Sofort is part of the Klarna Group, the Swedish e-commerce and payment company that people probably know best for its “Buy Now, Pay Later” services. You’ll see Sofort called Klarna Pay Now, so we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve never heard of it before.
It might not be one of the largest fintech payment services, but, as of 2025, 47,956 websites are registered as using Sofort, with 32,262 being active websites (Built With). Compare that to the 434 million accounts currently using PayPal, and you might call Sofort an up-and-coming payment provider. But size isn’t everything, and many of the websites using Sofort services are iGaming platforms.
Below, we’ll explore the role of Sofort in the globalization of real-time casino payments.
Technical Infrastructure of Sofort
Sofort is an “open banking” payment system that enables direct bank-to-bank transfers.
When a player makes a deposit with Sofort, the casino redirects the user to Sofort’s interface. Sofort will then securely connect to the player’s online bank portal. The customer logs into their bank account and authorizes the transfer, typically using PIN/TAN or other 2FA methods. Sofort only moves the player’s existing funds.
It never extends credit or holds the money itself, such as Klarna will (although even Klarna won’t do that for gambling purposes). All sensitive data, including bank login, PIN, and TAN, is handled by the bank. Sofort transmits it using an encrypted link (AES-256) and does not store it.
The sophisticated infrastructure allows the casino to receive a real-time confirmation of payment initiations. Merchants integrating Sofort using its API also get an immediate notice once the transfer is set up, meaning the player accounts can be credited for play almost instantly.
Typical deposit flow
Players select Sofort at the casino checkout and choose their country and bank. That then triggers a redirect to the bank’s login page, where players can authenticate transactions with their banking credentials. After verifying the payment summary, the player confirms the transfer, and the casino’s system immediately receives confirmation of the transaction, and they credit the player’s account. With Soforts XML/HTTP API end-to-end flow, all this is almost instant.
Security and integration
Because Sofort operates under PSD2 banking rules, it is a licensed payment institution (Klarna Bank AB, Sweden). It meets high security standards (AES-256 encryption, rigorous KYC/AML) and is supervised by the Swedish FSA.
Legal and Regulatory Considerations
European Union (EU/EEA)
Sofort (Klarna) operates under EU banking laws as a licensed payment service. They are authorized by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority and adhere to EU regulations (including PSD2). As a direct-debit service, it is not considered a loan or credit product – it only uses the payer’s available funds. Gambling operators in the EU can offer Sofort for deposits “only if they hold a valid gambling license” (Payment Expert).
United Kingdom
In the UK, gambling laws ban credit or BNPL products in gaming. Klarna explicitly notes that its Sofort service transfers only existing bank funds (not credit) and is allowed on licensed sites. The UK Gambling Commission requires operators to be licensed, and direct bank transfers, such as Sofort, are allowed for deposits as long as the operator is compliant.
User Adoption and Market Trends
Global user adoption for Sofort is relatively high. The globalization of real-time casino payments means that, as long as players are in a country listed on Sofort, they can access iGaming platforms and constantly transfer money. And, more importantly, they can do it almost instantly.
Widespread European usage
Sofort is well established in Europe. It reportedly has on the order of 85 million users across its network, with ties to over 6,000 banks and almost 99% coverage of EU accounts (Soft Gamings).
Millions of transactions are made through Sofort every day. Casinos that facilitate EU customers almost universally list Sofort among deposit options, especially for German-speaking and Benelux markets. In Germany, Sofort is a leading method. A 2020 survey found it was used by almost 20% of all online shoppers in that country.
Demographics and player behavior
Typical European casino players are aged 25–44, and almost 70% male (In Play Soft). These players value convenience and trust, and Sofort appeals because they can pay directly from their bank. There’s no new account needed, and that avoids sharing card details.
Modern casino users now expect instant payment capability. Studies note that players “expect the same payment convenience as in e-commerce, and want the pending status to disappear” (Stripe).
Sofort aligns with these trends by providing near-instant deposit confirmation.
Market trends
The push toward open banking in Europe has driven Sofort’s growth. Many smaller casinos now offer pay-by-bank options (eliminating cards), which reduces fees and fraud. Industry analysts note that fintech alternatives such as Sofort make depositing feel as frictionless as booking travel or shopping online (Stripe).
Sofort is a global, instant payment fintech service delivering real-time payments for casinos and players. There’s no need to add bank details and wait for transfers, Sofort has broken down global payment hurdles and made transactions instant.
