Digital goods and software · Merchant category codes
What is MCC 5816 (Digital Goods – Games)?
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MCC 5816 (Digital Goods – Games) is the merchant category code for merchants that sell games delivered in electronic format, including games of skill and in-app purchases, but not games of chance. A game studio selling downloads or in-game items fits here. Games of chance for money use 7995. Visa treats it as high-integrity risk only for transactions involving skilled game wagering.
- Visa name
- Digital Goods – Games
- Stripe name
- Digital Goods – Games
- Restricted by Stripe
- No
- Visa high-integrity risk
- Only for transactions involving skilled game wagering
- Visa 3D Secure rule for online sales
- Required for merchants located in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore
- In PlatformDTC's Industry picker
- Yes, under "Digital products"
- Typical products
- Downloadable games, In-app game purchases, Fantasy sports where it is not gambling
What PlatformDTC does
PlatformDTC's payments setup lists 5816 in its Industry picker as "Digital goods - Games" under "Digital products"; typing 5816 in the search box finds it. The choice is sent to Stripe as the category code of the store's own payments account and can be changed later under Settings, Payments, Professional details, subject to Stripe's check.
What sells under MCC 5816
Visa uses 5816 for merchants that sell games delivered in electronic format, including games of skill and in-app purchases, but not games of chance.
A game studio selling downloads or in-game items fits here. Games of chance for money use 7995.
- Downloadable games
- In-app game purchases
- Fantasy sports where it is not gambling
Codes it is confused with
Choose the code for the line of business that makes up most of your sales. Visa also allows a separate code for each line of business.
| Code | Name | Use it instead when |
|---|---|---|
| 7995 | Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, Off-Track Betting and Wagers | Players stake money on games of chance |
| 5817 | Digital Goods – Applications (Excludes Games) | You sell non-game apps |
| 5945 | Hobby, Toy, and Game Shops | You sell physical toys and games |
Risk, 3D Secure and Stripe rules
Visa's high-integrity risk list names 5816 only for transactions involving skilled game wagering, such as daily fantasy sports. Sales outside that description are not on the list.
Stripe's list of supported codes does not mark it restricted, so a Stripe account can use it without asking Stripe first.
Visa's rules require acquirers to process online sales under 5816 with Visa Secure (3D Secure) for merchants located in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. Elsewhere, 3D Secure for this code follows the general rules of the merchant's country and the issuer's request.
Visa's high-integrity risk list includes 5816 only for transactions involving skilled game wagering, such as daily fantasy sports. Ordinary game sales are not on it.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MCC 5816 high risk?
- Only in part. Visa lists 5816 as high-integrity risk for transactions involving skilled game wagering, such as daily fantasy sports, not for every sale under it. Stripe does not mark it restricted. Visa does require 3D Secure on online 5816 sales for merchants located in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.
- Can a PlatformDTC store use MCC 5816?
- Yes. It is in the Industry picker of PlatformDTC's payments setup under "Digital products", and typing 5816 in the search finds it. PlatformDTC sends the choice to Stripe for the store's own payments account.
Sources
Related
- 5817 — Apps and software delivered electronically, excluding games.
- 5818 — High-volume digital goods sellers above Visa's transaction threshold.
- 5734 — Stores selling software for business and personal use, maybe hardware too.
- 7372 — Programming, systems design, website design, data entry and processing services.
- 4816 — Internet access, network and information services, website maintenance.
- 4899 — Ongoing delivery of TV, radio or streaming content on a subscription or fee basis.