Best Maestro Online Casinos 2024

By Kwasi Osei-Bobie 13.06.2023, updated 16.12.2024

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Maestro casinos have gained massive popularity in the gambling industry thanks to their numerous perks, including swift, secure, and reliable transactions. Following technological advancements and emerging digital payment trends, plenty of merchants worldwide, such as online casinos, have had to adapt and stay ahead of the rapidly shifting consumer demands by introducing online payment systems like Maestro on their platforms. But what is Maestro, and how does it work? 

For starters, Maestro is an international card service that allows users to perform numerous transactions, such as online casino deposits and withdrawals, by digitally transferring money from the card accounts to the business account (gambling platforms, in our case) and vice versa. In this article, we’ll provide general information regarding Maestro, its market coverage, features that make it a convenient and safe payment option, and the pros and cons of Maestro casinos. We’ll also look at how to deposit and withdraw in online casinos with Maestro.

General information about Maestro

Established in 1991 by Mastercard, Maestro is a payment service provider that offers its services through branded debit and prepaid cards, allowing holders to make cashless payments anywhere in the world. But how did it come to be? To begin with, in 1985, Mastercard acquired Cirrus ATM Network, a global interbank network that connects over two million ATMs worldwide. 

Six years later, through the Cirrus network, Mastercard launched the world’s first online POS (point of sale) debit network, i.e., Maestro. The card was initially designed for ATM withdrawals and in-store payments, but as time went by, the financial landscape evolved, leading to the cards being used for online transactions such as casino payments.

Like a traditional bank card, the Maestro cards are issued by associate banks. The debit card is usually linked to the holder’s current or savings account, meaning once you make a payment, the transaction is tracked to your account, and the required amount is deducted from your account balance. With prepaid cards, users can load funds onto them directly using cash since they’re not linked to a bank account. Therefore, once the card runs out of money, you’ll have to recharge if you want to continue using it.

Since its launch, Maestro has acquired global recognition, with over 400 million cards issued worldwide. However, in 2021, three decades after its launch, Mastercard announced the discontinuation of Maestro cards starting in July 2023 due to high maintenance fees and their incompatibility with e-commerce.

Maestro market coverage

As a Mastercard product, Maestro has its headquarters in the USA, but it does not only serve in America. Through partnerships and numerous acquisitions of financial institutions and payment processing services, the brand has grown in popularity, especially in European countries. For instance, Maestro has partnered with Girocard, a well-known German interbank network that has issued over 100 million debit cards in the country. As of 2001, the Maestro card system had a global outreach in 93 countries across North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

However, this number increased to 100 when the popular Switch debit card service merged with the company in 2002. According to Statista, this number has further grown to 187 countries as of 2024, with most European online merchants offering Maestro as a payment option. With such a vast market coverage, you can use your branded debit card to make payments in real money Maestro casinos using different fiat currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, INR, BRL, etc. As previously stated, Mastercard phased out the use of Maestro cards in Europe starting from July 2023. All existing cardholders are being issued Debit Mastercard cards once they expire.

Some gambling-friendly jurisdictions where you can use your Maestro card include

• The UK
• The Netherlands
• Canada
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Denmark
• Argentina
• Brazil
• India
• Ireland
• Mexico

How to deposit to online casinos with Maestro

Thanks to its swift transaction processing time, Maestro is an ideal deposit option for online players, as it allows you to enjoy your favourite casino games within a few minutes or less after a successful transaction. On top of that, the brand uses an EMV chip and the Mastercard SecureCode to authorise transactions, a feature that guarantees safe and secure casino deposits for players. You’ll also not be subject to service charges when depositing using a Maestro card, making it a well-suited banking method for players who prefer cutting transaction costs. With all these incredible features, Maestro has become one of the most preferred deposit options in the online gambling world.

If you have ever deposited in an online casino using a bank card, the process is also similar when it comes to making payments with a Maestro card. For first-timers, below is a step-by-step guide on how to deposit in Maestro casinos online.

Choose a Maestro casino

To save you the hassle of finding online casinos accepting Maestro as a payment option, we have provided you with a list of reputable Maestro casinos. Pick the one that fully meets your preferences and sign up for a gambling account. Upon registration, head to the banking/cashier page and click the Deposit tab. You’ll find a list of all the supported payment methods, including Maestro. Pick Maestro as your deposit option.

Enter your payment details

Like a traditional bank card, Maestro cards also feature similar details that you must provide when making payments. Therefore, once you pick Maestro as your banking method, you’ll be redirected to the payment page, where you’ll be required to fill in your card details, including the card number, its expiration date, and the three-digit CVV code. Afterwards, enter the amount you wish to deposit to your player account and then click the Deposit/Submit button. When filling in your transaction amount, you should consider your Maestro online casino’s minimum and maximum deposit limits.

Wait for the funds to reflect

Since Maestro payments have a quick processing time, the funds will be credited to your casino account almost immediately after authorisation. Generally, the best real money Maestro casinos offer a welcome bonus after a successful deposit, which you’ll have qualified for. However, we recommend reading the bonus terms, especially the turnover requirements, before claiming it.

How to withdraw from online casinos with Maestro

As a real money player, you’ll want to get your payout as fast and efficiently as possible once you’ve garnered enough winnings. Fortunately, Maestro is a two-way banking method. This means you can use this payment method to submit a withdrawal request in your favourite Maestro casino, a convenient option since most online gambling platforms require you to cash out using the same deposit alternative. 

However, there are a few factors that might hinder you from withdrawing your winnings with Maestro. First of all, in some jurisdictions, some banks don’t allow or accept gambling transactions. Secondly, you can not request a payout through a prepaid card. Thus, if you use this option to load your casino account, you’ll have to find an alternative banking method during withdrawal. This means you can only cash out your winnings using the Maestro debit card, and the withdrawal process is quite straightforward.

1. Like with deposits, your first step will be to visit the banking page and open the ‘Withdraw’ window.
2. From the list of supported methods, select Maestro as your withdrawal option, and you’ll be redirected to the payment page. Here, you’ll be required to enter your card details, but if you had deposited through this alternative, the information will be saved in your player account. Therefore, the system will automatically fill in the details.
3. Lastly, enter the amount you wish to withdraw, click the Submit button, and wait for your request to be approved.

Although Maestro features swift transaction processing time with deposits, you might be a little disappointed with payouts, as they usually take longer (up to 3 business days) to process. In addition, the withdrawal time might be longer due to the verification procedure, especially for first withdrawals. Therefore, we recommend conducting the KYC procedure in advance, which entails submitting the front and back photos of your Maestro card, ID documents (driver’s licence, passport, or ID card), bank statement, and a recent utility bill.

Maestro transaction times and fees

As mentioned earlier, Maestro is one of the fastest payment options in the online gambling industry regarding deposits. This is because your player account is loaded within a few minutes or less after the transaction is authorised. All you need to do is enter your card details (card number, CVV, and expiration date) and the amount you wish to be transferred to your casino account. Afterwards, hit the Deposit button to complete the transaction, at which point the funds will be credited almost instantly. With payouts, you will not have the same experience, as it may take up to three business days to be approved.

Since Maestro charges online casinos for every transaction, you might incur transaction processing fees when withdrawing winnings from your player account, although they’re usually nominal (about 1%). However, the best Maestro casinos take on these charges, allowing players to cash out without additional charges. When it comes to deposits, you might also be subject to service fees, but this will depend on your card-issuing bank. Usually, no fees are attached to deposits since they are treated as online purchases. If you deposit using a different currency from the one registered on your card, you’ll be subject to exchange fees.

Maestro casinos pros and cons

Pros

• Easy access to Maestro cards: With its vast global market coverage, players can easily and quickly obtain cards from numerous associate banks, especially in Europe.
• Reliability: As a Mastercard product, Maestro is a widely accepted payment option among top gambling platforms, thanks to the brand’s worldwide recognition.
• Safety: Maestro cards feature the EMV chip alongside the Mastercard SecureCode, ensuring all online transactions are highly secure from online fraud.
• Easier management of funds: Maestro is a convenient payment option because it provides debit cards linked to bank accounts, as well as reloadable prepaid cards. Therefore, you can only spend what you have.
• Two-way banking method: Depending on your jurisdiction, you can use Maestro to deposit into your player account and cash out your real money winnings.

Cons

• Despite its international acceptance and numerous perks, Maestro cards have been phased out of the market.
• Maestro payouts have a long withdrawal time of up to 3 business days, a disappointing factor if you’re in a rush to receive your winnings.
• Depending on your online casino and bank, you might be subject to service fees for processing your transactions.

Convenience and safety of Maestro casinos

In over five decades, numerous countries across the world have been working towards creating a cashless economy, and top fintech companies such as Mastercard have been helping out since the beginning. Paying in cash in online stores and other businesses like online casinos is not viable, and this is where Maestro cards come in, offering an efficient and convenient way of making online payments. 

All you need to do is walk into a Maestro associate bank and register for a bank account if you need a debit card. For the prepaid card, you don’t need a bank account to acquire one, making it an ideal option for players looking for a card payment option that allows them to fund their casino account without the need for a bank account.

On top of that, Maestro cards are well-suited for people who lack control when it comes to unplanned expenses, a factor that eliminates the temptation to overspend. For starters, since the debit card is linked to your bank account, you can only spend the funds in your account balance and nothing more. The same concept applies to prepaid cards since you can only use the money loaded into them, and if you wish to spend more, you’ll have to recharge the card. In addition, the Maestro debit card comes in handy when you want to keep track of your expenses because you can easily access your bank statement through your mobile banking app.

To allow users to conveniently make secure online transactions without worrying about online fraud and unauthorised third-party access, Maestro cards use the Mastercard SecureCode, a unique private code that you must enter to authorise a payment. This feature ensures that no payment goes through without confirmation from your end.

Conclusion

In today’s rapidly evolving world, gambling platforms have become popular among users, forcing payment service providers such as Maestro to adapt to the new system. Owned by Mastercard, Maestro is a payment service provider that offers its services through branded debit and prepaid cards, allowing users to make cashless payments worldwide. The debit card is usually linked to the holder’s bank account; thus, once you make a payment, like a casino deposit, the required amount is deducted from your account balance. With prepaid cards, users can put funds into them directly using cash because they’re not linked to a bank account.

This review has highlighted the pros and cons of Maestro casinos, provided a step-by-step procedure for depositing and withdrawing in online casinos with Maestro, and discussed the payment option in detail, covering key areas such as transaction times, service fees, and market coverage.