Sportsbooks Accepting eChecks
Over the last few years, it has become increasingly difficult to find sportsbooks accepting eChecks. It was once a popular deposit option at online books, casinos, and poker rooms. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case. Even bookmakers that accept credit cards (which are, in themselves, problematic as a funding option) rarely accept e-checks.
On this page, we’ll explain why there are so few sportsbooks accepting eChecks. (If you’re familiar with the recent history of online gambling, what follows will not be new to you.) We’ll also describe how the funding process with e-checks works. The reason we do so is because we have managed to find one high-quality sportsbook accepting eChecks. That book remains one of our top recommendations.
Why There Are Few Sportsbooks That Accept eChecks
In 2006, the U.S. government passed the Security and Accountability For Every Port Act (or, SAFE Port Act). One portion of that legislation (Title VIII) is called the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (or, UIGEA). The UIGEA carries provisions that prohibit all financial institutions from transferring funds to an online gambling property. That includes sportsbooks. Oddly, betting on fantasy sports, lotteries, and horse races through such sites is not prohibited.
eChecks are drafts from your bank checking account. As such, your bank is prohibited by the UIGEA from honoring them. If your bank ignores the legislation and processes the transaction while knowing the funds are earmarked for a gambling website, it risks large fines and other actions. That’s the first reason there are few sportsbooks accepting eChecks: banks aggressively block them.
But, there’s another reason…
A lot of online sportsbooks accept credit cards as a depositing option. How is that possible? After all, credit card issuers are prohibited by the same law that restricts your bank. The reason is because credit card transactions are pushed through payment processors before they reach your card issuer. In many cases, the card issuer is unaware the charge is going to a sportsbook. Accepting eChecks is far more problematic because there is less room for ambiguity. Thus, online books generally don’t accept them.
How To Bet At Sportsbooks Accepting eChecks
As we mentioned, there is one top-notch sportsbook accepting eChecks as a depositing option (we’ll tell you about that book below). So, it’s worth explaining how the process works.
Typically, you can make your eCheck deposit directly through the book’s website. The sportsbook may also be willing to process the deposit for you over the phone, though there’s little reason to choose that route. Before trying to make the deposit, make sure the funds are in your bank account. Once they’re verified, the book can complete the transfer. You’ll have access to the funds within your sportsbook account within two or three minutes.
Our Top Sportsbook Accepting eChecks
Intertops (bonus code “XXXXXX”) – Intertops.com was one of the original online books, having debuted in 1996. They remain incredibly popular with sports bettors and are one of the last sportsbooks accepting eChecks. If you use Intertops bonus code “XXXXXX”, you can take advantage of a 25% bonus match on your first deposit (up to $100). Once you make the deposit, send an email to bet@intertops.com with “25% Sportsbook Sign-up Bonus” in the subject.
When you visit Intertops.com, you’ll notice they offer a list of other promotions, including their “No Juice” NFL lines and 10% reload bonuses on Tuesdays and Thursdays (up to $50).
A Quick Note About Intertops’s Sportsbook Accepting eChecks
Even though Intertops.com operates a sportsbook that accepts eChecks (alongside a casino and poker room), they will want to verify your identity prior to processing your deposit. You’ll need to fax your driver’s license or identification card, and an additional piece of mail that verifies your address. Once they have those documents on file, they’ll immediately enable your account to accept eCheck deposits.
If you haven’t already done so, we recommend that you visit Intertops.com and create an account. Remember, it’s always valuable to have multiple high-quality books at which to place your bets. That gives you a better opportunity to find the best line. As one of the last remaining sportsbooks accepting eChecks, Intertops’s reputation and ongoing promotions make them hard to resist.
