Casinos go to great lengths to attract new customers by highlighting enticing bonuses, diverse payment options, and numerous game titles tailored to various skill and experience levels. Although many enjoy online gambling, some players are deterred by the commitment.
The technological innovation of online gambling platforms is commendable, as is their eagerness to include the newest options to accommodate players. This can still alienate some customers because they prefer not to leave a permanent online footprint. Therefore, casinos are always looking to incorporate models that would allow players to engage without the need to register an account.
If you are among the Canadian players who are looking for a flexible, low-friction, and easy online casino experience that doesn’t require registration and allows instant payouts, such as PayPer casino platforms, read on to learn all about pay-per-play casino models.
What Is Pay-and-Play?
Also known as pay-per-play, this gambling model lets you access an online casino without creating a traditional account. Instead of registering and submitting personal information, you deposit funds directly through your bank, and the payment provider handles identity verification in the background. This means your personal data isn’t stored by the casino, offering a faster and more private experience.
There are two types of pay-and-play casinos: pure and hybrid.
- Pure pay-and-play casinos don’t require any signup. You can deposit through your bank and start playing immediately. If you return to the site later, you can pick up where you left off, thanks to secure bank-based identification. These casinos typically rely on Trustly, a Swedish payment provider that handles both the transaction and the necessary KYC (Know Your Customer) checks.
- Hybrid pay-and-play casinos combine traditional login systems with pay-and-play features. These platforms accept other payment methods in addition to Trustly, but they may still require you to create an account.
Originally available only in select European countries, Trustly expanded its services to Australia and Canada in 2020, making pay-and-play casinos available to Canadian online gambling enthusiasts.
Features of Pay-Per-Play Casinos
Generally, these casinos consist of the same standard features as any renowned online casino. They grant promotions, provide popular titles, and maintain a high-quality cross-platform experience.
However, every gaming model has its pros and cons. Below, the CasinoOnlineCA team has summarized everything you need to know about the pay-and-play casino model to make an educated decision about whether or not it is the right option for your unique needs.
Advantages
- No Accounts: The pay-per-play model lets you play, deposit, and withdraw without the need to join a platform officially. This saves you from having to share your personal details with the platform. You also won’t have to keep playing even when you don’t feel like it to avoid paying the inactivity fees some online casinos have.
- More Privacy: While not leaving sensitive information with the casino might be an appealing proposal, pay-and-play casinos aren’t fully anonymous. Namely, you still must pass the standard KYC checks, but your bank ID does it for you.
- Instant Payouts: The integration of a bank ID replaces the need for login, allowing faster, fuss-free transactions. This concept was pioneered by Trustly, formerly known as InstantBank, which introduced it in 2008.
- Bonuses: As a pay-and-play gambler, you are eligible for all the standard bonuses and even some special offers. For instance, since your deposit model is different, you might receive cashback instead of getting bonus funds.
- Security: The bank ID-related verification process is secure and trustworthy, relieving players’ anxiety and letting them focus all their attention on the games rather than spend days submitting documentation and talking to customer support.
Disadvantages
- Limited Access: Many pay-per-play models are only available in certain locations, so not everyone will have access to this gambling type.
- High Fees: Since operators have to rely on payment providers to enable the instant payout option, they charge higher fees than regular casinos.
- Lack of Account Monitoring: Gambling operators rely on AI to monitor accounts for signs of addictive behaviour, so players typically don’t have access to responsible gambling tools.
The pay-per-play model has one significant downside for operators. Namely, marketing costs are much higher than they would be for a regular online casino.
“The operator has the player’s bank ID but no access to any information that could be used for personalized marketing. Normally, platforms keep users engaged by tailoring the messages based on activity and other data collected from analyzing their behaviour. That’s unavailable in this case, so pay-per-play casinos must invest much more in marketing,” explains gambling expert James Segrest, author at CasinoOnlineCA.
Conclusion
The pay-per-play gambling model allows players to play at an online casino without creating an account. Login credentials are replaced with a bank ID that grants security and trustworthiness, providing a no-fuss gambling experience. The system also grants instant transactions, enabling lightning-fast deposits and withdrawals.
Casinos that support this method are ideal for casual players who long for simplicity and fast transfers. Still, players who opt for this model may face higher fees, the inability to use other payment options apart from a bank account, and the lack of account surveillance tools. The latter is particularly important for people prone to developing addictive behaviours, as these tools allow you to monitor your activity and practice self-exclusion if necessary.
As you can see, the pay-per-play model has its fair share of advantages and a few potential downsides that may prove a deal-breaker to some gambling enthusiasts. Ultimately, it’s up to you to analyze your gaming preferences and needs to determine if pay-per-play casinos are the right choice for you.
