Since POLi ceased operations in Australia on 30 September 2023, players have needed reliable replacement payment methods for online betting. This guide covers the strongest alternatives available to Australian punters, comparing speed, fees, privacy and convenience so you can find the right fit. The rated sites below accept several of these methods.
Compare each casino's offer, key facts and payment methods, then read the full review or visit the casino.
POLi Payments operated in Australia for over a decade as a real-time bank transfer gateway. Founded in 2006 under the name Centricom, the service allowed users to make instant payments directly from their internet banking without sharing card details with the merchant. Australia Post acquired POLi through its subsidiary SecurePay Holdings in December 2014, giving the service institutional backing and wider merchant adoption.
The relationship between POLi and Australian banks was never entirely smooth. Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, Bank of Queensland and several other institutions issued warnings about the service. Their primary concern was that POLi required users to enter internet banking credentials on a third-party screen, which could expose customers to unnecessary risk and potentially invalidate online banking security guarantees.
In July 2023, Australia Post announced it would discontinue POLi in Australia, with the service ceasing on 30 September 2023. The closure left a gap for online punters who had relied on the service for its direct bank integration, zero fees and instant processing. For betting sites, POLi had been attractive because it removed chargeback risk entirely — once a bank transfer was initiated, it could not be reversed through the card network dispute process.
PayID represents the most direct successor to what POLi offered. Built on Australia's New Payments Platform, PayID allows instant bank-to-bank transfers using an identifier like a mobile phone number, email address or ABN rather than the traditional BSB and account number combination. Transfers typically settle in under a minute and operate around the clock, including weekends and public holidays.
Setting up a PayID takes roughly two minutes through your banking app or internet banking portal. Each PayID can only be registered at one bank at a time, though customers with multiple mobile numbers can register separate PayIDs across different institutions. There is no cost to register or to send payments, making it a genuinely fee-free alternative for deposits.
From a security perspective, PayID addresses the chief complaint banks had about POLi. Rather than entering banking credentials on a third-party site, you initiate the payment from within your own authenticated banking environment. The payer sees the recipient's registered name before confirming, which adds a verification step that helps prevent misdirected payments. This keeps the transaction entirely within the banking system's security framework.
For punters, the practical advantage is speed. Where traditional bank transfers using BSB and account number can take one to three business days to clear through the older BECS batch processing system, PayID transactions arrive almost instantly. The main limitation is that not all operators have integrated PayID as a deposit method, so availability varies. Withdrawal support through PayID is growing but remains less universal than deposit acceptance.
The traditional bank transfer has not disappeared and remains a reliable fallback. Every Australian bank account comes with a BSB (Bank State Branch) number and account number, and these can be used to transfer funds to any other Australian bank account. The method requires no additional registration, no third-party app and no voucher purchase.
The drawback compared to POLi is speed. Standard bank transfers processed through the BECS (Bulk Electronic Clearing System) network typically take one to three business days to settle. The Australian Payments Network had previously set a June 2030 decommissioning target for BECS, but this was withdrawn in December 2025, meaning the older batch system continues to operate indefinitely alongside the real-time NPP infrastructure.
For deposits, this means a waiting period before funds appear in your betting account. Most operators credit the account once the transfer clears on their end, so there may be additional processing time beyond the banking settlement. For withdrawals, bank transfers are widely available and generally carry no fees from the operator, though your bank may have its own policies regarding incoming transfers.
| Feature | PayID (NPP) | Standard Bank Transfer (BECS) |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Under one minute, 24/7 | One to three business days |
| Identifier Needed | Mobile number, email or ABN | BSB and account number |
| Fees | Free to send and receive | Generally free |
| Setup | Register through banking app | No setup required |
| Security | Name confirmation before sending | No pre-confirmation |
| Withdrawal Support | Growing but varies by operator | Widely supported |
Neosurf occupies a different niche in the post-POLi landscape. Rather than connecting to your bank account, Neosurf is a prepaid voucher system that allows completely anonymous deposits. You purchase a voucher either at a physical retail outlet — typically newsagents, convenience stores and petrol stations across Australia — or through online voucher retailers, and then enter the unique code to fund your betting account.
Australian Neosurf vouchers are sold in four denominations: A$10, A$20, A$50 and A$100. Multiple vouchers can generally be combined in a single transaction if you need to deposit a larger amount. The process is straightforward — select Neosurf as your deposit method, enter the voucher code, and the funds appear in your account immediately.
The primary appeal is privacy. No banking details, card numbers or personal financial information pass between you and the operator. This makes Neosurf attractive to players who are cautious about sharing sensitive data online. It also provides built-in budget control, since you can only spend what you have loaded onto vouchers — there is no line of credit or direct bank link that could enable impulsive top-ups.
Neosurf deposits are instant and typically carry no fees from either the voucher provider or the operator. The voucher codes have a long validity period, so there is no pressure to use them immediately after purchase, and no account registration with Neosurf itself is required.
Neosurf is strictly a deposit method. You cannot withdraw winnings back to a Neosurf voucher, which means you will need an alternative cashout channel such as a bank transfer, e-wallet or cryptocurrency wallet. The fixed denominations can also be mildly inconvenient — if you want to deposit exactly A$75, you will need to combine an A$50 and a separate amount from another voucher, potentially leaving unused credit on the second code. Partial voucher balances can be used on future transactions, but tracking small residual amounts across multiple codes requires some organisation.
Flexepin operates on a similar principle to Neosurf but is a Canadian-origin voucher system that has established strong distribution in Australia. Available at participating retailers and online resellers, Flexepin vouchers come in various AUD denominations and function as a cash-equivalent deposit method. You purchase the voucher, receive a unique PIN, and enter it at the operator's cashier to complete a deposit.
Like Neosurf, Flexepin keeps your banking information entirely separate from your betting activity. Deposits are processed instantly, and the method is broadly accepted across operators that cater to Australian players. The same core limitation applies — Flexepin is deposit-only, requiring a separate withdrawal method. One distinguishing feature is that Flexepin vouchers can sometimes be purchased using other payment methods including cards and even cryptocurrency, providing flexibility in how you fund the initial voucher.
Electronic wallets provide a middle ground between direct bank integration and fully anonymous methods. They act as an intermediary layer — you fund the e-wallet from your bank account or card, and then use the e-wallet balance to transact with betting sites. This means operators never see your banking details directly, while you retain the convenience of electronic transfers in both directions.
Skrill is one of the most established e-wallets in the online betting space. It supports AUD accounts, allowing Australian punters to hold and transact in their local currency without conversion fees on compatible transactions. Deposits from Skrill to a betting account are typically instant, and withdrawals back to Skrill are often processed faster than direct bank withdrawals — many operators complete Skrill cashouts within 24 hours compared to two to five business days for bank transfers.
The fee structure is worth understanding before committing. Funding a Skrill account via bank transfer is generally free, but card funding may attract a percentage-based fee. Skrill also charges for currency conversion when transacting across different currencies, and inactive accounts may incur a monthly maintenance fee after an extended period of non-use. Despite these costs, the speed and privacy benefits make Skrill a practical POLi replacement for regular punters.
Neteller belongs to the same parent company as Skrill — Paysafe Group — and offers a broadly comparable service. It supports AUD balances and is widely accepted across the operators accessible to Australian players. The user experience mirrors Skrill in most respects: instant deposits, relatively fast withdrawals and the same intermediary privacy layer.
Where Neteller differentiates itself is through its Net+ prepaid Mastercard option, which allows you to spend your Neteller balance at any Mastercard-accepting merchant or withdraw cash from ATMs. This can be useful if you want to access winnings without transferring them back to your bank account. Fee structures are similar to Skrill, with potential charges on card funding and currency conversion.
MiFinity is a newer entrant to the Australian market but has been growing its acceptance among operators. It supports AUD and offers a straightforward wallet service with deposits and withdrawals. MiFinity also provides a voucher-based funding option alongside traditional bank and card loading, which gives it a hybrid quality — part e-wallet, part prepaid system. Processing times and fee structures are competitive with Skrill and Neteller, though its smaller market presence means it appears at fewer operators overall.
| E-Wallet | AUD Support | Deposit Speed | Typical Withdrawal Time | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skrill | Yes | Instant | Within 24 hours | Widely accepted, loyalty programme |
| Neteller | Yes | Instant | Within 24 hours | Net+ prepaid Mastercard |
| MiFinity | Yes | Instant | One to two business days | Voucher and wallet hybrid |
Cryptocurrency has emerged as one of the most significant alternatives to POLi for Australian punters, particularly at operators that do not hold an Australian licence. The appeal overlaps substantially with what made POLi attractive: direct transfers without card network involvement, no chargeback risk for operators, and fast settlement times.
Bitcoin remains the most universally supported cryptocurrency at online betting sites, but it is far from the only option. Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin and Tether (USDT) each appear regularly across operator banking pages. Litecoin and Bitcoin Cash tend to offer faster confirmation times and lower network fees than Bitcoin, making them practical for smaller transactions. Tether, as a stablecoin pegged to the US dollar, removes the price volatility that makes some punters cautious about holding crypto between deposit and play.
The process involves sending cryptocurrency from your personal wallet to the unique wallet address provided by the operator. The deposit is credited after the required number of network confirmations — typically one to three for most coins, which translates to a few seconds for Litecoin up to roughly ten to thirty minutes for Bitcoin during normal network conditions.
Operators generally do not charge deposit fees on cryptocurrency transactions, though you will pay the blockchain network fee set by miners or validators. Bitcoin fees can spike during periods of high demand, while Litecoin and Tether on the Tron network typically cost only a few cents per transaction.
Cryptocurrency withdrawals follow the reverse process: you provide your wallet address, and the operator sends the funds after internal processing and any identity verification requirements. Processing times depend on the operator's internal review procedures as much as the blockchain itself, but crypto cashouts are frequently among the fastest available — some operators process them within hours rather than days.
The main consideration for Australian punters is the conversion step. Unless you already hold cryptocurrency, you will need to purchase it through an exchange, which involves identity verification, potential exchange fees and exposure to price movements between the time you buy and the time your deposit confirms. For regular betting activity, stablecoins like USDT can minimise volatility risk, while players comfortable with price fluctuations may prefer Bitcoin or Ethereum for their broader utility.
Visa and Mastercard remain the most straightforward deposit methods for most Australian punters. Card deposits are instant, universally accepted and require no additional account setup beyond the card details you already have. For players who simply want to fund a betting account quickly, cards offer the lowest friction of any method.
There are, however, meaningful limitations in the Australian context. Many domestic banks have policies that may decline transactions to offshore gambling operators, even when the cardholder intends to make the payment. This is not a blanket ban — some transactions go through without issue while others are declined — but the inconsistency can be frustrating. When a card deposit is declined, it is typically the issuing bank's fraud or category controls that trigger the block rather than a problem with the operator's payment processing.
Withdrawals to cards are available at some operators but less universally supported than card deposits. Where available, card withdrawals can take two to five business days to appear on your statement. Some punters also prefer to keep gambling transactions off their bank card statements entirely, which is another reason e-wallets and prepaid vouchers hold appeal despite the extra step involved.
Choosing the right replacement depends on what you valued most about POLi. If instant bank-level transfers were your priority, PayID comes closest. If privacy and anonymity mattered more, Neosurf, Flexepin or cryptocurrency better serve that need. If you want a single method that handles both deposits and withdrawals with reasonable speed, an e-wallet or crypto provides the most complete solution.
| Method | Deposit Speed | Withdrawals | Privacy Level | Typical Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayID | Under one minute | Supported (growing) | Low (bank-linked) | Free |
| Bank Transfer (BECS) | One to three days | Widely supported | Low (bank-linked) | Free |
| Neosurf | Instant | Not supported | High (anonymous) | Free |
| Flexepin | Instant | Not supported | High (anonymous) | Free |
| Skrill / Neteller | Instant | Within 24 hours | Medium (e-wallet layer) | May apply on funding |
| Cryptocurrency | Minutes to 30 min | Hours to one day | High (wallet-based) | Network fees only |
| Credit/Debit Card | Instant | Two to five days | Low (card statement) | Generally free |
Minimum deposit amounts vary by operator and payment method rather than following a universal standard. As a general pattern, card and e-wallet deposits often start from A$10 or A$20, while bank transfers may require a higher minimum due to the processing overhead involved. Neosurf deposits are naturally constrained by the lowest voucher denomination of A$10, making that the effective floor for most operators accepting the method.
Cryptocurrency minimums tend to be expressed in the coin's native unit rather than an AUD equivalent, and they can be quite low — some operators accept deposits equivalent to just a few dollars in Bitcoin or Litecoin. Maximum deposit limits are generally higher for bank transfers and cryptocurrency than for cards or prepaid vouchers, though high-rolling players can often negotiate increased limits through VIP or account management channels.
For withdrawals, minimum cashout thresholds typically sit between A$20 and A$50 regardless of payment method. Maximum withdrawal limits per transaction or per week vary more substantially, with cryptocurrency often allowing the highest single-transaction cashouts due to the absence of traditional banking intermediaries.
Every legitimate payment method carries its own security profile, and the shift away from POLi has, in many respects, improved the security landscape for Australian punters. POLi's model of capturing banking credentials on an intermediary screen was the very feature that prompted banks to issue warnings. The alternatives avoid this approach entirely.
PayID and direct bank transfers keep authentication within your banking app or internet banking portal, meaning no third party ever handles your login credentials. E-wallets add a separate authentication layer with their own password and two-factor authentication, creating distance between your bank and the betting operator. Prepaid vouchers eliminate the need for any online credential exchange whatsoever — you enter a code, not a password.
Regardless of deposit method, operators will require identity verification before processing withdrawals. This typically involves submitting proof of identity (passport, driver's licence) and proof of address (utility bill, bank statement). The verification requirement is separate from the payment method itself and applies universally, so choosing an anonymous deposit method like Neosurf does not exempt you from KYC checks when you request a cashout.
POLi was notable for being entirely fee-free from the player's perspective. Replicating that zero-cost experience is possible with several alternatives, but understanding where fees can appear helps avoid unexpected charges.
PayID and standard bank transfers are free to send and receive through Australian banks. Card deposits are typically fee-free at the operator level, though some banks treat gambling transactions as cash advances rather than purchases, which can trigger higher interest rates and immediate interest accrual on credit cards. This is a bank-side classification issue rather than an operator fee, but it has real financial impact for credit card users.
E-wallets present the most complex fee picture. Funding a Skrill or Neteller account from a bank transfer is usually free, but card funding may attract a fee of around 1% to 2.5%. Currency conversion fees apply when transacting in a currency different from your wallet balance. Both services also charge an inactivity fee — typically around A$5 per month — if the account is unused for an extended period, usually twelve months or more. Keeping the wallet active with occasional transactions avoids this charge.
Cryptocurrency involves blockchain network fees on every transaction, which are paid to miners or validators rather than to the operator. These fees are independent of the transaction amount — sending A$10 or A$10,000 in Bitcoin costs the same network fee. Choosing lower-fee networks like Litecoin or Tron-based USDT can reduce these costs to negligible amounts.
The best POLi alternative depends on your individual priorities. Australian punters can broadly group themselves into a few categories based on what matters most.
If you valued POLi primarily for its instant transfers, PayID is the natural successor. It offers real-time settlement from within your existing banking infrastructure, operates outside business hours, and costs nothing. For operators that have not yet integrated PayID, cryptocurrency provides comparable speed with the added benefit of higher privacy.
Players who want to keep betting transactions separate from their banking records have more options now than they did during the POLi era. Neosurf and Flexepin vouchers purchased with cash leave no digital trail. Cryptocurrency wallets are not linked to banking identities unless you choose to connect them. E-wallets create a buffer between your bank and the operator, showing only a transfer to the e-wallet provider on your bank statement rather than the operator's name.
For punters who want the least complicated path between their bank account and a betting balance, a debit card or PayID remains the simplest option. Cards require no setup whatsoever — just the number, expiry and CVV you already know. PayID requires a brief one-time registration but then works with just a phone number or email address. Both avoid the additional steps of purchasing vouchers, maintaining e-wallet balances or managing cryptocurrency holdings.
If using the same method for both deposits and withdrawals is important, your best options are PayID (where supported for cashouts), e-wallets or cryptocurrency. These three categories support bidirectional transfers, meaning you deposit and withdraw through the same channel. Bank transfers also work in both directions, though the slower BECS settlement makes them less appealing for cashouts compared to real-time alternatives.
| Player Priority | Recommended Methods | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Fastest deposits | PayID, cryptocurrency | Real-time or near-real-time settlement |
| Maximum privacy | Neosurf, Flexepin, crypto | No banking details shared with operator |
| Lowest fees | PayID, bank transfer, cards | Zero-fee transactions through banking system |
| Deposit and withdrawal | E-wallets, crypto, PayID | Bidirectional support with reasonable speed |
| Simplest setup | Debit card, PayID | No third-party accounts or purchases needed |
POLi's closure is part of a larger evolution in how Australians move money. The New Payments Platform, which underpins PayID, launched in 2018 and has steadily gained adoption. With over eleven million PayID registrations, the infrastructure is approaching the kind of ubiquity that makes it a genuine default option rather than a niche alternative. The continued operation of the older BECS batch system alongside the NPP means that traditional bank transfers coexist with real-time options, giving consumers and merchants flexibility during the transition period.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has also been evaluating PayTo, a system designed to replace direct debits by allowing merchants to initiate payment requests that customers approve through their banking app. While PayTo has not yet reached the maturity needed for widespread adoption in the betting space, its development signals that Australia's payment ecosystem continues moving toward real-time, app-authenticated transactions — the same direction that makes PayID a strong POLi successor.
For Australian punters, this shifting landscape means more choice rather than less. The methods that have replaced POLi collectively offer faster transactions, stronger security and greater privacy options. The key is matching the right method to your priorities for speed, anonymity, fees and bidirectional functionality.
