bet365 drops credit card deposits in U.S. as regulatory pressure mounts

bet365 has stopped accepting credit cards as a deposit method in the United States, aligning with a broader industry shift as regulators push for stronger consumer protections in sports betting.

The operator confirmed that, effective April 13, 2026, customers can no longer fund accounts using credit cards, while alternative methods such as debit cards and Apple Pay remain available, provided they are not linked to credit facilities.

The move places bet365 alongside major U.S. operators, including DraftKings and FanDuel, both of which have already implemented similar restrictions in recent months as scrutiny over gambling-related financial risks intensifies.

Industry participants have increasingly cited concerns over high fees and interest rates tied to credit card transactions. 

The shift also comes amid growing regulatory momentum across the United States, with several states moving to ban or consider banning the use of credit cards for sports betting. In February, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren raised concerns about “abusive credit card betting fees that rip off Americans” in a letter to operators.

bet365’s decision may also support its renewed push to enter the Massachusetts market, where regulations prohibit the use of credit cards for betting deposits. The company previously failed to secure entry when the state launched legal sports betting in 2023.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has since reopened the license application process at bet365’s request, potentially clearing a path for the operator’s entry into the state.

“That does hearten me, that people still want to enter the legal market in Massachusetts,” MGC chair  Jordan Maynard said last week. “So I have to say I respect that.”

FanDuel has also pointed to the benefits of standardising payment restrictions across jurisdictions, noting that consistent policies can help avoid regulatory complications for customers traveling between states.