American Express Betting Sites

American Express is a company based in New York, founded in 1850. It currently operates in more than 100 countries. AmEx introduced the first charge card in the 1950s, in 1966, followed by the first gold card and, in 1984, the first platinum.

Betting with AmEx comes with some benefits for the players. American Express betting sites offer quick and easy deposits and a high level of security.

The card is prevalent in the US and many bookies in the country accept it, while it is also used widely in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. The eligibility to grab a welcome bonus or any other promotion.

A user can send money to a friend with almost zero fees. In the following AmEx review, you can explore further every aspect of betting with this method, such as:

• An up-to-date (2024) list of American Express bookmakers
• How to use AmEx when betting online
• All its pros and cons

Best Amex Betting Sites

Among the multiple AmEx bookies, we have selected the top-rated ones and tested them in security and reliability. They offer low fees, high odds and multiple markets to bet. Check the following sites and find the ones that better suit your betting needs.

Why should you bet on AmEx betting sites

Τhere are specific advantages when a player chooses to deposit with an AmEx card. Quick transactions and eligibility to claim promotions are just some of its main perks.

✔️ Eligible for the welcome bonus: When depositing with AmEx, you can claim a welcome bonus or any other kind of promotion most of the time. For instance, take a look at our SportsBetting.ag Bonus Code review.

✔️ Dedicated mobile app: Availability to deposit on your American Express betting sites when you are on the road. AmEx mobile app provides this possibility, and it is available for both iOS & Android devices.

✔️ Refer a Friend program: When you refer a friend, both of you will grab a reward. No matter what card your friend chooses, you will get a bonus on your account. Υour friend will receive a welcome offer amount too.

✔️ P2P transfers: AmEx allows users to send money to a friend or another member quickly and simply. This can happen through the service SEND & SPLIT. The company cooperates with Venmo and PayPal, allowing transfers without the standard fees. However, PayPal may charge a small fee when sending money to non-US residents.

✔️ 24/7 customer service: It makes users feel safer when there is a 24/7 customer support team available. AmEx support can be contacted through live chat, as well as through email and phone.

✔️ Deposit on Offshore betting sites: Most of the offshore bookmakers accept deposits with AmEx. Players can take advantage of many promotions and have low charges on their winnings.

Drawbacks of betting sites that accept AmEx

American Express also has some drawbacks like any other payment option. High fees, the possibility of rejection of your deposit and withdrawal due to restrictions are only some of them.

❌ Not many bookies accept it: It can get hard to find American Express bookmakers outside the US. Even though the payment operates in more than 100 countries, not many bookies accept it. The United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada are countries where you can find betting sites that accept AmEx.

❌ Higher minimum deposit limits: When using a credit or debit card to deposit (i.e. Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay), in most situations, the minimum deposit is $10 (or currency equivalent). With American Express, many bookies set the minimum deposit at $20.

❌ Withdrawal restrictions: A significant drawback of the payment is that transactions with American Express betting sites can only be made one way. Players can not withdraw any amount and need to find an alternative payment method.

❌ Possible rejection or delays on your deposits in the US: Due to the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act) of 2006, sometimes your transactions could be denied, rejected or delayed. This is a significant disadvantage for players who prefer to bet on live events and want to deposit quickly.

❌ High Fees & Charges: You may need to pay an annual fee when holding a specific type of card. Moreover, AmEx charges high fees for international transactions, so your transfers could have an extra cost ranging from 3,5% to 9% when you play on international bookies.

❌ Not every type of AmEx is accepted: There are multiple AmEx cards, but not all are available on betting sites. Most of the time, you cannot use Corporate Cards, Bank Co-Branded Cards, and Small Business Cards.

We have now taken a look at every side of betting AMEX. In the upcoming chapters, you will find more information about how to deposit on a bookmaker and why it is legal and safe to bet with AMEX.

Is American Express legal and safe for sports betting?

The American Express Company belongs to American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. The parent company holds a bank license under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. 

Many licensed American bookmakers accept deposits with AmEx in states where online betting is regulated, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Most of the offshore bookies which hold an international license also accept deposits with American Express.

Regarding safety, AmEx uses encryption technology to protect users' information and any type of transaction. Moreover, the card identification number (CID), a 4-digit number, offers extra security. To authorize payments to American Express bookmakers, it is necessary to provide it.

How to deposit on gambling sites that accept American Express

It is pretty simple to deposit with your AmEx card. All you have to do is to follow the upcoming steps:

• 1
  Log in to your favourite bookmaker.
• 2
  Click on the deposit button.
• 3
  Choose AmEx card as your payment method.
• 4
  Enter your card’s details (number, expiration date, CVV).
• 5
  Fill in the amount you want to deposit.
• 6
  Click confirm to complete the process.

That’s all. The amount will be available in your betting account within the next few minutes. As we have mentioned before, you need to remember that some types of AmEx cards are not accepted for gambling activity.

Can I withdraw from sportsbooks that accept American Express?

We have discussed AmEx's biggest drawback. Players are not able to proceed with a withdrawal when betting with the card. So, they have to find an alternative. Especially in US sportsbooks, person-to-person is the most recommended method because of its low fees.

Also, it is possible to ask for a check by courier, especially for large amounts. In this case, some bookies offer one free withdrawal per month or even more. However, the process is time-consuming and can take from 2 weeks to 30 business days.

It would be a suitable solution for international players to try and withdraw through wallets like Skrill or PayPal. Most AmEx betting sites will proceed with the withdrawal request only if players have used the same payment method in the past.

Are there any fees or limits

High fees are a significant disadvantage when depositing on American Express betting sites. Firstly, holding an AmEx card may come with an annual fee depending on the type of card. Only six of them don’t apply such a charge.

When depositing on a bookie, you may have to pay some fees. For international bookmakers, fees could be up to 9%, which is extremely high compared to other methods. Also, when you transfer funds to a friend, you may both pay a small fee if the recipient doesn’t reside in the USA.

If you’re going to fund your wallet, like Skrill, there is a charge of 1.9% per transaction, while with Mastercard and Visa, it is only 1%. AmEx is not always accepted by merchants out of the US and you may have a hard time using it.

Regarding limits, typically, the minimum deposit limit is $20 for most bookies. The maximum limit varies. Withdrawals are not available, so you need to find an alternative that may come with some extra charges.

How AMEX matches up with other payment methods

Even though we discuss a reliable payment option and a worthwhile choice for bettors, it is also good to look at alternatives. Betting sites that accept prepaid cards are not always a choice since they rarely support withdrawals, too. Here you can see how American Express does in comparison to other famous cards.

AmEx vs Mastercard

Mastercard is one of the biggest card providers around the globe. It is easy to find betting sites accepting it since the payment operates globally. At the same time, you can claim any new offer or promotion.

From another perspective, Mastercard comes with shortcomings since your betting activity is monitored, and the payouts can be slow. Also, in some countries, you can not use your Mastercard to fund your Skrill wallet for betting activity.

AmEx vs Visa

Visa was founded in 1958 by the Bank of America. It comes with many benefits, like universal acceptance. Also, using Visa means that you can fund your wallet (Skrill, Neteller etc.) and choose to have your betting activity through it.

Nonetheless, withdrawals can be delayed and take up to 5 business days. In some cases, you may have to pay some extra fees on your transactions, depending on your bank.

AmEx vs UnionPay

UnionPay, a Chinese payment network, is commonly accepted in mainland China's gambling industry and various Southeast Asian bookies, facilitating transactions for local players. American Express, in contrast, has tight rules against transactions involving gambling across the board.

Therefore, If American Express forbids your gambling transactions, UnionPay betting sites can be a decent alternative. 

Is it worth it betting with AmEx

AmEx has been around for many years, and millions of people have trusted it for their online payments. American Express bookmakers allow player-to-player deposits and eligibility to claim welcome offers, as well as multiple promotions.

Still, it is hard to find bookmakers that accept it, especially outside of the US. The method comes with numerous and high fees, a significant disadvantage compared to other payment options.

To sum up, American Express betting sites could be a suitable option for recreational bettors. Player-to-player transfers, reward programs and an easy to handle app for betting when on the road are some of the payment’s advantages.

However, limited availability at bookmakers and withdrawal restrictions are some major downsides. So, if you are a player who prefers the traditional payment options, I would suggest Mastercard or Visa instead of AmEx.

For professional players, in particular, wallets, such as PayPal and Skrill, or even stablecoins based on the American dollar (see USDC gambling), are by far better choices to make the most of your betting activity.

What Bookies Accept American Express?

Player-to-player transfers, an innovative mobile app and the possibility to claim any new offer when depositing with AmEx are excellent features. Go ahead and pick your betting sites that accept AmEx to make the most of your betting activity.