US Poker Sites Accepting MasterCard Deposits

Nearly all online poker sites accept payments and deposits from all major credit cards, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be able to use your MasterCard on all US poker sites. Since the adoption of UIGEA and subsequent law enforcement action based on its regulations, many credit card processors are wary of processing payments made via U.S. based MasterCard accounts. The ability to process your MasterCard payment varies among the many US poker sites, and often depends upon which bank issued your MasterCard. In general, if your MasterCard is accepted internationally, it will probably be accepted at most US player poker sites.

The Problem with MasterCard and US Player Poker Rooms

MasterCard is accepted in more than 200 countries and processes more than a trillion dollars’ worth of purchases and monetary transactions every year. Any poker room that accepts credit card payments will accept MasterCard payments. The problem lies with the bank at the other end. Some banks will process gambling transactions. Others will not process transactions that have a high rate of chargebacks or that are illegal in their state of incorporation.

For 4 years after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act of 2006, most US banks continued to process payments to US poker sites. In June 2010, though, U.S. law enforcement took action against a number of US poker sites and the banks sat up and took notice. Since then, it has become more and more difficult for US players to find US player poker sites that can process their MasterCard payments. That said, there are a number of US player poker rooms that have a high rate of success in processing MasterCard payments for US players.

What to Do If Your MasterCard is Declined by US Poker Sites

If your MasterCard deposit is declined, don’t panic. While many players have no problems making deposits to their accounts via MasterCard, payments are declined often enough that US player poker sites offer many other options for US players to fund their accounts, generally through third-party payment processors like eWallet and MoneyBookers. Third party payment accounts offer an additional perk for US players who sometimes wait weeks to receive a payout check for their winnings in US poker sites: many US poker player sites allow you to withdraw your winnings to your eWallet account where you can access it much sooner.

If you continue to have trouble funding your account at U.S. poker sites, there is one more option available to you: call or contact customer service at the poker room. CS at most US player poker rooms are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. They’ll get you up and running and ready to play in no time.

5 Things You Need to Know About U.S. Poker Sites

If you’re looking for US poker sites or places where US poker players can play online for real money, there are a number of important things you should know. Since 2006, when the U.S. legislature passed the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, US players have sometimes found it difficult to find US player poker sites – websites where US players are accepted and welcomed. Occasional splashy legal actions, such as the shutdowns of three US poker sites last year, add to the confusion and misconceptions about legal US poker player sites. If you’re a US poker player who likes to play for real money in US player poker rooms, these are five facts you should know.

It’s Perfectly Legal for US Poker Players to Play Poker Online

One of the biggest misconceptions about online poker playing is that it’s illegal for US players to play for real money online. That’s simply not true. In most states, there’s no law against US players betting on poker online. You won’t get in any kind of trouble if you sign up with US poker sites and play online. The law is aimed at payment processors and US banks that knowingly transfer money illegally.

The US Poker Sites Involved in Legal Action Were Cheating Players

In April and May 2011, the Internet lit up with the news that US law enforcement had shut down three major US poker sites. While many players mistakenly believed they were shut down because they were providing gambling services to US players, the truth was far different. In fact, those particular US poker sites were taken down because they were cheating US players and breaking financial laws unrelated to gambling.

US Poker Sites Offer Many Ways to Deposit Money Into Your Account

One of the biggest challenges for many online poker players from the US is finding a way to get money into their accounts on various US player poker sites. Many of them don’t accept major credit cards any longer, but they’ve all made other arrangements that are friendly to US players. The arrangements range from accepting debit cards to accepting Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers.

Withdrawing Winnings from Your US Poker Sites Account Takes Time

In most cases, you should expect to wait 10 days to 2 weeks to receive a payout on winnings you request from your account on most US poker sites. Payments are usually made by paper check.

You Can Find the Top US Poker Sites Through US Poker Site Reviews

Many websites offer tips, strategies and US poker site reviews to help US players get set up and start playing poker online. If you want to play poker safely and legally online, you’ll find these US poker sites very helpful.