Neosurf vs. PayPal at Online Casinos

Introduction

Online gambling developed differently in different parts of the world, with some markets accepting the industry much more readily than others. This had largely to do with the availability of a stable Internet connection, which had only then been invented along with the first online gambling platforms.

Understandably so…

…most of the major markets leading in economic power and financial profits were among the first to take up this line of work. Within a short time span, the US, UK, Australia, as well as the more advantaged European and Asian countries were all turned into major markets for the up-and-coming industry.

Nevertheless…

… legislative issues prevented this early growth of online casinos and gambling services from flourishing fully, with governments seeking to prevent massive funds traffic going to and from unknown places.

One of the industry elements that suffered a hit from such regulatory policies was the online banking segment. Services in charge of processing payments through digital channels had only come to the fore, as people were still too skeptical to use their everyday credit and debit cards. Eventually, this even led to the creation of completely dedicated online payment processors, especially as proper regulation supported the move towards more reliable transaction services.

Over time…

… both the online gambling industry and its constituents took business to the next level. This was in fact what brought about many of today’s regulated markets and licensed operators, allowing residents of specific jurisdictions to enjoy prime online gambling entertainment.

Despite numerous changes…

… banking retained its crucial role at such platforms, ultimately prompting new services to spring up and meet the market’s growing needs. Nowadays, online casino players, gambling enthusiasts and generally anyone interested in online transactions can choose from a range of banking methods. Among these, e-wallets have definitely proven to be some of the most popular options.

Both pioneering services such as PayPal, which have been in the business since the very start, and newer ones the likes of Neosurf are fully available for all your online payment needs. Choosing one over the other is most often a matter of preference, although a more detailed and in-depth preview of their main features is bound to provide valuable insight.

About Neosurf

Neosurf was established…

… as an original internet payment card, a sort of prepaid card that can be used for online transactions within the limit of your prepaid funds. The business was established back in 2004, with headquarters in Paris, France, at first catering to their home market with services available in French alone.

However, as traffic started to grow…

… and demand for such a practical and efficient means of payments processing rose, it soon provided an English version of their page. Moreover, Neosurf established a network of Authorized Resellers (NAR) all over Europe, and is nowadays available for users all over the European Economic Area.

About PayPal

PayPal, previously known as Confinity…

… first started operations in the distant 1998, when online businesses were only starting to spring up. It may well be considered the pioneering model for an e-wallet service, and one that has been later used by many brands.

This payment processing company boasts over two decades of experience with multiple e-merchants. With its impeccable track record and security measures, PayPal is still firmly holding its ground against newcomers, keep up with innovations as they come.

Neosurf vs. PayPal

As mentioned earlier…

… choosing between two great payment processing services mostly comes down to preference. Still, some objective facts are bound to come in handy during your selection process, and later on during the online payment experience.

When it comes to online casino banking in particular, there are several key features that could turn your online gameplay experience from a mess to a success. Naturally, we are talking about fees, payment processing waiting times, availability of service and security above all, along with some added features that make these services stand out from the rest.

User Account

The type of account, its basic functions, and the availability of currencies or exchange fees will be the first thing to affect your online banking experience. So, make sure to consider this for both options, and any other potential method, before choosing one or the other.

Neosurf

The Neosurf payment method was originally thought out as a prepaid internet payment card. It still functions this way, without any need for potential users to register or hold a formal account with the service. All you had to do was simply locate a nearby retailer and get the card in one of the allotted sums that best fits your spending needs.

Nowadays…

… there is the added feature of the MyNeosurf software app, where users can purchase a formal card in a given value, but only by sharing some personal and banking information in order to perform the purchase in the first place.

This account, loosely defined, is nowadays available as a banking option in most European markets – France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, as well as Australia as a most recent addition. What is more, the card is available in set denominations ranging from €10 to €250, and at the respective currency used in the country where it is sold. Should you need to perform payments in a different currency, be aware that the conversion will be processed according to the momentary exchange rate, and with an added fee of 2%. Only for the currency ZLOTY will users experience a charge of 3% per exchange.

On a final note…

… this type of account from Neosurf is notably free of charge – interested individuals simply pay for the value. However, after 6 months of inactivity, or one whole year of use, the 2 EUR fee will be charged per month for account maintenance.

PayPal

PayPal does offer their potential customers a formal e-wallet account as most commonly found. It comes with two versions – for private and business users both – for which you can register without any charge. The lack of fees is also consistent throughout the entire payment experience, as the service also excludes dormancy and account maintenance fees for all its users.

However…

…it does impose a currency exchange fee of a flat amount – 2.5%, but with 20+ currency options available, potential users won’t need to fear charges all that much.

Deposits and Withdrawal Processing

The main purpose of both these services is getting your funds across to the merchant of your choosing, or alternately, withdrawing funds back from them upon request. Learn all there is about getting the funds available for transfer, and the top way to send or receive them that fits your business needs.

Neosurf

For Neosurf users…

… regardless of whether they have decided to purchase a set voucher card from a land-based kiosk or other retailer, or have it online on their MyNeosurf account, there is one crucial thing to remember. Each card comes with a unique 10-character alphanumeric code, which holds embedded the value of the card, that is, the funds that are at the users’ disposal. For payment purposes, users have all but to choose the Neosurf payment method and enter the code, along with the specific value they would like to have deducted out of their balance.

The process is just the same for online casino players, with a slight inconvenience being the lack of casinos offering the service as a withdrawal method. Even though Neosurf officially states it to be within the capacity of the service, it is still to be added as an available cashout option.

PayPal

With PayPal…

… payments can only start after you have actually put value into your formal e-wallet account. For this purpose, you can choose a range of funding options, voucher and prepaid cards the likes of Neosurf included, and get the funds stored to the e-wallet. After this is done, you simply use the e-wallet funds and register with the account credentials anywhere you need to pay for a charge.

PayPal is also available for withdrawal process…

… refunds most often. All you have to do is specify the e-wallet address where the funds should be transferred, and expect to have them within a day’s time.

With all payment operations covered, it is also important to mention the fees. These do not apply for outgoing PayPal payments, nor for account funding processes when done via another PayPal account or a direct bank transfer. However, for users looking to put value into their e-wallet via credit card, there is a 2.90% + 0.30 USD to a 7.40% + 0.50 USD fee. ATM prepaid card funding comes at a charge of 1.95 USD, while checks will serve to the same purpose for a low 1.50 USD charge.

Security

The safety of your player funds, or the rest of your hard-earned money for that matter, is not up for compromises. Hence, payment services generally take this feature most seriously, and aim to meet all industry and legal requirements to guarantee that they provide a safe funds storage and transfer environment.

Neosurf

Even though it is a more recent release, Neosurf has still managed to establish itself as a stable and reputable service. It is their top-notch tech that enabled them to provide such secure services across all transactions. Proof of their security commitments is the fact that Neosurf is registered as an e-money agent under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 by the Financial Conduct Authority. What is more, the UK FCA licensed and authorized them as an Authorized Electronic Money Institution, proving their reliability across international standards.

And with the added specifics of its nature, this online payment processing service is all the more optimized for secure and private transactions.

PayPal

The PayPal brand is synonymous…

… with reliability and security, turning the service into an indicator of reliability. As a matter of fact, this isn’t too far from the truth, as its practices show that there are many procedures and examinations that their partners need to go through before they can list the payment method on their banking page. What is more, any service illegally provided in the country of choice is also not supported by PayPal, nor is it funded via its secure channels.

Aside from being licensed, authorized and recognized for their impeccable work, another strong proof of their reliability is the dual-factor authentication option, additionally made available for all new and existing account holders. Individuals can access their accounts and perform operations only upon confirming their identity through a one-time-use code sent to their mobile device, email or other linked account.

Plastic Card Availability

Even though the purpose of online payment processors is to provide the next big thing in finance management since credit and debit cards, it seems as if they are too closely knitted into people’s habits. What is more, they are still the no. 1 most convenient means of payment processing, causing many of the newer generation of banking methods to issue a card from the same service.

Neosurf

The nature of the Neosurf payment service…

… was originally based on the card principle, as an international prepaid card option. Hence, it already had a card issued under the same brand before the e-wallet app solution was even offered. While it doesn’t formally function like the regular cards, it serves to hold the unique 10-character code that is key for any payment.

PayPal Prepaid MasterCard

In a partnership with the globally used card payment processor MasterCard, PayPal has offered its users an inherent card for easier access to the funds stored in their e-wallet account. However, you will need to qualify for the card first – make sure to hold a premium or business account for longer than 60 days before applying for one. Still, with an expiration timeframe of 3 whole years per card, a free issuance and a monthly membership charge of just 4.95 USD, it is a more than welcome convenience.

Some users, however…

… may be inconvenienced by the ATM withdrawal fees which differ for users in the USA and those outside it – 1.00 USD +2.5% FX and 1% + 2.5% FX fee, respectively. Limits are also imposed on the amount of ATM withdrawals, with the cap set at 940 USD a day, while POS transactions can go up to 5,000 USD per day.

User Benefits

Additional benefits, discounts or promotions are a regular part of any online service nowadays, as a way to set a product apart from the rest on the market. While these bonuses are no rarity in interactive gambling, they have also appeared a useful acquisition and user retention technique for banking services as well.

Neosurf

The MyNeosurf functionality of the service has additionally allowed the company to introduce a sort of loyalty program known as NeoMiles. These are points which users collect with each transaction they perform using the Neosurf credits, and can use them later on in the dedicated gifts shop on the same online platform as the service. This even comes with a gift catalog, so that users can choose based on their points and preference.

PayPal

This payment processor hasn’t offered a bonus or loyalty program service due to the sole fact that they claim to treat all users with equally excellent service. Their ability to retain a strong market presence throughout such a long period is nonetheless impressive, and largely speaks to their success, despite the lack of such specific marketing techniques.

To sum up,…

… the matter of choosing one of these services over the other is not so much one of excellence, but one of personal preferences. After all, some players prefer tradition and long-standing of the service over their more modern approach, while others continuously strive to keep in touch with all the latest breakthroughs in technology. Either way, it pays off to pay attention to details such as these in making up a well-rounded online transaction experience as it was intended to be.

Related banking method reviews:

• PayPal Casinos
• Neosurf Casinos

Written by: Shelly Schiff