Moneybookers has been steadily eating away at NETeller's market share since their launch back in 2002. However, Customer Service is still relatively quick and of high quality [although NETeller has recently caught up or even passed Moneybookers in quality / speed of Customer Support].
Unlike NETeller and EcoCard, Moneybookers uses an API when interacting with the various online poker rooms when a player deposits using their Moneybookers balance. This system has it's disadvantages, as it requires unhindered access to the Moneybookers.com website for the player to login.
For many players, this presents no problem. But for players in Asia or areas which are not serviced by Moneybookers [or if using an ISP which blocks access to gaming websites], the API becomes a nuisance requiring a VPN to get around the restrictions. As NETeller and EcoCard don't use an API [allowing deposits without players being forced through their respective .com sites], Moneybookers is a far less attractive option for players travelling through or temporarily living in Asia.
Loyalty information
Once you have created your new Moneybookers account you will need to return to RakebackSTAT to select Moneybookers as your payment option if you wish to receive your rakeback payments direct to your Moneybookers account. Instructions to do this are below:
1. Login to your RakebackSTAT account
2. Select 'Payout Accounts' > 'Add New Payout Account'
3. Choose Moneybookers from the select box
4. Enter the email address registered with Moneybookers and Save
Once you have done this, you can request your rakeback payouts to be sent direct to your Moneybookers account if you wish.
Moneybookers VIP Status information
Moneybookers is the second-largest online payment processor in the online gaming industry. Like NETeller, your Moneybookers account can be used to instantly deposit and withdraw from online poker rooms and casinos without charge [the merchant pays the fees].
VIP status upgrade gives you increased limits if you require them along with faster Customer Support. To qualify for VIP status, you have to make $5000 deposits in a single calendar month and email Moneybookers CS to have your account upgraded to VIP status. We're told you're then supposed to make $15,000 in deposits over the next three months, however I haven't heard of anyone losing VIP when they haven't fulfilled this secondary requirement.
Moneybookers' primary winning feature is their cheap P2P instant transfer service. You can send and receive funds from friends or anyone with a Moneybookers account in real time. There is a tiny nominal fee for this service. You will pay 1% with a cap of $0.80 per $10,000 transferred. If you need to send or receive P2P transfers regularly, Moneybookers is easily your best option. For fee comparison: sending $10,000 to another NETeller account would cost you $190.
You can fund your Moneybookers account with incoming transfers from other account-holders, or directly fund with credit cards [1.9% fee to upload funds via this method - free for VIP status accounts], instant bank transfer using POLi [free for Australians] or telegraphic [wire] transfer / cheque.
Moneybookers is regulated by UK's Financial Services Authority. This is supposed to provide stringent financial regulations which ensure a very high level of protection for both your account balance and your personal data [protected by advanced encryption]. In practice, Moneybookers has given out players' private information to merchants - tread with caution always.
