Online gambling in Germany is very popular, but there are still very few reliable payment methods for Germans. As one of the most security-conscious nations globally, there was a gap in the market for a secure online casino payment method. This is where ELV comes in - ELV casino sites are becoming the number one destination for German online casino fans.
This guide looks at the ELV payment method, including how it works. We then recommend the very best ELV online casinos in Germany. So please keep reading for everything you need to know about ELV and how to use it for online gambling.
ELV is the acronym for Elektronisches Lastschriftverfahren, the German equivalent of direct debit. The payment method isn’t new and has been around since the 1950s. So why are we talking about it now? ELV has become one of Germany's most popular payment methods for online gambling in recent years. This has resulted in many new ELV casino sites launching and many established online casinos accepting ELV when they didn’t before.
ELV has increased popularity amongst gamblers because of its safety, security, and convenience. We’ll cover this in more detail later in this guide.
How to Deposit Using ELV
Before you can deposit using ELV, you need to hold a German bank account that supports ELV payments. Once you have that, you’re ready to deposit. Follow these instructions to deposit using ELV:
Find an online casino that accepts ELV deposits. We recommend choosing one of the best ELV casino sites listed on this page, as they have been tried and tested by experts.
Create an account with the ELV online casino and head to the banking area to make a deposit.
Select ELV or Elektronisches Lastschriftverfahren as your chosen payment method. Then, enter how much you want to deposit and click next when prompted.
Enter your bank account details when asked and click submit.
You will be redirected back to the casino and receive a success message within a few seconds. The funds will be immediately available in your casino balance.
ELV Deposit Fee
What’s great about using ELV for online casino transactions is that there is no fee. Instead, your bank considers it the same as any other direct debit, so you only pay your depositing amount.
There is a caveat to be aware of, though. Although your bank will not charge you for an ELV deposit, some ELV casino sites will. These are considered admin or transaction fees and are sometimes passed on to the player. This could be a set amount or a percentage of the deposit, and it’s at the complete discretion of the casino.
To avoid any surprises or unwanted fees, always check the terms and conditions of your chosen ELV online casino before depositing.
ELV Withdrawal Speed
Unfortunately, the ELV withdrawal speed isn’t the best. It is essentially a bank transfer, and these are renowned for taking longer than other casino payment methods. If you withdraw using ELV, you should anticipate around 3-5 days before the cash lands in your account. This is considerably slower than most e-wallets and digital platforms, which typically take between 24 and 48 hours. If withdrawal speed is important to you, you can still use an ELV casino site but may want to choose a different payment method.
It’s also worth considering that your first withdrawal at an ELV online casino will take longer. You will be required to complete KYC (Know Your Customer), which involves submitting additional documentation to verify your identity. The good news is that this is a one-time thing, and it will make subsequent withdrawals painless.
Fastest Paying ELV Casinos in 2022
Although ELV, by nature, isn’t the fastest withdrawal method, there are other factors to consider. The 3-5 timeframe is accurate if the casino efficiently processes withdrawals. A slow casino can mean an even longer wait. We’ve identified the fastest paying ELV casino sites; check them out below:
No.
Online Casino
ELV Deposit
ELV Cashout
1
LeoVegas Casino
Yes
Yes
2
Captain Spins Casino
Yes
Yes
3
Duelz Casino
Yes
Yes
4
CasiGo Casino
Yes
Yes
5
10bet Casino
Yes
Yes
6
BGO Gods
Yes
Yes
7
Nyspins Casino
Yes
Yes
8
Betway Casino
Yes
Yes
Pros & Cons of ELV Casinos
There is a lot to like about ELV, but there are also some drawbacks. Here are the pros and cons of ELV casinos:
The highest levels of security and encryption
No fees are charged by ELV
ELV is quick and easy to use, even for beginners
No need to sign up for a third-party application
Slower withdrawal times
Some casinos will exclude ELV deposits from bonuses
It’s not widely accepted
Special Casino Bonuses Using ELV
Casino bonuses are one of the biggest perks to playing online instead of at a land-based casino. They come in many different shapes and sizes, the most common being a deposit match or free spins. However, you will find that the most generous casino bonuses are reserved for new players, known as a welcome bonus.
When we tested whether or not you can get a casino bonus using ELV, the results were mixed. Some ELV casino sites allow bonuses, and some don’t. This is hardly surprising, as standard bank transfers are usually excluded, and some casinos consider ELV the same as a bank transfer.
However, some sites will honour a welcome bonus because funds are credited instantly. For example, each online casino that accepts ELV on this page has a welcome offer that can be utilised even when using the ELV payment method. Just be aware that this won’t always be the case if you look elsewhere.
Customer Support at ELV
ELV is a direct debit procedure, not a specific payment platform or company. Therefore, to get help and support with ELV payments, you must contact your bank directly and raise the issue.
Your bank’s customer support team should be able to give you advice and guidance on ELV payments and may be able to help you if you’re having issues. However, if the problem seems to be at the casino end, you will need to contact customer support at the casino instead.
Payment Methods Similar to ELV
The ELV payment method is similar to a standard bank transfer, which would be the most obvious alternative. Other than that, very few different methods could be considered equivalent. However, there are some excellent alternatives. Check them out below:
GiroPay is a payment method that takes the next step in the evolution of secure online transactions. There is no shortage of online casinos that accept giropay as operators were quick to adopt this payment method due to the safety that it offers its users. It also makes online transfers quick and easy, and users do not have to register separately. All they need is a registered banking account at a participating bank or building society.
Trustly is the preferred online casino banking method for players from Sweden, Estonia, Poland, Denmark, Spain and other EU countries. It provides fast and secure deposits and withdrawals, free of charge. Trustly is a simple direct bank e-payments service with high-security measures. Whilst Trustly does not charge for the service, the bank or the online casino can charge a fee for any transaction done using this payment.
Klarna may not be something that many people are aware of, but it can provide quite the appealing alternative for players to utilise for depositing at online casinos. It offers up a simple and secure way to deposit funds, and it has recently become one of the biggest virtual banks in existence, thanks to the takeover of Sofort and its German competitor, BillPay in 2017.
Online casinos are giving players more payment options than ever before. You can choose to deposit and withdraw how you want, and there are now hundreds of casino payment providers available. One of the newer names in the market is Trustpay, which is already being snapped up by many online casino sites.
Nowhere does financial security better than a bank, and this is who processes ELV deposits at ELV casino sites. Each transaction is fully encrypted and secure, and your personal and financial data isn’t at risk.
The biggest question mark is how safe and reliable the ELV casino sites are. Our experts have vetted each of the online casinos listed and reviewed on this page. This includes checking and verifying licenses, data practices, payment processes, etc. If you choose a different casino other than those listed on this page, always be vigilant before signing up and depositing.
Using ELV to Gamble
Using ELV to gamble in Germany is simple if you find a good casino that supports the payment method. Unfortunately, it’s not as widely available as other options. In addition, the process is very similar to making a bank transfer, so the withdrawal times are equally as slow.
Many users prefer to use ELV because of the guaranteed safety measures. Although all reputable payment platforms have high levels of security, nothing matches the standards provided by banking institutions. So safety never has to be a concern.
It’s also one of the cheapest ways to gamble online as there are no fees involved. Many other payment methods charge a percentage or a flat amount per deposit, whereas ELV is fee-free. However, it’s worth noting that fee-free from the bank doesn’t necessarily mean that the casino won’t charge you.
Another perk to using ELV casino sites and the payment method is that there are no strict limits on how much you can spend within a specific timeframe. So as long as you meet the casino's minimum and maximum deposit terms, you shouldn’t run into any issues.
License and Address of ELV
ELV is a type of bank transfer supported by German banks. Therefore it is not licensed as a separate entity and doesn’t have a different address. All banks that support ELV are regulated by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
ELV Casinos FAQs
Still unsure about ELV casino sites and how they work? Read our FAQs below.
Can I use ELV at online casinos?
Yes, there are some ELV casino sites in Germany where you can deposit using the ELV method. All of the casinos listed on this page support ELV deposits.
Is ELV free to use to gamble?
Yes, banks do not charge for using ELV for gambling. However, the casino may apply a fee, so always read the terms and conditions.
Which countries accept ELV?
Currently, ELV is only available in Germany.
Mike Lorente
Author (3 Years of Experience)
631 Articles
Mike has worked as a freelance writer, focusing mostly on writing reviews and opinions on online casinos. In these past years, he has come to know in-depth how casinos operate and what to look for when choosing a casino. He is always happy to share new tips and strategies aimed to help you in your gaming journey. Based in Spain, Mike is a specialist in casino games and a master when it comes to online slot machines, sharing his strategies and tips on our website.
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