American Express (Amex) for Betting in the UK – Best alternatives 2026
Frank Monkhouse
Last updated 23 Dec 2025
We’ll start our review of the best American Express betting sites by covering the main issue of the article. Despite being a major player in the global payment sector, legal and licensed online bookmakers in the United Kingdom don’t accept American Express due to industry regulations. The latest addition to Flashscore’s popular and informative gambling series explains why you can’t use your American Express for betting and, most importantly, highlights the best alternatives to Amex betting sites.
List of Betting Sites with the Best Amex Alternatives
Table of contents
- 1.The Simple Answer: Can You Use American Express for Betting?
- 2.Top UK Betting Sites with the Best Amex Alternatives 2026
- 3.Why Can Not You Use Amex or Credit Cards for Betting in the UK?
- 4.The Best Alternatives to American Express Explained
- 5.The Flashscore Advantage: Making Smart Bets with Safe Payment Methods
The Simple Answer: Can You Use American Express for Betting?
Can you use American Express for online gambling? No, you cannot, under any circumstances, deposit funds to a legal and licensed UK bookmaker using your American Express. Your bookmaker will instantly reject any attempts to deposit funds with this method. There are no betting sites that accept American Express in the United Kingdom.
Please note that it’s not only Amex gambling that’s banned in the sportsbook industry. The industry-wide ban on credit cards also applies to VISA and Mastercard. I’ll reveal the best alternatives in the next section.
Top UK Betting Sites with the Best Amex Alternatives 2026
We now know you can’t use American Express for betting. So, which options do we recommend when depositing funds to your online betting account and withdrawing winnings?
Each of the top names in gambling listed below accepts debit cards and e-wallets, including Visa, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard, and more. You can add one or more of your preferred payment cards to your betting account, giving greater control over your finances.
The sites below are our top-rated picks for overall experience and payment flexibility.
It’s fair to say Betano isn’t one of the most experienced bookmakers in a crowded gambling market. Still, it is a modern and forward-thinking business...
| Overall rating | 92% |
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Betfair’s a world-renowned sportsbook, offering bettors in the UK a competitive offering. They feature thousands of markets across many sports, with o...
| Overall rating | 85% |
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| Overall rating | 87% |
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| Overall rating | 88% |
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| Overall rating | 86% |
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Why Can Not You Use Amex or Credit Cards for Betting in the UK?
Now we have a solution to not being able to use Amex gambling, let’s cover the issue in more detail, explaining the reasoning.
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) Credit Card Ban
In April 2020, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) passed a rule that meant players couldn’t use American Express for betting. The ban covered all credit cards and was designed to stop people betting with borrowed money, encouraging responsible gambling. It’s an industry-wide rule that’s followed by every legal bookmaker today.
Does This Ban Affect E-wallets?
Please be aware that the ban extends to funding e-wallets, including PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, with a credit card if the funds are to be used for betting purposes. You can use e-wallets for betting, but only if the cash is added using a debit card or bank transfer.
The Best Alternatives to American Express Explained
In this section of my article on bookies that accept American Express for Flashscore, I provide a more detailed breakdown of the alternative options available.
| Payment Method | Fee | Process Time | Min | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Debit Card | Free | Instant | £5.00 | £20,000.00 |
 Apple Pay | Free | Instant | £5.00 | £5,000.00 |
 Google Pay | Free | Instant | £5.00 | £5,000.00 |
 Trustly | Free | Instant | £5.00 | £25,000.00 |
 PayPal | Free | Instant | £25.00 | £5,500.00 |
 PaySafe Card | Free | Instant | £5.00 | £770.00 |
 International Bank Transfer | Free | 2-10 Banking Days | £100.00 | £100,000.00 |
Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard)
Debit cards are the most common and popular way to fund online betting accounts and withdraw winnings. They also give you the best possible chance of securing the welcome bonus free bet offered by sportsbooks to new customers. Deposits are instant, but withdrawals can take between one and three days to clear.
E-Wallets (PayPal, Skrill, Neteller)
The biggest and best e-wallets, including PayPal, Skrill and Neteller, are becoming increasingly popular with online bettors and bookmakers as they offer quicker withdrawals than debit cards. But many bookies don’t allow you to deposit using an e-wallet when qualifying for the welcome bonus. As above, deposits are instant.
Bank Transfers (Trustly)
Transfers using Trustly and the like are highly secure, protected by both your payment method and the bookmaker. You can send funds directly from your bank account without sharing your sensitive information, including your account details.
Mobile Payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
We’re witnessing a rise in bettors using mobile payments to deposit funds, including Apple Pay and Google Pay. You can deposit £5 or more with a single click, making it one of the quickest, easiest and most secure ways to add funds. Mobile payments protect all transactions using biometric authentication.
The Flashscore Advantage: Making Smart Bets with Safe Payment Methods
Whether you’re betting on the winner of tonight’s Premier League match broadcast live on television or the outright winner of the Champions League, responsible gambling is essential. Choosing a fast, secure and legal payment method is the first and best step to betting responsibly. You can add one or more payment accounts to your betting profile, including debit cards, e-wallets and mobile payments.
Another crucial step in the journey to responsible gambling is having access to and using the latest stats in your predictions. That’s where Flashscore comes in handy. As any profitable bettor can attest, the more research you do, the better your bets will perform.
The Flashscore website and app have everything you need to get an edge over the oddsmakers. As well as previews and predictions from our list of experts, Flashscore gives you up-to-date team stats, head-to-head scores, injury news, live match data, and plenty more besides. We have everything you need in one place, cutting down your research time, allowing you to focus on enjoying sports.
Flashscore and a payment method, like Visa Debit, give you the complete package. By choosing a secure payment method and backing it up with solid research on Flashscore, you are taking a smart and responsible approach to sports betting, and that’ll show in your results this season.
Meet the Author
I have been involved in the gambling industry for almost 20 years, filling a number of important roles, from the trading floor to content editor. My previews and predictions lean heavily on the stats and trends to help readers identify the value and find winning bets. As a former professional boxer, I boast a unique insight into sports and enjoy covering the biggest events.
FAQ
Why was credit card betting banned in the UK?
To stop gamblers from betting with borrowed money and to promote responsible gambling.
Can I use my American Express card to bet if I'm not in the UK?
No site registered with the UK Gambling Commission will accept American Express payments.
Is the credit card ban permanent?
Yes, that’s highly likely. It’s here to stay.
Are American Express gift cards also banned for betting?
UKGC sites do not accept American Express gift cards.
What is the safest way to deposit at a betting site?
Using a debit card, such as Visa or Mastercard, is best.
Can I get a welcome bonus if I use an e-wallet like PayPal?
No, most bookmakers ask you to deposit using a debit card when qualifying for the welcome bonus.
Will using my debit card on a betting site affect my credit score?
No, it won’t impact your credit score.
