One of the most important and least discussed aspects of the online gambling process is the various deposit methods. In other words, how are you going to get your useless money into an online casino account where it can do you some good?

Seriously, though, it’s an even more important issue now that the world of online casinos is more sharply divided between the US and…uh, everybody else. Ever since the dreaded UIGEA spooked several prominent payment firms, US online casino players have fewer choices and more restrictions.

Fortunately, some of the businesses are bouncing back. EcoCard was one of our long-time favorites that we were VERY sad to see leave these shores; they’ve finally figured out how to bring their sterling security and speed back to US customers with a subsidiary called Use MyWallet.

Additionally, the eWalletXpress option makes for an excellent PayPal or NETeller alternative, offering almost the same widespread acceptance among online merchants while maintaining a high level of safety and personal protection.

If you’re new to the game, check out more detail on this topic over at Online Casino USA. They’ll be able to let you know which online casinos accept each specific deposit method.

The common credit card is your typical option, accepted pretty much anywhere…except that you may have to double-check that your specific mix of credit card and casino choice will play well together (some don’t, unfortunately). Some people prefer to the prepaid credit or debit card…which also has the benefit of anonymity, and is a perfect way to set your own personal gambling limit!

Of course, there’s still the tried-and-true banking options. If your bank can handle a wire transfer or even a Bill Pay-based service (eChecks, for instance), that may be a great way to quickly and safely fund your account. If you don’t have a bank or don’t want one, Western Union can provide many of the same sorts of services…even a Western Union Quick Cash representative (at check cashing and mailbox shops, usually).

And there’s no reason that you can’t mix and match methods to maximize your privacy and security. Using a bank account to fund an e-wallet to pay into your online account may sound like an extra step, but plenty of online players like to keep as few details in the transaction as possible…and while one method may be perfect for deposits, your online casino may be somewhat more choosy when it comes time to pay you your winnings!