bet365 drops credit card deposits in U.S. as regulatory pressure mounts
Summary
bet365 has stopped accepting credit cards for deposits in the United States, effective 13 April 2026. The operator says customers can still fund accounts with debit cards and Apple Pay, provided those methods are not linked to credit facilities. The move mirrors recent actions by major rivals such as DraftKings and FanDuel and responds to growing regulatory scrutiny and concerns about high fees and interest on credit-card betting.
The decision also aligns with regulatory requirements in some jurisdictions — notably Massachusetts, where credit-card deposits are prohibited — and may support bet365’s renewed attempt to enter that market as the Massachusetts Gaming Commission reopens its licensing process.
Key Points
- bet365 halted credit card deposits in the US from 13 April 2026.
- Debit cards and Apple Pay remain permitted if they are not connected to credit facilities.
- The change follows similar moves by DraftKings and FanDuel amid regulatory pressure on gambling-related credit use.
- Regulators and lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have criticised credit-card betting fees and urged tighter protections.
- Removing credit-card deposits may smooth bet365’s path into Massachusetts, which bans credit-card betting and has reopened its licensing process.
Context and Relevance
This is part of a broader industry shift: US sportsbooks are tightening payment policies as states and federal voices push for stronger consumer safeguards. The trend affects payments teams, compliance officers, affiliates and regulators — and it alters the customer experience by nudging users toward debit and mobile wallet options. Operators are balancing regulatory compliance, reputational risk and the cost/fee implications of payment flows across different states.
Why should I read this?
Quick and dirty: if you work in US sportsbook operations, payments, compliance or market access, this matters now. Credit-card bans change deposit mix, fees and customer journeys — and could decide who can enter states like Massachusetts. Save yourself the scrolling: this short piece tells you what changed, why it happened and who it affects.
Author style
Punchy: this is a timely regulatory nudge that could reshape everyday payments at sportsbooks. If you’re tracking market entry or payment compliance, read the detail — it’s actionable intelligence, not just background noise.