Back in August 2024, Apple quietly made a big move: they opened up the Tap to Pay API on iPhone to third-party developers in the US. As reported by The Verge, this means any iOS app can now build its own contactless payment experience using the iPhone’s NFC chip.
Now, in April 2025, this move is more relevant than ever – especially as UK regulators are turning up the heat on Apple Pay’s closed system. So what does this mean for UK casino players?
Let’s unpack it.
What Apple’s Tap to Pay API Now Allows
Before this change, only Apple Pay could access the iPhone’s NFC tech for contactless transactions. But with the Tap to Pay API, any app can now turn an iPhone into a contactless payment terminal – no extra hardware needed.
According to Apple:
“Tap to Pay on iPhone is now available to developers through an API, enabling iOS apps to accept contactless payments directly.”
Here’s what’s possible now:
- Apps like Stripe or Square can build custom checkout experiences
- Future wallet apps might let you tap and pay directly without Apple Pay
- It removes a big barrier for competition in mobile payments
What This Means for Casino and Gambling Apps
This might not sound like a casino headline at first, but it could have long-term effects on how gambling apps manage in-app payments, especially for:
- Deposits in casino apps via NFC
- Wallet integrations beyond Apple Pay
- Custom checkout and KYC flows for UKGC-compliant operators
While gambling with credit cards is banned in the UK, NFC-enabled debit payments could become easier to implement if Apple extends this API to other markets, including the UK.
For now, though, casino players will still be relying on:
- Apple Pay casinos
- Trustly and Pay N Play
- Google Pay (where supported)
Why This Move Matters for UK Players
Even though this API is US-only (for now), it shows Apple is opening up – under pressure from regulators and competition authorities. And in the UK, that’s a trend to watch.
We’ve already seen the UK Competition and Markets Authority scrutinise Apple Pay’s dominance. If Tap to Pay becomes available to more wallet providers here in the UK, we could see:
- New fast withdrawal methods
- Casino integrations with alternative wallets
- More open innovation in how apps handle payments
Final Word
Apple giving developers access to the Tap to Pay API might not be a game-changer yet – but it’s a clear sign of change. And for UK casino players, it could lead to more flexible, competitive, and user-friendly ways to deposit and withdraw in the near future.
At Casinowithdrawal.co.uk, we’ll keep an eye on how this develops – especially if it rolls out in the UK. For now, stick with proven mobile-friendly methods like Apple Pay, Trustly, and PayPal for the best casino payment experience in 2025.
