UPI Overview
UPI is a staple deposit and withdrawal method at Indian casinos. Whether exclusively Indian gambling sites or welcoming India among other countries, you will surely find UPI in the Cashier. There are many reasons why this payment service is so widespread and popular in iGaming and beyond, with over a billion transactions per month:
- Custom-tailored to meet the needs of users in India
- Mobile-first approach
- Innovative, user-friendly, multifunctional features
- Highly secure, cost-effective and quick transactions
- Allows the use of various 3rd party apps for additional features
- Available 24/7
Modern-day player in India is a smartphone user and wants bankroll management to be quick and painless so they can enjoy worry-free gambling anytime. Funding casino accounts and cashing out should ideally be a part of the same cashless payment service/account used for everyday, general money management. Using a separate service for casino bankroll management is an added hassle no one wants to deal with. UPI is a practical solution allowing users to manage all kinds of transactions within a single platform and bank account.
What is UPI?
UPI - short for Unified Payments Interface - is an instant payment solution that facilitates secure and easy real-time money transfers between bank accounts within the country’s banking ecosystem. It simplifies cashless financial transactions by linking bank accounts to a single mobile application. Users can pay and receive money within a single app that conveniently unifies a mobile device, card number and banking account, by providing a personal UPI ID which eliminates the need for giving any bank account details or personal information to third-party websites.
Labeled as revolutionary, UPI was developed and launched on April 11, 2016 with 21 participating banks, by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as an effort to simplify digital payments in the country and improve customer experience.
At that time, India used multiple financial transaction systems under NPCI, making online payments challenging and complicated for banks and users. The problem was solved by introducing the UPI infrastructure, which now enables standardized, automated and efficient operations across more than 380 participating banks. Each bank offers its own UPI app for Android, iOS and Windows.
With the rise of smartphone use in India, UPI was developed primarily as a mobile-based solution with a simple user interface that allows as few clicks as possible to accomplish payments, authorizations and many other functions. Built upon existing IMPS, NFS, RTGS and NEFT infrastructures for electronic transfers and security protocols, UPI is flexible, allowing for easy integration of additional features and uses to meet growing customer demands.
How UPI Works
Indian users can use the UPI service to make different types of very easy, quick and secure digital money transfers via a personal smartphone 24/7. This is a rupee-based, government-regulated system tailored to offer highly practical, low-cost and secure payments.
The types of transactions include peer-to-peer transfers, merchant transactions, online shopping, bills and utilities, and recurrent payments like various subscriptions or fees. All payments are made with one-click, two-factor authentication using a personal UPI ID and UPI PIN.
Bank Enabled App and 3rd Party Apps
Some first-time users may get confused with regard to how exactly UPI-enabled apps work, given that they often see third-party apps like PhonePe, Paytm, GPay, Freecharge, Amazon Pay and others offered for payments through UPI at various merchants or websites.
UPI is a standardized payment system in India and almost all banks offer their apps or integrate UPI into existing mobile banking apps. Therefore, you can use UPI directly for payments without relying on specific third-party apps.
If you want additional functions or features besides UPI’s core functionality of money transfers, you can use third-party apps that leverage the UPI framework.
How to Get Started with UPI
There are several requirements to meet to be able to use UPI:
- Active bank account at any of the participating banks
- Smartphone with Internet access
- Mobile phone number linked to bank account
- Debit card/Aadhaar card to create a 6-digit MPIN
The individual steps of setting up UPI may differ depending on the bank, but generally, the process is very streamlined and similar across the board. It involves filling out a registration form, creating a unique virtual ID/password, and connecting one or more bank accounts to start sending and receiving funds.
- Choose, download, and install a UPI app from your bank’s official website or Google Play store
- Register on the app
- Link one or more bank accounts
- Create a UPI ID (some apps will automatically set up a UPI ID)
- Enter the first six digits of your Aadhaar number to validate it and click ‘confirm’ OR
- Enter the last 6 digits and the expiry date of your debit card
- Set the four or six-digit UPI PIN, which may vary based on your chosen UPI application
- Initiate payments
UPI for Deposits and Withdrawals in Online Casinos
Given that UPI is a uniquely Indian service, the convenience and accessibility goes without saying. These and many more features tailored to fit Indian players’ needs made it so widely available among online casinos in India. Nowadays, you will hardly find an Indian gaming site without UPI. It has become a staple of local operators and a sign that a brand welcomes gamblers from the country in various ways.
How to Deposit with UPI at an Online Casino?
There are several easy steps to fund your account - individual steps may differ depending on the casino, but the process is typically very similar across the board and shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes.
The first and crucial step is to find a reputable, fair operator with UPI in the cashier. Fortunately for you, most casinos with a local player base offer this method and will list all popular banking options on the homepage. Remember, you can always email them or contact live chat to double-check.
With the large number of UPI casinos, you will have plenty to choose from and ensure your final choice meets most of your needs.
- Select a reputable, UPI-friendly casino;
- Register an account by filling out the form, making sure all information is genuine and correct; agree to the terms and conditions and finalize the process to join the casino;
- Log in to your account and access the deposit section in your user dashboard or Cashier; some casinos will automatically present the deposit options upon joining;
- Look for the UPI logo, click on it and follow the prompts to enter the desired deposit amount;
- Click on the Deposit button to open a new window where you will copy the casino’s UPI ID;
- Open your UPI app, select the option to send money and paste the casino’s UPI ID;
- Enter the deposit amount and your UPI PIN to initiate the transaction;
- Copy the UTR number and paste it into the casino’s payment tab to finalize the transaction;
- Play!
How to Withdraw with UPI from an Online Casino?
The good news is that you use UPI for deposits and withdrawals - you don’t have to worry about finding an alternative solution to cashout your winnings! Withdrawing is just as easy and fast as depositing, but before attempting to cash out, any withdrawal requirements must be met. If you’re not sure, check the terms and conditions or contact support.
- Log in to your casino account and open Withdrawals in your user dashboard or cashier;
- Find and select UPI, enter the withdrawal amount and your UPI ID or virtual payment address (VPA);
- Click on the Confirm button to initiate the transaction;
- Wait for the withdrawal to process;
- Prior to the withdrawal approval and processing, the casino may ask you to verify the account;
- Once the withdrawal has been processed, you will receive an email or bank notification.
UPI Applicable Fees and Limits
Low fees, generous limits and safety are among the main reasons UPI is so popular. Remember that UPI is a multifunctional payment service that supports various types of transactions, which may differ regarding fees and applicable charges.
However, UPI transactions - peer-to-peer (P2P) and peer-to-merchant (P2M) typically come at no cost, or the charges are very low - just enough to cover basic transaction costs.
Some banks may impose additional charges once a one-time transaction or cumulative transactions over an indicated period exceed predetermined amounts.
Most banks will determine daily fees and limits for UPI transfers, which will likely differ depending on the bank and UPI app service provider, but you can expect them to range between ₹25,000 and ₹1,00,000.
UPI Advantages and Disadvantages
If you’ve come this far reading the article, you have a pretty good idea about this method's positives and downsides.
It’s safe to say that, when it comes to UPI, the positives far outweigh the negatives for most Indian casino goers.
Still, it’s useful to go over the advantages and disadvantages once more in a succinct way - this will provide a very clear picture of what to expect when funding and withdrawing from your casino account:
UPI Advantages
- Developed for Indian users
- Safe and secured government-regulated service
- INR transactions
- Cost-efficient due to low fees and reasonable transaction limits
- Practical and efficient through a single mobile app linked to one or more bank accounts
- Instant transfers processed in real-time
- Available at the majority of Indian online casinos
- Can be used for both deposits and withdrawals at a casino
UPI Disadvantages
- Requires a smartphone
- Requires a bank account
- Limited availability outside India
UPI FAQ
1. Can I use UPI without a debit card?
Yes, you can use UPI without a debit card. Debit cards used to be required because you had to enter your debit card details upon logging into the UPI app to create a four or six-digit UPI PIN. To allow users without a debit card - especially those from rural areas in India - access to UPI transactions, the NPCI introduced other ways to verify and enable UPI transfers. You can now use UPI and create a UPI PIN by linking your Aadhaar Card number. Select the Aadhaar-based verification option in your UPI app and follow the instructions. You still need a valid bank account and mobile phone number to use this service.
2. Can I use UPI without linking my bank account?
No, this is not possible. UPI is an app-based service that facilitates real-time transactions between bank accounts. One or more of your bank accounts must be linked to a UPI mobile app to enable the service.
3. Are there any fees for UPI transactions?
Most of the time, UPI service providers and associated banks do not charge transaction fees, neither do casinos. If there are fees, they are typically very low, making it a cost-efficient payment solution. However, fees ultimately depend on your chosen provider and bank.
4. Am I eligible for bonuses if I deposit with UPI at an online casino?
Most UPI-friendly online casinos allow you to claim regular bonuses when depositing with this solution. Certain specialized promotions might have different requirements. To ensure this is allowed, contact support via chat or email and clarify this before depositing or claiming any promotions.
5. Are UPI online casinos safe for Indian players?
UPI is a safe and secure payment solution developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It facilitates payments through the country’s banking system with established security and encryption protocols. However, keep in mind that casinos themselves can have good or bad practices - always do research at trusted sources before choosing an online casino.
