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How Gift Cards Can Be Used At NJ, PA Online Casinos
By Drew Ellis
Published:
Getting started with online casinos can feel like an overwhelming experience.
If you’re apprehensive about dipping your toe in the water, there is a nice alternative that may give you more comfort about getting started.
Instead of having to connect your bank account or a virtual wallet, many online casinos accept gift cards or prepaid cards to fund your iGaming account.
That is the case with a handful of New Jersey online casinos and Pennsylvania online casinos.
Using a gift card or prepaid card puts you more in control of how much you want to invest in an online casino. It’s a quick and easy option. You can win all the same, and if you lose the amount on the card, you can stop there.
Here’s a rundown of the different prepaid and gift card options available to users in the Garden State and Keystone State.
Operator-Branded Online Casino Gift Cards
A few different online casinos produce their own branded gift cards that are available at a variety of shopping locations.
BetMGM Casino
One of the online casinos that has its own gift cards is BetMGM Casino.
These cards vary in range from $10, up to $100. There are no wagering requirements that come with the gift card funds that you purchase.
Each gift card you purchase does come with a $10 bonus. However, that bonus does hold a 15x wagering requirement. That means you need to wager that $10 bonus 15 times before you can collect any winnings into your account.
To activate your BetMGM gift card, go to your online account and select deposit. Then select “Prepaid/Gift Card” as your option. Scratch off the pin number on your card and enter it online to have your funds and bonus activated.
If looking for a BetMGM gift card, the operator provides a store locator that will tell you where a participating store or gas station has them available. There are thousands of options in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
DraftKings Casino
DraftKings offers up gift cards that can be used on any of its online gambling platforms. That includes iGaming, sports betting, daily fantasy, and prediction markets where available.
Customers have the option to purchase a $25 or $50 gift card from DraftKings. The cards are advertised by the operator as being available at the following locations:
- 7-11
- Albertsons
- Circle K
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Flying J
- Pilot
- Sheetz
- Speedway
- Walmart
To activate your DraftKings gift card, visit your account and select “Deposit.” From there, choose “Gift Card” as the deposit method. Enter the amount of your gift card and enter the number of the card, the expiration date, and the CVV that is provided.
There is no wagering requirement for the funds you deposit using a DraftKings gift card. Unlike BetMGM, DraftKings doesn’t offer a $10 bonus with its gift cards.
Hollywood Casino/PENN Play
Previously, PENN Entertainment offered up ESPN Bet branded gift cards that could also be used to fund your Hollywood Casino account.
However, PENN ended its relationship with ESPN and has now moved on to theScore Bet as its online sportsbook option. While there are not theScore Bet gift cards available, there are PENN Play gift cards available.
PENN Play gift cards can be used at online and retail locations across the globe through PENN. That includes with the Hollywood Casino online platform.
Just purchase a PENN Play gift card of a value of your choosing. Then select the gift card option when making a deposit on your account. Enter the amount and card information to get the funds deposited.
Game On Gift Cards Cover Multiple Operators
Another option available in Pennsylvania and New Jersey is a Game On gift card.
Game On provides gift cards for multiple online gambling operators all on one card. Cards can be for anywhere from $20 to $500. These cards allow you to place funds into an online account with:
Similar to the branded gift cards, just select “Gift Card/Prepaid Card” in your deposit options and enter the information from your Game On card.
There are no added fees associated with purchasing the Game On gift card, or applying the funds to your online account.
Game On gift cards are at many of the same locations you would find the BetMGM or DraftKings gift cards.
Advantages/Disadvantages of Using Gift Cards
There are some key things to think about if you decide to go down the gift card route, especially if you are using one to test out a new online casino.
Advantages
- Can be used to avoid linking a bank account or virtual wallet for security concerns.
- Preset amounts to keep your online gambling at a limit if you’re concerned about getting addicted.
- Easily accessible if you want to try more after using up one card.
- Easy to deposit on your account.
Disadvantages
- If you have winnings, you can’t withdrawal to a gift card, so you would then need to add banking information.
- If you use a gift card, it may not meet deposit requirements to secure a welcome bonus offer from an operator.
- Not all online casinos accept gift cards or prepaid cards.
- Limited deposit totals in most cases.
That basically runs down the key information when deciding if a gift card is for you. It’s certainly not a bad way to test out a casino and see if it is worth more of your time and funds.
Drew Ellis has experience covering the gambling industries in North America and around the world. Decades of media experience provide him with the background to handle the complexities of different gambling laws and policies around the United States and North America. Ellis has primarily focused on online and retail casino news since 2021. Prior to working in the gambling industry, Ellis spent over 20 years in the newspaper industry, covering sports and the gambling. His work for The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun and The Oakland Press was recognized with awards by the Associated Press and other media organizations. Drew has also contributed to the Detroit Free Press and the Associated Press.