Interview: Why british players are opting for PayPal

It has not been many years since British players struggled to find casinos that would allow them to make deposits and withdrawals using PayPal. Today, PayPal seems to be accepted everywhere. What happened?

To answer these and other questions, we have invited Bojoko's Head of Casino, Christoffer Ødegården, back to GAFFG. Bojoko is one of the biggest affiliates in the UK industry and actively tracks what payment methods are the most popular amongst players, as well as which are the most prolific amongst operators.

With Ødegården's decade of experience in the industry, he has seen PayPal's rise in real-time. In this interview, we will get his and Bojoko's insights on PayPal's rise to prominence and try to go beyond the numbers to see the impact on the industry and players.

Why did it take so long for PayPal to gain traction among British players in the iGaming industry?

It was actually the other way around. At Bojoko, we actively track what UK players are searching for, and there has always been a strong interest in PayPal casinos amongst Brits. The issue was that there weren't that many operators that cared to include PayPal among their deposit and withdrawal options.

The turning point came when operators began to realise the potential players they could gain by letting them deposit with PayPal. As players demanded security, convenience, and familiarity, operators started to listen and recognise the need to adapt and cater to these preferences.

By heeding the feedback and desires of their audience, operators started adding PayPal to their selection of available payment methods one by one.

I would say that PayPal's integration into online casinos became not just a convenience but a necessity, reflecting the industry's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its audience.

How popular would you say PayPal is among UK players and operators today?

PayPal has entrenched itself as one of the most trusted and widely embraced payment options among UK casino enthusiasts. Looking at our own statistics, we currently list well over 150 casinos that allow deposits via PayPal. I would say that close to every UK casino we review today allows PayPal transactions. It is simply incredible. In fact, PayPal is closing in on the same accessibility rate as Visa.

The popularity among users is still very high, with Brits still actively looking for and comparing PapPal casinos on Bojoko and elsewhere. This won't change anytime soon, and casinos that do not allow PayPal transactions will lose out on many potential players who no longer need to compromise. If a player prefers to use PayPal, they now have so many options available that it is easy to find exactly what they are looking for without even considering other casinos.

What are the primary reasons players opt to use PayPal for their online casino transactions?

There are several reasons why players prefer PayPal. It offers a high level of security, with robust encryption and fraud prevention measures in place. Players can trust that their financial information is protected when using PayPal.

PayPal also offers convenience. Many players already have PayPal accounts for various online transactions, making it seamless to use the same platform for their casino deposits.

Additionally, PayPal transactions are typically fast, allowing players to fund their accounts and start playing without delay.

What are some advantages and disadvantages of using PayPal for online casino transactions?

One of PayPal's main advantages is its widespread acceptance. Players can use PayPal at a large number of online casinos, giving them flexibility and choice. Additionally, PayPal offers buyer protection, which can provide players peace of mind in case of disputes or unauthorised transactions.

In terms of the disadvantages of using PayPal, the only possible downside would be the risk of running into fees.

Looking ahead, what do you foresee as the future of PayPal in the UK iGaming industry?

I believe that PayPal will remain a dominant payment method in the UK iGaming industry. As players increasingly prioritise security and convenience, PayPal's reputation and widespread acceptance will ensure its continued popularity.

I don't see anything changing unless the other challengers step up their game. There are multiple PayPal alternatives out there, but with the brand recognition and market share PayPal already has, its position is firmly secured for the foreseeable future, barring extraordinary circumstances.