What is Giropay and how it works in casinos
Giropay was launched in 2006 by the German banking associations and, after merging with Paydirekt in 2021, is operated by Paydirekt GmbH. It is an online banking-based payment method: the merchant redirects you to your own bank's website or app, you authorise a transfer, and the bank guarantees the payment to the merchant. Because the guarantee comes from the bank, the casino can credit your balance at once.
Giropay is used exclusively in Germany and is supported by the licensed casinos operating under the 2021 State Treaty on Gambling as well as by many EU-licensed sites that accept German players. The banking sector has announced that Giropay will be wound down in favour of the European Wero wallet, so its availability will shrink over the next few years.
Depositing with Giropay
Choose Giropay at the cashier, enter an amount of at least 10, select your bank, log in to your online banking in the redirected window and confirm the transfer with a TAN or app approval. The deposit is credited instantly. Limits depend on your bank's online transfer limits and the casino; German-licensed casinos also enforce the €1,000 monthly cross-operator deposit limit.
Withdrawing winnings to Giropay
Giropay does not support withdrawals; it is a payment initiation scheme with no mechanism for merchants to return funds. The casino pays winnings by SEPA bank transfer to the account you deposited from, in line with its closed-loop policy. Expect one to three business days for the transfer to arrive after approval. Check the casino's bank transfer terms and minimum payout before relying on Giropay.
Fees
Giropay deposits are free at the casino and free from the bank's side. Everything is denominated in euros, so there is no currency conversion. The SEPA transfer used for payouts is free within the euro area at most casinos. This makes Giropay one of the few methods with genuinely zero cost end to end, provided the casino does not impose its own withdrawal fee.
Bonus eligibility
Giropay deposits are eligible for welcome bonuses at all casinos that offer the method. The payment comes directly from a German bank account in your name, verified by the bank, so operators have no reason to exclude it and many list it as a preferred qualifying method for German players.
Pros
- Instant, free euro deposits
- No currency conversion
- Always eligible for bonuses
- Backed by German banks
Cons
- Germany only
- Deposit-only; payouts by bank transfer
- Being phased out in favour of Wero
- Not supported by every German bank
Verdict
Giropay is a clean, free deposit option for German players who bank with a participating institution and are comfortable receiving winnings by SEPA transfer. Because it is being wound down, new players may prefer Trustly or Open Banking, which work the same way but support withdrawals and will remain available.
Side-by-side comparison
| Giropay | Trustly | Open Banking (Pay by Bank) | Interac e-Transfer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 6.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.4/10 |
| Withdrawal speed | Not available (paid out by bank transfer) | Minutes to 24 hours | Minutes to 24 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Withdrawal fee | Not available | Free | Free | Free |
| Currency conversion | Not available | Your bank's exchange rate | Your bank's exchange rate | Not available |
| Withdrawals supported | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bonus eligibility | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible | Eligible |
Frequently asked questions
Is Giropay safe for casino payments?
Yes. You authorise the payment inside your own bank's online banking, and the casino receives only a payment confirmation from the bank.
Can I withdraw casino winnings to Giropay?
No. Giropay is deposit-only; winnings are paid by SEPA bank transfer to the same account, usually within one to three business days.
Are there fees for Giropay casino deposits?
No. Deposits are free, there is no currency conversion, and SEPA payouts are typically free as well.
What is the minimum Giropay deposit at a casino?
Usually 10 euros. Minimum withdrawals apply to the bank transfer, typically 10 to 20 euros.
