8 Must-Have Features of Modern iGaming Payment Gateways

iGaming businesses face increasing competition as many new iGaming operators enter the rapidly growing global online betting market. Sports betting platforms and iGaming solutions strive to outdo competition by expanding the coverage of sports events and introducing new types of bets as they aim to attract a broader base of gamblers.

All marketing studies highlight the role of delivering positive player experience in attracting new clients and retaining existing player base. In light of that fact, let us now go over the list of most important features for a successful payment system.

Seamless User Experience

It is not hard to understand why a positive user experience with payment system plays a decisive role in a business’ ability to successfully attract and retain players: a smooth ride through various sections of the system to the desired action, and prompt execution by the system of requested actions are bound to make positive initial impression on new users and encourage them to continue their use of an iGaming site as they try it for the first time. And a hitchless operation of the system no doubt plays an important role in the list of factors that contribute to existing players’ decision to retain their betting activity with the site.

Similarly, an awkward, slow or confusing user experience can be a deal-breaker: annoyed players will leave - at the least. In the current age of high engagement in social network activity of a considerable portion of the economically active population, frustrated users will likely tell their friends on social networks about their negative experience with the site - the negative publicity hurting business’ chances of attracting new players.

So a positive user experience with iGaming payment solutions helps increase market share and business revenue by expanding the customer base, while bad user experience’s costs to a business can be considerable through lost revenue.

It is then not surprising that a growing number of gambling market studies indicate that players consider the experience with iGaming payment solution one of top determinants when choosing a sports betting platform to place their bets. It pays to focus on the elements that define a seamless user experience - chief among them, fast deposits and quick cashouts, which are essential for attracting new gamblers and keeping them engaged.

Learn more about Top iGaming Payment Solutions for 2025

A December 2021 Statista market study of important factors among regular sports bettors when choosing a sports betting service in the US revealed that:

• Approximately 60 percent of sports bettors considered the ease of cashing out to be very important and 21 percent of sports bettors mentioned that same category to be somewhat important
• Availability on mobile phone, and then ease of use were mentioned next as very important factors following the ease to cash out by 54% and 53% of respondents respectively
• Access to a wide range of sports was only the sixth factor indicated as very important by 45% of players

• Intuitive navigation is an integral part of seamless user experience. It is important to design the system with the aim of achieving user-friendly interface by employing:

  - Neat and intuitively organized layouts

  - Dropdown menus and buttons for guiding players to their desired actions in just a few clicks as they manage their account

  - Clear and concise labels for each function of the app

  - Tutorial (video preferably) for new users featuring visual aids and simple instructions

It is important to verify with real players of different demographics that the system is intuitive and the navigation is straightforward, and periodically test it with current users to make sure the design remains modern and minimalist with a visually appealing interface.

Optimization for Mobile Devices

Optimization for mobile devices is imperative as gamblers increasingly use mobile devices for online gambling as the global iGaming market is expanding. Several studies indicate that the mobile segment actually is becoming more dominant: 2024 Global Online Gambling Market report by Spherical Insights is a recent study which indicates that the mobile segment dominated the global online gambling industry in 2023.

Accordingly, the payment system should be designed to have:

• Interfaces that resize flawlessly across different screen sizes
• Touch-friendly buttons.
• Fast loading times - studies indicate that a one-second delay in page load time can lead to drops in conversions up to 7%

Security

Security is growing in importance for online businesses as payments in iGaming increasingly move from traditional methods - such as credit cards and bank transfers - to digital solutions like digital wallets.

Players demand that their sensitive personal and financial information remain confidential and protected against unwarranted disclosure, and more so against phishing attacks, identity theft, and hacking.

Encryption of data transferred between users and websites or between two systems is a traditional protection measure. There are a few universal encryption standards that a payment system must incorporate, such as:

• SSL encryption - the Secure Sockets Layer encryption which has been in use for longest time.

• TLS encryption - the Transport Layer Security encryption which is an updated, more secure version of SSL.

There are several SSL/TLS encryption providers such as Cloudflare, Microsoft, IBM and others.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is another widely employed security measure that requires users to verify their identity with two or more pieces of evidence or “factors”, currently being realized mostly in two flavors like:

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) - the minimum standard used by many websites.
• Three-Factor Authentication (3FA) - the stronger measure.

Know Your Customer (KYC)

Know Your Customer (KYC) is the process of identifying and verifying the client's identity when opening an account and periodically over time. KYC requirements for online gaming differ depending on the jurisdictions but generally include the following:

KYC requirements for online gaming differ depending on the jurisdictions but generally include the following:

• Identity Verification

  - Players provide government-issued identification documents like a passport, driver’s license, or national ID

  - Platforms confirm that each player is who they claim to be and meets the legal age requirement

  - Biometric verification tools and facial recognition are increasingly used

• Bank Account or Payment Verification

  - Verifies the payment information as legitimate

  - Reduces the risk of fraudulent transactions or money laundering

Incorporating Variety of Payment Methods

Incorporating a variety of payment methods allows iGaming platforms to attract and retain a broader and more diverse bettor audience, expanding its player base. Ideally, a payment solution for iGaming platform will use both traditional payment methods and electronic payments methods, including:

Ideally, a payment solution for iGaming platform will use both traditional payment methods and electronic payments methods, including:

• Credit and debit cards: Visa and Mastercard remain prevalent offerings due to their widespread acceptance
• Alternative payment methods like digital wallets: PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and others are increasingly favored for their speed and security
• Online cash solutions, or eCash
• Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies that are gaining popularity among players looking for anonymity and lower transaction fees.

As the iGaming industry continues to grow and evolve, so do player expectations - especially when it comes to how they deposit, withdraw, and manage their funds.

A modern iGaming payment gateway must go beyond basic functionality; it should offer speed, security, convenience, and flexibility to meet the diverse needs of today’s players. By prioritizing seamless user experience, mobile optimization, strong security measures, and a wide range of payment options, iGaming operators can not only attract more users but also build lasting trust and loyalty.

Investing in the right payment infrastructure is no longer optional - it's essential for long-term success in an increasingly competitive market.