Sofort, also known as Sofortüberweisung, is a German-origin online bank transfer that has been part of Klarna for years and is being folded into Klarna's own pay-now bank payment. It was long a standard deposit method for players in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands because it works with most banks in those countries and confirms payment instantly. It is a deposit-only method, so you will need a bank account or another method for withdrawals.
How to deposit with Sofort at an online casino
Sofort works by logging in to your own online banking through a secure payment page and authorising a transfer to the casino. Because Klarna has been moving Sofort into its own brand, you may see the option labelled as Klarna, Klarna Pay Now or instant bank transfer rather than Sofort. The underlying flow is similar: choose your bank, log in, confirm with your bank's security step.
Availability has narrowed. Many casinos have replaced Sofort with Klarna-branded payments, Trustly or other open-banking services, and Klarna has limited gambling payments in some markets. If you cannot find it, check the cashier for these alternatives.
Keep in mind that Sofort and Klarna generally do not allow paying from a business account or someone else's account for gambling. The name on the bank account should match your casino account, otherwise the casino may freeze the deposit and ask for proof. If your bank uses a separate app for confirmation, have your phone ready before you start, because the payment page times out after a few minutes.
- Choose Sofort or Klarna instant bank transfer in the casino cashier.
- Enter the deposit amount in euros or Swiss francs, as offered.
- Select your country and enter your bank's name or sort code.
- Log in with your online banking credentials on the secure payment page.
- Confirm the transfer with your bank's security step, such as an app approval or TAN.
- Wait for the confirmation screen and redirect.
- Check your casino balance, which is usually credited immediately.
Withdrawing with Sofort
In our data, 6 of the 27 casinos that accept Sofort also pay withdrawals to it. The fastest crypto and e-wallet payouts come from 22Casino (15 minutes).
Sofort cannot receive payouts. It only initiates payments from your bank account, so the casino cannot send money back through it. Withdrawals are usually made by bank transfer to the same account you paid from, or to another method you have verified.
Because your Sofort deposit came from a named bank account, casinos can often match it to your identity, which helps with verification. You will still usually need to provide your IBAN and may be asked for a bank statement before your first payout. If you also hold a verified e-wallet at the casino, a payout there can be faster, but some casinos require you to withdraw to the bank account first up to the amount you deposited.
Bank transfer payouts in the SEPA area typically take one to three banking days after the casino approves them, or less if both banks support instant SEPA payments. Plan for this if you are used to the instant deposit.
Fees, limits and processing times
Sofort deposits are usually free for players, with the casino covering the processing cost. Your bank typically treats the payment like a normal transfer. A small number of casinos add a surcharge, so check the amount on the confirmation page. If the payment page shows a different merchant name, that is usually the casino's payment processor; check that it matches the name shown in the cashier before confirming. Keep the confirmation email that Sofort or Klarna sends, as it is useful if the deposit does not appear.
Deposits are confirmed instantly, even though the actual bank transfer settles later in the background. Limits depend on the casino and on your bank's online transfer limit. In Germany, licensed casinos must also apply a cross-operator monthly deposit limit, which affects every method including Sofort. Klarna branding may change the screens you see, but the cost to you is normally the same.
Sofort and casino bonuses
Across the 21 casinos above where we have bonus terms, the average welcome bonus wagering is 39x.
Sofort deposits are generally accepted for bonuses, since it is a bank-based payment rather than an e-wallet. As always, check the minimum deposit and any excluded methods in the bonus terms.
If a deposit through Sofort is reversed by your bank, for example because of insufficient funds, the casino will usually remove any bonus and may restrict your account until the balance is settled.
Is Sofort safe for online gambling?
Sofort runs through Klarna, a regulated payment and banking group, and uses your bank's strong customer authentication. One point some players dislike is that you enter your banking login on Sofort's payment page rather than directly on your bank's site. The connection is encrypted and the casino never sees these details, but always make sure you started the payment from the casino's own cashier. If you prefer not to enter banking credentials on any third-party page, a method such as Trustly or a standard bank transfer may suit you better.
In Germany, only casinos on the official GGL whitelist are legal, and payment providers are expected not to process payments to unlicensed operators. Check a casino's licence before depositing. German licensed casinos also include tools like the OASIS self-exclusion system; if gambling starts to cost more than you planned, use them.
Myths vs facts
- Myth: You can withdraw winnings back through Sofort.
- Fact: Sofort is deposit-only. Withdrawals go by bank transfer or another method.
- Myth: Sofort is a separate company you must sign up with.
- Fact: No account is needed, and Sofort is part of Klarna, which is merging it into its own payment brand.
- Myth: Sofort is still available at most casinos.
- Fact: Availability has fallen as Klarna rebrands it and some casinos switch to other bank payment services.
- Myth: Sofort is a credit product from Klarna.
- Fact: Sofort is a direct bank transfer from your own account, not a buy now, pay later loan.
Before you deposit with Sofort
- The cashier lists Sofort or Klarna instant bank transfer for your country.
- You know which method you will use to withdraw.
- Your IBAN is ready and in your own name.
- You started the payment from the casino's own cashier.
- The casino is licensed for your country, such as on the GGL whitelist in Germany.
- Your bank's online transfer limit covers the deposit.
- You have set a monthly deposit limit you can afford.