November 2015 U.S. Offshore Online Poker Payment Processing Report
U.S. online poker payment processing improved from the previous month. The expansion of Bitcoin helped with this as this option is typically processed in a day or two. One change of note is that MoneyGram withdrawals are now capped at $400. It seems this policy was rolled out by MoneyGram for international transactions.
The grades for October are in parenthesis. The October U.S. online poker payment processing report may be found here.
Winning Poker Network A (A)
The Winning Poker Network is atop the U.S. Online Poker Payment Processing Report for the first time in more than two years. This cashier services Americas Cardroom, Black Chip Poker and True Poker.
The fastest way to receive a withdrawal from the Winning Poker Network is by Bitcoin. These take one or two days to arrive. The maximum Bitcoin withdrawal is $5,000. Players may receive one free Bitcoin withdrawal per month.
Debit card withdrawals are processed in 2-5 days. Players must request the debit card in the cashier. It has a $40 fee. It costs $4.95 each month to keep the account open. There is also a $4.95 fee to receive a debit card withdrawal. This does not include the ATM fees that apply. The maximum debit card withdrawal is $2,500. One debit card withdrawal may be requested per week.
Checks arrive in about two weeks. The maximum withdrawal is $2,995. The fee is $65. One free check withdrawal is permitted per month.
Cash transfers are processed in 2-3 days. These are not as popular on the Winning Poker Network as they are at other U.S.-facing networks. That is because Bitcoin and debit cards are more affordable options that have lower fees. The limits and fees for cash withdrawals are:
- $100 – $299: $60 fee
- $300 – $499: $70 fee
- $500 – $749: $85 fee
- $750 – $999: $95 fee
- $1,000 – $1,500: $110 fee
Intertops/Juicy Stakes A (A-)
Intertops and Juicy Stakes, members of a ring-fenced version of the Revolution Gaming Network, have always been one of the fastest U.S. poker sites to pay players. The world’s oldest online sportsbook stepped up its game by rolling out one free monthly withdrawal.
Intertops and Juicy Stakes offer the fastest check withdrawal in the online poker industry. These arrive in one week or less. The maximum check withdrawal is $3,000. Bank wires are available at Intertops but not Juicy Stakes. The max is $2,500. Both have a $50 fee.
Both sites offer cash transfers. These are processed in one or two days. The fees and amounts are:
- $100 – $500: $70 fee
- $501 – $1,000: $85 fee
- $1,001 – $2,000: $180 fee
Intertops and Juicy Stakes offer free cashouts to active players. One free withdrawal is permitted by check when generating $40 in rake during a month. A player that rakes $80 in a month receives a free cash transfer up to $500. A $100 raker can receive a cash transfer up to $890.
BetOnline A- (A-)
BetOnline is the flagship of the Chico Poker Network. Players may receive one free withdrawal per month with a value up to $50. The free withdrawal request must be made on a Friday to qualify.
Players may withdraw to Bitcoin for a 2% fee. The maximum Bitcoin withdrawal is $3,500. These are processed in about one day.
Checks are available in amounts up to $2,500. The fee is $50. These arrive in one to two weeks. Cash transfers are available in amounts up to $400. These are delivered in one day. The fee is $50.
Bovada A- (A)
Bovada is on the Bodog Poker Network. Bovada is the U.S.-facing brand for the network. While it dropped slightly from last month and lost the top spot for the first time in tears, there is certainly nothing to worry about at Bovada. The site processes payments very fast and has been consistent for years.
Bovada still has not launched Bitcoin withdrawals, but it offers other options that are just as quick. The fastest available cashout option is cash transfer. These are processed in 1-2 days. These are the speeds and fees for cash transfer withdrawals at Bovada:
Western Union
- $100 – $249 Fee: $50
- $250 – $499 Fee: $75
- $500 – $999 Fee: $100
- $1000 – $1499 Fee: $150
- $1500 – $2000 Fee: $200
MoneyGram
- $100 – $199 Fee: $20
- $200 – $399 Fee: $30
Checks slowed a bit over the past month. These arrive in 14-17 days. The maximum check withdrawal is $3,000. The fee is $50.
Bank wires arrive in 5-7 days. The maximum wire amount is $9,500. Visa Fast Funds sends withdrawals to a player’s debit card. It is then placed into an associated bank account. The max is $2,500. The fee for this is also $50. These take about two weeks to process.
Bovada players may request one check, bank wire or Visa Fast Funds withdrawal request for free each month.
SWCPoker B- (B-)
SWCPoker is the new version of SealsWithClubs. SWCPoker only offers Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. The site’s traffic is only about three tables on average, according to PokerScout. Bitcoin withdrawals are processed in about 12 hours. It takes a few more days to receive the funds from most Bitcoin wallets.
Merge Gaming C- (D+)
Merge Gaming services Carbon Poker, PlayersOnly and Sportsbook.ag. Conditions at Merge Gaming are improving. Players receive checks in 10-12 weeks. That is up from three or more months in October. The fee for a check is 3% of the total amount. The maximum check amount is $2,500.
Players previously had Bitcoin available as an option. Bitcoin is no longer available, according to reports. These players, mostly outside the U.S., must rely on bank wires to receive funds.
Full Flush Poker D+ (C )
Full Flush is the main site on the Equity Poker Network. Full Flush continues to struggle at processing payments. This applies to players in the U.S., as well as those in other countries.
Checks and wires take 3-4 months to arrive. Players outside the U.S. that request Skrill and Neteller transfers are waiting the same period of time. Cash transfers take more than one month to process.
All withdrawal options have a fee. The lowest is $40. There are no free withdrawal options at Full Flush Poker.