Western Union

Is It Safe to Bet With Western Union?

Absolutely! Western Union are trusted by millions around the world and offer both personal and commercial services. As a long standing money transfer service, Western Union were one of the first companies to be used by online bookmakers, and have been providing their services to bettors for over the past decade.

The company’s services can be access online, by phone, from more than 100,000 ATM’s and through over 500,000 agent locations around the world – an indication of the pure scale of their operation.

Western Union History

Western Union was initially founded as the New-York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company all the way back in 1851. The company changed their name to Western Union 5 years after inception and introduced a money transfer service in 1871. Over the next century, Western Union achieved a number of landmarks, including introducing the first customer charge card, delivering the first singing telegram and introducing the first commercial satellite in the USA.

The company launched their website in the year 2000 with the aim of providing consumers with fast, convenient ways to send money online. As technology improved, Western Union moved with the times and have improved their business solutions and introduced pre-paid cards (although most betting deposits are still made through payment at agent locations).

When the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2005 (UIGEA) came into effect in the USA, Western Union provided an avenue for US citizens to fund their betting accounts. Unfortunately for these bettors, in recent years, Western Union and the authorities have cracked down on the illegal wagering.

In their rules, Western Union state that ”You and Receiver represent that your use of Services does not violate: (a) any law, including, without limit, laws relating to money laundering, illegal gambling activities, support for terrorist activities or fraud”. There are however still a few firms that circumvent the laws by enabling bettors to send the funds to a representative of the bookmaker who then credits the account for the customer.

How Western Union Works

Customers can fund their betting accounts using the Western Union Quick Pay service. The funds can be uploaded by visiting one of the participating Western Union locations and filling out a Payment Services form. Each bookmaker will give their own instructions, but typically they require the Company Name, Company Code and Account Number (which is usually the customer’s username).

After sending the money, individuals receive a Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN), which serves the same purpose as a tracking number for a package, and should be passed on to the customer services agent of the bookmaker.

Deposit times can vary by bookmaker but the money should be available within 2-48 hours. Just be sure to try and get the best deposit bonus available when lodging money for the first time.