About Ukash
Ukash was an innovative payment method based in the UK and founded in 2005. This financial services provider offered one of the quickest and most efficient ways to convert cash into digital currency. Its popularity grew significantly, and prior to its closure, Ukash was available in several countries around the globe.
At the height of its success, the number of casinos accepting Ukash was in the hundreds. Many online casinos realised the opportunity brought about by this banking option, especially since E-wallets and other online payment methods were still in their infancy.
To use Ukash, players did not require an account or prior registration. Instead, they simply needed to pay for a voucher at a participating outlet or ATM. Eventually, online purchases had also become available. Players would then enter the unique, 19-digit voucher code on the online casino or marketplace. Payments were instant, secure, and convenient.
However, withdrawals with this payment method were unavailable, so players would need to use an alternative.
The success of this banking option eventually led to its acquisition by Skrill in 2015. The brand was eventually absorbed into the Paysafecard system and the name Ukash was dropped.
Ukash Casinos Alternatives
Since there are no more casinos accepting Ukash, we’ll suggest some of the main casino payment method alternatives to this once-popular banking option.
Naturally, our first recommendation is using Paysafecard, since this payment voucher allows you to convert cash into digital currency more or less in the same way Ukash used to. Through Paysafecard, you can also purchase your voucher code online, and you can keep track of your vouchers by creating a myPaysafe account.
Other popular alternatives to Ukash are E-wallets like Skrill, Neteller, and MuchBetter. You'll most likely find these payment options at both established and new casino sites. These payment providers facilitate secure, mobile-friendly, and instant deposits and very fast withdrawals most times without adding any extra charges. You will need to register an account with any E-wallet provider before using it and you should make sure to DYOR on any to be aware of any top-up and other fees applicable to your account.
Lastly, debit cards are a common alternative for players that do not wish to create any more accounts. Familiar and user-friendly, debit cards offer a low-cost payment option with instant transfers. Withdrawals, however, may be unavailable at some casinos accepting Ukash or may be delayed due to Know Your Customer (KYC) checks.
Ukash Pros and Cons
There were many reasons why this banking option was so popular and why there were so many Ukash casinos in the UK and around the world. In the following section, we’ve taken a closer look at the main pros and cons, and even though this payment method is no longer available, many of these also apply to Paysafecard and similar prepaid voucher code systems.
Pros of Ukash
- Allowed players to convert cash into digital currency anonymously
- Easy to use
- Secure payment system because of the unique 19-digit code provided
- Accepted by numerous online casinos and marketplaces
- No account registration was necessary
Cons of Ukash
- Losing a printed voucher meant losing your funds
- It was not possible to withdraw funds using this banking option
How to Pick a Ukash Casino
There are several requirements that must be met in order for an online site to be considered among the best Ukash casinos. Even though this payment method no longer exists, you can use the following casino features to identify top sites which provide a safe and entertaining player experience.
Game Selection
Top casinos offer hundreds to thousands of games across all major and minor categories. In partnership with leading gambling software providers, these platforms should feature plenty of video and jackpot slots, live and virtual table games, live game shows, bingo, and other speciality titles.
Safety & Security
Player safety should be the number one priority of any respectable UK online casino. In addition to holding a UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) license, top platforms must implement all the industry standard measures that are designed to safeguard users and their funds.
Generous Bonuses
All the best Ukash casinos were known for providing plenty of casino welcome offers and ongoing bonuses. When you’re evaluating a casino offer, you should ensure that the bonus matches your preferences, including game eligibility and the minimum deposit required. You should also read the T&Cs to ensure that promo rules, including wagering requirements and expiration period, are reasonable by the casino in question.
Mobile Friendly
All the best modern online casinos have been developed using mobile-friendly technologies. If you plan to play on mobile, you should try out the mobile casino site before signing up. This should give you a good idea of whether the site is well-equipped to offer mobile gameplay. Sometimes, casinos even offer a downloadable app of their casino. While this is great, this does take up storage space from your mobile device which is why most times it’s more important to have a mobile-friendly casino instead.
Payout Times
One of the limitations of Ukash was that withdrawals could only be made with alternative banking options. Nevertheless, top Ukash casinos would still be able to process payout requests in a timely manner to ensure that players get their funds as quickly as possible. This should still be the case with the best online casinos today. In addition, these casinos should offer several withdrawal options so that players get a choice that suits their bankrolls.
Fees & Limits
The top casinos accepting Ukash did not charge any payment processing fees. This ensured that players got to play with all their funds and didn't have to use some of them to cover unnecessary charges. Again, this should still be the case today with any top casino. So, when looking for your casino, make sure to keep this in mind. In addition, limits are set to support a wide range of bankrolls, which means that you should usually be able to deposit a minimum of between £10 and £20.
Customer Experience
The best Ukash casinos delivered a superb user experience that puts the player first. You should be looking for two things here. Firstly, as mentioned above – the user experience. Poorly designed websites that waste our time clicking about should be a no-no for you, and that’s that. Secondly, if you’re a player that needs an excellent customer support system in place for when problems arise, then you’re going to want to find a casino that offers a 24/7 helpdesk that can be reached conveniently through live chat, email, or sometimes, a telephone call.
How to Deposit Using Ukash
In the following section, we’ve outlined the main steps that you would have needed to take to deposit funds using Ukash.
- Buy a payment voucher from a Ukash retail point, ATM, or online.
- Visit the online casino and click on the ‘Deposit’ or ‘Cashier’ button.
- Select Ukash from the list of payment methods.
- Enter the amount to deposit and any bonus code.
- Enter the 19-digit Ukash voucher number.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete your deposit.
How to Withdraw Using Ukash
Ukash casinos were unable to support withdrawals with this payment method. This means that players would have needed to choose an alternative banking option, such as a bank transfer or E-wallet options.
Ukash Safety and Security
Ukash was a relatively secure banking option that provided users with a unique 19-digit code. Given the length of the code and the technology used to generate it, it was virtually impossible to be replicated by fraudsters. Moreover, as an anonymous banking option, using it would have never entailed sharing your banking information with the casino’s operator.
One of the main drawbacks of printed Ukash vouchers was that, if you misplaced or lost them, you would have effectively lost your funds. This vulnerability was resolved when vouchers could be bought online and sent to your inbox.
Ukash was authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This means that the payment provider must have adhered to strict protocols governing safety and security. Moreover, it would have needed to undergo and pass periodic audits by independent professionals.
Why use Ukash at an Online Casino?
There are numerous reasons why UK players chose Ukash to play real money casino games. Even though this payment voucher system is no longer available, its benefits are shared by Paysafecard and other similar systems.
Ukash allowed users to play online casino games using real life cash. This made casino platforms accessible to users who might have not wished to use cards or other forms of online banking options. In this way, users kept their main bank account details hidden from casino operators and were able to manage their bankroll easily.
Payment vouchers also provide instant deposits, and this means that users can register with a new casino, deposit funds, and start playing in just a few minutes. The lack of a withdrawal service was a drawback, however, alternative payment methods quickly made up for this.
Ukash Casinos FAQs
All your answers about Ukash Casinos right here!
No, unfortunately, Ukash casinos are no longer available since this payment method was discontinued. However, you can use our recommended casinos to fund your account with a similar payment method – Paysafecard.
Yes, even though this banking option was not available for payouts, online casinos that accepted it for deposits provided alternative payout options, such as debit cards, E-wallets or bank transfers.
Yes, casinos accepting Ukash that had a UKGC license were legit.
The variety of bonuses provided by the best Ukash casinos included matched bonuses, free spins, cashback and more. Most casino sites today offer a choice of offers for new and existing players. However, you should always read the T&Cs before activating any casino bonus.
Payout times across different online casinos vary significantly. While Ukash was not available for withdrawals, online casinos supported alternative payment methods, such as debit cards, E-wallets or bank transfers. To reduce the time taken to withdraw funds, you should verify your account prior to requesting a payout.
Ukash is no longer in operation so you cannot use it to fund your casino account. However, you can use its main alternative, Paysafecard, to deposit funds instantly and conveniently.
Generally, minimum deposit limits at Ukash casinos are set between £10 and £20.
No, Ukash stopped operating in 2015. However, you can use an alternative payment voucher, such as Paysafecard, to enjoy very similar benefits. Many of the best Ukash casinos have updated their banking options to include alternative payment vouchers as well as adding E-wallets, debit cards, and other convenient options.