Why doesn't PokerStars use PayPal as a payment method?

oscarhuka · Apr 6, 2020

What countries can deposit via paypal?

Tero · Apr 6, 2020

Hi oscarhuka,

I can't speak on behalf of PokerStars or any other gaming company, but I urge you to familiarize yourself with PayPal's terms of service. Make a google search about "what gambling activities does paypal prohibit" and you'll find that PayPal has a quite grim view towards any money involved gaming.

Since there are so many payment methods available in addition to PayPal my best guess is that most gaming sites just choose some easier way to receive/send money from/to players.

MattRyder · Apr 7, 2020

Nafor said:
Hi oscarhuka,

I can't speak on behalf of PokerStars or any other gaming company, but I urge you to familiarize yourself with PayPal's terms of service. Make a google search about "what gambling activities does paypal prohibit" and you'll find that PayPal has a quite grim view towards any money involved gaming.

That's not how I read it. Rather they take a grim view on gambling in the US. That said, I'm guessing that the one poker site that should be able to qualify as a qualified merchant is afraid to do so because of worries about another Black Friday.

PayPal prohibits transactions for gambling activities by merchants and account holders in the U.S. and any jurisdiction where gambling activities are illegal, and by merchants whose services are accessible to account holders in the U.S.

https://www.paypal.com/ca/smarthelp/article/what-gambling-activities-does-paypal-prohibit-faq915

It's weird. In Canada, Pokerstars accepts visa, mastercard and Interac - all credible, completely legitimate, highly regulated sources but not PayPal.

Debi · Apr 7, 2020

Paypal is just too risky in the gambling industry - too many accounts get closed so no matter where they are located nobody wants to deal with it.

CAC1QU3 · Apr 7, 2020

In Germany PayPal lost a legal dispute and had to pay all the players their losses (because of illegality of Online Gamblin in Germany, except "Schleswig-Holstein").

fantata666 · Apr 7, 2020

I don't know why mine would be because they thought it was not good to pay with this method

try another method

neptun1914 · Apr 7, 2020

Paypal have serious protections for both buyer and seller including the possibility to get your money back if you did not receive what you were promised. It is very well optimized for buy and sell of goods but if used for gambling can lead to too many disputes and hassle so that is why companies like pokerstars avoid it. At least i see it this way as there is no other logical reason that i can think of.

kamciono5 · Apr 7, 2020

Paypal ? In IM environment many people called it gaypal because they closing many accounts and blocking money without any reason. Currently it's the worst way for making transactions (expensive fees) and storing money because you never know when your finances will become freeze and when something like this happens in 90% you won't 'unfreeze' your funds for a long time or never.

rj_montana · Apr 7, 2020

I agree that it would be nice to see PayPal as an option on the major sites. Having said that, I find the payment options to be adequate for my needs. I have successfully made withdrawals from Pokerstars, Partypoker and 888.

Tero · Apr 7, 2020

MattRyder said:
That's not how I read it. Rather they take a grim view on gambling in the US.

I'm not a lawyer, and English is not my first language, but my interpretation of that first paragraph

PayPal prohibits transactions for gambling activities by merchants and account holders in the U.S. and any jurisdiction where gambling activities are illegal, and by merchants whose services are accessible to account holders in the U.S.

is: If a game provider gives a possibility to create a gaming account to an individual who lives in a country where gambling is illegal (and by creating an account I mean: give access to even play money games), game provider can not use PayPal for money transfers even in areas where gambling is legal.

That is not the law, it is simply PayPal's own terms, and they can interpret them as they see fit. PayPal's revenue is counted in billions so I assume they do not want to risk they reputation with anything that could tarnish it.

My suggestion to OP: if there is another way for you use that instead.

lablelarry · Apr 7, 2020

I always thought it was because they didn't want to deal with chargebacks, but reading everyone elses response I'm prob wrong

MattRyder · Apr 7, 2020

I guess most of us are just oblivious to the seedier side of life. I see a telephone as a means to talk to someone and e-mail as a means to send a letter to someone. Scammers see them as tools to steal money from you and me.

I see PayPal as a means to send and receive money. Before reading this thread I honestly never thought of it in any other light. I guess any electronic means of handling money is ripe for abuse and criminal activity. That said, few of us saw Black Friday coming either, well, except for the money launderers and the FBI.

I think I will go back to living my simple, naive existence now. Although maybe I'll go empty my PayPal account first since it came entirely from playing poker.

canabero · Apr 7, 2020

it's good to have a wide variety of options but Paypal has turned worse during the last years.

oscarhuka · Apr 16, 2020

After reading all the comments it is clear to me why Paypal lasted a short time in some poker rooms as a means of payment. Thanks to everyone for your replies Cheers

maronza1 · Feb 28, 2025

@pirateglenn

benitwapasu · Feb 28, 2025

This thread is 5 years old but I dont think much has changed. It is good that I can receive my cardschat winnings in paypal but Im sure if paypal knew it was poker winnings they would put a stop to it.

antonis32123 · Mar 8, 2025

Now pokerstars receive deposits and pay withdrawals at PayPal accounts so no problem . I have used this method , it's instant , plus you can deposit or withdraw from just five dollars

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Why doesn't PokerStars use PayPal as a payment method?

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