Policy Changes Explained
Visa and Mastercard have both announced updates to their merchant category code (MCC) policies relating to online gambling transactions. The changes, effective from April 2026, introduce more granular transaction categorisation and enhanced monitoring requirements.
For players, the most notable change is that gambling transactions will now carry more specific descriptors on bank statements, making it easier for both players and banks to identify and track gambling-related spending.
Impact on Players and Operators
While the policy updates are primarily aimed at improving transparency and compliance, some players may experience temporary disruptions as banks and operators update their systems. In particular, some issuing banks may need to re-authorise their gambling transaction processing.
Operators have been given a 90-day transition period to implement the required changes. Most major operators have already begun the transition, with minimal expected impact on player experience.
Alternative Payment Options
For players who experience any issues with card payments during the transition, e-wallets such as PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller remain unaffected by the changes. Cryptocurrency payments also continue to operate independently of traditional card network policies.
Players are advised to contact their bank directly if they experience any unexpected declined transactions, as some banks may need to manually re-enable gambling merchant categories under the new classification system.
Why Card Networks Keep Tightening Gambling Rules
The rolling regulatory pressure on card networks traces back to concerns from banking regulators, consumer protection groups, and the card networks' own risk committees about chargeback rates and fraud in the gambling vertical. Gambling transactions historically generate higher chargeback rates than general merchants, and a meaningful portion of those chargebacks reflect disputed or unauthorized transactions rather than simple buyer's remorse.
The new MCC policies also make it easier for issuing banks to offer gambling block features to customers who request them — either on their own behalf or as part of problem gambling self-help. Several major banks already offer card-level gambling blocks that can be toggled instantly via mobile banking apps, and the expanded MCC data makes similar features more viable globally.
Backup Deposit Methods Every Player Should Have
Given the regulatory volatility around card payments for gambling, every serious online casino player should maintain at least one backup deposit method. E-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and MuchBetter operate independently of the card networks and typically have gambling-friendly policies baked in. Cryptocurrency (particularly stablecoins like USDT and USDC) offers the most complete independence from traditional banking rails.
In New Zealand, POLi remains a popular bank-transfer alternative. In Canada, Interac e-Transfer is widely supported at Ontario-licensed operators and is unaffected by card network policy changes. Having one of these set up as a secondary option means a declined card payment is a minor inconvenience rather than a lost deposit window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When do the new Visa and Mastercard policies take effect? A: April 2026, with a 90-day operator transition period.
Q: Will my card still work at online casinos? A: In most cases yes, but some banks may need to manually re-enable gambling categories under the new MCC structure.
Q: Are e-wallets affected by the policy changes? A: No. E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller operate independently of card network MCC rules.
Q: Does the change affect crypto deposits? A: No. Cryptocurrency transactions do not route through Visa or Mastercard networks and are unaffected.
