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If you like funding your sportsbook account with a credit card, that option is about to disappear at the biggest names in U.S. betting. FanDuel confirmed it will stop accepting credit card deposits across its U.S. sportsbook, casino, and racing platforms starting March 2. The decision aligns FanDuel with DraftKings, which implemented the same change last year.
For most bettors, the shift likely won’t feel dramatic, as credit cards were never the dominant deposit method. Still, when the two market leaders make the same move, it suggests a broader industry shift.
The financial logic behind the ban
FanDuel said it reviewed its payment options over the past few months and decided to remove credit cards to improve the overall deposit experience. DraftKings offered a similar explanation when it discontinued credit card payments in August 2025.
At that time, DraftKings pointed to the fees and interest charges tied to those transactions. Most credit card companies treat gambling deposits as cash advances. That classification often triggers immediate fees and interest that accrues instantly.
Those extra costs can catch bettors off guard. A simple deposit can become expensive quickly, especially for smaller transactions. From the operator’s perspective, credit cards are also among the most expensive payment methods to process. Debit cards, bank transfers, and other direct funding options tend to be more cost-effective and straightforward.
Regulatory heat around credit cards
The change occurs amid broader federal scrutiny. Sen. Elizabeth Warren recently sent letters to several sportsbook companies questioning what she called “abusive” credit card betting fees.
Her concern focused on deposits coded as cash advances, which can trigger fees as high as $10 or 3% to 5% of the transaction amount. Warren used a simple example: A $20 bet funded by a credit card could carry a $10 fee. Many customers, she argued, do not realize the risk when they tap to deposit.
Massachusetts has already seen enforcement on the issue. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission fined DraftKings $450,000 after the company processed more than $83,000 in credit card-funded bets in violation of state rules. DraftKings attributed the violations to internal miscommunication and later expanded its ban nationwide.
Several states already prohibit credit card deposits for sports betting, including:
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Iowa
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New Hampshire
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Rhode Island
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Tennessee
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Illinois
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Massachusetts
Lawmakers in Virginia have also advanced a bill to ban the practice.
How to fund your account after March 2
Starting March 2, FanDuel users in the U.S. must rely on debit cards, ACH transfers, or approved payment platforms connected to eligible funding sources. Credit cards linked through services like PayPal, Venmo, or Apple Pay will no longer function for deposits. Canadian operations are not affected; the policy change applies only to the United States.
Industry analysts do not expect the move to significantly hurt revenue. Credit cards make up a small share of total deposits. Removing them may actually reduce the friction associated with disputes, chargebacks, and high processing costs.
The broader takeaway: Responsible gaming and consumer protection are taking center stage. When the two largest operators in the country decide credit cards are more trouble than they are worth, the rest of the market will likely follow. As of March 2, betting with borrowed money becomes significantly harder at the industry’s highest levels.
