QIWI

QIWI is a payment service from Russia known for its digital wallet and extensive network of self-service kiosks. It was historically a common deposit method in its home region. The Bank of Russia revoked QIWI Bank's banking licence on 21 February 2024 and QIWI wallet transactions were blocked the same day, so it is no longer a usable betting-deposit option.

Qiwi was an e-wallet and virtual credit card provider with a large presence in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Russians used Qiwi for years to pay bills, make secure online purchases and receive payments from merchants. A variety of loading options, including cash deposits via a large network of self-service kiosks and ATMs, once made it one of the most versatile payment methods for players in the Russian region; those terminals stopped working when the licence was revoked.

Qiwi's History and Licence Revocation

The company was originally formed in partnership with Visa and had a long history in the payments business, but the Bank of Russia revoked QIWI Bank's banking licence on 21 February 2024, finding that the bank had "systematically failed to comply with the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws" and that its activities "were characterised by high-risk transactions aimed at ensuring settlements between individuals and shadow businesses, including transfers of funds to crypto exchanges, illegal online casinos, bookmakers". The regulator also found numerous cases of QIWI-wallets being opened using people's personal data without their knowledge, and referred the bank's operations to law enforcement as "having signs of criminal acts".

Before the licence was revoked, Qiwi wallets accepted payments via credit card (Visa), bank transfer, mobile phone and in-person cash deposits at Qiwi outlets. Other loading methods included transfers from other account holders, WebMoney, Mail.ru, SpryPay and Paybox.

Qiwi also offered “pay later” invoices that could be settled in cash at physical shops across Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, or instantly by credit or debit card.

Prepaid Visa Cards

Qiwi also issued prepaid debit cards branded with the Visa logo, as physical cards and as instant virtual cards for online use, and they could be used anywhere Visa was accepted.

Can I Withdraw From Betting Sites With Qiwi?

Withdrawals back to Qiwi are no longer possible. Most gaming websites prefer to send your money back through some other method such as a bank transfer, credit to your Neteller or Skrill account and credit back to your debit or credit card. However, it is generally safe to assume that you will NOT be able to withdraw back to your account.