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With an average of 31 transactions per second, Western Union is one of the most reliable payment processors in the world. It is also one of the oldest companies still in operation today with over 150 years of activity on the international financial market.
 | |
|---|---|
| Payment Method | Bank Transfer, Mobile Transfer, Phone Transfer |
| Supported Countries | 200+ |
| Supported Currencies | 140+ |
| Headquarters | Denver, CO |
| Office Locations | 12,500+ |
| Turnover (2022) | $175 billion+ |
Starting off all the way back in 1851, the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company was the precursor to the global payment provider we know today. They first introduced money transfer services in 1871 and the rest is history.
Today, Western Union provides a diverse range of services, with the ability to transfer money in person, online, via a mobile application, or even over the phone in certain countries. This vast accessibility ensures players all over the world can find a Western Union casino with ease.
With over 520,000 agencies across the globe, the payment provider has emerged as a one-stop shop for all your money transfer needs. Despite all this, the actual number of online casinos featuring the payment provider remains limited, which I wouldn’t have expected at first.
Serving millions worldwide, Western Union offers a versatile range of services, including the mobile application, web transactions, and the Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard.
Their services can be used across over 200 countries and 140 different currencies, making them one of the biggest payment providers not just for online casinos but literally everything else.
However, it's essential to understand the associated fees and withdrawal processes in the context of online casinos before you start using Western Union.
Western Union fees can vary from 1% to 4%, depending on your location and any necessary currency exchanges. Thankfully, Western Union’s price estimator tool, allows users to calculate fees easily.
Transfer fees also scale with the amount of money which means transferring $100 over to new USA online casinos can attract fees ranging from 10% to 16%.
Conversely, I noticed that larger amounts were much better suited to be transferred with manageable transfer fees.
In my opinion
You can do much better than Western Union when deciding on payment methods for online casinos, so why not try eZeeWallet Casinos for much lower transaction charges?
Withdrawals are typically straightforward. After updating the delivery method on the Western Union website and providing the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN), users can fill out their banking details.
The casino's customer service team will then handle the transfer process. Withdrawals can take place between the next working day to 4 business days.
Author’s Note
If you’re a new user, you benefit from a zero transfer fee on your first online transaction.
| Pros | Cons |
| Well-established and trustworthy company | Lengthier processing times |
| Vast global accessibility | Fees can be higher for online transactions |
| Multiple transaction methods (in-person, online, phone) | Accepted by a limited number of casinos |
For those who want to use the payment method for deposits and withdrawals, here are the steps I followed to make it happen:
To withdraw, simply contact the casino’s customer support who will proceed to give you an MTCN of their own which can be used online or in person to receive your withdrawal.
Apart from the extensive FAQ section in their help section, you can also contact their 24/7 customer support helpline via an in-app and web-based chat system along with a phone line at 1-800-325-6000.
If you’re in the US, you can also file a complaint specific to your state for a quicker resolution which isn’t available to us non-freedom-loving folks.
As much as I hate to say this, what Western Union offers does not gel with the online casino landscape. The payment system was never meant to be used in casinos and it shows.
The high transfer fees, lengthy withdrawal times, and the small number of casinos that support WU simply don’t justify using the payment method in online casinos.
You can do better, much better in fact by choosing other providers from our Banking and Payment Options list. Why limit yourself in a day and age that is all about expansion and choice?
