Casino Sites That Accept Amex Australia 2026: The Unvarnished Truth About Plastic Money in Online Gambling

The promise of using your American Express card at an online casino in Australia is a bit like the promise of a “free” upgrade on a budget airline. Technically possible, often comes with hidden fees, and the final destination might not be what you expected. For years, the Australian market has operated under a specific set of rules that have made direct credit card deposits a complex dance between regulation, payment processor policies, and casino risk management. The landscape for 2026 is not about a sudden liberalization, but about the evolution of workarounds and the persistent question: why is my Amex being declined when my Visa goes through?

The core issue isn’t that online casinos hate American Express. It’s a cascade of factors. First, the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA) and its subsequent amendments create a regulatory environment where operators licensed in Australia are prohibited from offering real-money online casino games to Australian residents. The casinos you’re actually looking at are offshore entities, licensed in jurisdictions like Curaçao, Malta, or Gibraltar. These operators then face the next hurdle: payment processing. Major credit card networks, including Amex, have historically been cautious about gambling transactions due to chargeback risks and regulatory scrutiny in the cardholder’s country of residence. This has led to a patchwork system where Amex acceptance is neither guaranteed nor straightforward.

So, the honest assessment for 2026 is this: you will find casino sites that accept Amex in Australia, but they are not the norm. They are the exception, often requiring a specific deposit method or a workaround. The process is less about a seamless transaction and more about navigating a series of gates. Your card might be accepted for a deposit but not for a withdrawal. You might be directed to a third-party e-wallet as an intermediary. And you will almost certainly encounter the phrase “processing fees” with a percentage that makes you blink twice. The convenience of using a familiar card is real, but it comes at a cost, both financially and in terms of added complexity.

The Regulatory Reality: Why Your Amex Isn’t Welcome Everywhere

Let’s be blunt. The Australian government’s stance on online casinos is clear and restrictive. The IGA targets the provision of interactive gambling services to people in Australia. This means the casinos operating in this space are not based in Sydney or Melbourne; they are offshore. Their ability to process payments from Australian cards is therefore not a given. It depends on their agreements with acquiring banks and payment gateways, which are themselves subject to the rules of the card networks. American Express, as a network, has its own set of policies regarding gambling transactions. These policies are not static; they shift based on legal opinions, regional regulations, and the network’s own risk appetite.

The practical effect is that many offshore casinos will simply not list Amex as an option for Australian players at the point of checkout. Others might list it, but the transaction will be flagged and declined by the issuing bank on the Australian side. This isn’t necessarily the casino’s fault. Your own bank, acting on its interpretation of Reserve Bank of Australia guidelines and its own risk models, may block the transaction as a “cash advance” or a “gambling-related” payment. The result is a frustrating loop: you see the Amex logo, you enter your details, and you get a generic “transaction cannot be processed” message. The casino’s support team will shrug and suggest you try a different method.

There is a sliver of a workaround that has gained traction. Some casinos partner with specific payment processors that specialize in gambling transactions. These processors act as a buffer, taking the initial payment via Amex and then settling with the casino through a different channel. This can sometimes succeed where a direct transaction fails. However, it introduces another layer of fees, typically 2-4% on top of any standard foreign transaction fee your card issuer might charge. You’re paying for the privilege of using a payment method that the system is designed to discourage. It’s a tax on convenience, plain and simple.

How We Evaluate Casinos for Amex Users in Australia

Our assessment isn’t based on marketing copy or which casino has the flashiest homepage. It’s a cold, analytical process. We start by attempting a series of test deposits using a standard Australian-issued American Express card across a wide range of offshore casino platforms. The first metric is simple: does the transaction go through? A failure rate above 50% for a given operator immediately puts it in the “not recommended” category for this specific guide. We then examine the fee structure. A casino that charges no additional deposit fee for Amex is rare. We note the exact percentage and any flat fees applied.

Next, we look at the withdrawal process. This is where many Amex-friendly casinos fall apart. Even if you can deposit with your Amex, the casino will almost never allow a withdrawal back to the same card. The standard practice is to force the withdrawal to a bank account or an e-wallet like Skrill or Neteller. We verify this process, noting the minimum withdrawal amount, the processing time (from request to funds appearing in your account), and any fees levied by the casino for the transaction. A casino that makes the withdrawal process opaque or burdensome loses points, regardless of how easy the deposit was.

Finally, we cross-reference the casino’s licensing and player protection measures. While these casinos are offshore, we look for reputable licenses (Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner), clear terms and conditions, and evidence of responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and self-exclusion options. The presence of Amex as a payment method is a feature, not a guarantee of safety. Our ranking, therefore, is a composite score: Amex transaction success rate, total cost of deposit, withdrawal reliability, and overall operational integrity. It’s a pragmatic ranking for a pragmatic market.

Feature	Casino A (Example Tier 1)	Casino B (Example Tier 2)	Casino C (Example Tier 3)
Amex Deposit Success Rate	High (via processor)	Moderate (direct, often declined)	Low (listed but rarely works)
Typical Deposit Fee	2.5% + $0.30	3.5% (no flat fee)	2.9% + $1.00
Withdrawal Method	Bank Transfer only	Skrill / Neteller	Bank Transfer / Crypto
Min. Withdrawal	$50	$20	$100
Withdrawal Processing Time	24-48 hours	72 hours	5-7 business days
Primary License	Curaçao eGaming	Malta Gaming Authority	Curaçao eGaming

The table above illustrates the typical variance. There is no single “best” casino for Amex users. There are only trade-offs. You might accept a higher deposit fee for a faster withdrawal, or tolerate a slower process for a lower minimum payout. The “Tier 1” example uses a payment processor, which is the most reliable way we’ve found to get Amex deposits accepted. The “Tier 2” example has a direct integration that works about half the time, depending on your bank’s mood. The “Tier 3” is essentially a casino that has given up on Amex but hasn’t removed the logo from its website. Your experience will depend heavily on your specific card issuer and their current fraud filters.

Beyond the Card: Alternative Payment Methods That Actually Work

If the Amex route feels like pushing a boulder uphill, you’re not wrong. For every successful deposit, there are likely two or three failed attempts and a headache. The Australian online casino market, precisely because of these hurdles, has seen a surge in alternative payment methods that are often more reliable and, crucially, cheaper. Understanding these alternatives isn’t a consolation prize; it’s a strategic necessity for any player who values their time and money. The ecosystem has evolved to route around the credit card blockage, and the smart player evolves with it.

E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are the veterans of this space. They were built for online gambling transactions. A casino that might reject your Amex will often accept a deposit from your Skrill account without a second thought. The process involves funding your e-wallet first (which can usually be done via bank transfer or sometimes a card), and then using the e-wallet to deposit to the casino. The advantage is speed and reliability. The disadvantage is the double-fee structure: you might pay a fee to load the e-wallet, and the casino might charge a fee for using it. Still, the transaction success rate is significantly higher than with a direct Amex deposit.

Prepaid cards and vouchers represent another practical lane. Services like Paysafecard allow you to buy a voucher with cash at a retail store and use the 16-digit code to deposit at the casino. There is no link to your bank account or credit history, so there’s nothing for a bank to decline. It’s anonymous and effective. The catch is that you can’t withdraw winnings back to a Paysafecard. You’ll need an alternative method for cashing out, which brings you back to bank transfers or e-wallets. It’s a one-way street, but a very reliable one for getting money into your account.

Cryptocurrency, for all its volatility, has become a de facto payment rail for online gambling. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other coins allow for direct peer-to-peer transfers that bypass the traditional banking system entirely. No card networks, no acquiring banks, no transaction declines. The casino provides a wallet address, you send the crypto, and it’s confirmed on the blockchain. Withdrawals work the same way in reverse. The benefits are clear: no fees from the casino side (though network gas fees apply), fast processing, and total bypass of the Amex problem. The downside is the need to own and manage crypto, and the risk of value fluctuation between deposit and play. For a segment of players, this isn’t a downside but a feature.

Casinos That Accept Neteller Australia 2026: A Cynic’s Guide to Digital Wallets and Deposit Limits

The True Cost of Using Amex: A Fee Breakdown

Let’s talk numbers, because that’s where the fantasy of “easy deposits” meets reality. When you use an American Express card at an offshore casino, you’re potentially stacking multiple fees. First, there’s the casino’s own processing fee. This is what the casino charges for the privilege of using their payment gateway. As noted, this can range from 2% to 4% of the transaction amount. On a $100 deposit, that’s $2 to $4 gone before you’ve even placed a bet. This fee is often disclosed in the casino’s cashier section, but sometimes only after you’ve entered your card details and are one click away from confirming.

Second, your American Express card issuer may charge a foreign transaction fee. Since the casino’s acquiring bank is almost certainly not in Australia, this is treated as an international payment. The standard fee is around 3% of the transaction amount. So, on that same $100 deposit, you’re now looking at an additional $3. Third, if the transaction is classified as a cash advance (which some banks do for gambling deposits), you’ll incur a cash advance fee. This can be a flat fee, say $10, or a percentage, often 5% or more, of the amount advanced. And cash advances typically accrue interest from the moment of the transaction, at a rate that can exceed 20% per annum.

Let’s do the math on a hypothetical $100 deposit using Amex at a casino that charges a 3% fee, with your card issuer imposing a 3% foreign transaction fee and a 5% cash advance fee. Casino fee: $3. Foreign transaction fee: $3. Cash advance fee: $5. Total fees: $11. You’ve started with $89 in your casino account. You need to win back that $11 just to break even on the deposit cost. This is the cold math that casino marketing departments hope you’ll ignore. They advertise “easy deposits,” not “deposits that cost you 11% of your bankroll before you play a single game.” The “free” money isn’t free, and the convenience isn’t cheap.

Fee Type	Typical Range	Who Charges It?	Can It Be Avoided?
Casino Processing Fee	2% – 4%	The Casino	Only by choosing a different payment method.
Foreign Transaction Fee	0% – 3.5%	Your Amex Issuer	By using a card with no foreign transaction fees (rare in AU).
Cash Advance Fee	3% – 5% (or flat $10+)	Your Amex Issuer	Only if the transaction isn’t classified as a cash advance. You have no control.
Interest (if cash advance)	20%+ p.a.	Your Amex Issuer	By paying off the balance immediately. But the fee still applies.
Currency Conversion Spread	1% – 2%	Amex Network	Inherent in cross-border transactions. Not avoidable.

The second table clarifies the anatomy of a “simple” deposit. Each layer of the financial system takes its cut. The casino gets its fee for processing a high-risk transaction. Your card issuer gets its fee for facilitating an international payment it may not approve of. The card network gets its cut for currency conversion. The player, caught in the middle, absorbs all of it. This is why the conversation about “casinos that accept Amex” must always be followed by the conversation about “the true cost of that acceptance.” The method works, but it is the most expensive way to fund your account in the Australian market.

Game Availability and Amex: Does Your Payment Method Limit Your Play?

A common misconception is that the payment method you use to deposit affects the games you can play. In most cases, this is not true. Once the money is in your casino account, it’s just a balance. The casino doesn’t care if it came from Amex, Skrill, or a bag of crypto coins. You can spin the slots, hit the blackjack tables, or sit at the live dealer roulette wheel regardless. The segregation happens at the withdrawal stage, not the game selection stage. Your deposit method is a key to get in the door, but it doesn’t determine which room you can enter.

However, there are exceptions, and they’re usually tied to bonus terms. Some casinos attach specific deposit method restrictions to their welcome bonuses. A common clause might state that deposits made via certain e-wallets (like Skrill or Neteller) are not eligible for the bonus. Amex deposits are less commonly excluded, but it does happen. The logic is that these methods are considered higher risk for bonus abuse. Before you deposit with the sole intention of claiming a bonus, read the terms and conditions. Specifically, look for the section on “Restricted Deposit Methods.” Finding out your Amex deposit made you ineligible for a 200% match bonus after the fact is a special kind of frustration.

Live dealer games, which stream a real table and dealer to your screen, are generally available to all depositors. The higher minimum bets on these tables (often $5 or $10 per hand/spin) mean the casino is less concerned about the deposit method and more concerned about your bankroll. The same applies to high-limit slots or table games. The access is uniform. The only real limitation is the one imposed by your own bankroll, which, as we’ve calculated, has already taken a hit from the deposit fees. So while your Amex card won’t lock you out of the live blackjack room, the fees associated with using it might make you think twice about that $10 minimum bet.

Withdrawals: The Final Hurdle for Amex Depositors

Depositing with Amex is the opening act. Withdrawing your winnings is the main event, and it’s often a tragedy. The fundamental problem is that American Express, as a network, is not designed for merchant refunds or payouts in the way that bank transfers or e-wallets are. Casinos cannot simply “refund” your winnings to your Amex card. The infrastructure doesn’t support it for gambling payouts. Therefore, even if you successfully deposited with Amex, the casino will require you to have an alternative withdrawal method on file.

The standard procedure is a forced “cash-out” to a bank account via wire transfer. The casino will ask you to verify the bank account (proof of ownership, statement, etc.). Once verified, you can request a withdrawal. The processing time for this is the slowest in the industry. Expect 3-5 business days for the casino to process the request, plus another 2-5 days for the international wire transfer to clear. Some casinos will deduct a flat fee for this service, often $25-$50, regardless of the amount. Others might charge a percentage. And then there’s the exchange rate: the casino will convert your AUD balance to USD or EUR beforetransferring, you lose on the spread. The total time from clicking “withdraw” to seeing funds in your Australian bank account can easily be 7-10 business days. In the world of instant digital payments, this is an eternity.

The alternative withdrawal methods, like Skrill or Neteller, are faster but come with their own ecosystem of fees. You’ll likely pay a fee to transfer funds from the casino to your e-wallet, and then another fee to withdraw from the e-weller to your bank account. Cryptocurrency withdrawals are the fastest, often processed within hours, but they introduce the volatility risk and the need for a crypto exchange account to convert back to AUD. There is no perfect option. Each path has its own toll booth, and the player pays the fare.

New Casinos and the Amex Question: A Risky Proposition

The online casino market in Australia is not static. New brands launch regularly, each promising a better experience, bigger bonuses, and more payment options. For a player using Amex, these new casinos present a specific dilemma. On one hand, a new operator might be more eager to attract customers and could have more flexible payment processing agreements, potentially making Amex deposits easier. On the other hand, “new” in this industry often means “untested.” Their payment systems might be buggy, their customer support might be overwhelmed, and their financial stability is unknown.

When evaluating a new casino for Amex compatibility, we apply the same rigorous test. We attempt a deposit, note the success rate, and examine the fee structure. But we also look at the ownership group. Is this a white-label casino run by a large, established operator? Or is it a standalone brand with no track record? The former is generally safer, as it leverages existing payment infrastructure and support teams. The latter is a gamble in itself. A new casino might accept your Amex deposit with ease today, but if it folds in six months, recovering any remaining balance becomes a nightmare.

The welcome bonuses at new casinos are often larger and more aggressive, designed to grab market share. A 300% match bonus up to $1,500 might look tempting. But the terms and conditions are where the real story lies. Wagering requirements of 50x or 60x the bonus amount are common. On a $100 deposit with a 300% match, you’d have $400 to play with, but you’d need to wager $20,000 before you could withdraw any winnings derived from the bonus. The probability of meeting that requirement without going bust is statistically low. The bonus is not a gift; it’s a mathematical trap designed to keep you playing until the house edge grinds down your balance.

Responsible Gambling: The Only Strategy That Works

Everything discussed so far—fees, processing times, game odds—is secondary to the most important aspect of online gambling: managing your own behavior. The casinos, whether they accept Amex or not, are businesses designed to extract money. Their entire architecture, from the flashing lights of the slots to the “almost won” near-misses, is engineered to encourage continued play. The only reliable counter-strategy is setting strict limits before you start and adhering to them without exception.

Set a deposit limit. This is a hard cap on how much you can transfer into your casino account over a day, week, or month. Reputable casinos offer this tool in their responsible gambling section. Use it. Set a loss limit. Decide the maximum amount you are willing to lose in a session, and when you hit it, you stop. Not after “one more spin.” Not after chasing losses. You stop. Set a time limit. Gambling can consume hours without notice. Set an alarm. When it goes off, you log out.

The availability of Amex as a payment method can create a false sense of security or convenience that leads to overspending. The ease of tapping a card can disconnect you from the reality of the money leaving your account. Treat every deposit as a cash transaction. If you wouldn’t hand over a stack of banknotes to a stranger, don’t deposit it into a casino account on a whim. The money is real, even if it’s just numbers on a screen. The house always has the mathematical advantage. Your only advantage is discipline.

What is the best alternative to Amex for Australian casino deposits?

E-wallets like Skrill or Neteller offer the most reliable deposit success rates for Australian players. They act as a buffer between your bank and the casino, reducing the chance of a transaction being declined. Prepaid vouchers like Paysafecard are another secure option, as they involve no bank or card details at the casino itself. Cryptocurrency is the fastest method for both deposits and withdrawals but requires familiarity with digital wallets and exchanges.

Can I withdraw casino winnings to my American Express card?

In almost all cases, no. Casinos do not process withdrawals back to credit or debit cards. Even if you deposited with Amex, you will be required to use an alternative method for withdrawals, typically a bank wire transfer, an e-wallet account, or a cryptocurrency wallet. This is a standard industry practice due to the way card networks handle refunds and payouts.

Are there any casinos with zero fees for Amex deposits?

It is extremely rare to find a casino that charges no processing fee for Amex deposits. The transaction is considered high-risk, and casinos pass that cost on to the player. While the casino’s own fee might be waived in a promotional offer, you will still likely incur a foreign transaction fee from your card issuer and potentially a cash advance fee, depending on how the transaction is classified by your bank.

How long does a typical Amex deposit take to process?

A successful Amex deposit is usually credited to your casino account instantly. The delay, if any, comes from the casino’s internal security review, which can take a few minutes to a few hours for first-time deposits or large amounts. The real time sink is not the deposit, but the potential failed transaction attempts and the subsequent need to find an alternative payment method.

Is it legal for Australians to use Amex at offshore casinos?

The Interactive Gambling Act 2001 prohibits Australian-based companies from offering online casino games to Australian residents. It does not explicitly criminalize the act of a player placing a bet with an offshore operator. The legal risk is borne by the operator, not the player. However, using a credit card for gambling transactions may violate the terms and conditions of your card agreement, and your bank may block such transactions as a matter of policy.

The entire process of funding an offshore casino account with an American Express card from Australia is a study in friction. It’s a series of workarounds for a system that wasn’t designed to accommodate this specific transaction. The fees are layered, the success is not guaranteed, and the withdrawal path is a detour. The market is moving on, and the Amex logo on a casino’s cashier page is becoming less a feature and more a historical artifact. The real convenience isn’t in the card you use, but in the method that gets you playing without the runaround. And the only “free” thing in this entire equation is the advice to set a budget and stick to it, because the house edge is the only certainty in the room. The rest is just marketing.

The casino’s processing time is a black box. You click “withdraw” and enter a state of limbo. The status might say “pending” for 24 hours, then “processing” for another 48. During this period, the funds are in a kind of financial purgatory—removed from your casino balance but not yet en route to your bank. Some casinos use this window as a final opportunity to tempt you into reversing the withdrawal. A pop-up might appear: “Changed your mind? Cancel your withdrawal and get a 10% bonus on top!” It’s a predatory tactic, targeting the impulsive. The smart move is to ignore it completely and let the process run its course. The money will move, eventually. The question is whether your patience will outlast their bureaucracy.

The bank wire itself is an anachronism in the age of instant transfers. It relies on the SWIFT network, a system designed in the 1970s. Your AUD is converted to USD at the casino’s chosen exchange rate, which is never the mid-market rate you see on Google. It includes a spread of 1-2%. Then it bounces through correspondent banks, each taking a small cut, before arriving at your Australian bank. Your own bank may then charge an incoming international wire fee, typically $10-$20. So, a $200 withdrawal could easily become $170 by the time it hits your account. The entire process feels like sending a letter by horseback in a world of email.

The “VIP” Program: A Loyalty Trap Disguised as Perks

Every casino will try to lure you into their “VIP” or loyalty program. The language is always the same: “exclusive rewards,” “personalized bonuses,” “higher limits.” It’s a system designed to gamify your gambling, to make you feel like you’re progressing toward some elite status. In reality, it’s a retention tool. The points you earn are based on your volume of play, not your results. You could be losing thousands and still climbing the tiers. The “perks” are often just slightly better versions of the standard offers: a 50% reload bonus instead of 25%, or a slightly higher withdrawal limit. The real goal is to keep you depositing and playing, chasing the next level like a donkey chasing a carrot on a stick.

The most insidious part is the “personal account manager.” This isn’t a financial advisor. It’s a customer service agent whose performance is likely measured by how much they can re-engage dormant players or encourage active ones to increase their deposits. They’ll call you by your first name, ask about your weekend, and then casually mention a “special” tournament or a “limited-time” bonus. It’s a sales tactic with a friendly face. The “VIP treatment” is like a cheap motel with a fresh coat of paint—looks nicer on the surface, but the plumbing is the same.

How do I check if a casino’s Amex processing is secure?

Look for SSL encryption on the payment page (the padlock icon in the browser bar). Check the casino’s footer for information about their payment processor. Reputable casinos use well-known gateways like Worldpay, Adyen, or Nuvei. If the payment page looks generic or the URL changes during the transaction, it’s a major red flag. Also, verify the casino’s license on the regulator’s official website—a Curaçao license offers minimal player protection, while a Malta or Gibraltar license has stricter standards.

Will using Amex affect my credit score in Australia?

A single gambling deposit will not directly impact your credit score. However, if the transaction is classified as a cash advance and you carry a balance, the high interest rate could lead to missed payments, which would harm your score. More importantly, banks monitor transaction patterns. Repeated large deposits to gambling merchants could flag your account for review, potentially leading to a reduction in your credit limit or a frozen account, even if you always pay on time.

The Psychology of the “Free” Spin

Casinos love to advertise “free spins.” The word “free” is in quotes for a reason. These are almost always tied to a specific slot game, have a fixed bet value (usually the minimum, like $0.20 per spin), and come with wagering requirements on any winnings. So, if you win $10 from your “free” spins, you might need to wager $500 (at a 50x requirement) before you can withdraw that $10. The expected value of a “free spin” is often negative once you account for the time and the opportunity cost of your deposit. It’s a free lollipop at the dentist’s office—you’re still there for a reason.

The design of the spins themselves is a masterclass in behavioral psychology. The reels spin with dramatic sound effects. Near-misses are frequent. The wins are celebrated with flashing lights and triumphant music, even if the win is less than your initial bet. This is all engineered to trigger dopamine releases, to create a feedback loop that encourages you to keep playing. The “free” spin is just the entry point to this loop. The casino isn’t giving you a chance to win; it’s giving you a taste of the mechanism designed to make you lose.

The Australian Tax Angle: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

There’s a persistent myth that gambling winnings are tax-free in Australia. This is true for recreational gamblers. However, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) draws a clear line between a hobby and a business. If your gambling activity shows the hallmarks of a business—regularity, a systematic approach, an intention to make a profit, and dependence on the income—it can be deemed a taxable enterprise. The fact that you’re using a credit card, tracking your deposits, and treating it with any level of seriousness could be used as evidence. The ATO doesn’t care about your “luck”; they care about your patterns.

For the vast majority of players, this is a theoretical risk. But for those who play frequently, use multiple casinos, and treat it as a significant part of their financial life, it’s a real consideration. The burden of proof is on you to demonstrate that it’s a recreational activity. Keeping records of your losses is crucial, as they can be offset against any declared winnings if the ATO comes knocking. The idea that you can just “win big” and walk away tax-free is a fantasy the casinos are happy to perpetuate.

The final, mundane detail that encapsulates the entire Amex experience in Australian online casinos is the currency conversion. You deposit in AUD. The casino’s system converts it to USD or EUR at a rate they control. You play in that currency. When you withdraw, it’s converted back to AUD, again at their rate. Each conversion includes a spread. Over a series of deposits and withdrawals, this spread can silently erode 3-5% of your bankroll. It’s the quietest fee of all, buried in the exchange rate, and it’s the one you have the least power to avoid. The house edge isn’t just in the games; it’s in the very money you use to play them.

Aristocrat Online Pokies Australia 2026: A Veteran Gambler’s Unfiltered GuideThe casino’s processing time is a black box. You click “withdraw” and enter a state of limbo. The status might say “pending” for 24 hours, then “processing” for another 48. During this period, the funds are in a kind of financial purgatory—removed from your casino balance but not yet en route to your bank. Some casinos use this window as a final opportunity to tempt you into reversing the withdrawal. A pop-up might appear: “Changed your mind? Cancel your withdrawal and get a 10% bonus on top!” It’s a predatory tactic, targeting the impulsive. The smart move is to ignore it completely and let the process run its course. The money will move, eventually. The question is whether your patience will outlast their bureaucracy.