How People Around the World Are Paying to Play Online

If you live in North America or most of Europe, the way you pay for online casinos probably looks pretty standard: debit or credit cards, maybe PayPal, maybe Skrill or Neteller if you’re a little more in-the-know. You type in your card number, deposit some money, and you’re good to go. But that’s not how everyone’s doing it.

In countries across Africa, South Asia, and parts of Latin America, players are using completely different methods to fund their bets. For an average Western player, these might seem strange, even outdated. But in reality, they’re fast, practical, and often more reliable than traditional options. And for mobile-first casino games like slots, virtual roulette, or even a number bet, these alternatives are powering a huge part of the industry’s growth.

Mobile Money: Where Banking Isn’t Needed

In Tanzania, Kenya, and several other African countries, many people don’t use banks at all. Instead, they rely on mobile money services. These are simple digital wallets linked to a mobile phone number. No bank account, no smartphone, no problem.

Tigo Pesa in Tanzania (recently rebranded as Mixx by Yas) is one of the major players. It’s as normal to use Tigo Pesa to fund your betting account as it is to buy groceries. The same goes for M-Pesa and Airtel Money, which dominate in Kenya and parts of Uganda.

This isn’t a niche solution. It’s a necessity. And it’s fully integrated with platforms like Betway Tanzania. Players can deposit and withdraw straight from their phones in a few seconds. There’s no waiting for the bank to open, no card needed, and no unnecessary steps. If you’re placing a quick number bet or jumping into a live game, you want that kind of speed.

EasyLoad Vouchers: Control and Convenience Without the Bank

If you’ve never used a prepaid voucher to fund an online casino account, EasyLoad might sound a little retro. But in Tanzania, it’s a go-to option for a reason.

Here’s how it works: you walk into a shop or local vendor, buy a voucher loaded with a set amount of money, and get a 14-digit code. You then enter that code on a site like Betway, and the funds hit your casino balance immediately. No card, no login, no link to your bank account.

This method is especially useful for players who prefer cash-based transactions or want to keep their gambling separate from their everyday finances. There’s no overspending either – if you’ve got a 10,000 TZS voucher, that’s all you can spend. For anyone trying to stay on budget or limit their exposure, that kind of structure is a huge benefit.

Privacy is another reason people use EasyLoad. There’s no need to share personal banking details, and no digital footprint tied to your bank or credit card. It’s a system built for flexibility – and in places where not everyone has access to a debit card, it makes online betting far more accessible.

What makes this even more relevant in 2025 is how seamlessly it fits with mobile-first casino platforms. Players can buy a voucher in cash, enter the code on their phone, and jump straight into a session of virtual blackjack or place a number bet in seconds. It’s quick, simple, and doesn’t require much tech know-how.

QR Code Payments: Scan It, Fund It, Play

QR codes have been quietly changing how people pay, and in some parts of the world, they’ve already replaced traditional card swipes. Tanzania is one of those places.

Thanks to Tigo Pesa’s partnership with Mastercard, players can now use Masterpass QR to make instant deposits by scanning a code on the screen. No apps to fumble through, no passwords to remember. Just open your mobile money wallet, scan, approve, and you’re done.

For casino players, that means no interruptions between the moment you decide to play and the moment you’re placing bets. It’s ideal for fast-paced games where timing matters – like live tables or quick-pick bets where you don’t want to lose your spot.

It’s also a solid solution for people in areas with limited internet coverage. As long as your mobile connection holds, the payment goes through. That’s a game-changer in regions where Wi-Fi isn’t a guarantee but mobile signal is everywhere.

Africa’s Betting Boom Is Changing the Game

The growth of online gambling in Africa isn’t slowing down. In Tanzania, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, more people are getting online, more platforms are launching, and mobile-based betting is becoming the norm.

And it’s not just about poker or traditional slots anymore. Simple, fast-paced formats like mobile slots, number bets, and virtual football games are exploding in popularity. These games don’t require huge investments or deep knowledge – just a phone, a few clicks, and a reliable way to pay.

That last part is where payment methods like Tigo Pesa, EasyLoad vouchers, and QR code transfers come in. They’re making casino gaming more accessible to people who don’t use banks, who prefer cash, or who just want to keep things simple. And in the bigger picture, they’re reshaping how operators think about onboarding, localization, and user experience.

Keep an Eye on What’s Next

More platforms are starting to accept local methods like Tigo Pesa and EasyLoad because they know how powerful these options are for expanding reach. And with more African countries tightening up regulations to support safe and legal online gambling, this shift will only continue.

So while card payments and e-wallets might still dominate in the West, don’t be surprised if some of these “unusual” payment options start showing up in more places. The online casino space is changing fast, and the smartest players – and operators – are the ones adapting with it.