Online sportsbooks offer U.S. members the option of funding their account using person-to-person transfer services, such as Western Union or MoneyGram. For many in the U.S., this is a common manner by which they fund their online sportsbook account. It is easy, fast, and secure.

Western Union or MoneyGram

In order to fund your online sportsbook using Western Union or MoneyGram, you will need to contact the book. Usually, books will require that you contact them via live chat or a toll free phone number. The book will give you the name of a person to whom you will send the money. They will also give you the geographic location of the person. You’ll need to supply them with your member information as well as the amount of the deposit. Once you receive the information from the book, you’ll have about 48 hours to make the deposit.

It’s important to note that such person-to-person transfer services are not considered by Western Union or MoneyGram to be transfers to a sportsbook, and no such reference should be made when setting up the transfer with the service providers. Once you give Western Union or MoneyGram the pertinent information, emphasizing that the transfer must be made in U.S. dollars, and you give them the money and pay for the service, the transfer will be made. You will then receive a money transfer number that you will give to the sportsbook.

Completing the Transfer

To get the money into your account, you will contact the sportsbook one more time. You will give them the money transfer number, which they will use to collect the money from either Western Union or MoneyGram. They will then put the cash into your account. The entire process from start to finish takes about one hour.

Fees and Limits

There are fees associated with using these services. They are reasonable (around $10 to $15) and some sites will actually reimburse you for the fee. Many sites also have limits on how much you may transfer during a given week or months. Western Union or MoneyGram are also often limited to one per week.

Your Account

Person to person transfers through either Western Union or MoneyGram are commonly accepted by online sportsbooks. They work quickly and are fairly easy to facilitate. It’s important to plan out how much cash you expect to risk in a given week at a sportsbook as the use of these services tends to be limited to one weekly installment. If there are ever any problems with the transfer, both Western Union and MoneyGram are good about processing refunds. It’s always best and easiest if you have your money transfer number handy when dealing with any issues, as this will instantly help service personnel find your transaction.