If you’ve been playing on online bingo for a while, you may be aware that when you look for new bingo sites 2016, many of the sites you’ll encounter offer PaySafeCard. But what is PaySafeCard, and how good is it as a payment option for playing on online bingo? We’re done an in depth write up of how PaySafeCard works, and the pros and cons of the service particularly when compared with other payment methods.

But first, here’s our list of the best bingo sites that accept PaySafeCard:

What is PaySafeCard?

For those not in the know, PaySafeCard is an online payment service which requires absolutely no card details. This makes the method very attractive to bingo players who are concerned about online financial safety. Instead, the user has a special card, which can be topped up with credit at a local shop, along with a 16 digit number, which they use to pay for goods and services online.

How to join PaySafeCard

You don’t really join PaySafeCard so much, as it’s not really the kind of service on which you make an account. Instead, you can go to a local shop which sells PaySafeCards and buy one for yourself. You can top up with as much cash as you think you will need. Then, you can start using your newly topped up cards on bingo sites that accept PaySafeCard. When it comes to paying for goods or depositing online, you simply enter your 16 digit PIN and the credit will be transferred from your card.

At no point do you need to enter any card details. Most local shops and newsagents will sell PaySafeCard, and the number of retailers which sell them has increased since the company took over Ukash. If you want to find the nearest retailer to you which stocks PaySafeCard, then you can download their online app.

Pros and Cons

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of using PaySafeCard bingo? Perhaps the most obvious advantage is the safety aspect. Players who are not at all comfortable with having their card details online will find this service very useful as at no point do you need to give anyone any personal details. You top up the card in store, which you can obviously do with solid cash. What’s more, PaySafeCard is relatively convenient because it’s so openly available in so many different shops and stores. The actual method of payment is very simple, and you don’t need to set up any accounts with the company in order to be able to pay for goods and spend money using the card.

However, there are some disadvantages to PaySafeCard. To begin with, there is often a transaction fee of around 3%, which if you go for big transfers can end up making a real dent in your finances during the transactions. What’s more, some players may find it inconvenient to have to go and top up the card in a shop, rather than being able to process payments directly and instantly online, such as by using an eWallet.

How does it compare to PayPal?

So how does PaySafeCard compare to using other payment options for bingo, such as PayPal bingo sites? Well, to begin with, PayPal is an instant payment service which means that you can transfer funds directly from your bank account instantaneously. This is very convenient and useful for many players, particularly if you don’t want to be in a situation where you can’t top up your PaySafeCard because your local shop is closed. On the other hand PayPal does require that you enter your card details in to the service, and whilst their site is very high security, not having to use your card details at all is an even deeper layer of security for many players.

There are several PaySafeCard bingo sites listed on this page – make sure your check them all out!