About GiroPay
The company was first established in 2006 in response to the growing need for people to make secure purchases online. A good number of German banks participate, accounting for more than 60% of all bank account holders in Germany and Austria. This means a good majority of people in those two countries can use their accounts for virtual gaming.
When using an online merchant that accepts GiroPay, users will simply need to log into their accounts to complete a transaction. The company offers Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to keep each transaction safe from hackers. In addition, account information is never stored by an online casino. When you use GiroPay, you can feel comfortable knowing your sensitive information is protected.
Using GiroPay on Gambling Sites
Before making a wager using GiroPay, you will first need to see if your casino accepts it. That likely will not be a problem, as most sites that accept players from Germany and Austria often do. Visit the cashier’s section to view a list of options and see if GiroPay is available.
After choosing GiroPay, you will then be given a list of participating banks. Choose your financial institution, and the service will automatically direct you to your bank’s home screen. From there, you can log in with your account information and choose the amount of your deposit.
GiroPay requires additional authorization to ensure the highest level of security. After requesting a deposit, you will receive a Transaction Authentication Number (TAN), which you must enter in order to proceed. The funds will then be available for you to play with immediately.
This payment service does not charge any fees for online casino deposits. However, certain financial institutions may have their own fees, so you should always check with your bank first. If your bank charges a fee, you can expect to pay an average of 1% of your deposit.
Reasons to use GiroPay
GiroPay can be linked to either a checking or savings account. This makes it ideal for players who worry about exceeding their gambling limits. With this service, you can transfer a set amount into a separate savings account before making your deposit and use only that amount for gaming.
The company also will not fund deposits that might cause your account to be overdrawn. Accordingly, you never have to worry about accidentally going over your bank account limit.
Most players in Germany and Austria are already served by a participating bank. This means that gaining access to GiroPay is as easy as requesting online account access.
Other advantages include the following:
- Being able to securely enter bank information that is never collected or stored by a gaming site.
- Deposits are made instantly, so you can start placing bets right away.
- Few or low fees. If fees are assessed, they normally range from between 0.9% to 1.2%, plus an additional €0.08 for each transaction.
Considerations when Using GiroPay
As mentioned, this form of payment is only available to those in Germany and Austria. In addition, it may only be used to fund transactions in EUR. As such, the number of casinos you can play on may be somewhat limited.
Although it is easy to use GiroPay for deposits, there is no mechanism in place for withdrawals. This means you will need to use an e-wallet, credit card, or debit card to cash in your winnings. These alternative methods may have higher fees, so you should always be mindful of what those are.
Conclusion
Those who have access to GiroPay will find it a safe and convenient way to make deposits. Many players are already familiar with accessing it for online purchases and therefore feel comfortable using it on gambling sites as well. If you have an equally safe withdrawal method, using this service to fund your gaming pursuits could be a great option.
