Canada offers a favorable yet regulated environment for high-risk merchants. From online casinos and forex trading to CBD and adult content, operating in these sectors requires specialized payment solutions. In this guide, we spotlight the top 10 high-risk payment gateways in Canada trusted by thousands of businesses for secure, compliant, and scalable processing.
Why High-Risk Payment Gateways Matter
Not all payment gateways are built the same. Mainstream providers often reject applications from industries they label “high-risk.” Reasons include:
- Higher chargeback ratios
- Legal or reputational risks
- Fraud vulnerability
- Cross-border complexities
A high-risk payment gateway is designed to manage this added complexity by offering:
- Advanced fraud tools
- Custom risk thresholds
- Rolling reserves
- Offshore and international processing
- Support for multiple MCCs and currencies
Top 10 High-Risk Payment Gateways in Canada
1. Instabill
Overview: A global leader in high-risk merchant processing, Instabill offers Canadian businesses access to offshore, domestic, and international payment solutions.
Key Features:
- Supports adult, dating, gaming, crypto, CBD
- High chargeback tolerance
- Visa and Mastercard processing
- Offshore banking and IBAN support
Why Choose Instabill: Ideal for merchants needing flexible underwriting and global reach.
2. PayKings
Overview: US-based but active in the Canadian market, PayKings specializes in underwriting high-risk businesses across 30+ industries.
Key Features:
- Cannabis, nutraceuticals, kratom, IPTV, and adult
- Chargeback mitigation tools
- Customizable fraud protection
- Direct banking relationships
Why Choose PayKings: Strong history of approvals in tough verticals, even in regulated provinces.
3. Durango Merchant Services
Overview: A reliable high-risk payment gateway provider with a strong presence in North America, including Canada.
Key Features:
- Supports high-volume adult, subscription, and forex businesses
- Domestic and offshore account options
- PCI-compliant platform
- ACH, eCheck, and card payments
Why Choose Durango: Known for transparency, speed, and stable processing relationships.
4. EMB (eMerchantBroker)
Overview: One of the top-rated high-risk merchant account providers for Canadian clients.
Key Features:
- Tailored for industries like fantasy sports, dating, crypto, and CBD
- Advanced risk monitoring tools
- Chargeback alerts and prevention
- Multi-currency processing
Why Choose EMB: Excellent for startups or scaling merchants entering Canada.
5. Allied Wallet
Overview: A global PSP offering both high- and low-risk processing, with a growing presence in Canadian eCommerce.
Key Features:
- Accepts over 164 currencies
- Integrates with WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento
- Advanced fraud detection AI
- Real-time reporting dashboard
Why Choose Allied Wallet: Seamless integration with major platforms; good for international merchants targeting Canada.
6. PaymentCloud
Overview: Although headquartered in the US, PaymentCloud frequently onboards Canadian high-risk merchants through strategic partnerships.
Key Features:
- CBD, vape, adult, travel, and timeshare processing
- Dedicated account managers
- Multiple bank relationships for stability
- Fast onboarding
Why Choose PaymentCloud: Great for newer merchants looking for concierge support.
7. PaynetSecure
Overview: A gateway that supports cross-border and offshore high-risk processing, including for Canadian entities.
Key Features:
- Virtual terminal and hosted checkout
- Cryptocurrency payment support
- Risk scoring and velocity checks
- Mobile optimization
Why Choose PaynetSecure: Perfect for tech-forward, online-first businesses in the high-risk bracket.
8. Corepay
Overview: Known for building custom payment stacks for high-risk Canadian merchants with complex business models.
Key Features:
- High-volume adult, IPTV, crypto, and forex support
- Flexible rolling reserve terms
- Chargeback alerts via Ethoca/Verifi
- In-house risk management team
Why Choose Corepay: Perfect for enterprises looking for a long-term partnership.
9. Easy Pay Direct
Overview: A PSP that helps high-risk merchants manage multiple accounts through a proprietary system called EPD Gateway.
Key Features:
- Load balancing and transaction routing
- High-risk verticals like coaching, continuity billing, and high-ticket consulting
- 100+ integrations
- US and Canadian bank support
Why Choose Easy Pay Direct: Powerful backend for scaling businesses with volume volatility.
10. NetCents (Now: Alphabit Digital)
Overview: Based in Canada, NetCents focuses on crypto payment processing for businesses in regulated and high-risk verticals.
Key Features:
- Crypto-to-fiat settlement
- Regulated Canadian entity
- API-based integration
- Real-time analytics
Why Choose NetCents: Perfect for Canadian merchants wanting to add crypto as a payment method legally and seamlessly.
How to Choose the Right High-Risk Payment Gateway in Canada
Here’s what you should look for:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
| Industry Experience | Specialized knowledge in your sector helps ensure smoother underwriting. |
| Domestic & Offshore Options | Gives flexibility in processing based on compliance needs. |
| Rolling Reserve Policy | Choose what works for your cash flow. |
| Chargeback Management | Tools like alerts, filters, and scoring are essential. |
| Multi-Currency & Local Support | Especially important if you deal with US/UK/EU clients too. |
| Integration Capabilities | Should support your current shopping cart or CRM system. |
Conclusion
Navigating high-risk payment processing in Canada isn’t easy — but it’s not impossible. With the right gateway partner, your business can operate securely, comply with local and international regulations, and scale efficiently.
Whether you’re in crypto, gaming, adult, forex, IPTV, or supplements, the gateways listed above can give you the processing muscle and fraud protection you need to grow.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use Stripe or PayPal for high-risk payments in Canada?
A: Generally not. These platforms tend to ban or freeze high-risk accounts.
Q2: Do I need a Canadian company to get a high-risk gateway in Canada?
A: Not always. Some PSPs offer offshore accounts or accept international companies targeting Canada.
Q3: What documents are required for onboarding?
A: Typically, KYC documents, business license, website URL, refund policy, and bank statements.
Q4: What industries are considered high-risk in Canada?
A: Adult, crypto, gambling, CBD, nutraceuticals, forex, and businesses with high chargebacks.
Q5: Can these gateways help me accept crypto?
A: Yes — some like NetCents and PaynetSecure offer full crypto processing and settlement.
