Best Google Pay betting sites in the UK: Top sites for June 2024
IF you’re a punter trying to choose the best online casino or sportsbook site or app, then deposit and withdrawal options should be high on your list of priorities - I know they're on mine.
Of course, the quality and availability of sports odds and markets come first, and alternative options like bingo and lottery games, poker, slots, and live dealer games are all things to take into consideration too, but I won't be able to play any of those if I can't place my stake, so payments are one of the first things I check.
Find The Sun's betting publishing principles here
After all, there’s no point getting lucky and scoring big wins if your withdrawals stay safely behind the barrier of a restricted payment method. Luckily, Google Pay is an option with many of our betting partners - including those listed in this article.
It’s an Android-based system, meaning you won’t be able to access it from an iOS device. While Google Pay is far less common than e-wallets like PayPal, it’s definitely gaining in popularity, and I've been seeing it around much more often than in the past few years.
I've done my best to find the top Google Pay sportsbooks on the UK market, review them, and tell you how to make the most of your Google payments when betting online.
How I rated the Google Pay sportsbooks: My standards
There's a lot more to a great Google Pay casino or bookmaker's website than aesthetics and bonus offers. We as players need to look deeper at the things that will impact our gameplay in the long term. As a rule, here are the three points I consider before recommending a gambling site in any reviews:
- Bonuses and promos on offer - When I sign up at web casinos and betting sites, I'm always trying to get the most out of my deposit. Bonuses and promos are the best way to do that, and I now expect a competitive welcome offer at the bare minimum. If a site really wants to impress me - and you, of course - there also needs to be a constant stream of free bets, free spins, and deposit match offers to keep the experience profitable for me as the punter.
- Variety of sports, markets, and games - The whole point of online gambling is to be entertained - ideally, that means the golden combo: A sportsbook packed with all major markets like basketball, football, baseball, hockey, and more should, as well as online casinos stocked with bingo, lottery, games, slots, poker, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and live dealer games. If I want to use my Google Pay deposit to bet on a relatively obscure sport, and I can't find it, you can bet that bookie won't be seeing my patronage.
- Special features and functionality - As I said, it's not all about aesthetics, but that's not to say some of it isn't. Online casinos and bookmakers operate in a highly competitive space, and form needs to blend seamlessly with function. That means I want to step into a betting lobby equipped with loads of proprietary features like Bet Builder, Daily Jackpots, Live Streaming, Bet Credits, Betting Pools, and more. What's more, all of these options need to be a click or two away from the homepage, at most. In the case of Google Pay specfically, the websites and mobile apps should also be optimised for Android phones and tablets.
- Find The Sun's betting publishing principles here
Betting sites we work with that accept Google Pay
1. bet365
Unsurprisingly, bet365 tops almost every list when it comes to ranking the best all-round gambling site, and it tops mine as well. First and foremost, Google Pay is on offer on its lengthy list of payment options, and I've found registering and selecting this deposit method to be a breeze.
Like you will, I used the code SUN365 to sign up, and after completing the KYC procedure - lengthy, but not unexpected on a site of bet365's calibre - and making my Google Pay initial deposit, I received the bonus.
If you choose to wager at bet365 as well, you’ll also get instant access to live streaming, in-play betting, virtual sports, and a huge list of sports betting markets. On top of the Google Pay-related convenience, this platform has a lot to show for it, so I can heartily recommend it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Usually the place for the best horse racing odds around | ❌ Customer support isn’t always easily accessible |
| ✅ Tons of payment options, including Google Pay | ❌ Lengthy KYC process |
| ✅ World famous site with a great reputation |
2. BoyleSports
Irish-based BoyleSports, named after founder John Boyle, made its entry into the gambling world back in 1982, and boy am I glad it did. Today, BoyleSports has over 340 betting shops in Ireland and the UK, along with an international online sportsbook and casino.
Signing up with BoyleSports was easy enough - the bonus is kind of modest, but it does cover both sports and casino, which I like to see - and I selected Google Pay as my payment method of choice on the second registration page.
Once I'd made my initial deposit, I was given access to both an enormous selection of sports markets and a wide offering of entertainment options, ranging from slots, bingo, poker and other live games, and much more. And I easily withdrew my winnings via Google Pay as well, as direct debit.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Huge selection of games | ❌ Relatively modest welcome bonus |
| ✅ Double bonus for sportsbook and casino | |
| ✅ Plenty of sports and virtual sports betting options |
What is Google Pay and how does it work?
Google has been playing around with e-wallet formats for several years, but it wasn’t until 2018 that they settled on Google Pay. This was a merger of features from both Google Wallet and Android Pay. It’s a payment system designed specifically for Android devices, affecting contactless payments and in-person purchases.
It’s also a hub for flight passes, transit cards, tickets, memberships, and more. If you’re a Google Chrome user, then you’ll be familiar with Google Pay, which stepped in to replace the autofill feature, offering a safer way to speed up online purchases and deposits.
I found it really easy to set up Google Pay, and even more so to use it with UK bookies. I researched it a bit, and aside from downloading the app onto your Android phone - the route I took - via the Google Play store, you can also add the extension to your browser.
I started the process by visiting pay.google.com. Once I signed into my Google account, it prompted me to add a payment method. That means entering your bank card details, but you’ll only need to do this once.
When you’re up and running you’ll never have to enter names, numbers, and dates again. If you’re gambling at a Google Pay betting site, then you’ll see the icon in the cashier. Simply click it and follow the on-screen instructions to make your deposit or withdrawal.
What are the benefits of using Google Pay?
Google Pay hasn’t risen to the level of popularity of other digital wallets like Skrill, Neteller, or PayPal, but it’s definitely got a lot going for it. As the Android equivalent of Apple Pay, it still has a way to go until it reaches Apple’s level of usability, but here are all the things I love about Google Pay:
- You can send funds directly to your bank account without having to worry about service charges and other fees - it’s completely free!
- It’s safer than using a debit or credit bank card because it keeps your details hidden from the merchant or vendor.
- Google Pay’s exciting features allow you to make payments with just a phone number or QR code. This is paired with facial recognition and fingerprint recognition for additional security.
- Google Pay comes with a built-in rewards program, which gives you the chance to collect cashback and pick up discounts on restaurants and other goods.
What are the disadvantages of using Google Pay?
If you’re reading a review on Google Pay betting, then you’re obviously still on the fence about whether or not you should be using it. You’ve probably scrolled straight to this section to find out what the negatives are. I'm here to tell you that there are pros and cons to everything, it just comes down to what works best for you. Here’s what isn’t great about Google Pay:
- It hasn’t been adopted by most sportsbooks and casinos yet - though it’s guaranteed to become more widespread with time.
- Although it can be downloaded on both iOS and Android devices, you’re far more likely to use the native Apple Pay on a Mac, iPad, or iPhone.
- You’re reliant on a physical device to make payments, so be sure to never run out of juice!
Are there any fees for using Google Pay?
Let me be clear about this - Google Pay has some of the lowest fees (if there are any fees at all) among the betting payment methods. One of the major issues with using bank cards is that they often attract fees. Using e-wallets like Google Pay are completely free for punters 99% of the time. When it comes to transferring money out of the wallet and back in again, there are absolutely no extra costs.
However, you will be charged 1.5% of the transaction value when it comes to transferring money back to your debit card. That’s why it’s better to send money directly back to a bank account - which won’t incur any fees. The short answer is that you’re unlikely to run into any additional costs when using Google Pay, and both online casinos and online bookmakers allow players to use this payment method for free.
What is the minimum you have to deposit when using Google Pay?
If you think of Google Pay as an extension of your credit and debit card, then it becomes obvious that there’s no such thing as a minimum deposit. Once you set up Google Pay and link your bank card or bank account, every transaction debits your funds directly. This makes it one of the kings of deposit methods, in my opinion.
The main differences are that it’s faster, and the vendor (in our case, the betting site) never receives access to your card details. Minimum deposits are only set by the casino or sportsbook. As a general rule, minimum deposits are set at £10, but some smaller operators might request a minimum deposit of £30. Deposits should always be free with Google Pay.
What is the minimum withdrawal with Google Pay?
Google Pay accesses your cards directly, and it doesn’t necessarily hold a balance within the wallet itself. Think of it more as an intermediary step. However, Google Pay does allow you to make money transfers and purchases, and for these, there are limits in place. Google Pay’s cashback loyalty system does mean that you can build up some healthy savings, and these winnings can be transferred back to your bank balance.
Doing this is easy, just select ‘Google Pay balance’ and then choose ‘Transfer balance’. The eWallet limits you to 30 withdrawals over a 7-day period, with a minimum transfer/withdrawal of £1. All transactions have a maximum cap of £700 if your account isn’t verified, and £5,000 if you’ve verified your account. Your chosen casino or bookie will usually set a minimum withdrawal of £10 or £20.
Is it safe to bet online with Google Pay?
Having privacy concerns is a very valid and sensible consideration. Hackers and scammers are getting smarter and the fear of losing your money is justifiably terrifying. But Google Pay is a sophisticated digital wallet, developed by leading tech giants.
Google places your online safety as its top consideration. They will never sell or share your information with third parties or even within the company for ad targeting. Google Pay requires all devices to have a lock screen, and it also comes with built-in security to protect against spam, malware, and viruses.
What are the alternatives to Google Pay?
Google Pay’s closest alternative is Apple Pay. But unlike Google Pay, Apple Pay is restricted to Apple devices only. If you’re not sold on Google Pay, or your favorite betting site doesn’t support it, then a digital e-wallet is the way to go. The most popular ones are:
If you’re not too keen on using e-wallets, then there are always old-school bank transfers or direct deposits and withdrawals with your debit cards and credit cards.
Almost every single betting site accepts Visa and MasterCard. American Express and Discover are also sometimes accepted, but it’s not very common. Always pay attention to any transaction fees that could be tacked on to bank transfers and direct card payments.
All in all, if you find a UK sportsbook that accepts Google Pay deposits and withdrawals - be it one I recommended or another one you come upon yourself - know that this payment method is the peak of ease of use. I'm all for making the most of it for gambling as well.
Find The Sun's betting publishing principles here
About the author
James Anderson
James Anderson is a Betting & Gaming Writer at The Sun. He is an expert in sports betting and online casinos, and joined the company in November 2020 to work closely with leading bookmakers and online gaming companies to curate content in all areas of sports betting. He previously worked as a Digital Sports Reporter and Head of Live Blogs/Events at the Daily Express and Daily Star, covering football, cricket, snooker, F1 and horse racing.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org
Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk
