If you’ve already got a Mastercard, all the details are at your fingertips. You just need to enter them in the secure cashier. If you don’t have a Mastercard, it’s easy to apply for one online or in-store at your chosen bank, subject to requirements.

A top tip to give your bankroll that initial boost (though we must stress never to gamble more than you can afford) is to look out for Mastercard casino welcome bonuses. As a new player, you can often get your hands on no deposit bonuses and free spins!

Mastercard is a super straightforward way to deposit at an online casino. Simply register at one of our recommended Mastercard casinos from our toplist above, sign in, and go to the cashier. Then you’ll need to select your payment method (‘Mastercard’) and the amount you wish to add to the account. Enter your Mastercard details and the funds will hit your account immediately, so you can hit the reels in lightning time.

Deposit limits for Mastercard depend on the casino. In general, you can deposit between $10 and $5,000 per day. Some Mastercard casinos, however, allow deposits of up to $50,000, usually if you’re a VIP member.

So, you’ve struck lucky and you want to withdraw your real money winnings - what next? Making a withdrawal using Mastercard is as simple as making a deposit. Although the process can vary a bit between casinos, the typical route is via the cashier, then the withdrawal tab.

Here, you can select Mastercard as your preferred banking method, enter the withdrawal amount (which must be within the casino limits), and voila. You might have to wait between one and two days for the operator to approve the transaction.

Online casinos won't charge you for using a Mastercard, but your card issuer might. Usually, a deposit using Mastercard is treated as a cash advance, so you may be charged a small fee. Withdrawals are also likely to incur small fees. We advise contacting Mastercard to verify potential fees before gambling.

There are a number of ways to avoid unnecessary fees. Some casinos insist on withdrawals being made back to the same Mastercard you deposited with, so we advise you to check with the site beforehand.

We also advise you to refrain from making lots of small deposits because Mastercard issuers will usually treat such activity with suspicion and suspend your payments. If you want to move real money funds, make one big deposit at a time (budget-bearing, of course).

You can access your Mastercard account on your mobile via the Mastercard mobile app. It's worth downloading as it gives you instant access to and control of your cards and funds. You can find it on the App Store for iPhone and Google Play for Android devices. Not only is the app free, but it also comes with exclusive deals.

Having your Mastercard mobile app to hand will give you a more seamless online slots experience, whether you want to play the best mobile slots or slots on your desktop. Most importantly, it allows you to keep a close eye on your bankroll.

Mastercard is accepted for online gambling around the world, but there are regulations at regional levels, such as:

• Canada - Online gambling is covered on a federal level by Section 202 of the Criminal Code and it is illegal for online casinos to operate within the country. However, in a move to boost regional economies, the Canadian government instated several legal online casinos. Local players can also legally gamble at offshore sites.

• UK - All online casinos within the UK market are regulated by the Gambling Commission and must hold valid licenses from said commission to operate. Recent amendments to the Gambling Act 2005 prohibit players from using credit cards for online betting, but Mastercard debit cards are still accepted.

• Australia - The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits online gambling within Australia; however, players can gamble at offshore online casinos.

• New Zealand – The Gambling Act 2003 prohibits unlicensed online casinos based in New Zealand; however, pokies fans can legally gamble at overseas online casinos.

The short answer is yes, you can use Mastercard at online casinos in the US. Offshore-based gaming sites accept Mastercard deposits, but can't process withdrawals. In states with regulated online gambling, Mastercard is one of the standard banking options for transactions both ways.

Changes to the Federal Wire Act in 2011 allowed states to legalize and regulate online gambling within their borders. As of now, these are the states that offer locally licensed online casinos:

• Delaware
• New Jersey
• Pennsylvania
• West Virginia

Pros

• Accepted at top online casinos
• Fast and secure deposit transactions
• Offers generous welcome bonuses

Cons

• Casino withdrawals take 1-3 days
• Some operators charge payment fees
• Not all Mastercard applicants succeed