Wirecard was a German payment processor that handled transactions for a large number of online casinos before its spectacular collapse in 2020. If you've come across Wirecard listed as a banking option at an online casino, the short answer is: it no longer operates as a payment service, and you cannot use it to deposit or withdraw.
This page explains what Wirecard was, what happened, and what you should use instead.
At a glance
| Type | Payment processor (defunct) |
| Country | Germany (operated globally) |
| Status | Insolvent since June 2020 |
| Deposits | ✘ No longer available |
| Withdrawals | ✘ No longer available |
Wirecard is no longer operational. The company filed for insolvency in June 2020 following a major accounting fraud. If a casino still lists Wirecard as a payment option, it's an outdated listing. You will not be able to process any transactions through Wirecard.
What Was Wirecard?
Wirecard AG was a German fintech company that provided payment processing, risk management, and card issuing services. At its peak, it was a member of Germany's DAX 30 stock index and valued at over €20 billion. It processed payments for thousands of merchants globally, including a significant number of online casinos and gambling operators.
For casinos, Wirecard acted as the behind-the-scenes processor. When you deposited with a card or e-wallet at a Wirecard-powered casino, the transaction was routed through Wirecard's infrastructure. The company also issued prepaid cards through its banking subsidiary, Wirecard Bank AG, which some players used for deposits and withdrawals.
| Detail |
Information |
| Type | Payment processor / fintech company |
| Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Collapsed | June 2020 |
| What happened | €1.9 billion accounting fraud discovered; company filed for insolvency |
| Current status | Under insolvency administration; no longer processing payments |
What Happened to Wirecard?
In June 2020, Wirecard admitted that €1.9 billion reported on its balance sheet likely didn't exist. The money was supposed to be held in trustee accounts in the Philippines, but auditors couldn't verify it. The company's CEO, Markus Braun, was arrested. Its COO, Jan Marsalek, fled the country and became one of Europe's most wanted fugitives.
Wirecard filed for insolvency on 25 June 2020, becoming the first DAX 30 company in history to do so. The insolvency proceedings are ongoing, and the company's core payment processing business was wound down or sold off to other providers.
For casino players, the practical impact was immediate. Any casino relying on Wirecard for payment processing had to switch to other providers. Wirecard-branded prepaid cards stopped working. Players who had funds in Wirecard-linked accounts needed to recover them through the insolvency process or alternative channels set up by the casino.
What Should You Use Instead?
If you were previously using Wirecard (or a Wirecard-issued card) at an online casino, here are the most common alternatives depending on what you need.
| Method |
Best For |
| Visa | Direct card deposits and withdrawals. The most universally accepted payment method at online casinos worldwide. |
| Mastercard | Same as Visa. Widely accepted for deposits; withdrawal support varies by casino. |
| Skrill | E-wallet with broad casino acceptance. Fast deposits and withdrawals. Good for players who want to keep bank details separate from the casino. |
| Neteller | Another major e-wallet popular in the gambling industry. Similar to Skrill in terms of functionality and acceptance. |
| Paysafecard | Prepaid voucher for deposit-only use. Useful if you want the anonymity that Wirecard prepaid cards once offered. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still use Wirecard to deposit at online casinos?
No. Wirecard is insolvent and no longer processes payments. If a casino still shows Wirecard as an option, the listing is outdated. Contact the casino's support team to ask about alternative payment methods.
What happened to my Wirecard prepaid card?
Wirecard prepaid cards ceased functioning after the insolvency. Some card programs were migrated to other providers, but most were simply shut down. If you still have a balance on a Wirecard card, the insolvency administrator's office is the point of contact for claims.
Why does a casino still list Wirecard as a payment option?
Some casinos haven't updated their payment pages to remove Wirecard. It's an oversight, not an indication that the service works. If you see it listed, try selecting it. It either won't process or will show an error. Use a different payment method instead.
Did the Wirecard collapse affect my casino account?
Your casino account balance was not affected by Wirecard's insolvency. Wirecard processed the transactions but didn't hold your casino funds. The casino simply needed to switch to a different payment processor. If you had deposits in transit at the time of the collapse, most casinos worked with players to resolve those individually.
Summary
Wirecard was once a major name in online casino payment processing, but it's been defunct since mid-2020 following one of Europe's largest corporate fraud cases. If you see it listed at a casino, ignore it and use an alternative. Visa, Skrill, and Neteller cover the same ground with established, operational services.
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