Instant transactions
Sofort casinos are popular among Austrian online players for their speed, security, and reliability. Originally launched in Germany as SofortÜberweisung, Sofort was acquired by Klarna in 2014, and its payment functionality has since been integrated into Klarna’s Pay Now. In this article, we explain how Sofort works for deposits in Austrian casinos, highlight its advantages and limitations, and help you choose the best Sofort-friendly sites.
Sofort is not accepted in the state-owned win2day online casino; however, it is available at the best Austrian casino sites offshore. Since Klarna acquired Sofort in 2014, payments are processed through the Klarna “Pay Now” service. Sofort acts as an intermediary between players’ bank accounts and online casinos and is primarily used for deposits. Availability for withdrawals varies by operator, so players should always check the terms and conditions of each casino before using Sofort.
At Ace Alliance, we strive to find the best casinos with Sofort for online gambling Austria by comparing what different sites have to offer, licensing information, and mobile optimisation. Here are some of the things we check for when reviewing Sofort casinos in Austria.
Licensing is a crucial consideration in choosing the best online casino, so we check if casinos disclose the licence they operate under and verify with regulators to check if they’re valid. We also consider how casinos handle transactions and whether they have sufficient security measures in place to protect members.
Fast transactions via Sofort put players’ minds at ease, which is why we check how quickly player deposits are processed and consider if same-day withdrawals are possible in the operators we review. Austria-facing fast payout casinos that process Sofort transactions in real time rank high among the recommended casinos in Ace Alliance.
Transaction limits affect players’ experiences, and high fees can eat into budgeted gaming funds. Therefore, we check if casinos have flexible transaction limits suitable for new players and high rollers, whether fees are charged on deposits or withdrawals, and if casinos list Euros among supported currencies.
Knowing that mobile phones are the most preferred gaming devices in Austria, we check if casino payment pages are optimised for mobile use. We test how easy it is to make Sofort payments on Android and iOS phones at web casinos and install a casino app Österreich when available for testing.
Payments processed via Sofort are primarily in Euros, making the banking option a good choice for players residing in Austria. As a popular online casino payment method in Austria, deposits are quick and reliable, and no fees are charged by casinos, while withdrawals are processed smoothly in some casinos. Below are key steps players follow when transacting in Sofort online casinos.
Making a deposit with Sofort in Austrian online casinos is an easy process. You’ll need to have a personal account with one of the supported banks, like Erste Group Bank or UniCredit Bank Austria, then follow these steps to fund your account:
Sofort withdrawals are not always supported, but when they are, the cashout process depends on the casino and may be completed shortly after approval. Here are the withdrawal steps in casinos that allow members to cash out winnings via Sofort.
Being an intermediary between Austrian banks and casinos, Sofort rides on existing banking infrastructure to process payments. No fees are charged by Sofort casinos or the company, but banking fees of about 1% of the transacted amount or a €0.25 flat fee may apply. Below is a comparison between Sofort transactions and bank transfers in online casinos.
| Banking Method | Processing Times | Typical Fees | Transaction Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofort | Instant deposits, withdrawals in 1 to 3 days after processing | No fees from Sofort, but associated banks may charge 1% or €0.25 flat fee | €20 minimum for deposits; minimum withdrawal limits depend on the casino |
| Traditional Banking | Instant deposits, withdrawals in 3 to 5 business days after approval | Bank transfer fees range between 1% and 3% | €20 minimum for deposits; minimum withdrawal limits depend on the casino |
Speedy, secure, and convenient deposits are the reasons why many Austrian players opt to use Sofort for gaming. Transfers from personal bank accounts to casinos are quick, can be done in Euros, and have no hidden fees. Players can set up two-factor authentication for each transaction, enhancing security so that each payment must be authorised by the account owner.
Austrians using Sofort for transactions in online casinos have other options to choose from as well. EPS transfers directly link players’ accounts to casinos, but Sofort acts as an intermediary between banks and casinos. The table below shows how Sofort compares to EPS for use in Austrian casinos.
Instant transactions
Instant transactions
Withdrawals are supported at some casinos
Rarely available for withdrawals
No fees from Sofort for players; some banks may charge ~1% or €0.25 per transaction
Between 1% and 3% fees, depending on the linked bank
€10-20 minimum deposit limit, depending on the casino
€10-20 deposit limit, depending on the casino
Using Sofort can be a great experience for some, but that is not always the case in some cases. The pros and cons table below outlines the upsides and downsides of choosing Sofort for banking in Austrian online casinos.
Can be eligible for casino bonuses and promotions
Extra layer of security on transactions
Fast deposits and easy-to-process withdrawals
No fees from Sofort itself for players
Eliminates the necessity of sharing banking credentials with casinos
Widely accepted by major Austrian banks
Supports transactions in EUR
Withdrawals rarely supported
Not all Austrian casinos accept Sofort
Only works with supported banks; some smaller banks not included
Bank fees (~1% or €0.25) may apply When choosing the best Sofort online casino in Austria, players consider reliability, legitimacy, and the trust scores of operators. Having a checklist to help decide if a casino is worth playing at goes a long way in selecting trustworthy sites that process payments in time and have quality services. Here are the most important things to consider:
Time Needed:
00:10
Device Required:
PC, Smartphone
Confirm that the casino you’re considering actually accepts players living in Austria. To do this, open the terms and check to make sure Austria isn’t among the list of restricted countries.
Check the deposit and withdrawal terms to see how fast transactions are processed and any applicable fees, limits, and verification requirements. While at it, check if EUR is among the accepted currencies.
Compare available welcome bonuses, reloads, and loyalty bonuses on different sites to select the best one and read the eligibility terms to know if Sofort deposits are eligible for bonuses.
Create an account and link your personal bank account to Sofort, then proceed to make a test deposit. Keep in mind that you only get one chance to claim the first deposit bonus.
Sofort offers 2-factor authentication, so make sure you’ve activated PIN and TAN codes on your account, giving you ultimate control over each transaction.
Avoid sharing your banking details, login credentials, or your gaming device with anyone.
Frequently monitor account activity to make sure there are no transactions implemented without your approval. And log out after each session, especially on shared devices, to prevent unauthorised access.
Yagmur Uysal
Editor on
Keep your devices secure: use antivirus software and avoid public Wi-Fi when making transactions.
All banks may not allow Sofort transactions to casinos in Austria, and withdrawals may not always be supported. Due to these limitations, players may consider the payment methods listed below for use in casinos:
EPS
Widespread electronic payment standard adopted by most Austrian banks for transactions in Euros.
Neteller
Online wallet with a user-friendly interface that is accepted in many online casinos.
PaysafeCard
Prepaid voucher widely available in Austria that allows players to fund casino accounts without a need for a bank account.
Google Pay
Mobile wallet available on Android phones, and is available for instant deposits in modern Austrian casinos.
Austrian online casinos source games from the industry’s leading casino software providers and game developers, organised into clear categories to help players easily find their favourite titles. Here are the most popular game categories available in Sofort casinos accepting Austrians.
Players who deposit via Sofort can get bonuses in Austrian casinos, with options ranging from welcome packages, weekly reloads, cashback offers, and VIP bonuses. All promotions have applicable terms, so it is important to read the fine print to know about qualifying conditions, expiry dates, and allowed games. These are some of the offers commonly awarded in casinos:
Welcome Bonuses
Rewards for players who have recently joined a gaming site and made their first deposit or a number of deposits. Most welcome bonuses in Austria have a percentage match and a batch of free spins, with validity limited to a few days or weeks.
Free Spins
Promotions on slots that allow players to spin on popular games with a batch of free spins, such as 5 free spins, 20 free spins or 50 free spins. Players have to meet activation requirements to get free spins in Austrian casinos and play by the rules to withdraw winnings.
High Roller
Offers are awarded to casino members who frequently splurge large amounts on wagers. Qualifying deposits for a highroller casino bonus at Austria-facing casinos are higher than the deposits needed to get regular player bonuses, but the perks are worth it.
Cashback Offers
Returns are made to players who lose money up to a given limit within the period a cashback is valid. Most cashback offers in Austria are tied to loyalty programs, awarding players higher cashback bonuses when they upgrade to higher VIP levels.
No Max Cashout
No max cashout bonuses in Austria allow players to withdraw all winnings without a set upper limit. All winnings from no max cashout are available for withdrawal, but other conditions like bet limits, expiry dates, and wagering requirements still apply.
No Wagering Bonuses
Promotions with no wagering terms, only available in some online casinos. Members can cash out winnings from no wagering bonuses in Austrian casinos without having to spend money towards meeting wagering requirements. Expiry limits, bet limits, and maximum cashout limits do apply.
Making deposits to online casinos in Austria with Sofort is faster than doing so via traditional banking, and payments have an extra layer of security, where players don’t have to share banking details. To ensure a safe and smooth experience, players can review the trusted Sofort casino recommendations listed at the top of this page.
Our recommendations are drawn from Ace Alliance’s expertise and insights gained from industry leaders, with resources such as our Ace Alliance Insights podcast offering additional perspectives on trends, strategies, and market developments in online gambling. Check out more payment-related guides on Ace Alliance to discover other options for players from Austria and beyond.
Yes, Sofort is very safe. It uses SSL/TLS encryption and two-factor authentication (2FA) via PIN and TAN codes and acts as a secure intermediary so your financial data is never shared with the casino.
Sofort is primarily a deposit method, and most online casinos do not support it for withdrawals. You will typically need to choose an alternative method for cashouts, such as a bank wire transfer, debit card, or e-wallet.
Sofort itself does not charge users any fees for deposits. However, it is important to check with both your bank and the specific online casino, as a few might impose a 1% or 0.25 EUR flat fee on transactions.
Yes, deposits made with Sofort qualify for casino bonuses and promotions. You should always check the terms and conditions of the bonus offer.
PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill and MuchBetter are some of the best alternatives to Sofort for casino transactions in Austria.