
A Positive Payment Experience Enhances Online Sports Betting Retention
A recent report released by Paysafe (NYSE: PSFE), a global leader in payment solutions, reveals the critical role payment systems play in the online sports betting industry. According to the “All the Ways Players Pay” report, an overwhelming 82% of global online sports bettors are more likely to continue wagering with sportsbooks that offer a seamless payment experience. This statistic underscores the importance of ensuring that payment processes are quick, secure, and easy to navigate. Beyond player retention, the report also emphasizes how payments directly influence player acquisition, making it essential for sportsbooks to offer localized cashier systems with diverse payment options.
The Impact of Payment Systems on Player Retention
The report highlights the undeniable connection between the payment experience and player retention. In a competitive market, operators must acknowledge the variety of payment preferences across different regions and tailor their platforms accordingly. The ability to localize payment methods can drive player loyalty and reduce churn. Paysafe’s findings indicate that operators who provide a wide range of payment options that balance transaction speed with security see better conversion rates, ultimately boosting their customer base.
“Payments are crucial for player acquisition and retention in every single market, but there can be no one-size-fits-all approach,” said Zak Cutler, President of Global Gaming at Paysafe. “Operators will only maximize conversions and minimize churn if they localize their cashiers and respond to player demand for an exhaustive range of payment options.”
Quick Payouts are the Top Priority for Bettors
The 2025 edition of the “All the Ways Players Pay” report marks the first time Latin America has been included, shedding light on the region’s unique preferences. Players in Latin America, like their counterparts in North America and Europe, prioritize quick and easy payouts when selecting a sportsbook. In fact, 34% of global bettors consider payout speed the most important factor when choosing a sportsbook. This preference outweighs even other factors such as brand trust (33%), promotions (24%), and odds (24%).
This preference for quick payouts is especially pronounced in countries like Romania (42%), the U.S. (41%), and Argentina (37%), where bettors have made it clear that the ability to cash out rapidly significantly impacts their overall betting experience.
Rapid Deposits and Preferred Payment Methods
While quick payouts are crucial, bettors also value the speed at which they can make deposits. The report revealed that 25% of bettors globally prioritize rapid deposit capabilities when choosing a sportsbook, alongside the availability of their preferred payment methods, which is another top concern for 25% of bettors. These findings highlight the growing demand for platforms that enable both fast deposits and withdrawals.
In terms of payment preferences, debit cards remain the most popular method, with 42% of global players opting for them. The preference for debit cards is even stronger in certain regions such as Mexico (63%), Peru (56%), and the U.S. state of Tennessee, where iGaming credit card transactions are banned (51%).
However, despite these regional trends, credit cards still hold a significant share of the market, preferred by 24% of global bettors. In countries like France, credit cards are still the most popular choice, with 39% of players selecting them.
The Rise of Alternative Payment Methods (APMs)
Alternative payment methods (APMs), such as digital wallets, have gained substantial traction among global players. 38% of sports bettors worldwide prefer using digital wallets, a figure that is even higher in regions like Argentina (52%) and densely populated U.S. states like New York (48%) and Florida (46%). This trend signifies a shift away from traditional card payments towards more flexible and often faster digital payment options.
Another notable trend is the rising interest in local payment methods (LPMs), which are specific to certain regions or countries. In the U.S., for example, 16% of players prefer using Venmo, a popular LPM. However, the adoption of LPMs is even higher in countries like Colombia (29%) and Ecuador (24%).
In Latin America, cash still plays a prominent role, especially in countries like Colombia (30%) and Peru (25%). The preference for eCash is a notable feature of the region’s gaming culture, and its popularity remains strong in other countries such as Spain and the U.K. (22%).

Speed and Security: The Two Pillars of a Positive Payment Experience
The importance of transaction speed is not limited to payouts and deposits. Players are also demanding faster transaction times in general. Globally, 42% of players expect instant payouts, and 34% of players consider fast deposits critical to their overall payment experience. The demand for speed is particularly high in countries like Colombia (45%) and Ecuador (43%).
However, as much as bettors value speed, security remains an even higher priority. 41% of global bettors consider the security of their transactions to be the most important factor when choosing a sportsbook. Countries like Argentina (51%), Peru (48%), and Colombia (46%) demonstrate an even stronger emphasis on security, with players expressing heightened concerns about the safety of their transactions.
Despite some lingering doubts, players’ confidence in transaction security has improved over the past year, with 66% reporting that they feel more secure than before. However, there is still a portion of players (8%) who feel less confident, and 26% who are undecided. These skeptics represent a potential barrier to growth for sportsbooks, as 32% of players who have not wagered in the past six months cite fraud concerns as a significant deterrent.
The Future of Payments in Sports Betting
Looking ahead, players are increasingly expecting real-time payments to become the industry standard. A staggering 73% of respondents believe that sportsbooks will adopt real-time payments within the next two years. Additionally, the adoption of APMs, such as digital wallets and eCash, is expected to grow significantly, with 60% of players planning to wager more with these methods in the near future.
In particular, players in Colombia (85%) and Peru (81%) are especially keen on increasing their use of alternative payment methods in the coming years. This highlights the growing trend of players seeking faster, more flexible ways to manage their betting transactions.
Read more: Global Bettors Prioritize Payment Options, Speed, and Security