Caesars Joins Major Operators in Banning Credit Card Deposits for U.S. Gambling

Caesars Entertainment has become the latest major operator to stop accepting credit card deposits across its U.S. platforms, including Caesars Sportsbook, Caesars Palace Online Casino, Horseshoe Online Casino, and WSOP Online. The move aligns with an industry-wide trend as operators increasingly phase out the payment method.

Customers can still fund their accounts using alternative methods such as debit cards, ACH/eCheck, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, prepaid Play+ cards, and cash deposits at retail locations where available. However, Puerto Rico and Canada will continue to support credit card deposits.

This decision follows a wave of similar moves by other industry leaders. DraftKings removed credit card deposits in August 2025, while FanDuel followed suit on March 2, citing efforts to ‘improve the deposit experience.’ BetMGM began a phased rollout starting March 31, and bet365 eliminated credit cards on April 13. Notably, Fanatics has never accepted credit cards since launching its sportsbook.

Operators that still accept credit cards in some markets include BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, theScore, Hollywood Casino, and Bally’s. The trend reflects both operator-led responsible gambling measures and increasing regulatory scrutiny at the state level. Several jurisdictions, including Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Vermont, already prohibit credit card deposits for online betting. Virginia enacted a ban earlier this year, and bills are currently active in Colorado, New Jersey, and New York.

Despite concerns about potential revenue loss, analysts suggest the financial impact will be minimal. Jordan Bender, an equity research analyst at Citizens JMP Securities, noted that DraftKings’ handle ‘was not materially different in the months following the implementation.’ He added that the change was ‘more as a headline rather than a real impact on the business.’ ‘We think the impact will be quite small, particularly in the long run,’ echoed Sam Ghafir, an analyst at Macquarie Capital, who estimates credit cards account for roughly 10% to 20% of U.S. gambling account deposits.

Ghafir also pointed out that credit card users tend to ‘punch above their weight,’ skewing toward new and casual bettors. While there may be a modest short-term impact over a three-to-six-month period due to onboarding friction, this effect should normalize. The shift to alternative payment methods is also financially beneficial for operators, as credit cards carry higher processing fees. Removing credit cards can ‘reduce future policy risk’ and improve ESG positioning, according to Ghafir.