Thinking of using your credit card to deposit at an online casino in Canada?
Read this first—so you don’t get hit with surprise fees or high-interest charges.
- A cash advance happens when your credit card treats a transaction like a loan—not a purchase
- Online casino deposits often trigger this without warning
- Cash advances charge higher interest, start right away, and offer no cashback or rewards
- Some Canadian banks treat all gambling transactions as cash advances
- You can avoid it with the right cards or payment methods
What Is a Cash Advance?
A cash advance is when you use your credit card to borrow money rather than buying something.
Common examples:
- Withdrawing cash from an ATM
- Sending money using your credit card
- Depositing at an online casino (in many cases)
Even though you’re not literally taking cash out when you play online, many banks treat it the same way, and that’s where the fees kick in.
What Happens When You Get a Cash Advance?
Here’s what to expect:
1. No Grace Period
You pay interest immediately—even if you pay your bill right away.
2. Higher Interest Rates
Cash advances are usually charged at 21.99% to 25%+ interest.
3. Extra Fees
Most banks charge a flat fee (like CA$5–CA$10) or a percentage of the amount (like 2–3%).
4. No Cashback or Rewards
Even if you normally earn points, miles, or cash—you get nothing on cash advances.
Real Example
Let’s say you try to deposit CA$100 into a casino:
| Scenario | Cost to You |
|---|---|
| ✅ It’s treated as a purchase | CA$100 flat. You might earn cashback. |
| ❌ It’s treated as a cash advance | CA$100 + CA$5 fee + 21.99% interest |
How Canadian Banks Treat Online Casino Deposits
Here’s how major Canadian banks usually handle online gambling:
| Bank | Treats Casino Payments As Cash Advance? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RBC | ✅ Yes | Most transactions are flagged |
| TD | ✅ Yes | High cash advance rate |
| Scotiabank | ✅ Yes | Also applies to sports betting |
| CIBC | ⚠️ Sometimes | Depends on the card type |
| BMO | ✅ Yes | Flat cash advance fee applies |
| Tangerine | ✅ Yes | Interest starts right away |
| Capital One | ✅ Yes | Usually blocks some casinos |
| KOHO / Neo / EQ | ❌ Often blocked | Some don’t allow gambling use |
📌 Tip: These policies change. Always start with a small deposit to test.
How to Avoid Cash Advance Fees at Online Casinos
If you don’t want to deal with surprise charges, try one of these:
- Prepaid Visa or Mastercard gift cards → Work at many casinos, no credit involved
- eCheck, Interac, or Instadebit → Direct from your bank, low/no fees
- Crypto (if allowed by the casino) → No banks involved, fast payouts
- Credit cards from smaller banks or fintechs → Some don’t classify gambling as cash advances
- Use a low-risk test deposit → Try CA$10–CA$20 and see how your statement handles it
Final Thoughts
Not all credit card deposits are created equal.
Some are quick and easy. Others come with hidden fees, no rewards, and higher interest from the moment you click “Confirm.”
Before you deposit, make sure:
- You know how your card works
- You test with a small amount
- You’re not accidentally triggering a cash advance
