High Risk Merchant Account Solutions
Get reliable payment processing for your high-risk business with our 99% approval rates, competitive pricing, and personalized support — even if other providers have rejected you.
We specialize in helping businesses that offer high-risk products or services, including adult entertainment, CBD, gaming, subscription services, and many more challenging industries.
Trusted by 10,000+ high-risk merchants
Apply for a high risk merchant account
What Is a High Risk Merchant Account?
Understanding how payment processing works for businesses selling higher-risk products or services
A high risk merchant account is a specialized payment processing solution designed specifically for businesses that sell products or services in industries like adult entertainment, CBD, gaming, travel, or subscription-based and free trial models. These accounts allow you to accept credit cards and process electronic payments even when traditional credit card processors would typically reject your business. They offer a range of features and pricing options to meet the unique needs of high-risk merchants, regardless of your financial history, MATCH list status, or other risk factors.
Your business might be considered high risk due to several factors: the industry you operate in (adult entertainment, CBD, Travel, etc.), your business model, previous processing history, excessive chargebacks, financial stability concerns, or simply because you sell products or services that carry more regulatory scrutiny. High risk merchant accounts are tailored to address these unique challenges, though they typically come with different terms and pricing structures to offset the increased risk to payment processors.
How High Risk Merchant Accounts Work
- Tailored underwriting process specifically for businesses selling adult entertainment, CBD, or other high-risk products or services
- Transactions processed through secure payment gateways
- Funds transferred to merchant bank account within 24-48 hours
- Enhanced fraud protection and security measures
Why You Might Need a High Risk Merchant Account
- Your business sells products or services in a high-risk industry (adult entertainment, CBD, gaming, travel, etc.)
- Your business has higher chargeback rates than normal
- You process subscriptions, free trials, card-not-present transactions, or recurring payments
- You process international sales or cross border transactions
Key Features & Benefits of a High-Risk Merchant Account Provider
Advanced Chargeback Protection for High Risk Credit Card Processing & Payment Gateways
Multiple Banking Relationships for High-Risk Payment Gateways & Merchant Accounts
High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Merchant Account Providers
Understanding the key differences between high-risk payment processors and what they mean for your business.
Whether you process products or services like adult entertainment and adult products, subscription billing, CBD, or gaming, understanding high-risk vs. low-risk accounts ensures you choose the right solution for long-term success.
| Feature | High-Risk Accounts | Low-Risk Accounts |
|---|---|---|
| Approval Process | More thorough underwriting, 2-7 business days | Simplified underwriting, often same-day approval |
| Processing Fees | Higher fees (e.g., 2.95% + $0.25 per transaction) | Lower rates (e.g., 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction) |
| Chargeback Fees | $25-$100 per chargeback | $15-$25 per chargeback |
| Reserve Requirements | Often required (rolling, capped, or upfront) | Rarely required |
| Settlement Time | 24-72 hours typically | 24-48 hours typically |
| Industry Restrictions | Accommodates high-risk industries | Restricted to low-risk industries |
| Contract Terms | Often longer terms with early termination fees | More flexible terms, sometimes month-to-month |
| Volume Caps | May have monthly processing limits | Higher or no volume caps |
| Payment Methods | Less payment options | More payment methods available |
High-Risk vs. Low-Risk Comparison
High-Risk Industries We Support With Merchant Accounts
We offer specialized merchant accounts for businesses selling products or services in challenging industries like adult entertainment, CBD products, gaming, travel, precious metals, legal services, and many more that traditional processors often reject.
Travel
Specialized merchant accounts for airlines, travel agencies, and tour operators. Enjoy seamless payment processing solutions for the travel industry.
Telehealth
Telehealth providers can use our merchant accounts to provide simplified payment processing for their virtual care and online consultation and health service operations.
CBD
Merchant accounts for CBD, hemp, and Delta-8 businesses. Secure and efficient payment solutions for the ever evolving CBD market.
Tech Support
Payment processing solutions tailored for tech support businesses, enabling seamless recurring billing for support subscriptions, maintenance plans, and consulting services.
Nutraceuticals
Merchant account solutions for nutraceuticals and supplement companies. Fast and reliable payment processing in a competitive market.
MLM
Customized merchant accounts for MLM (multi-level marketing) and network marketing businesses. Enjoy streamlined payment processing and efficient account management.
Subscription
Merchant account services for recurring billing and subscription models. Secure and efficient gateway solutions for subscription-based businesses and financial services.
Ecommerce
eCommerce Merchant accounts optimized for online stores. Comprehensive payment processing solutions to elevate your ecommerce business with support for all major shopping carts.
International
Merchant accounts for international sales. Seamless multi-currency processing, competitive FX rates, and full compliance with international payment regulations.
Pawn Shops
Payment processing solutions designed specifically for pawn shops, enabling seamless recurring billing for storage fees, layaway plans, and membership programs.
Credit Repair
Payment processing solutions tailored for credit repair businesses, enabling smooth recurring billing for monthly service plans, consultation fees, and subscription packages.
High Volume
Merchant accounts for high volume credit card processing. Support for large transactions and high-ticket sales, with fast approval and 24/7 support.
Don't see your industry? View All Industries
Benefits of Our High Risk Merchant Account Solutions
See why businesses that sell high-risk products or services like adult entertainment, CBD, gaming, dating services, and international sales choose Adaptiv as their trusted payment processing partner.
99% Approval Rate
Our extensive network of banking partners and financial institutions allows us to approve nearly all merchants, even those previously rejected by any other merchant services provider.
Competitive Rates
We provide industry-leading rates for high-risk merchants which enables you to achieve maximum profitability while keeping payment processing expenses as low as possible.
Fast Approvals
Get your high risk merchant account approved instantly or within 24-48 hours, allowing you to start processing payments quickly and efficiently.
Transparent Reporting
Access comprehensive reporting tools to track your transactions, monitor chargebacks, and analyze your business performance.
Advanced Fraud Protection
Our cutting-edge fraud prevention tools help minimize chargebacks and protect your high-risk business from fraudulent transactions.
24/7 Support
Our dedicated support team is available around the clock to help with any questions or issues you may encounter with your high risk merchant account.
Comprehensive High-Risk Merchant Services
We offer tailored payment processing options specifically for businesses selling high-risk products or services such as adult entertainment, subscription billing, CBD, and other challenging industries.
High-Risk Payment Gateway
- Secure transaction processing
- Multi-currency support
- Recurring billing capabilities
- Advanced fraud detection
- Easy integration with your platform
Virtual Terminal
- Process MOTO transactions
- User-friendly interface
- Customer database management
- Detailed transaction reporting
- Secure payment information storage
Ecommerce Integration
- Integrate with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
- Easy setup and configuration
- Streamlined payment flow
- Extensive reporting capabilities
- Seamless User Experience
Simple High Risk Merchant Account Application Process
Getting your high risk merchant account is straightforward with our simple three-step process, designed for businesses selling products or services in adult entertainment, CBD, subscription services, gaming, and other high-risk industries.
Apply Online
Complete our simple online application form with your business details. It takes less than 5 minutes to apply for a high risk merchant account.
Quick Approval
The underwriting team assesses your high risk merchant account application and makes an approval decision within 24-48 hours.
Start Processing
After approval we will set up your high risk payment gateway and you can instantly start accepting credit and debit card payments for your business.
What Our Customers Say
Discover why high-risk businesses trust Adaptiv for their payment processing needs
Michael R.
GreenWell CBD
Our CBD business received approval from Adaptiv within 48 hours after three payment processors rejected us. Their rates are competitive, and their customer service is outstanding.
Sarah T.
Elite Supplements
We've never been able to process payments but the setup process with Adaptiv turned out to be surprisingly easy. They have great reps (paul was very helpful) that guided us through every step, and we were processing payments within days.
Robert K.
Feeling Lucky Inc.
Our online gaming business never had dependable payment processing companies until we found Adaptiv. They demonstrated expertise in our sector and got us up and running fast, poor credit score wasn't an issue.
High Risk Merchant Account: Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about getting a merchant account for businesses selling high-risk products or services such as adult entertainment, CBD, subscription services, and other challenging industries.
What makes a business high-risk?
A business may be in the high-risk category or labeled high-risk due to various factors, including type of business (such as CBD, travel, ecommerce), high chargeback rates, risk of fraud, large customer base, subscription-based billing models, international transactions, high average transaction amounts, or lack of processing history. These factors increase the financial risk for payment processors and traditional banks.
How long does the approval process take for a high risk merchant account?
Traditional merchant accounts in the payments industry get instant approval but high risk merchant accounts sometimes need 24-48 hours for approval. The streamlined process we have in place will get you up and running as quickly as possible but the additional underwriting required for high risk accounts means we may need a bit more time to review your application.
What documents do I need to apply for a high risk merchant account?
The required documentation consists of business formation documents (articles of incorporation), business licenses, personal ID of the business owner, 3-6 months of bank statements, processing statements if you've accepted online payments before, and your website or product details. Our application process and expert sales reps will guide you through submitting each required document.
How do high risk merchant account fees compare to regular merchant accounts?
high risk merchant accounts generally have higher processing fees than regular merchant accounts due to the increased financial risk. These may include higher processing rates, monthly fees, and chargeback fees. However, we work to offer competitive rates for high-risk businesses, and the actual setup fees will depend on your specific business model, processing volume, and risk level.
What is a rolling reserve, and will my account require one?
A rolling reserve is a risk management tool where a percentage of your transactions (typically 5-10%) is held by the processor for a certain period (usually 6 months) to cover potential chargebacks. The need for a reserve on your account depends on your business risk level, your processing history and other factors. Not all high-risk accounts require reserves, and terms can often be negotiated.
Can I get a high risk merchant account with bad credit or bad credit history?
Yes, it's possible to get approved for a high risk merchant account even with poor personal or business credit. While credit is one factor considered during the underwriting process, we evaluate applications holistically, considering your business model, time in business, processing history, and other factors. We regularly approve merchants who have bad credit.
What can I do to reduce my chargeback ratio?
To reduce chargebacks, implement clear billing descriptors so customers recognize charges on their statements, provide excellent customer service (even on weekends), use fraud prevention tools, clearly and plainly communicate shipping times and refund policies, require signature confirmation for high-value items, and consider using chargeback prevention alerts. Our team can offer additional guidance specific to your business.
What should I look for when applying for high-risk merchant services?
When applying for high-risk merchant services, consider quality customer support, clear contract terms, fraud prevention and chargeback prevention tools. Our team can provide tailored guidance specific to your business needs.
Can I get an account with a brand new business and no processing history?
We can onboard startups, smallbusiness, and brand-new companies without prior processing history. While you may need to provide basic business documentation (e.g., EIN, articles of incorporation) and undergo a standard underwriting review, we have solutions designed specifically for new businesses—complete with reasonable reserve structures and scalable rates—to help you get up and running quickly.
Have more questions? Contact our support team for personalized assistance with your high risk merchant account.
Ready to Get Started with Your High Risk Merchant Account?
Apply today and join thousands of businesses selling products or services in adult entertainment, CBD, gaming, and other high-risk industries who trust Adaptiv for their payment processing needs.