Apple Pay is the electronic payment network of Apple. It has been in use since October 2014 and offers three services:
- Make a payment by using your Apple-branded devices (iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, etc.)
- Make a payment in physical stores by using contactless terminals (you just hover your device over POS machines *)
- Make a payment in online stores (or at Apple Pay casinos) and send money to other Apple users.
(*) Note that the transaction limit for contactless payments is 30 USD.
Apple Pay is already on your iPhone and other Apple-branded devices. It is installed by default, you do not need to download it from the App Store. The most popular version of this service is the Apple Pay UK, citizens of the United Kingdom use their iPhones and Apple Watches to make payments almost everywhere. However, it is used in other countries too and eliminates the need to carry a credit card.
You can access the Apple Pay system via your portable devices. Once you launch the app, it will ask for your personal and financial info. After providing that, you need to add a credit or debit card to the app. You are still making a payment via these cards, Apple Pay acts like an intermediary and works like PayPal, in this regard.
To start using Apple Pay, you need:
- An eligible device (MacBook Pro, iPad, Apple Watch, iPhone *)
- A supported card (VISA, MasterCard, Maestro, VISA Electron)
- The latest version of iOS
(*) Note that only iPhone 6 and later models are supported. If you are using an iPhone 5, you won’t be able to use this system. In addition, only the MacBook Pro models with built-in fingerprint scanners are supported.
Launch the app and let it guide you. At some point, it will ask for your credit/debit card information. Once you enter this info, it will be verified by your bank. After the verification, you can start using Apple Pay system and make/accept payments with it.
It can be used in online and physical stores. You can also send money to other Apple users with it, via the “iMessage” app. If you can find an Apple Pay casino, you can deposit and withdraw money with this method too.
Apple Pay is a safe and secure method of payment. iCloud stores your financial info online and heavily encrypt it. When you want to make a payment, no third parties are able to view your info. Basically, Apple Pay generates a dynamic security code for each of your transactions, and nobody can “hack” this code, as it is used one time only. Your card number cannot be seen even by the Apple Pay: The service only asks your bank if you have enough funds for the requested transfer or not. If the answer is positive, the transaction is approved, and the payment is completed – all of these happen in mere seconds. When you make a payment, you do not need to share your private information with third parties. In this regard, it works like PayPal.
How to Make Apple Pay Casino Deposits
To make a deposit to an online casino that accepts Apple Pay, open your personal account page at the casino and choose the “deposit/top-up” option. The casino will offer you a list of payment methods, pick “Apple Pay” and enter the amount you wish to deposit. If you are using a MacBook Pro, your computer will ask for a fingerprint scan. You do not need to enter any username/password, just swipe your finger, and the payment will be completed automatically.
If you are using a different kind of device, a separate page will open, and you need to enter your Apple Pay username and password. Note that you are not providing this info to the casino: It is Apple who is asking this info. Once you provide these details, the payment will be completed in mere seconds as long as you have enough balance in your Apple Pay account.
However, do not forget that Apple Pay has some limits:
- You can send 1 USD minimum.
- You can send 3.000 USD maximum.
- These limitations also apply to withdrawals too.
In other words, if you are planning to deposit/withdraw more than 3.000 USD, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay.
Advantages of Using Apple Pay
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Top-Notch Security. All of your financial data is stored on the iCloud network, and third parties (casinos included) never get to see them. You just need your username and password to make a payment. This is a very safe and secure method of paying, no matter who the merchant is.
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Ease of Use. You can use it via your portable devices and browsers. Both are extremely easy to use and do not require any technical knowledge.
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Transaction Speed. Apple Pay transactions complete in mere seconds.
Disadvantages of Using Apple Pay
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Transaction Limits. As mentioned above, Apple Pay is an option for casual gamblers only. Deposits and withdrawals are limited to 3.000 USD. If you are a high-roller or manage to win a jackpot, you won’t be able to transfer your funds with this method.
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Not Too Popular. Apple Pay is supported only at a couple of online casinos. Mostly, this option is offered at the United Kingdom-based casinos via the Apple Pay UK system. Apple has some heavy terms in regards to online gambling, and we are not seeing this method becoming more popular in the upcoming days. Apple Pay is focused on paying in physical stores with your Apple-brand devices. Online payments are not the primary concern of the system.
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You Need to Be an Apple User. As the name implies, you need to join the Apple ecosystem to be able to use Apple Pay. In other words, you must own an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook Pro. This may be a disadvantage for some users.
