Online Casino Credit Lines – 5 Reasons to Pass
To the untrained eye, there are few things that a poker whale and an average slots player have in common.
Seeking online casino credit to continue playing is one of them. Even the high rollers of this world will sometimes request credit to be extended to them in some circumstances. And the house, if they can guarantee the offer won’t impact them, is typically happy to oblige.
Although nowhere near as abundant, some sites offer eligible players an online casino credit line. These “casino loans,” as they are sometimes referred to allow gamblers to borrow from the house to play their games.
Are safe online casinos as willing to offer credit? And if they did, would you take it? I’ll be answering those questions and more below.
Here are five reasons why you should never play with casino credit online.
5. Needing Casino Credit is Not a Good Sign
It’s not usually a good sign. If you’re looking to source cash you don’t have for the purpose of gambling, perhaps you should think twice.
I wouldn’t borrow funds for luxury items. For example, if I need money to pay an unexpected bill, that’s slightly different. As someone who uses credit cards, I understand the dangers of buying crap I don’t need overboard. Therefore, I tend to be judicious with what I spend.
If you find yourself applying for online casino credit at any site, stop and think.
Why do you need a line of credit at online casinos? Have you gone through all the money you have, or are you in a different position?
If the answer is no, what exactly are you playing at? If you’re trying to be Flash Harry in some attempt to take a stab at the high-roller lifestyle, don’t.
There are reasons why many high rollers opt for casino credit. Sometimes, it’s because they are losing everything but the hairs on their knuckles. That happens.
Would you be surprised if I mentioned that whales usually prefer this way of gambling as they don’t need to withdraw massive wads of cash for playing purposes? Or they might just want to avoid paying hefty fees at casino ATMs?
Edward “Tiger Mike” Davis didn’t have far to go when playing his favorite games at his favorite casino, Wynn Las Vegas. Steve Wynn, the owner of the famous gambling house, gifted Edwards his own villa on the premises.
Unless you are a bigshot that is happy to pour millions onto the table—but doesn’t want to be charged fees—I’d avoid sourcing credit at casinos. Period.
4. You Can Play at Sites That Don’t Offer Credit
Admittedly, you’ll struggle to find online casino credit. And even if you do, the chances are that it will not be much.
Even if we trace a best-case scenario to its origins, you will need to provide your credit score and other documents. This will determine how much the house is willing to offer you, of course. We’ll cover more on that later.
That just sounds awfully boring, doesn’t it? Sitting around, waiting to hear if that line of credit at online casino X has come through. You could better use that time placing bets or playing slots. Or do both if you have an account with Wild Casino.
One of the reasons why online sites don’t offer credit as frequently as land-based establishments are that too many punters would ask for it. But there are other factors an online site must take into play.
- Providing Credit Means Processing Applications
- Online Sites Offer Bonuses and Rewards Instead
- Playing Limits are Typically Too Low for Mega Whales
Some high-roller online casinos will go the extra mile for big-time players. But if you spend $20 a month playing slots, you can be assured you won’t fall into this category.
Some casino whales place five times the amount of the average American’s wage on a single bet. Needless to say, some casinos are more suited to these guys—more than people who prefer to gamble a little more casually, anyway.
Which online casinos offer credit lines? Probably not the ones you have in mind. That said, sites like Wild Casino do an excellent job of balancing things out and are a great place to have some fun.
3. Your Favorite Sites Might Not Offer It
Are you looking for online casino credit at your favorite sites? Bad news. The chances are that they won’t provide it.
Whether it’s big win casinos or the smaller ones on the rise, there’s not really much incentive to provide credit. It could be seen as bad business practice; if too many players who can’t afford it apply, at least.
I trust you are a smart and observant player—one that doesn’t get carried away easily, spending every penny that comes your way on gambling. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for everyone. Not that we should look down our noses on anyone who has a problem controlling themselves.
For many casino credit online sites, the risk outweighs the benefits, especially with some states not yet legalizing gambling in person.
If you didn’t know, US gambling laws and regulations apply federally. But it’s up to the lawmakers from every jurisdiction to govern it within state lines.
Some states are pro-gambling, while others are against it.
Obtaining casino credit in Jersey will be easier than trying to source it from, say, Utah. If you live in that state, you will be more than aware of the strict gambling laws in Utah. As you can imagine, this can become a headache.
Some bookies are based offshore, too. They’re sometimes unable to offer credit lines to US players because their chances of recouping any money if that player defaults are slim to none.
Focusing on sites in the US, it would be such a scandal if a casino tried to offer credit as a good thing. Only for multiple players to have their credit files shot to bits by failing to pay it back.
You see, avoiding unwanted attention is another thing that the best online sites want to do. Naturally, further to being good business practice, it’s also the right moral approach. If you haven’t got it, why play with it?
You don’t need $20k to win money at the casino. Sometimes, it only takes $20.
2. Credit Cards Can Be More Convenient
When compared with an online casino credit line, credit cards make more sense.
Not only are they a convenient option, but you will find they are accepted at most top sites. For example, if I’m looking to play games at El Royale Casino, I know I can deposit and get right to it. No fuss or flips.
When it comes down to it, credit cards can be the way forward when betting. Not all credit cards, of course. Then again, not every casino you play at will be suitable for them. Some charge excessive fees for depositing, which I don’t find amusing at all.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Gambling
Credit cards must not be misused like any other means of paying for your gambling experience.
Whether it’s cash or MasterCard, not setting appropriate limits and failing to manage your spending could see you rack up debt. Always be conscious of spending only what you can afford to lose. Smart bankroll management is always the first step.
You might find the card you use comes with fees, so check those out before you decide to play with them.
1. Casino Credit Applications Can be a Headache
Last but not least, the whole process of obtaining credit might be too much of a pain to bother with.
That is if you are trying to source nominal amounts. Do online casinos extend credit for $5? Maybe not. But even a grand or two isn’t going to be worth it for most. Not when they can explore more viable alternatives.
Have you ever considered what a casino wants to see before they offer you credit? It’s not too different from an application to a regular loan. Here’s what you might be asked to provide.
- Full Name and Address
- Employer Details
- Bank Statements
- Permission to Check Your Credit File
- Proof of Other Sources of Income
Even when the house gets all this information, there’s no guarantee you’ll be approved.
Most casinos that offer credit will only permit these funds to be played at land-based operations. Some charge fees and interest, too.
Alternatives to Online Casino Credit
Some online casinos offer credit, while some don’t. But is securing a loan to play roulette or slots a good idea?
That will depend on your circumstances, much like your response to the alternatives out there. Individual conditions notwithstanding, most players can consider playing at crypto gambling sites, especially if the urge to secure credit is overwhelming.
Most casinos that offer credit online will want to check that you can afford the loan, of course. That’s a good thing. But many of us are in the position to source loans. It’s getting into the habit of using credit for gambling that I see as a bad thing.
Who will stop you if your mind is made up and you want to get credit? Just remember to familiarize yourself with sound bankroll management before trying to strike it rich!
Footnotes:
- Credit reference information checked against existing data on USA.gov.
- Casino credit information examined at various casinos, including The Empire and Caesars.