Sofort and Klarna: Background
Sofort was founded in Germany in 2005 and grew into one of Europe’s dominant payment providers. It made its name with a simple promise of secure, straightforward and fast online payments, kept that promise, and earned the trust of millions of users across the continent. The turning point came in 2014, when Sofort was acquired by Klarna, one of Europe’s largest banks and a name associated with flexible payment services. The deal strengthened Sofort’s position and helped it reach more countries and consumers.
Today Sofort (Klarna) runs in 13 European countries and provides a real-time banking payment method through 35,000 online merchants that put security and convenience first. Rather than relying on a conventional online transfer, Sofort passes the payment data straight to the consumer’s online banking, so the transaction is instant and secure. A 2020 eCommerce DB report ranked Sofort as the fifth most popular payment method in Germany, used by 20% of online shoppers.
For a casino, adding Sofort through our payments gateway opens up a large European audience that already knows and trusts the method. Familiar, fast and secure deposits support a better player experience, stronger loyalty and, in the end, growth for your business.
Pros and Cons of Sofort
Sofortüberweisung, as the method is known in German, gives casino players and operators plenty to like, with one notable downside.
Pros
- Safe and easy to use
- Over 6,000 connected banks
- 85 million users
- Two-factor authentication
- Klarna’s Buyer Protection
Cons
- Fees
Making a Casino Deposit with Sofort
Players need no card numbers, no separate account and no stored personal details. Deposits are approved with the online banking login they already use:
- In the casino Cashier, the player picks Sofort (Klarna) from the deposit methods.
- They choose their country and the bank that will make the payment.
- They look over the payment summary.
- They confirm the transaction.
Countries Covered
Sofort serves players in 13 countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden and the Netherlands. Millions of transactions pass through it every day, which shows how firmly established it is.
Bank Coverage
With 99% bank coverage and more than 6,000 connected banks, the odds are high that a player’s own bank is among Sofort’s partners.
Help and Support
Sofort’s website hosts a detailed FAQ, sorted into categories, for operators and customers alike. Its support team takes calls and emails Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For anything related to the integration itself, our own team is available to operators at any time.
Data Protection
Sofort GmbH sits between the player’s bank account and the casino, relaying data from the bank over an AES 256-bit encrypted connection. It neither stores PIN and TAN codes nor shares them with third-party processors. On top of that, Klarna’s Buyer Protection Policy means funds are returned, or nothing has to be paid, if a problem arises with a purchase.
Regulation and Licensing
Sofort belongs to Klarna, which is licensed by Finansinspektionen, the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority. It also complies with the rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and other institutions.
Sofort (Klarna) FAQ
What makes Sofort a good fit for online casinos?
Payments are secure, immediate and simple. Because the data goes straight to the player’s online banking in real time, no card details are needed, and Sofort’s broad European reach makes it attractive for casinos that target the region.
How secure are Sofort casino payments?
Sofort applies strong security standards, including data encryption and two-factor authentication, and follows the strict banking laws of the European Union.
Is Sofort licensed?
Yes. Sofort (Klarna) is a licensed payment institution supervised by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, which holds it to strict financial and security standards.
Does Sofort charge fees for casino payments?
Sofort normally charges end users nothing. Some casinos may add a small fee for Sofort deposits or withdrawals, so players should check the terms of the casino they use.
