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Western Union Betting Sites

Written by Glenn Roberts
Glenn is a sports lover and writes about Soccer and American Football. He also covers reviews of bookmakers, betting apps and deposit or withdrawal methods that players can use at online sportsbooks.
, | Updated: September 10, 2024

One of the older money transfer services is Western Union. It is based on the idea of transferring money from point A to point B and it provides a safe way to send money. There are some interactive sportsbooks which also allow their members to use Western Union for their payments.

With more than 500,000 Western Union agents located across different parts of the world, it is easy to see why many punters can make use of this payment solution and boost their betting account in a safe manner. In order to be able to send money via Western Union, punters will have to provide the recipient’s name and location. It is also extremely easy to find the nearest Western Union agent by visiting the official website of the company.

It is definitely a payment process which ensures safe transactions and gives bettors the chance to use Western Union for both their deposits and withdrawals. In order to make payments of its customers even easier, Western Union also offers online transactions. This makes one of the oldest payment solutions in the world more suitable for modern consumers.

How Does Western Union Function?

functionIn order to understand the process of work of Western Union, you can consider it as a mediator between the individual sending money and the one who receives it. For instance, when you wish to send money to someone, you can check on Western Union’s official website where the location of the agent closest to you is.

When you visit a Western Union office, you will have to fill in the Send Money part of the form which was presented to you. Select Cash Pickup and Money in Minutes which ensures faster transactions in more than 200 different countries around the world. The next step is to give the agent the form you have filled out and provide the cash amount you would like to send. You must also include the fee that will cost you for the transaction. You will be given e receipt and a tracking number (MTCN) which you will have to share with the recipient.

Send Money Online

As it was said earlier, there is also the option to make online transactions via Western Union. It should be noted, however, that it is a service available only between the citizens of 23 countries. In addition to that, you will need to open an account at Western Union in order to be able to send money online.

Once you have opened an account, you can send money online via Western Union. When you log into your account, you will have to choose the country, the amount you wish to send and the payment method. The next step is to fill in the receiver’s name and choose the card you would like to use for the payment. Then you will receive an email with a tracking number (MTCN) that you need to share with the recipient.

You can choose to send money to the recipient’s bank account or opt for a cash pick up. If you pick to send money to a bank account, make sure that you have all the bank details of the receiver since you will need them when filling the money transfer form. You can use your credit/debit card or your bank account to send money.

There is also the option to send money to a mobile wallet if the receiver resides in El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, Philippines and Madagascar and utilizes a supported mobile wallet. When you are initiating the transfer, you will need to enter the name and mobile number of the receiver. You can send up to $500 to a mobile wallet via Western Union. Both you and the recipient will receive information about the transaction via a text message.

Western Union Mobile App

mobile appDespite being one of the oldest money transfer services in the world, this does not mean that Western Union cannot adjust to your modern daily life. This is why there is also a mobile application you can install on your smart device and transfer money with just a few taps on the screen.

The mobile application is available for both Android and iOS devices and can be found at the Google Play and the iTunes app stores. For iPhone users, there is also the convenience of completing a transaction in a few seconds thanks to the Touch ID feature. You can easily utilize your credit or debit card for the transfer of money by simply scanning the card with the camera of your smart device. In addition to that, the mobile app of Western Union also allows you to quickly repeat transfers to people whom you have sent money before.

You will have the chance to use your credit/debit card, your bank account, Apple Pay or cash for your transfers. Just like the in-person and online process of sending money, you will receive a tracking number when you initiate a transfer via the mobile app. You can use the MTCN so that you can easily track your transfer on the Western Union application.

Another wonderful advantage of the mobile app is that it allows you to pay your utility bills even when you are on the go. You can send up to $500 to various parts of the world and all you need to do is to request the transaction on your mobile device, request to pay in cash and finish the transaction at a nearby Western Union agent.

Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard

Another great product that Western Union is offering is a prepaid card. It gives you the freedom to make hassle-free money transfers as well as pay for purchases, manage your utility bills and have control over your transactions.

Combining the convenience of a Netspend prepaid card and the ability to send money across different part of the world, the Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard rewards you with quick access to your money and allows easy payments.

Thanks to this prepaid card, you can even enjoy your paychecks earlier than usual since your payroll or any type of government benefit is transferred directly to your account. On top of that, you can easily check online your prepaid card account and keep a track of your money and transactions. You can also download the Western Union Netspend Prepaid mobile app on your iOS or Android device. This will allow you to see every transaction at any time of the day, no matter where you are.

You will also be able to send money to your friends or family with a few taps on the screen. Another great feature of the app will enable you to upload your checks to your prepaid card account by simply scanning it with the camera of your device. The Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard is definitely a wonderful product that will help you manage your money with ease.

Opening an Account

open accountWhile you do not need an account when you are making a money transfer in person, you will have to open one if you are intending to do online transfers via Western Union. If you are a new customer, you will be able to create your profile on the official website of Western Union. The first thing that you will need to provide is your email address. When you move to the next step, you will be asked to provide some personal information.

You must provide your full name, your address, date of birth and phone number. You will also have to create the password you will use to log into your account. It should be noted that you need to be at least 18 years of age in order to be able to open an account at Western Union.

Depositing to Your Sportsbook Balance

depositIf you are betting online and you are wondering how you can top up your balance via Western Union, you will have to follow a few simple steps. If you have decided to use this payment option at a sportsbook, you will have to contact the support agents first. This is done so that you can receive the recipient details that you will need in order to make the transaction.

The next step is to visit a Western Union agent, fill in a form and provide the information of the receiver. After you are given a tracking number, you will have to share it with the agents of the sportsbook. The time it would take for your funds to appear in your account depends on both your country of residence and the betting site. Your money may be transferred to your sportsbook account in a few minutes or it can take between 1 and 3 working days.

Since there are some betting sites that also accept payments to their bank accounts, you can opt for making a money transfer to the sportsbook’s bank account. This will guarantee that your money will be sent even faster and you will be able to see your deposit in your online betting balance.

While the minimum deposit for Western Union users may differ in every sportsbook, many betting sites refund the fees if your deposit exceeds a certain deposit amount.

Withdrawing from Your Sportsbook Balance

withdrawalThe great thing about Western Union is that you can also use this payment method for your withdrawals at some virtual sportsbooks. In fact, requesting a cashout via Western Union is even easier than using this method for deposits.

Whenever you feel like withdrawing your betting funds, you simply have to head to Cashier, pick Western Union as your preferred method and enter the amount you want to cash out. After your request is processed, you will receive an email with the MTCN and the information you need to get your money from a nearby Western Union agent.

If you are withdrawing your winnings via Western Union, it may take up to 2 business days to receive your money. However, depending on your country of residence, this period may be extended. There is usually a fee for punters who utilize Western Union for their withdrawals and it differs according to the website where you bet.

Cost and Fees

cost and feesWhenever you are making a money transfer via Western Union, you will be informed about the fees that you will be charged for using the money transfer service. Depending on your country of residence as well as the one of the receiver, there might also be a conversion fee. It is charged if you are making the transaction in a currency different than the one used in your jurisdiction. The maximum exchange rate fee that most countries have to pay is 6%. This charge does not apply to countries in the Eurozone.

You can see the Money in Minutes Transfer Fee that you will be charged in accordance with the country where the receiver lives and the amount you are transferring. In some territories such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, there is a service which offers transfers in just 12 hours. This imposes higher fees which can be also checked on the official website of Western Union.

You can easily calculate the fee that you will be charged by choosing the country of the recipient, the zip code, the amount you would like to send and the currency in which the money will be converted. You can see the additional charges for online transfers, in-person transfers, sending money by phone or via the mobile app.

Security and Privacy

privacyThe reason why Western Union have been a preferred money-transfer method for numerous customers is the fact that it ensures a secure process. While it is your responsibility to be aware of any suspicious behavior and fraudulent attempts, Western Union does make great efforts to ensure safe transactions. This is why, on the website of the company, you can find detailed information about common scams and how to avoid them.

On top of everything, Western Union does employ various technologies in order to guarantee data protection. With the help of SSL encryption every piece of sensitive information that you share, as well as your money, are properly protected and no third party can have access to them.

It should be noted that Western Union does not offer an escrow service and it simply makes sure to transfer money from a sender to a certain receiver. This is why you are advised to be careful to whom you are sending money and avoid transferring funds to parties they do not know or cannot trust.

Advantages of Paysafecard

advantagesThere are most definitely many advantages to using Western Union for transferring money. Since many individuals around the world have entrusted this payment solution, it is no surprise that it can be used at various interactive sportsbooks as well.

Western Union is available worldwide with more than 500,000 different agents. This means that numerous punters will have the chance to find an agent near them and complete their transaction to a sportsbook in a hassle-free manner. Since finding a trustworthy payment solution can be an issue for some punters due to their jurisdictions, Western Union gives an additional opportunity for secure deposits and withdrawals at sportsbooks.

Another positive quality about transactions via Western Union is the fact that they are extremely safe. The service has extensive experience and it provides customers with a trustworthy way to send money from point A to point B. What is more, even if you opt for transfers online, you can be sure that your personal information and funds are properly protected, using an SSL encryption. This is a technology usually applied by major banking institutions and it proves that Western Union is also taking seriously the safety of its customers.

Yet another advantageous feature of Western Union is that it allows punters to make both deposits and withdrawals via this payment method. This is great news for those who are looking for a single method to manage all of their sportsbook transactions.

If you decide to transfer money in person via Western Union, you will not need to create an account or provide any sensitive information. This gives you more privacy when making payments to and receiving funds from online sportsbooks.

It is also very convenient that Western Union offers different ways to send money across the world. If you wish, you can transfer funds in person or online. In addition to that, you can also use the Western Union Netspend Prepaid Mastercard to send money faster and in the comfort of your home. Additionally, there is also a mobile app which will help you transfer money to different parts of the world. The convenience of the Western Union methods is also great for virtual punters as it allows them to make deposits to sportsbooks the way they find it most suitable.

Disadvantages of Paysafecard

disatvantagesWhile Western Union does offer many advantages, there are some lacking points, especially when it comes to managing one’s sportsbook balance. Even though Western Union is a very safe way to boost one’s betting balance, it does not offer instant deposits the way other payment solutions do.

The fact that, in most cases, bettors have to visit an agent in order to be able to transfer money to their chosen sportsbook, requires additional time. Even if you have the chance to make your deposit by an online transfer, you will still need to contact the support agents of the virtual bookie. This must be done so that you can receive the recipient’s information you will need in order to complete the transfer via Western Union. What is more, after you have filled out a form for a money transfer, it may take up to 2 business days for your funds to appear in your sportsbook balance.

Another disadvantage that may not appeal to many punters is the fact they will most likely have to pay additional charges that can be higher compared to the ones that apply to other payment methods. Although there are some betting sites which will refund punters for the fees they have been charged for the Western Union transfer, this is not always the case.

Conclusion

conclusionWestern Union is a well-known payment solution, available worldwide. The fact that it allows easy transfer of money between the sender and the receiver has made the service very popular among virtual sportsbooks, too. The fact that there are more than 500,000 Western Union agents around the world gives numerous punters the opportunity to make safe deposits and withdrawals at various online bookies.

In addition to the usual in-person transfers, Western Union also allows you to send money online or via a mobile app. One of the biggest perks of using Western Union at interactive sportsbooks is that it can be used for both deposits and withdrawals. Although it takes longer to see your deposited funds in your betting account, Western Union is definitely a convenient payment solution for those who do not have many other options.

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