We all get it fairly easy these days. At one point in time, if you wanted to play a game of slots, blackjack, roulette, or any of the above, you’d have to travel all the way to a brick-and-mortar casino. This might not have been too hard for people living in cities, but if you were living in rural America, it could have been a bit of a trek.
In 2024, however, casinos are at our fingertips. If you want to play a game of roulette or blackjack, you can do so in a matter of seconds and still have as much fun as you would at any brick-and-mortar casino. That being said, there was a romance about the ‘brick-and-mortar’ that is hard to replicate. While online casinos are convenient and accessible, the buzz and the atmosphere of a real place is an experience unlike any other. Perhaps that’s why people still trek to their local casinos.
According to a recent article, around 102 million Americans visited a casino for gambling in the past 12 months – which accounts for 41% of the population! The in-house experience is still one that captivates players, and while we’ll always be advocates of the digital age, we completely understand why. If you’re an online casino player – but you’ve never visited a brick-and-mortar casino – it’s certainly something to look into.
The only thing you’ll need to be aware of is that brick-and-mortar casinos are fundamentally different from their online equivalents, especially when it comes to payments. Sure, they might have the same kind of tabletop games and, in some cases, similar slots, but if you were thinking of paying with BTC as you do at your favorite Bitcoin Casino, you might be a little disappointed.
With this in mind, we’ve listed out the payment methods that are generally accepted at brick-and-mortar casinos in 2024, helping you to fall smoothly into the experience if you do decide to pay them a visit.
Native American Casinos
We’ll start by talking about Native American casinos, which have been growing in popularity over the last few years. Despite the fact they aren’t regulated by federal law, Native American casinos have been noted for their ability to bring in new revenue and increase local employment rates, which is part of the reason why their reputation has been gradually increasing.
The payment methods, in this case, will vary depending on the casino’s policies and the specific tribal regulations. For the most part, however, it’s probably a good idea to use cash – the most widely accepted payment method used for purchasing chips, playing slots, and a number of other transactions. Casino-specific cards – such as ‘Player’s Club’ or ‘Tribal Casino Cards’ could also work, as many Native American casinos issue their own branded cards to be loaded with funds – and what’s more, they can often be used for loyalty rewards.
Brick-and-Mortar Casino Payment Methods
When it comes to other brick-and-mortar casinos, cash is once again the most widely accepted and straightforward payment method. It’s important to note, however, that these land-based casinos aren’t stuck in the dark ages. Other payment methods are available! Credit cards and debit cards, for instance, have become a go-to payment method for players looking for a bit of extra security.
For larger transactions, players can also use wire transfers to move money from their bank accounts, although this is often reserved for the high-rollers. Personal checks, although less common, can also be used, and in some cases, cashier checks are also accepted for purchasing large amounts of chips – giving the player a bit more of a security blanket.
With Apple and Google Pay becoming a go-to option for people in their everyday life, this is another payment method that a typical brick-and-mortar casino will accept, and for those wanting physical cash to hand over, there are sometimes ATMs available for players to withdraw cash using their mobile wallets and debit cards.
Why Choosing the Right Payment Method is Important
To finish off, you might be wondering why we’re taking the time to walk you through payment methods of land-based casinos. The truth is, even in brick-and-mortar buildings, it’s important to think about how you’re going to pay and what you can do to make the transaction as secure as possible.
Online players will know better than anyone how the world of fintech cybersecurity has developed, but this isn’t purely exclusive to the digital space. In traditional casinos, it’s still important to pay in the most secure way possible, avoiding any payment method that makes you feel vulnerable or unsafe.
With this in mind, if you are visiting a brick-and-mortar casino in 2024, we’d advise that you choose wisely and ensure the institution is doing its bit to provide adequate payment security. It’s very rare that casinos will only accept cash or debit cards. Just like the online space, the most trustworthy casinos will offer a range of payment methods, catering to every player’s preference.
