Why do banks care about MCC?

MCC is the first signal a bank uses to risk-tier a merchant. A 7995 (gambling) merchant gets routed to the high-risk underwriting team automatically. Misclassifying your MCC is fraud (transaction laundering) and triggers terminations + MATCH listing.

Can I just use 7372 or 5734 to look generic?

No. Misclassifying your MCC is one of the fastest ways to get listed on MATCH. Visa/MC actively monitor descriptor patterns and will request transaction-level review. Use the right MCC.

What is "decline rate"?

Approximate percentage of mainstream-bank applications declined at first compliance screening for that MCC. Based on aggregated GetBanked placement data and industry surveys. Specialist high-risk acquirers have very different rates.

Why is 7995 so universally rejected?

Mainstream banks treat all gambling identically — they do not distinguish between licensed UKGC and offshore Curaçao at first screening. Specialist gambling-friendly acquirers exist but you have to find them deliberately.

CalculatorUpdated May 2026

MCC Risk Tier Lookup — How banks classify your business

18+ high-risk-relevant MCCs with decline rates, tier labels, and legitimate alternatives.

Your MCC is the first signal banks use to tier you. The right code gets you through; the wrong one trips alarms or commits transaction laundering. Search the database below.

Search by MCC code, description, or category

Results (18)

7995Very high92% decline rate
Betting / Gambling / Lotteries / State-Authorised
Alternatives: No alternative — using a non-gambling MCC for gambling is fraud (transaction laundering).
7800High70% decline rate
Government-Owned Lotteries (US)
Alternatives: 7995 generic gambling for non-state-owned operators.
7801Very high90% decline rate
Government-Licensed Online Casinos
Alternatives: No alternative.
7802High75% decline rate
Government-Licensed Horse / Dog Racing
Alternatives: No alternative.
6051Very high88% decline rate
Quasi-Cash — Crypto, FX, Wire transfer
Alternatives: Crypto-specific 6051 only — no legitimate alternative.
6211High60% decline rate
Securities — Brokers / Dealers
Alternatives: 6051 sometimes used for retail forex margin but creates regulatory issues.
5816Medium30% decline rate
Digital Goods — Games
Alternatives: 5818 for general digital goods or 7372 for software.
5967Very high85% decline rate
Direct Marketing — Inbound (adult)
Alternatives: Adult-content acquirers use 5967 specifically. Misclassification triggers card-network fines.
7273High55% decline rate
Dating Services
Alternatives: 5967 for adult-adjacent dating; 5734 for software-platform billing.
5993High65% decline rate
Cigars & Stores (also CBD-adjacent)
Alternatives: 5499 sometimes used for CBD but disputed by Visa/MC.
5912Medium35% decline rate
Drug Stores — Pharmacies
Alternatives: 5122 for drug wholesalers; 5912 strictly for licensed retail pharmacies.
5122High50% decline rate
Drugs / Drug Proprietaries / Druggist Sundries
Alternatives: No alternative — 5122 is the regulated wholesale MCC.
5921Medium25% decline rate
Package Stores — Beer, Wine, Liquor
Alternatives: 5813 for bars/lounges; 5499 for general retail with limited alcohol sales.
4722High55% decline rate
Travel Agencies & Tour Operators
Alternatives: 4112 for rail; 4511 for airlines (direct); 4789 for transport services.
5734Low12% decline rate
Computer Software Stores
Alternatives: 7372 for prepackaged software; 5045 for hardware.
7372Low10% decline rate
Computer Programming / Data Processing
Alternatives: Default for B2B SaaS.
5993High65% decline rate
Cigar Stores & Stands
Alternatives: No alternative for tobacco-specific retail.
5999Medium28% decline rate
Miscellaneous Specialty Retail
Alternatives: Used as catch-all but invites scrutiny — bank wants specific MCC.

Discuss these results with us.

We will look at your specific case, validate the numbers against our active banking partners, and give you a free, honest pre-approval read — usually within 24 hours.

⚠ For informational purposes only. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify with a qualified advisor before acting on any output.

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Methodology & sources

MCC list curated from Visa Global Acquirer Risk Standards and Mastercard MCC reference. Decline rates are calibrated against GetBanked placement data (~500 accounts) and are indicative, not deterministic.

Alternatives flagged are legitimate — sometimes a related MCC is a better fit (e.g. 7372 vs 5734 for SaaS). "No alternative" means the only legitimate code is the listed one and substitution is fraud.

Frequently asked questions

Why do banks care about MCC?: MCC is the first signal a bank uses to risk-tier a merchant. A 7995 (gambling) merchant gets routed to the high-risk underwriting team automatically. Misclassifying your MCC is fraud (transaction laundering) and triggers terminations + MATCH listing.
Can I just use 7372 or 5734 to look generic?: No. Misclassifying your MCC is one of the fastest ways to get listed on MATCH. Visa/MC actively monitor descriptor patterns and will request transaction-level review. Use the right MCC.
What is "decline rate"?: Approximate percentage of mainstream-bank applications declined at first compliance screening for that MCC. Based on aggregated GetBanked placement data and industry surveys. Specialist high-risk acquirers have very different rates.
Why is 7995 so universally rejected?: Mainstream banks treat all gambling identically — they do not distinguish between licensed UKGC and offshore Curaçao at first screening. Specialist gambling-friendly acquirers exist but you have to find them deliberately.

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Disclaimer

This calculator is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Licence fees, tax rates, and regulatory requirements change. You must consult a qualified advisor in each relevant jurisdiction before making any commercial or investment decision. GetBanked and BMC Strategic Inc accept no liability for decisions made on the basis of these calculations.