The PayPal service prohibits merchants and account holders from conducting transactions related to gambling activities in some U.S. states and in any jurisdiction where gambling is illegal.
In addition, merchants who offer services that can be accessed by U.S. account holders are also prohibited from conducting gambling transactions. However, PayPal does allow approved gambling merchants to use their service in jurisdictions where gambling activities are legal. To be approved by PayPal, these merchants must demonstrate their ability to prevent U.S. account holders and those in illegal gambling jurisdictions from participating in their activities.
PayPal strictly prohibits account holders from using their service to send or receive payments for any form of gambling activities, including but not limited to:
- wagers
- gambling debts
- Gambling winnnings
whether conducted online, in-person, or through other means.
The definition of gambling includes activities such as placing, accepting, recording, or registering bets, participating in lotteries, or engaging in games of chance or skill for money, property, or other valuables.
In addition to the above, PayPal also prohibits certain gambling-related activities even if they are lawful or not legally defined as gambling, unless conducted by an approved merchant. These activities include games of chance and skill, casino games such as baccarat, blackjack, craps, and roulette, sports books or sports betting, horse or greyhound racing, person-to-person betting, lottery tickets, gaming machines, and gambling-related ventures such as gambling tips or offshore gambling licenses.
To obtain approval from PayPal, merchants (gambling companies such as online casinos and sportsbooks) seeking to conduct gambling activities must provide contact information and a summary of their business while ensuring compliance with PayPal’s gambling policy.
View PayPal’s acceptable use policy and Gambling Policy.