPal and Venmo add the exclusive advantage of faster withdrawals compared to bank transfers.
Play+ is worth considering if you want an exclusive dedicated prepaid card specifically for betting. You load it from your bank account, keeping gambling funds separate from everyday spending, which makes budgeting and responsible gambling limits easier to maintain in practice. Both BetMGM and Borgata allow users to sign up for Play+ directly inside the app. Players who prefer to start with minimal risk can also explore no deposit casino bonuses as a way to test platforms before committing funds.
Responsible gambling note: Online sports betting involves real financial risk. Set a deposit budget before you fund your account, use the deposit limit tools available in your account settings, and treat betting as entertainment rather than income. If gambling stops being enjoyable, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers free, confidential support at 1-800-522-4700.
Online Casinos and Gambling Platforms With Flexible Digital Payment Methods
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EXCLUSIVE BONUS
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Filip Gromovic is a senior slots reviewer here at FreeSlots99 with over five years of experience evaluating the latest drops in the world of iGaming.
Being a slot fan himself, Filip approaches slot ratings just the way we like it – professionally, but also from a player’s standpoint.
That enables him to give his unbiased take on the slot’s features, gameplay and design, while only recommending top-tier releases to our readers.
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Having served FreeSlots99 for more than 5 years as a senior content editor and reviewer, Nashon Khamala has extensive knowledge in game slots and iGaming.
His membership in the Editorial Freelancers Association helps him deliver content that reaches both editorial excellence standards and an engaging information level.
By using his expertise in slots games combined with player-focused analysis, Nashon delivers a professional evaluation of slot features and player experiences in his reviews.
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