Fast-Tracking Merchant Account Approval for a High-Volume Online Gaming Operator

Industry: Sweepstakes (Online Gaming)

Location: US

Services Provided: Credit/Debit Acceptance, Instant Payouts, Visa RDR, Chargeback Management System, 3DS (2.0)

Introduction

In the dynamic world of online gaming, speed and reliability in payment processing can make or break an operator’s success. This was the case for a fast-growing online sweepstakes company generating $27MM in annual player spend, with over 10,000 active players and 70,000+ transactions monthly. As they rapidly scaled, their payment operations came to a grinding halt—an unexpected disruption caused by their provider's sudden account shutdown. Misclassified as a high-risk entity without proper card brand registration, the business faced a critical challenge: navigating a 24-hour offline period with no redundancy. Time was of the essence, and they needed a solution that could not only restore their operations but enhance their payment infrastructure…

Challenge: A Major Setback in Payment Operations

The client, a prominent online gaming operator specializing in sweepstakes, had built a robust ecosystem of gaming products, player payments, ID verification, and compliance management. However, as they expanded their platform, their existing payment provider failed to recognize the compliance requirements for high-risk industries like online gaming. This oversight led to an abrupt account termination, leaving the operator offline for 24 hours without a backup payment provider. The sudden service interruption not only threatened their revenue stream but also player trust and brand reputation. The client needed an immediate solution to regain operational stability and prevent future payment disruptions.

Solution: Approvely’s Swift and Secure Recovery Plan

Recognizing the urgency, Approvely stepped in to fast-track the merchant account approval and registration process, leveraging its deep expertise in high-risk merchant services. Approvely’s team operated with agility, dedicating resources around the clock to complete underwriting, compliance, and card brand registration within just 5 business days—far faster than the standard 30-day timeframe typically seen in the industry.

Approvely’s solution went beyond mere recovery; it included a comprehensive overhaul of the payment infrastructure. The company integrated services like credit and debit acceptance, ACH payments, and instant payouts. The addition of 3D Secure (3DS 2.0) technology provided enhanced fraud detection and prevention, reinforcing secure payment solutions. Approvely’s proprietary Rapid Dispute Resolution (RDR) was also implemented to automatically manage low-level disputes by issuing player refunds within the merchant’s set threshold. This preemptive approach significantly reduced the risk of chargebacks, which is a critical challenge for high-risk industries like gaming.

Results: Immediate Approval and Enhanced Payment Efficiency

Within one week, the online gaming operator was back online, fully integrated with Approvely’s platform and processing transactions seamlessly. The quick turnaround enabled the business to maintain a 91.3% approval rate for payments, a remarkable achievement given the complexity of high-risk merchant accounts. The new payment setup also supported additional methods such as ACH and instant payouts, ensuring that players could fund their accounts and receive winnings in just seconds.

The operator experienced a drastic improvement in operational stability, with real-time access to transaction data, fraud monitoring, and chargeback management via Approvely’s dashboard. This platform provided a user-friendly interface that streamlined compliance tracking, batch processing, and transaction verification, all while maintaining a high level of security.

Client Feedback: A True Partner in Payments

The online gaming operator lauded Approvely’s efforts:

“Working with Approvely was critical to the success of our brand. Their speed and dedication during this crisis were key to our recovery. Their platform, specifically designed for high-risk industries like ours, is far superior to anything else we have seen. Approvely’s team truly understands the unique challenges we face, and they’ve proven to be a rare partner in the payments ecosystem.”

Conclusion: Approvely as a Long-Term Growth Partner

Approvely’s rapid intervention not only restored the client’s payment operations but also enhanced their overall payment infrastructure, offering secure transaction processing and advanced fraud protection. The successful deployment highlighted Approvely’s commitment to helping high-risk businesses thrive by offering tailored payment processing solutions that are fast, reliable, and secure. As a result, the client could confidently resume operations, focusing on growth and customer engagement without fear of future disruptions.