Restricted Businesses

To protect consumers, maintain compliance with our sponsor banks and card networks, and manage financial and reputational risk, certain business categories cannot be supported on our platform. Other categories may be eligible but require additional review, documentation, or approval from our banking partners. This page outlines the business types that are prohibited from using our services, as well as those considered restricted, which may require enhanced due diligence or special approval.

If you’re unsure whether your business falls into one of these categories, please contact our compliance team before applying.

Prohibited Businesses

Applications from businesses in the categories below will not be considered. These industries pose elevated legal, regulatory, financial, or reputational risks, or are prohibited by card network rules. Many also demonstrate historically high rates of fraud and chargebacks.

Prohibited businesses include, but are not limited to:

Illegal, High-Risk, or Regulated Activities
  • Any business engaged in unlawful or illicit activity
  • Internet or mail/telephone-order firearm or weapon sales
  • Non–face-to-face gambling, including sports wagering and daily fantasy sports
  • Casinos and other gaming entities
  • Marijuana-related businesses (medical or recreational)
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • Ingestible products containing hemp-derived CBD

Financial Services & High-Risk Lending
  • Collection agencies or collection-focused law firms
  • Consumer debt buyers
  • Payday or payroll lenders, including small-dollar lenders
  • Mortgage accelerator processors
  • Life settlement providers or financing companies

High-Risk Commerce & Transaction Models
  • Products or services offering guaranteed rebates, refunds, or prizes
  • Lifetime guarantees or lifetime memberships
  • P2P crowdfunding platforms
  • Payment facilitators or sub-merchant aggregators
  • Transactions involving purchase of NFTs, cryptocurrency, funding of crypto wallets, or initial coin offerings

Travel, Entertainment & Other Prohibited Sectors
  • Airlines
  • Cruise lines
  • Adult entertainment and adult-oriented businesses
  • Private prison operators
  • Start-up professional sports leagues

Restricted Businesses

The following categories may be eligible but require additional underwriting, documentation, and sponsor bank approval. Some may also require card network registration. These business types may face elevated risk profiles, complex regulatory considerations, or industry-specific compliance requirements.

Restricted businesses include, but are not limited to:

Financial & Credit-Related Services
  • Buy Now, Pay Later providers
  • Buy-here, pay-here auto dealers (in-house financing)
  • Repossession agencies
  • Marketplaces facilitating transactions for multiple sellers

Healthcare & Regulated Goods
  • Drug stores and pharmacies
  • Prescription opioid manufacturers or distributors
  • Post-acute and long-term care providers

Government-Regulated or High-Scrutiny Industries
  • Bail bondsmen
  • Military and defense contractors
  • Government-owned or state lotteries

Marketing, Distribution & Sales Models
  • Multi-level marketing organizations
  • Direct marketing or outbound telemarketing businesses
  • Travel agencies

Age-Restricted Products
  • Tobacco, e-cigarette, and vaping retailers

Need Clarification?

If you’re unsure whether your business falls within a prohibited or restricted category, or if you believe your model warrants special consideration, we encourage you to reach out. Our compliance team can help evaluate eligibility and guide you through any additional review requirements.