November 2016 US Offshore Online Poker Payment Processing Report
US online poker speeds remained steady over the past month. Bitcoin remains the number one choice for American online poker deposits and withdrawals. It is nearing a point where there are few reports of withdrawals by any other methods at some poker sites. Bank wires, cash transfers and debit cards are not used by most serious players these days. This is due to the low fees and convenience involved with using Bitcoin.
Full Flush Poker is no longer on our list. The site shuttered on September 30. While the company claimed it would return with new software, it never did. There is every indication that all player deposits at Full Flush Poker are lost.
The October US Online Poker Payment Processing Report may be found here. Last month’s grades are in parenthesis.
Intertops A+ (A+)
Intertops is the flagship of the Horizon Poker Network. That platform was once known as Cake Poker before getting bailed out by Intertops.
Intertops remains at the top of our list due to its fast withdrawal speeds. The best way to get paid by Intertops is Bitcoin. These transactions are processed in a day or two. There are no fees involved with Bitcoin withdrawals at Intertops. The maximum withdrawal amount is $2,500 per week.
Intertops offers checks in amounts up to $3,000. These arrive in about one week. The fee is $50. Bank wires are paid in amounts up to $2,500. These are processed in about two weeks. The fee is $50 in addition to what any banks involved with the transaction charge.
Ignition Casino (formerly Bovada) A+ (A+)
Ignition Casino improved its already quick cashout speeds in the past month. The site is the U.S.-facing skin of the Bodog Poker Network. Bovada players were moved there at the end of September.
Bitcoin is the best way to get paid by Ignition Casino. Players can receive up to $9,500 in a transaction. There is no fee. Bitcoin withdrawals are delivered in one to three days.
Checks are processed in amounts up to $3,000. Players may receive one free check every four months. Additional checks have a $50 fee. These arrive in about one week.
There are no new reports about bank wires. These are historically processed in two to three weeks. The fee is $50, in addition to what is charged by banks involved with the transaction. Players may have the fee waived once every four months if no free check was issued during that time period. The maximum bank wire amount is $9,500.
BetOnline A (A)
BetOnline is the flagship on the Chico Poker Network. It continues to pay players in a timely manner. The fastest way to get paid by BetOnline is with Bitcoin. The max is $5,000. The fee is 2%. BetOnline Bitcoin withdrawals arrive in less than one day.
Checks are processed in amounts up to $2,500. The fee is $25 by mail, $35 by courier and $50 by express courier. Checks typically arrive in one to two weeks.
Bank wires are processed in about one week in amounts up to $24,900. The fee is $50 plus what the intermediary and receiving banks charge to process the transaction.
BetOnline offers a debit card that may be used at ATM machines. There is an $80 fee to receive the card. This takes three to five days. Once the card is in hand, cashouts are processed in about three days. The fee per transaction is $25.
Cash transfers are paid in amounts up to $500. The fee is $101 for most transactions. These are processed in one or two days.
BetOnline offers one free withdrawal per month. The maximum discount is $50. Any withdrawal with a fee higher than that amount receives a $50 discount. The free withdrawal request may only be made on Fridays.
Winning Poker Network B+ (B+)
The Winning Poker Network cashier services players at Americas Cardroom, Black Chip Poker and True Poker. Bitcoin withdrawals are available in amounts up to $25,000. The fee is 2%. These are processed in three to seven days.
Check speeds improved slightly over the past month. These arrive in one to two weeks. The fee is $65. The maximum amount is $2,995. Players may receive one free check each month.
The Winning Poker Network’s debit card still exists, however, it is no longer a top choice by players. This is due to the convenience of Bitcoin.
Juicy Stakes B- (B-)
Juicy Stakes is a member of the Horizon Poker Network. It is closely related to Intertops, the top choice on our list. The two sites do not share payment processing. The maximum withdrawal at Juicy Stakes is $1,000. It only offers a check in amounts up to $1,000 to U.S. players. The fee is $50. Players may receive one free check each month by paying at least $40 in rake. We recommend players choose Intertops over Juicy Stakes due to the low limits and lack of withdrawal options.
Merge Gaming B- (C+)
Conditions continue to improve at Merge Gaming, the network that processes payments for Carbon Poker, PlayersOnly and Sportsbook.ag. Bitcoin withdrawals are delivered in one to three days. The fee is 5%, the highest in the industry.
Players may request a check or bank wire with a 3% fee. Bank wires arrive in about two to four weeks. Checks are delivered in two to three months. Players may receive one free check or bank wire per year for free.
SWC Poker C+ (C)
SWC Poker is the 2.0 version of SealsWithClubs. The site only processes payments in Bitcoin. Withdrawals are free and processed in less than 12 hours.
These withdrawal speeds at SWC Poker are exceptional and the free withdrawals are a nice plus. The problem is that Bitcoin is now offered by most other U.S.-facing poker sites. This has left SWC Poker’s traffic in a slow decline. Players that can find a game in their limits will want to add SWC Poker to their rotation. Most players will not find enough action to make it their primary site.