What on Earth is Skrill?
Originally know as Moneybookers, the company was founded 2001 as a money transfer business, with an emphasis on inexpensive international transactions. The Investcorp investment group purchased the company in 2007 and quickly expanded the business. By 2011, Moneybookers had 25 million customers and was being used as a payment option by Facebook and eBay. It was that year the company was rebranded as Skrill, a name referencing a slang term (skrilla) for money. Skrill integrated software companies — like Payolution, Paysafecard and Ukash — to improve their services and broaden their international reach. In 2015, Skrill combined with its largest competitor to create its current business structure with 36 million customers and 156 thousand merchants in 200 countries, using 40 currencies.
How to Start Skrilling
Setting up a Skrill account, or “wallet”, follows similar steps to those of other major online payment services. First you provide your email address and a secure password. Then you can link credit and debit cards as well as bank accounts to your Skrill wallet. Now you’re set!
Uploading money into your e-wallet is free when you use bank wires and transfers. Depositing funds from a credit card will incur Skrill fees, and possibly additional charges from your card.
Skrill Versus PayPal
Skrill and PayPal are two of the largest online payment systems, and offer similar services. Though Skrill is the smaller of the two companies, it has been reported to be more widely offered than PayPal as a poker payment option by online sites. Here are the main differences between the two e-wallet companies:
- Skrill has a VIP program for frequent customers, offering lower fees and multi-currency transactions. PayPal does not have a VIP program.
- Skrill offers referral awards. PayPal does not.
- PayPal has lower exchange rate fees.
- Skrill charges fees for unused accounts. PayPal does not.
- Receiving money via credit card incurs fees on PayPal.
- Sending money via credit card incurs fees on Skrill.
Both companies offer:
- Rapid fund delivery
- Smartphone apps
- Financial data privacy
- Multi-step authorization features
- Fraud protection measures
Skrill Smart, Skrill Safe
It’s best to treat your Skrill wallet with the same cautious care as you would with your bank accounts. Here are some tips for keeping your transactions secure:
- Even though Skrill utilizes the highest of encryption standards, you should monitor incoming and outgoing transactions to make sure they are yours.
- Be sure to make your account’s password as strong as possible. Using a combination of symbols, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters makes your account safer.
- Avoid gambling or moving money around when using an unsecured public wireless network.
- Utilize Two Factor Authentication (2FA) to further secure your financial matters.
How to Skrill Up Your Casino Account – Step-By-Step
Skrill is one of the most prevalent e-wallet systems found at online casinos. The company got into the gaming business early on and still offers good rates to poker rooms. As a result, it’s easy to fund your casino account with Skrill.
- Review the site’s minimum and maximum deposit limits. And double-check the amount of money available to you through your Skrill wallet.
- Create a new account with the casino, if you haven’t yet. At the end of this process you’ll be given an opportunity to deposit money on the site’s banking page.
- If you already have an account, click over to the site’s “Cashier” or “Banking” page.
- Of the deposit options, choose “Skrill”.
- With Skrill you don’t have to enter credit card or banking information. Instead, log into your account when prompted.
- Enter a deposit amount that suits the limits mapped out in Step #1.
- Read the site’s Terms and Conditions page. And then, if you’re okay with their T-and-Cs, click the Accept button or check box.
- Skrill processes payments within seconds, so keep an eye on your poker account balance for your deposit to appear.
- Start playing whenever you like.
Skrill Online Poker Rooms
Many top US poker sites accept Skrill deposits and withdrawals. BetOnline Poker, SportsBetting Poker, BetDSI (Diamond Sportsbook International), Betsson’s TonyBet Poker, Intertops Poker, and Bookmaker Poker are Skrill poker sites. Most of the online poker rooms in the regulated New Jersey, Delaware, and Nevada cardplayer markets allow Skrill payments. In New Jersey, poker sites like Borgata Online Poker, PokerStars New Jersey, 888 Poker New Jersey, PartyPoker New Jersey, PalaPoker.com, PlayMGM Casino, and WSOP.com New Jersey accept Skrill deposits. In Delaware, the online casino and poker site Delaware Park Online accepts Skrill. WSOP.com Nevada is a Nevada Skrill poker site.
In the international online poker market, the most popular and successful poker sites use Skrill. PokerStars, Bet365, 888 Poker, Ladbrokes Poker, William Hill Poker, Betfred Poker, Paddy Power Poker, and Betfair Poker are Skrill online poker sites. Skrill is a deposit and withdrawal method in hundreds of other online card rooms, too.
Skrill Deposits: Pros and Cons
Skrill has some advantages over credit card deposits by Visa, MasterCard, or Amex. Skrill is better than bank wire deposits and many e-Transfers. In short, web wallets like Skrill have their pros and cons. Here’s a list of reasons to consider Skrill payments.
- Added Security: Using an e-Wallet like Skrill puts an added layer of security between your bank account or credit card account and the poker site. While legit cardrooms are safe, many players don’t want their financial information stolen. This puts it behind another firewall.
- Skrill Benefits: Skrill has a loyalty program much like a credit card’s rewards program or a poker site’s VIP club. When you spend with Skrill, you’ll get cashback and other rewards.
- Online Merchant Services: Skrill is useful for more than poker payments. Skrill is accepted payment method at retailers in 200 countries worldwide, along with millions of online merchants.
- Fast Payments: Skrill has instant deposits, while withdrawals are often faster than bank wire transfers. While Skrill isn’t alone with instant payments, it’s no worse.
- Free Deposits: Most of the time, it is free to make deposits using Skrill. Withdrawals are a different matter, which brings us to one big drawback.
- Transaction Fees: Skrill withdrawals often cost money. You won’t have to pay $50 fees like you would with a bank wire transfer or courier check (sometimes), but the fees are more than credit card or Bitcoin fees.
Is Skrill Better Than Neteller?
These days, Skrill and Neteller are both owned by the same company, PaySafe Group. If you compare Skrill versus Neteller here in 2018, the two e-Wallet services are amazingly similar. Both are accepted in 200 countries worldwide. Both have the same ATM fees and cash advance fees. Both Skrill and Neteller provide the same essential services.
Some differences exist. Neteller is an accepted payment method in 2500 online betting sites, while Skrill is accepted at 2,345 online gaming sites. Neteller has higher limits on ATM withdrawals and shopping limits, while Skrill has more easily attainable VIP benefits. Skrill is better for mobile poker players, because of Skrill 1-Tap. Because you can more easily collect cashback and rewards (through Skrill) for Skrill poker deposits and because Skrill is easy for Android poker players and iPhone users, I give the edge to Skrill over Neteller. The competition is close.
Conclusion
Skrill e-Wallet is one of the best deposit methods for online poker players. You’ll find few other payment processors which have as wide-ranging access, both in the United States and international online poker niches. If you want a bit of extra security on your poker deposits and withdrawals and don’t mind a small fee to buy that layer of privacy, then Skrill deposits and withdrawals might be the best alternative to Visa, MasterCard, and American Express deposits.
FAQs
Who the heck calls his company Skrill?
Martin Ott, co-CEO of then-Moneybookers, in 2011.
Is Skrill available internationally?
Yes! Transactions can be made to and from 200 countries in 40 currencies.
Can I manage my Skrill account on mobile devices?
Yes, there are Skrill apps for iOS, Android and Windows-based mobile devices. These apps let you check your balance and transaction history, as well as send or receive payments, while you’re on the go.
Are there withdrawal fees from the poker site or Skrill?
The poker sites reviewed by us will not charge you a fee to withdraw funds, but they may have withdrawal size and timing requirements. Please read their rules first. Receiving money into your Skrill account is free of charge, but transferring those funds back to your bank incurs a $5.50 fee. This fee goes away if you’re upgraded to their VIP program.
Are there deposit limits?
Each poker room has its own minimum deposit allowances. Please be sure to familiarize yourself with this before funding your account. Skrill only restricts you to your e-wallet balance or your linked credit card’s limit.
If I use Skrill can I still get a welcome bonus?
Yes. Using Skrill to start your account won’t make you ineligible for the bonus. But make sure to read the site’s terms for receiving and keeping that award.
Does Skrill offer any perks?
Yes, Skill has three types of member fringe benefits:
- Check the site’s exclusive offer page for dozens of bonuses and free offers that work in tandem with different poker sites.
- There is a VIP membership program for customers who use Skrill for large transaction quantities. VIP perks include lowered or removed fees, dedicated support and multi-currency accounts.
- Referring friends to Skrill can earn you up to 10% of the fees generated by their transactions over their first year.
When can I start gambling already?!
Right now. Skrill transfers your deposit funds “almost instantly“. So, it’s only a matter of seconds between when your money reaches the casino and when it’s yours to play with.
