GiroPay Background
Launched in 2006, GiroPay was developed as online shopping expanded and customers sought secure ways to pay. Participating banks represented more than 60% of account holders across Germany and Austria, giving many residents of those countries access to the service for online gaming.
At a merchant that offers GiroPay, customers select their bank and sign in to make a payment. The service reportedly uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. An online casino is also said not to retain the customer's banking information. These are descriptions, not independent confirmation of a casino's data practices.
Paying at Gambling Sites with GiroPay
First, check the casino cashier to see whether GiroPay is available. The method is reportedly often offered by sites serving customers in Germany and Austria, but availability varies by casino and should be confirmed there.
Choose GiroPay to view the participating banks, then select your institution. The payment flow redirects you to your bank’s sign-in page, where you log in and enter the deposit amount.
An additional authorization step is described: after you request the deposit, a Transaction Authentication Number (TAN) is issued and must be entered to continue. Deposited funds are then said to be available for play immediately.
GiroPay itself does not charge a fee for casino deposits, though your bank may apply one. An average bank fee of 1% of the deposit is reported when a charge applies; check your institution’s terms to confirm the amount.
Why Some Players Choose GiroPay
GiroPay can be linked to a chequing or savings account. Players who want to set a spending limit could first move a chosen amount into a separate savings account, then use that balance for a deposit.
The service will not approve a deposit that would overdraw an account. This stated feature may help prevent a transaction from exceeding the account balance, but it does not set a gambling budget for the player.
Participating banks reportedly already serve most customers in Germany and Austria. Users can access GiroPay by requesting online banking access through their bank.
Other benefits listed include:
- Bank details can be entered through the payment flow and, according to the review, are not collected or stored by the gambling site.
- Deposits are described as instant, so players can place bets soon after paying.
- Fees are described as low or uncommon; when charged, the reported range is 0.9% to 1.2%, plus an additional €0.08 per transaction.
Limits and Points to Consider
The review describes GiroPay as available only in Germany and Austria, with transactions restricted to EUR. It therefore suggests that relatively few casinos may offer it. These details apply to the markets described and do not establish availability in Canada.
GiroPay is described as a deposit option without a way to withdraw. According to the review, players need another method—such as an e-wallet, credit card, or debit card—to receive winnings. Those alternatives may involve fees, so check their terms first.
GiroPay at a glance
For people who can access it, the review presents GiroPay as a convenient way to make casino deposits and says users may already know it from online shopping. It cannot process withdrawals, so a separate method would be needed to cash out. This positive assessment applies to the markets and conditions described; it does not establish that GiroPay or any casino is available to Canadian players.
