Interac, Canada’s own national debit network, is one of the safest and most convenient ways to deposit and withdraw at online casinos.
Headquartered in Toronto, Interac allows you to gamble without handing over your credit card details to the casino.
The only payment-related details they receive is the email address you use for your Interac account.
Nearly all online casinos available to Canadian players accept Interac as a payment method, so there are plenty to choose from.
To save you time deciding which brand to play at, we’ve ranked the best casinos that accept Interac below.
The Benefits of Using Interac at Online Casinos
The fact you’ve landed on this page means you’ve likely already decided you want to use Interac, but you just need to choose which online casino to play at. Above this paragraph, you can view our list of recommended casinos.
Below, we list the benefits of using Interac as a payment method. There might even be some perks you haven’t considered.
Interac Is Bonus Eligible
Unlike prepaid cards and e-wallets like Skrill or Neteller, Interac deposits usually qualify for casino bonuses. However, some promotions might exclude Interac, so always check the bonus T&Cs before you deposit.
Fast Deposits and Withdrawals
With Interac, deposits to the online casino will land in seconds, especially with the Autodeposit feature. Withdrawal times will vary, but can often be same-day provided your account has been verified and you’ve passed the identity checks.
Great Security
Because you deposit using an e-Transfer from your banking app, your credit card details are never shared with the casino, only between your bank and Interac. The only payment-related details the casino receives is the email you use for your Interac account.
Widely Supported in Canada
All online casinos in Ontario accept Interac, and virtually all casinos available in the rest of Canada do too. The same can be said for Canadian banks. If the bank is Canadian, it’ll work with Interac.
Low or No Extra Fees
Casinos usually don’t charge for Interac and many bank plans include free e-Transfers. Also, as Interac is Canadian, you pay and get paid in Canadian dollars, so there’s no hidden foreign exchange (FX) fees.
Clear Records
Each transfer between Interac and your casino has a reference number in your banking history, which helps customer support find or fix issues fast.
Privacy-Friendly Descriptions
Interac payouts to your bank usually show the payment processor (normally Gigadat) or the casino’s corporate name, not the casino’s flashy brand name. That’s helpful when you need to submit bank statements for loans or tax reviews, because the description is neutral yet still traceable.
How To Use Interac at an Online Casino
If you’ve never used Interac at an online casino before, don’t worry, it’s pretty straightforward. Here’s some simple steps on how to deposit and withdraw funds using Interac.
Depositing Using Interac
- Go to the casino cashier and choose ‘Interac e-Transfer’ under the list of deposit options.
- Copy the details the cashier shows (This will include a recipient name and email and a memo/reference code).
- Open your own online banking app (such as RBC, TD, BMO or CIBC) and select Interac e-Transfer.
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit and send the e-Transfer to the exact recipient email and name from the casino cashier.
- If you have the Autodeposit feature enabled for your casino email, you’re done. If not, you’ll likely need to complete a security-question step from the casino.
- Return to the casino cashier where your new balance should show up in seconds if you’ve autodeposited or after the casino accepts your security question.
Withdrawal Using Interac
- Verify your identity with the casino. Known as the ‘Know Your Customer’ (KYC) check, this step requires you to submit photo ID and proof of address to the casino. You won’t be able to withdraw winnings until this step is completed.
- Go to the casino cashier, select Withdraw and choose Interac.
- Enter the amount you wish to withdraw. Make sure to stay under any withdrawal limits the casino may have. Smaller withdrawals will often clear faster as the casino won’t manually check them and will just automatically approve the request.
- Depending on your chosen settings, the casino will either send an Interac Request Money to your email or banking app, or a push notification to your Autodeposit email. You’ll need to confirm the transaction in your banking app if they send an Interac Request Money, but if you have Autodeposit enabled the cash should land automatically.
My Advice for Using Interac to Fund Your Casino Account
I’ve worked in the Canadian casino industry for several years now, so I have a pretty good handle on how to get the most out of signing-up to a new online casino.
If you’re using Interac to make your first deposit, here’s some (hopefully) helpful tips:
Turn On Interac Autodeposit
In your banking app, enable the Interac Autodeposit feature for the email you use at your online casino. This will mean your bank will automatically accept e-Transfers without security questions, delivering funds in seconds and reducing risk, errors and delays for casino deposits and withdrawals.
Pre-Verify KYC
Before you start playing at your new online casino, make sure you verify your identity so you can withdraw any potential winnings. Known as the Know Your Customer (KYC) check, you’ll need to upload a form of ID, proof of address and, if you decide to play big, recent bank statements or paystubs to prove you’re not laundering money.
Make a Plan for Larger Withdrawals
If you’re lucky enough to win big, you might not be able to withdraw all the money at once. Casinos and even your bank have daily transfer limits. So, schedule multiple smaller withdrawals over a longer period to avoid any blocked transfers.Also, request cash outs earlier in the day and during the working week, as requests made outside office hours can take longer.
Stick to One Device When Cashing Out
Using a new device or VPN for cashing out will cause your account to be flagged and likely result in a delay of payment or extra KYC checks. So withdraw on the same device and network you used to deposit and verify your account with. If you absolutely have to use a VPN, tell customer support in advance.
Keep Your Identity Details Consistent
Make sure your name and email for your Interac and bank account matches that of your casino account. Avoid using nicknames or joint emails. Even the smallest difference can force the casino to enforce extra checks and could delay you receiving your winnings.
Alternatives to Interac
Interac is a great payment method to use at Canadian casinos, but depending on your priorities other methods might suit you better.
For example, if you want to use physical cash to play at online casinos then Neosurf is a better option.
If you want even more discretion, then use e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller. They go one step further than Interac in that when you move winnings back to your bank, the statement simply shows a transfer from your e-wallet, not the casino’s corporate name.