If you're a regular at gambling and betting sites then you are bound to have come across the payment method Skrill. Formerly known as Moneybookers, South Africa based company is one of the most popular payment options out there. The e-wallet has been around for over 15 years now and how slowly climbed its way to the top of the ranks. In fact, you won't find many casino sites that do not accept Skrill. With so many gambling sites out there, it can get a little confusing when it comes to choosing a good one to wager real money at. We are about to take you through everything there is not know about this popular payment method but first, we'll start you off with a list of the best Skrill casino sites to bet at.
Order comes from our own checks — licence, rand banking, bonus terms and the payout record. Some links are commercial and pay us a commission at no cost to you; that does not move a brand up the board. Online casino play is not licensed inside South Africa, so every operator here is regulated offshore. 18+, play within your means.
Above are the top 13 online skrill casinos players to if they want a top-notch service. These are some of the most trustworthy sites out there. You can also pick up some great welcome bonuses for new players as well as match and reload promotions for existing players. One thing to point out at this stage is that most SA casinos won't allow you to make deposits using Skrill wallets if you want to claim the bonus. This is because Skrill deposits make ID verification difficult and this can lead to issues with compliance. There are exceptions, of course, such as Betrally Casino and their Skrill Super Bonus for their South African players. Anyone making a deposit using Skrill and meeting minimum deposit requirements will be rewarded with a match bonus.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of why you want to be using Skrill, we'll start you off with the basics. For those who are feeling a little lost, Skrill is hassle-free and works in a similar way to PayPal. Players will need to create a Skrill account in but this is a one time process and their site is extremely user-friendly. Using Skrill for transactions at online casinos is just as straightforward but we have come up with some steps to help you along the way.
If you thought depositing funds was a simple process then Skrill is just as easy-to-use for withdrawals. Some gambling sites such as 22Bet SA actually operate a closed loop system whereby they will automatically use your deposit method for withdrawals. Otherwise, you'll need to follow the steps below:
One thing to keep in mind here is that although deposits are often instant, withdrawals may take a few days. Furthermore, most online casinos include a further time window for processing.
Having talked about deposits and withdrawals using Skrill, we cannot go without mentioning the Skrill Prepaid Mastercard. The card works in a similar way to other credit and debit cards and in fact, can be used for withdrawals at ATMs. In fact, the card can be used anywhere that accepts Mastercards. The fact that the card works with pre-paid credit eliminates risks of hacking. Topping up the balance is just as easy too and can be linked directly to your bank account.
Online casino players will be pleased to know that a virtual version of the Skrill Mastercard exists. The payment method can be used at any casino or bookie as long as they accept Mastercards. SportNation is a good example as one of many of the best SA casinos that accept the virtual prepaid Mastercard. Moreover, seeing that this is not an e-wallet, players looking to claim casino bonuses on their first deposit. One thing to keep in mind though is that although the actual card is free, there are a few charges for service and transactions.
If you're a fan of online gambling then you have probably noticed that some of the Skrill betting sites also offer Skrill 1-Tap. The payment methods are almost identical in fact both are considered world-class, with the latter having some additional perks. The biggest advantage of online casinos and bookmakers offering Skrill 1-tap is swifter transactions without incurring any additional costs. It's also available at mobile casinos.
Perhaps one downside to this is that most online casinos won't allow new customers placing a first deposit to claim their welcome bonus using this payment option. This is common practice at online bookmakers and casinos; in fact, most sign-up offers do not accept deposits using e-wallets. If you keep this in mind then EnergyCasino is still a great place to head to and they even accept SA players.
With online gambling on the rise, casino and betting sites are constantly looking for ways to set themselves apart. One way they are doing this is through a VIP Program and although there are many different approaches, it has become somewhat expected. Playamo, for instance, is one of the many online casino with additional bonus offers as well as other perks for their most loyal customers. Skrill has taken things one step further and is offering its own VIP scheme. Although casino players won't receive any free bets, deposit bonuses or no deposit free spins, the perks cannot go unignored. We have listed some of the more general ones below:
One thing to keep in mind when it comes to the above is that the VIP Program is split into different levels. The more you transact via this payment system, the higher you'll climb. As you move up the 4 tiers, you'll be entitled to better perks too. Below, we have included a handy table of the different levels and transactions you'll need to make to get to each.
| VIP Level | Qualifying Transaction (per quarter) |
| Bronze | R120,000+ |
| Silver | R300,000+ |
| Gold | R900,000+ |
| Diamond | R1,800,000+ |
Now that you have a good idea of how the actual payment system works as well as the top sites to bet at we now move on to Skrill account fees. Here is the great part about this e-wallet; at most sites, you can wager real money on all of your favourite casino games free of charge. You will need to make sure that you have enough money in your e-wallet account but this can easily be topped up directly from your bank account via bank transfer.
The issue arises when players come to withdraw funds from their Skrill account. Unfortunately, there are charges for this and the actual fee will depend on where you are withdrawing from. Moreover, you'll also need to ensure you make at least one transaction every 12 months. Inactive accounts will incur a further charge of R100 per month. Although there are some charges, players should remember that some of these are waived as you move up in VIP level. In addition to this, when you look into the full terms, Skrill is still at an advantage over a lot of its other competitors such as Neteller, ecoPayz and Entropay. Dunder Casino is a good place to head to if you want to take a look at the various options and make up your own mind.
Throughout this piece, we have already highlighted a lot of the advantages of using this particular payment method at online casinos and betting sites. Of course, one of the most evident benefits is the fact that it is extremely safe especially when compared to credit and debit cards. Furthermore, players do not need to show any of their bank details and in fact, it guarantees anonymity. In case you still aren't convinced, we have come up with a list of what sets this payment system apart.
Of course, nothing is completely flawless and we are here to give you both sides of the story. Below we have included some of the current drawbacks users can expect to experience.
Having a good understanding of the pros and cons, some gamblers may want to look elsewhere. Players looking to stay true to e-wallets can expect a similar experience from Neteller. It is often put on a par with Skrill and there many disputes about which is the better option. This usually comes down to subjectivity in fact and is based a lot of how you play. If you are SA-based then PayPal is also a great option and probably one of the safest ones out there. Betfair Casino is one of the many reliable SA casino sites that offer this.
Debit and credit cards are the most basic option available, (Note: credit card transactions are no longer accepted at online casinos in South Africa). They tend to be a good go-to for new players looking to claim welcome bonuses and just try things out. The only issue with these is that they are bear the highest risks when it comes to security. Prepaid credit card options such as Paysafecard are a good way to eliminate this but they too come with their own disadvantages. High rollers, for instance, tend to be put off due to Paysafe's low limits. Bank transfers for instance via Trustly are the safest option but they are also one of the slowest to be processed. With so many different options out there, it can all get a little confusing. Below we have tried to come up with the top 3 alternatives to Skrill
Although the above are some great alternatives, the list is not conclusive. In fact, the truth is that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' payment method. Instead, choosing a good payment method is somewhat subjective and it will depend on the actual player type and their demands.