Social Gaming Merchant Account
Just as is the case with many other web-based businesses, finding a dependable and reasonably priced social gaming merchant account can often prove to be a very challenging project. Most mainstream payment processors will not work with you, because they consider your industry to be too high-risk for their liking. The reason is that payments on social games have historically produced high ratios of chargebacks. So, even if you are perfectly capable of managing your credit card transactions in accordance with all applicable rules, you are nonetheless guilty by association: many other social games have lost control of their chargebacks and so might you.
Well, at UniBul we believe that every merchant deserves to be considered on its own merits, regardless of the type of industry it may happen to operate in. And we specialize solely in working with high-risk merchants — we leave the garden-variety low-risk types to the mainstream processors. That focus has enabled us to build a solid, reliable social gaming merchant account solution for both American-based and international businesses, which just works. Contact us now and let us show you how we can serve you.
Once we’ve reviewed your information, we will explain precisely what it is that we can do for you and on what terms. If, as is usually the case, there are multiple options available, we will break them down for you and let you decide. Once we get the application process started, it is handled swiftly and the set-up is simple and straightforward. Typically, we are able to wrap the whole process up within one to two weeks.
Who Do We Work With?
People mean different things by “social gaming merchant account”, so let’s make sure we are on the same page. Some associate this term with internet gambling and online casinos. At UniBul we do offer payment processing for these types of businesses, but we also serve merchants operating websites which are charging people to play games, such as:
- Massively multi-player online role-playing games (MMORPGs).
- Facebook app games.
- Board games.
- Game show games.
- Games for kids.
Your particular set-up will be determined based on a number of factors: processing volume and history, MATCH list placement, chargeback ratio, geographical location, etc. For example, a U.S. business with a solid track record would almost certainly be best suited for a domestic social gaming merchant account. However, if your chargeback ratio is high or you have been placed on the MATCH list, we will have to take you offshore. There are many possibilities, which is why decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
To help us come up with the optimal set-up, we ask that you tell us all about your current circumstances. Additionally, let us know what it is that you are looking to get from us and we will work with you to make it happen. If, for example, you need an additional social gaming merchant account, to be used concurrently with the one you already have, we can do that, as long as we get enough of your processing volume to justify our effort.
UniBul’s Application Process
In order to begin the application process, we need the following paperwork:
- Application form. You can download it here. Just fill it out as completely as you can, sign and initial and send it back to us, along with the other documents listed below.
- Processing statements with your current or latest payment processor for the most recent six months.
- Articles of Incorporation or an equivalent document.
- A copy of the business owner’s government-issued ID, such as a passport or a driver’s license.
- A copy of your business license, where applicable.
- A voided check or a bank letter (if the latter, it will have to be signed by a bank representative).
- Your business’ three most recent bank statements.
- A copy of a utility bill — no older than 30 days of the application date.
We might need some additional documentation once we start reviewing your paperwork and we also might ask you to answer a question or two. This is standard underwriting procedure, so be ready to follow up promptly and help us get through the process as quickly as possible.
Credit Cards, Currencies and Payout Schedule
We have built a worldwide network of acquiring banks over the years to enable us to offer acceptance of all major global card brands, as well as many local favorites and alternative payment options. Here are some of the brands we support:
You will have the option of settling your transactions in any of the major currencies, as well as in many others (please check the appropriate box in the application). Here is a sample of the most popular options:
Regarding your payout schedule, it will be determined during the underwriting review. Our domestic social gaming merchant accounts often get funded on a daily basis, although weekly payouts are not rare for U.S.-based and, especially, for international merchants.
What if You Were Placed on the MATCH List?
If your merchant account was shut down by your latest processor, you need to ask them whether or not they placed your business and you personally on the MATCH list (or TMF, as some call it). We will need to know this before we begin working on your application, as both the underwriting and set-up processes are very different from normal. Also, keep in mind that being silent about the MATCH thing does not make it go away and might actually be detrimental. See, it will inevitably pop up at some later point during the application review, telling us that we have lost precious time working on the wrong solution.
The underwriting process for MATCH-ed applicants will usually take a bit longer than what would be the case with a regular set-up and the reason is that Visa and MasterCard have set special rules to regulate it. We will ask you to give us a written explanation for the reason for the MATCH placement and may also need some additional information, but other than that, as far as you are concerned, you will not experience anything out of the ordinary.
Once your social gaming merchant account is approved and set up, you can start taking card payments once again, much as you did before the MATCH placement. You would have to be on your guard, though, and make sure you are operating your service in compliance with the terms and conditions of your contract. The acquiring bank will monitor your activity during the first few months to ensure Visa and MasterCard are kept happy, so you will want to make sure everything is done as it should be.
Why Work with UniBul?
Many processors are either unwilling or unable to work with social gaming operations, even when they are perfectly well qualified and have a solid track record of accepting card payments in a responsible manner. That is just a fact of life and there is not much you can do about it.
But then there are processors who have made it their business to work solely with merchants others consider “high-risk” and they are always in search of new business. They will do everything to make it possible for you to get what you need. Well, these are the processors you should be looking for and at UniBul we are willing, able and can’t wait to set up your social gaming merchant account!
Let’s Get Started!
To get the process started, you can download our social gaming merchant account application form from the link above, then fill it out and send to us, along with the other paperwork listed there. Or, and that might be the better way to go about it for most of you, you can fill out the very short form that opens when you click on the button below, provide some basic details about your business, and we will get right back to you to tell you what we can do for you.
What Our Customers Are Saying
UniBul is ranked based on 159 user reviews.
UniBul enables American and international businesses to accept payments for the things they sell on their websites.
