The review says AstroPay had become a recognised option for deposits and withdrawals at casinos in Africa, Asia, Europe and LATAM. It also lists support for several major currencies, including INR, BRL, USD, EUR and CAD, and says users can access more currencies through the app’s ‘Currency exchange’ feature.
A digital card lets you pay at a casino without entering debit- or credit-card details on its site. Online casinos take measures to protect payment information, but some customers would rather not save their card details in a casino cashier. Others prefer to keep casino transactions off their bank-card statements.
How AstroPay Works
The mobile app is one way to use AstroPay. The review says customers can add funds, withdraw money and exchange foreign currencies through the app. It describes more than 200 funding methods, including Neteller, debit cards, credit cards and bank transfers.
An AstroPay balance works much like an eWallet: you add funds to the account before spending them. For casino payments, however, the article describes generating a ‘virtual card’ from the balance rather than signing in with an AstroPay username and password at the casino cashier. Select AstroPay Card as the deposit method, enter the amount for the digital card and provide its 16-digit code. The review says the transaction then clears and credits the casino account.
Transactions can be set up through these channels:
- AstroPay account accessed through an HTML5 web browser
- iOS app from the AppStore
- Android app from Google Play
Security
AstroPay is PCI-compliant and DSS certified, and uses 128-bit encryption over HTTPS. It also describes encrypted app transactions and says the service creates a layer between a user’s financial accounts and a casino. For anyone considering a new online casino, the review presents AstroPay Card as a way to avoid linking a primary financial account directly to the casino.
Companies named as being behind the brand are Galactic Mark Limited (CN: 2282481), AP Global Corporation LLP (OC346322) and Larstal Limited (FRN: 901001). They are described as authorised as EMIs under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) 2011 Electronic Money Regulations.
AstroPay Services
AstroPay accounts can hold multiple currencies, making them similar to a foreign-exchange service or multi-currency eWallet. The review describes the ‘electronic digital card’ as the main service: it generates a 16-digit payment code for purchases or casino deposits. It also says customers can receive funds into AstroPay and withdraw them to a bank or eWallet. The article notes a small fee for each service.
- Exchange one currency for another
- Add funds to AstroPay
- Withdraw funds from AstroPay
- Pay or deposit using the 16-digit code
- Withdraw casino funds to AstroPay where the casino supports it
Availability and Currencies
The review says AstroPay Card is available across 6 continents and lists currencies including EUR, CAD, INR, NZD, AUD, GBP, BRL, MXN and COP. Customers with an AstroPay balance can exchange currencies through the company’s in-app service. For example, someone in India might exchange INR for EUR or USD if a casino doesn’t accept INR, then use that currency to deposit.
AstroPay Card: Pros and Cons
The original review places more weight on the listed benefits than the drawbacks:
PROS
- Offers a more private way to make deposits
- Casinos don’t charge for AstroPay deposits
- Casino deposits are described as instant
- The review reports acceptance at casinos worldwide
- Supports transactions in currencies from around the world
- Sign-up is described as taking less than 1 minute
- Use the web browser, iOS app or Android app
CONS
- According to the review, AstroPay does not support cryptocurrencies
- Not every casino supports AstroPay withdrawals
- Using AstroPay adds an extra step before depositing
AstroPay: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is AstroPay available?
AstroPay’s listed official regions are Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, South and Central America, and Western and Central Europe. The number of countries where it is unavailable is described as very small.
How can I access AstroPay?
AstroPay is available in a web browser on desktop computers, laptops, tablets and mobile operating systems. The review also lists an iOS app from the App Store and an Android app from the Google Play store.
Is AstroPay safe?
The original review says yes, citing regulation by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). It says this oversight requires the company to meet security standards and follow consumer-rights and privacy rules. The source also describes encrypted connections, but that doesn’t substantiate its claim that hacking is unlikely; no payment service should be assumed to be risk-free.
Will a casino charge an AstroPay fee?
The review says casino deposits themselves are free, while AstroPay charges a small fee to create a virtual 16-digit card. Check the applicable service terms for costs before using it.
Do all casinos accept AstroPay?
No. AstroPay is widely accepted, but not everywhere, and the review describes it as a growing option for private casino deposits. Check the cashier at each casino to see which payment methods it offers.
