AstroPay is a prepaid card option offered by only a select few betting sites. You can buy the card anywhere in the world as long as you’re 18 years or older but it’s particularly popular in Brazil.
Below we’ll show you where AstroPay is accepted for online betting and explain just how the prepaid card service works along with it’s advantages and disadvantages as a deposit option.
Best Astropay Betting Sites: Top 3
The following is a list of the best sites for betting with Astropay:
*Info accurate as of 22-04-2024 for European market.
Top Astropay Betting Sites: More Info
Astropay Betting With Bet365
What are they like?
This is a tricky one, as Bet365 does accept AstroPay, but only in certain parts of the world. So if you live in those parts of the world, and it tends to be places like Latin America and India where the payment option is available then with its perfect 5/5 rating from us, then bet365 Sports is a great option.
The reason for that is the site’s massive range of markets, its generally great value odds, it’s superb value welcome bonus (together with other ongoing promotions offering regular value to customers) plus the best Live Streaming and In Play betting service you can find anywhere online.
Of course, that’s not much use to you if you live in a country where bet365 Sport does not accept AstroPay as a payment method. However, you can use AstroPay in line with other services, such as Neteller or cryptocurrency, which may be another way you can fund your account with bet365 if you so wish.
Astropay Betting With William Hill
What are they like?
William Hill are one of the most familiar and biggest names in the UK betting industry and they have expanded to cover many other countries around the world over the last few years. As they have expanded the number of betting payment options available has increased markedly and you can use AstroPay on the site alongside a myriad of other payment services.
With a very solid all round site, with a number of features you won’t find on other sites (such as WH Radio), a good starter bonus and an extensive range of sports betting markets, we feel William Hill deserves its 4.5/5 award from us – making them not just one of the best AstroPay betting sites but one of the best overall as well.
There are areas the site can improve. The website is a little dated, the odds tend not to be the most generous you can find online and the customer service options are perhaps a little lacking, but these are minor niggles when you see the fantastic promotions and number and scale of the markets on offer for your AstroPay betting needs.
Astropay Betting With 888Sport
What are they like?
888 Sport landed a very respectable 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review and the site scores highly when it comes to the number of payment options available, one of which is AstroPay. We did find a couple of issues with its website, and we think the site may need to improve the customer service options, but these are generally small niggles on what is a good site overall.
We’ve seen a real improvement with the 888Sport website and mobile service over the years and the good choice of markets per spot, together with some of the better value odds on a number of sports, notably football, does make this an appealing option.
We’re less enamoured with the sites lack of live streaming and match stats and data but if you are seeking an AstroPay-friendly site in the UK, that offers extensive betting options, as well as a number of other 888-branded services such as Poker and Casino gaming, then 888Sport is a great place to start.
Deposits & Withdrawals: Limits & Times
| Bookmaker | Min | Deposit | Withdraw | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Hill | $10-$10,000 | Instant | n/a | 0% |
| 888Sport | $10-$10,000 | Instant | n/a | 0% |
Mobile Astropay Betting Sites
App stats:
- Bonus: Bet £10 get £30 free bets
- Size: 38.1MB
- Speed: Excellent
- Stability: Incredibly Stable & Reliable
- Compatible: iOS & Android
Not too many sites offer payment services via AstroPay, but the good news is that all of the trio that we have listed above offer excellent mobile services and it was a pretty close call between them all for the title of the best available.
In the end, we’ve plumped for bet365 Sport for just a couple of reasons. Firstly, the way the app is integrated with the website means that you can access many of the great features of the app as you would from a desktop, with no loss of quality, or speed of access.
Secondly, the bet365 App is simplicity in itself. It is very intuitive to use, where you would expect the bets and markets to be are where you will find them. Add to that an extensive range of In Play betting, plus an outstanding Live Streaming service and you have all the boxes ticked for a high-quality mobile app.
The minimum deposit with AstroPay is around $10 (or currency equivalent) and the maximum deposit is $10,000. You can’t use AstroPay to withdraw funds
How to Use AstroPay for Online Gambling
To deposit into your betting account with AstroPay, you need to set up your AstroPay account online first. Remember, AstroPay is an online virtual debit card service, you won’t receive a physical AstroPay card and everything is contained from your online account.
Using AstroPay to make a betting deposit is just like using the prepaid card to make any online purchase. All you have to do is to follow these steps:
- Go to the AstroPay website, and head to the page where you can buy new cards.
- Choose your country of residence when prompted. You’ll then see the payment methods available to you.
- Select your chosen payment method and the amount you wish to load your AstroPay card with. Buy the card.
- You’ll then receive all of the details of your card (number, CVV, expiry date).
- Head to your chosen betting site, login, and visit the ‘Deposit’ area of your account.
- Choose ‘AstroPay’ from the list of available deposit options.
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit and all of your AstroPay card details when prompted.
- Once you’ve confirmed the deposit, your chosen funds will appear in your betting account.
How To Withdraw Using AstroPay
Unfortunately, as AstroPay is a pre-paid debit card, you cannot withdraw funds back to an AstroPay account from your betting site provider.
That means that to withdraw funds from your account, you are going to have to set up a secondary method to access your funds. The easiest option would likely be a debit card or bank account transfer, but you will have to complete the security procedures that are in place in your country (such as the anti-money laundering verification that is in place in the UK) in order to set up a withdrawal method.
Given that many betting sites now have a system where withdrawals are made back to the payment method used to make the deposit, if you are going to use AstroPay, then we would recommend that you use a different payment method initially, such as a debit card or similar, and get your account set up so withdrawals can be made direct to your bank account before you start depositing with AstroPay and that should make the process run more smoothly.
Pros & Cons of AstroPay Betting Sites
As is the case with all different banking methods, AstroPay has some advantages over other forms of payment, but it also has some disadvantages too. The main positives and negatives when using the cards are detailed below:
Pros
- Using AstroPay is completely free of any fees when making a deposit into your account. That means all the money you load onto the card can be used for betting.
- When using AstroPay, you are not required to give betting sites any further information than your account details with AstroPay, which serves as a buffer between your personal banking account and cards and the betting site. This does give customers an additional layer of security (similar to that you would get using an eWallet service, such as PayPal).
- This also means that you won’t see any transactions from your bank account into your betting account as they will all go via AstroPay.
- The payment method is especially popular in Latin America and India in particular and as such, is open to a sizeable number of people in those regions.
- As this is a debit card that you pre-load with cash, it is very easy to keep track of how much you are spending with your AstroPay account and you cannot go into debt using it.
Cons
- Outside of the main regions where AstroPay is popular, it can be difficult to find and purchase an Astropay card. For example, in the UK, you can only buy one using the Neteller service, or through paying for one using certain types of cryptocurrency.
- Not all major betting sites accept AstroPay and of those that do, you can only use the method in certain locations, namely South American countries and India.
- You will need to set up an additional payment method to facilitate withdrawals from your account as you cannot withdraw back to an AstroPay card. This can prove to be a little time consuming when setting up an account initially, especially if your chosen site will only offer withdrawals back to the payment method you used initially.
- As you do not have a physical card, you cannot use AstroPay as you would a direct debit card in real world shops etc.
- AstroPay is only really most viable to use in selected regions where it is popular, notably South America, there are easier payment options to use for customers in other parts of the world, especially Europe.
Countries Where AstroPay Is Accepted For Betting
AstroPay can be found in hundreds of countries around the world, including the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, North America and Central and Southern America although it is primarily in Latin America where the service first established a foothold as a good payment method for sports betting.
In truth, AstroPay can be accessed in almost every country, but whether or not you can use it for sports betting depends on two things. First the rules and regulations regarding sports betting in the country in which you reside and specifically, if it is legal or not.
Secondly, the other issue (and this is more a key one for us) is whether or not betting sites in your region accept AstroPay as a payment method. As we can see from looking from the UK perspective, there are not a lot that do.
That said, the service is used widely in Latin America and is starting to gain a foothold in other countries, such as India, where the list of AstroPay betting sites includes Bet365.
In truth, AstroPay’s availability is likely to be more down to the choice of sports betting providers in your region as to whether they offer it or not, than it not being available at all. As such, checking out what payment options are offered by your bookmaker is a great place to start.
Security: Stay Safe With AstroPay
As an online pre-loaded virtual debit card, AstroPay does offer a high level of security simply by means of how it is set up and used. In truth, the most common way that fraud can be committed on an AstroPay account is when a user gives away their log in details (either by mistake, or by being tricked), so it is generally a secure method to use.
Account Security
Your AstroPay account will be set up with a password and log in of your own choosing. Obviously, you need to keep these safe to ensure your account is secure and it is a good idea to periodically change your password to keep your account security tight.
Added to that, you bave the strict financial industry-standard regulations regarding your account and how safe it is from hackers and other types of fraudulent misuse when you sign up with AstroPay meaning it is as secure, perhaps even more so, than your bank account’s debit card.
Can’t Lose More Than You’ve Put Onto Your Card
If the worst comes to the worst and someone compromises your account, unlike your bank account, or a credit card, where they can run up serious debt, the most a fraudster can access is the balance left on the card. Whilst this is still annoying to lose it’s much better than having your full current account balance compromised which would be the case when using a debit card.
Easy To Control
Having a virtual AstroPay card means not only can you not lose the card when you are outside, or perhaps when you misplace your wallet or purse, but you can also access your account through your mobile device allowing you quick and easy access to it wherever you are and whatever time it is.
This is in addition to how much money is actually on the card, which you decide when you pre-load it with cash before use.
About AstroPay
AstroPay was first founded back in 2009 as a payment processing platform that operated using virtual pre-loaded debit cards.
Initially, the service was focused primarily on the South American region and it proliferated across the region becoming a popular method for people to use to pay for items, or fund their betting accounts, online through a reliable and secure source.
Over the years, the availability of AstroPay has grown more widespread and you can now access it in most countries around the world, with many shops and online vendors accepting payments using AstroPay.
However, whether or not your sports book site does offer AstroPay as a method of payment is still quite sketchy. In some regions, while AstroPay is accessible, it may not be offered by the majority sports books in that region, so finding sports books that will accept this form of payment is more problematic in some parts of the world than in others.
The company has also recently moved into endorsements with top sporting teams including Burnley Football Club, Newcastle United Football Club and the Sri Lankan cricket team.
How Does AstroPay Work?
AstroPay Contact Info
To contact AstroPay, you need to visit their website. Then click on the Contact tab at the foot of the page linked here.
Here you will see a form which you need to complete with your details and then you can submit your email request for help or information here. A member of the AstroPay team will then reach out to you and hopefully resolve your issue, or point you to someone that can.
The site also has a strong presence on social media and these channels may also be a good source of information and for contacts.
AstroPay Company History
AstroPay was founded around a decade ago. In its earliest years, the prepaid card company focussed solely on Latin America. There, you can buy cards via direct bank transfer, as well as in person at a variety of retailers.
By 2017, AstroPay had become the fastest growing payment provider in Latin America and had started to extend its global reach moving into other regions such as Asia, Europe and Africa in the ensuing years.
Today, you can buy an AstroPay card almost anywhere in the world, and in almost any currency, using over 200 different payment methods. However, in many nations outside of Latin America, only relatively few payment methods are accepted and it may also not be offered by a majority of sports books in these regions.
Astropay FAQ
What is AstroPay?
AstroPay is a prepaid card designed for making purchases online. You can use it at websites that are affiliated with the company. The card is available to buy to anyone around the globe, aged 18 or over. It’s accepted as a payment method by thousands of websites, from many different countries.
How Do You Buy An Astropay Card?
Exactly how you can buy an AstroPay card differs according to where you live. The company was initially aimed at the Latin American market. It’s easier to buy an AstroPay card in nations in that part of the world than elsewhere.
In countries like Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil you can buy an AstroPay card via bank transfer. Elsewhere in the world, your options for buying a prepaid card are more limited. When you buy it, you choose a prepay amount for the card, and pay for it there and then. You then receive the details of your AstroPay card.
Do I Get An Actual Card From AstroPay?
You don’t actually get a physical card, you get the details you need to enter online to use it for a purchase. Those details are the card’s 16-digit number, its CVV, and its expiry date. The expiry date will always be exactly one year from the date you bought it.
Can I Use My AstroPay Card More Than Once?
Each card is usable any number of times you like, until you’ve spent the entire prepay amount you loaded it with. Cards are not re-loadable. When you’ve spent the full amount that you loaded onto the card, you need to buy a new AstroPay card. You’ll have to use that one for subsequent purchases.
How Long Do AstroPay Deposits And Withdrawals Take?
Any deposit made with AstroPay will be completed instantly and you should have the funds in your betting account to use immediately.
Even the best AstroPay betting sites do not offer withdrawals via AstroPay. You will need to set up a secondary payment source, such as Bank Transfer or similar, in order to accept withdrawals from your chosen bookmaker.
Are There Any Fees If I User AstroPay?
No, if you use AstroPay with a betting service, then there will not be any fees charged for any deposits made using the service.
However, depending on which withdrawal service you decide to use alongside your AstroPay deposits, some of these services may incur a charge, but similarly some of these services are also free too.
Will I Get The Welcome Offer If I Use AstroPay?
Although this is very much up to the individual casino, given that using AstroPay is the same as using any other debit card, including pre-loaded debit cards, there should be no reason why you should not be able to access the welcome offer on any of the AstroPay betting sites listed above.
However, be sure to double check the small print on any welcome offer just in case a bookmaker stipulated that only the stated payment methods are usable for their welcome offer, or they may list certain payment methods that are excluded.
Is AstroPay Safe To Use With Betting Sites?
Yes, AstroPay is very safe to use with betting sites, although which betting sites offer AstroPay as a payment method depend very much on where you are accessing the service from. AstroPay is more commonly accepted at certain bookmakers in certain parts of the world, and far less popular with betting sites in other regions.
Are There Any Similar Deposit Options?
AstroPay is very similar to a pre-loaded debit card, which you may have used on holiday, or online, in the past. It also shares a number of similarities with a standard bank debit card, but there are also some key differences between these types of payment method and AstroPay.
AstroPay combines some of the flexibility and security features of these debit card services with multiple funding options you only usually find on eWallet services, including an excellent cryptocurrency selection too.
See Other Deposit Options:
