How To Use Skrill To Make Online Bingo Deposits

Here at BingoPort, we love to make things easy for our members. We know that not everyone wants to make their bingo deposits via credit or debit card, which is why we’ve highlighted several other alternative payment methods, including Boku, BT Landline and Neteller. In this article, we’re focusing on another easy and secure payment method: Skrill.

What is Skrill?

Skrill is an e-wallet/e-money service, which works in a similar way to Neteller. It allows you to transfer and withdraw money online and between different countries. This method of payment has been in the market since 2001, and is now accepted by a variety of bingo sites. The service also has a strong focus on enabling low-cost international money transfers.

Like Neteller, Skrill is a fast and secure way to make bingo deposits online. It has over 36 million account holders in 200 countries, and accepts payment in 40 different currencies! Needless to say, Skrill is a very flexible payment option.

You can make deposits into your Skrill account using your credit or debit card, or via paysafecard.

How does it work?

Before making an online bingo deposit through Skrill, you’ll first need to make a deposit into your Skrill account.

Whilst Skrill accepts fewer deposit methods than Neteller, it does allow users to make deposits with their debit or credit card, and via paysafecard. Be aware that there are some charges for certain deposit methods—making a global deposit with a Visa card, for example, will incur a 1.90% fee. A fee is also charged for making withdrawals from ATMs. For more information regarding fees, visit Skrill’s website.

Skrill is a good choice for those of you who are concerned about your online security, as it offers an extra layer of protection compared to standard bingo depositing methods. Depositing to bingo sites using just your credit or debit card involves giving your card details to several different merchants. When you use Skrill, however, only Skrill will have access to these details. In addition to this, Skrill uses strong forms of encryption, meaning that even if your connection isn’t secured and your data is intercepted, it won’t be readable.

Skrill Step-By-Step

  • Sign up for an account by going to the Skrill website.
     
  • Enter your details: name, address, currency, password, etc.
     
  • Verify your account via the link sent to your email address.
     
  • Log in using your email and password.
     
  • Register your debit/credit card or bank account to make deposits into Skrill.
     
  • Once you’ve made a deposit, you can go to your bingo site and select Skrill as your preferred method of payment to make a bingo deposit.

Other Skrill Services

Skrill iT

This is a mobile wallet service which enables users to send and receive money internationally. All you need is the recipient’s name and mobile number or email address. It offers low fees and great rates, along with instant transfers. Sending money incurs a 1% fee, plus a 3.99% fee for currency conversion.

Skrill Prepaid MasterCard

Much like Neteller, Skrill offers users the chance to apply for a prepaid MasterCard. Applying takes minutes, and the card is available in 4 currencies: Euro, pound sterling, US dollar and Polish zloty. If your application is successful, you'll receive the card within a matter of weeks. You can then use it anywhere that accepts MasterCard—whether online or instore

Two-Factor Authentication

There's yet another added security feature from Skrill: a Two Factor Authentication (2FA) application. With this application to login or send money, having a username and password isn't enough—you'll also have to enter a code that's been sent to your phone. So, even if someone manages to get hold of your email and password, they won't have the extra security code—meaning that your money is still safe. 

VIP Scheme

Skrill offers users the opportunity to be a part of their exclusive VIP scheme. However, this scheme is only open to those who transfer relatively large sums of money within a 90-day period. If you’re only using Skrill for bingo, this scheme probably won’t apply to you—but do remember that Skrill can be used for a wide range of other payments too!

Below, you’ll find the different levels of VIP status, together with the amount you’ll need to transfer in a 90-day period in order to achieve them:

  • Bronze VIP: £6,000
  • Silver: £15,000
  • Gold: £45,000
  • Diamond VIP: £90,000

If you do manage to qualify for the scheme, then you’ll be able to take advantage of its ultimate protection, 24/7 support and lower fees.

Pros

  • Convenience: Skrill isn’t only for bingo deposits—it can even be used offline thanks to the Skrill MasterCard.
     
  • Speed: Make deposits in under 24 hours.
     
  • Security: Regulated by the FSA, using Skrill means that only one website has access to your card details. Plus, it offers encryption and two-factor authentication.
     
  • Global: Skrill is available in 200 countries and accepts payment in 40 currencies.
     
  • Exclusivity: It offers users special promotions, a VIP scheme and bonuses (through its refer-a-friend scheme) to its members.
     
  • Validity: Skrill has won numerous awards including the FST Employee’s Choice Sunday Times, Media Momentum and the iGB Affiliate Award.
     
  • Cost-effective: Their low exchange rates, and the Skrill iT service make international transactions easy.

Cons

  • Issues with bonuses: Most bingo sites don’t accept e-wallets (except PayPal) in their welcome bonus offers, which means you can miss out on some great deals.
     
  • Cost: If you withdraw cash at an ATM using Skrill’s MasterCard, you’ll be charged a £1.80 withdrawal fee. The same goes for certain deposit methods, and refunds.
     
  • No protection guarantee for most members: Skrill offers a 100% Money Protection Guarantee… but only for its VIP members. So, if you aren’t spending £6,000 in a 90-day period, this won’t be available to you.
     
  • An inactivity fee: If your account lies dormant for 12 months, Skrill begins to charge you the equivalent of 1 euro a month.

What Bingo Websites Accept Skrill?

Whilst Skrill is a popular method of payment, it’s still not accepted by all bingo sites. That being said, it is accepted by a good selection of our award-winning and recommended sites.

As the service continues to become more widely-used, we’re looking forward to adding more names to this list—so watch this space!

Conclusion

So, should you use Skrill as your new method of making deposits? Well, it certainly has a lot to offer. If you want quick deposits and the security of having a buffer between your card and your bingo site, then Skrill is a great choice. It’s even better knowing that you can use Skrill offline with their MasterCard!

However, if you want to avoid the hassle of extra fees, and you’re worried about missing out on some bingo site bonuses and promotions, then you might want to avoid it. You at least know that with your credit/debit card and PayPal, you won’t be charged out of the blue!

 

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