Introduction
PayPal is one of the world’s best-known e-wallets. It has been around since the late 1990s and is trusted by millions of people for everyday payments. At online casinos it is a convenient way to pay without handing your card or bank details to the operator, but there is a catch for Canadian players: PayPal only allows gambling payments with merchants that are licensed where they operate and approved by PayPal. In Canada that means you will mainly find it at licensed sites, for example in Ontario, and rarely at offshore casinos. Why use PayPal at online casinos, and how do you check whether a site takes it?
Top PayPal Casinos
About PayPal
PayPal is one of the first e-wallets. It was launched in California, the US, in 1999, and it is now used around the world. You can fund your wallet from a bank account or a card, and then pay merchants, including online casino operators, without sharing your banking details with them.
PayPal is available in a large number of countries and handles many currencies. It is known for its security features and buyer protections, though those protections do not necessarily cover gambling payments.
PayPal also pays close attention to gambling laws. It is available for gambling in some markets and not in others, and this changes as local rules change. In Germany, for example, gambling payments have been treated differently over the years. In the UK, the UKGC rolled out its promise to ban credit cards for funding gambling, which also affected how a PayPal account could be funded for gambling payments there.
In Canada, online gambling is regulated by the provinces. Ontario has a regulated market, and PayPal is mainly found at licensed sites there. Offshore casinos that accept Canadian players rarely offer it. You may see it listed next to other familiar brands like VISA and MasterCard, but always confirm in the cashier. Read on for how to get started.
How to Get Started With PayPal
If you have used an e-wallet before, the process will feel familiar. Here are the main steps.
Visit PayPal’s Canadian website and choose to sign up for a free account. Pick Canada as your country, then enter your email address, phone number and a strong password. You will need to confirm your details.
Next, link a bank account or card so you can fund payments. PayPal may ask for ID documents to verify your identity, which is a normal regulatory requirement. Once your account is verified, you can use it for deposits and withdrawals at casinos that accept it, and the casino does not see your card or bank details.
PayPal has added other features over the years, such as saved logins on trusted devices, PayPal-branded cards and pay-later options. Which of these are available to you depends on your account, so check PayPal’s Canadian site. In some markets PayPal has also added cryptocurrency features, including for Bitcoin, but these are separate from casino payments, so don’t expect to deposit crypto with PayPal at a casino.
How to Deposit and Withdraw With PayPal
PayPal is offered mainly at licensed casinos, so the choice is smaller than for cards or Interac. Some casinos reviewed on our site, such as GoldBet, Skol Casino, Barz Casino, MrO and Voltage Bet, may be worth exploring, but check each casino’s cashier to see whether PayPal is available to you, ideally before you register. Once you have joined a site that offers it, you can make a deposit.
To deposit with PayPal:
- Open the casino’s Cashier or Deposit page and choose PayPal.
- Enter the amount you want to deposit.
- Log in to PayPal in the window that opens.
- Choose your funding source, review the details and confirm the payment.
- Deposits usually show in your casino balance within minutes.
Where PayPal is offered, withdrawals to PayPal are usually possible too, although not every casino that accepts it for deposits also pays out to it.
To withdraw your winnings to PayPal:
- Open the casino’s Cashier and choose Withdraw.
- Select PayPal and enter the amount.
- Log in to PayPal if asked, and confirm the request.
- The casino reviews it. Your first withdrawal usually needs ID checks, and unmet bonus requirements can delay it.
- After approval, the money normally reaches your PayPal balance quickly, though timing depends on the casino.
Withdrawals normally go back to the same PayPal account you deposited with, so use an account in your own name.
PayPal Casino Fees
PayPal is not free in every case. Many everyday transfers from your own bank account or balance cost nothing, but fees can apply for currency conversion, card funding, receiving payments and other services. Fees change, so check the Fees page on PayPal’s Canadian website for the current list.
Casinos may also charge for deposits or withdrawals, or set minimums, so check the cashier terms. If you fund PayPal with a credit card, your card issuer may treat a gambling payment as a cash advance, with fees and interest from day one.
Currencies
PayPal supports many currencies, and the Canadian dollar is the default for most Canadian accounts. You can hold more than one currency in your wallet and convert between them.
Currency conversion fees can apply if a casino charges in a currency other than Canadian dollars. Check PayPal’s Fees page and the casino’s cashier before you pay.
Where Can You Use PayPal?
PayPal is available in a large number of countries and regions, Canada included, but not every PayPal service is offered everywhere. Check its website for the features available to Canadian users.
For casinos, the bigger question is not whether PayPal works in Canada but whether the casino is licensed and approved by PayPal. That is why it is mostly found at licensed sites, such as those in Ontario, and seldom at offshore casinos.
Where to Get Help With PayPal
The Contact page on PayPal’s Canadian website lists the current ways to reach its support team, such as the Help Centre, a message form and phone support. Opening hours and numbers change, so use the contact details shown on the site.
For questions about a deposit or withdrawal, contact the casino’s support team. Its agents deal with payment questions every day, and most are available by live chat, email or phone.
Conclusion
PayPal is a convenient and well-known way to pay if you can find a casino that offers it. It keeps your card and bank details away from the operator, and withdrawals to PayPal are usually possible where it is offered. The drawback is availability: it is mainly found at licensed sites, for example in Ontario, and rarely at offshore casinos. Check the cashier first, and check PayPal’s fees too. Opening an account is free, so if you play at a site that offers it, it is worth a look.
PayPal Casino FAQs
Is PayPal’s website available in different languages?
Yes. PayPal’s Canadian website is available in English and French.
Which cards can be used to fund a PayPal account?
PayPal accepts several major card brands, and you can also link a bank account. The exact options depend on your account, so check PayPal’s Canadian site.
What if I want to use Canadian dollars and other currencies?
You can hold several currencies in your PayPal wallet and convert between them. Conversion fees can apply, so check PayPal’s Fees page.
Is PayPal accepted for withdrawals if it is offered for deposits?
Usually, but not always. Check the casino’s cashier or terms to confirm it can pay out to PayPal, ideally before you join.
Can I cancel a deposit if I change my mind?
Only in some cases. A payment that is still pending can sometimes be cancelled from your PayPal account, but once the casino has received it you cannot cancel it and would have to contact the casino.