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Online gambling has experienced a significant boom in the United States, with the market projected to reach $26.8 billion in gross revenue by the end of 2025. This surge is driven by more players using virtual platforms to engage in poker, sports betting, and real money pokies. However, one ongoing issue is finding US banks that allow online gambling.

This issue is not just about convenience. It is essential to know which financial institutions support legal gaming activities without flagging or blocking deposits. Many players searching for banks that allow online gambling are also looking for reputable online casinos that host popular pokies. One excellent source is the best pokies reviews at online pokies mates, where you’ll find complete breakdowns of prominent online pokies and reputable gaming sites that have them. This way, you can learn about their bonus offers, available games, and find out how to pay without much trouble.

In this article, you will find information on US banks that permit gaming in 2025. We will talk about national banks, online institutions, regional banks, and card networks like Visa and Mastercard.

Overview of Gambling-Friendly Banks in 2025

With the growing number of states regulating the activity, banks are slowly changing their policies. Of course, not all of them are on board. Some financial institutions are still blocking transactions to online casinos, even when the operator is US-licensed.

Fortunately, many are now supporting gaming activities, especially when they are legally regulated. These banks are now processing transactions to licensed sportsbooks, online casinos, and iGaming companies using credit cards, debit cards, and direct bank transfers. 

The key qualifications of gambling-friendly institutions in 2025 include the following:

• Recognizing lawful transactions
• Standing by Visa and Mastercard with little to no rejection rates
• Faster deposit/withdrawal processing times

Major National Banks That Allow Transactions

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If you are looking for US banks that allow online gambling transactions, national institutions are the most guaranteed option. Again, this is dependent upon your state and the operator.

Here is a list of major national banks that will often allow betting transactions in 2025

• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Chase 
• TD 
• PNC 
• Capital One
• US Bank
• Navy Federal Credit Union
• Regions 
• Citizens 
• Citi
• Huntington 

These institutions are currently working with payment providers like Trustly to handle banking transfers safely.

Online-Only Banks and Payment Support

Online-only banks, such as Chime and Varo Bank, are a go-to option for many gamblers. Unlike regular banks, these don’t have a retail establishment, you can only access them through a browser or an app. However, they are more efficient at processing online transactions, and many casinos support these payment methods, which makes them a better option for casual gamers.     

In many cases, these online banks can be used in conjunction with a digital wallet like Venmo or Apple Pay. The reason why digital wallets are used is that they act as an intermediary processing party in the transaction. In essence, you still use funds from your bank or online bank account, but the account information isn’t shared with the casino, instead, they see the information available on the digital wallet.

Regional Banks and Credit Unions Policies

Policies for regional institutions and credit unions can vary widely on online betting transactions. Although some states have legalized online gambling, many banks have been reluctant to process gaming transactions.

TD’s long-standing practice of not allowing internet gaming transactions is well known. In 2014, they made the announcement that they would no longer accept transactions from gaming websites. They cited concerns over legal issues and the risks involved with this type of activity. 

USAA also has restrictive policies. It has the right to refuse processing gambling transactions, no matter whether legal, as indicated in the Depository Agreement. In addition, USAA account holders have reported that they were restricted after engaging in gaming-related transactions.

The reason behind these decisions is compliance. When a financial institution has to clear a high-volume payment, it needs to determine the source of funds. This is incredibly difficult with gambling winnings. No one can tell what the starting budget was and how much of those funds were a result of a win. So, It is advisable for customers to check directly with their banks or credit unions to determine each institution’s policies regarding online gambling transactions.

Card Network Rules: Visa vs Mastercard

Whether any transaction is approved or declined for online gambling is dependent on the card network that the bank uses.

Visa is one of the most commonly accepted methods of payment. You can find both credit and debit transactions on many online sites. Visa mandates the use of Particular Merchant Category Codes, such as MCC 7995, for gaming purposes. Using MCCs, Visa can clearly identify and process gambling-based transactions. Usually, transactions using a Visa card are processed very quickly, which is a plus to many players.

Mastercard is also accepted on many of the gambling sites. But, historically, it has taken a more conservative approach to gambling transactions. In 2025, however, Mastercard has adopted some support for regulated gaming payments.. Although some restrictions may continue to apply, depending on the operator and their jurisdiction.

Factors That Affect Bank Approval

There are multiple variables for a bank to consider when deciding to approve or decline any online gambling transaction:

State Legality

Institutions are more likely to approve transactions in states where online betting is legal and regulated. For example, jurisdictions in the US, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Michigan, have legalized online gambling. So, making deposits in those jurisdictions is much easier.

Card Type

Debit cards generally have a higher approval rate for transactions than credit cards. Many credit card issuers (Chase, Discover, and American Express) classify online gambling transactions as cash advances. This can lead to different fees and a higher interest rate on their account.

Transaction Frequency

Placing frequent and high-value gambling transactions in a short time can raise red flags. The US banks that allow online gambling have a monitoring system that can examine or possibly decline your transactions.

Licensing of Gambling Operators

Banks are more likely to approve transactions with licensed and regulated operators for gambling transactions. Using licensed brands ensures compliance of legal obligations. Also, it provides assurance to the bank to accept and process transactions.

Final Thoughts

In summary, understanding policies, local, state, and federal regulations is an essential part of betting online. Many banks in the U.S. have caught up to support legal online gambling, but players should remain safe and informed.