Visa-Only ATMs to be Implemented at London 2012

Visa has caused a lot of controversy today by demanding 27 existing cash dispensers were switched off and replaced with eight exclusive ATMs as part of it’s sponsorship agreement with the Olympics.

 

Visa credit and debit cards will also be the only method of payment accepted on chip-and-pin devices used by the 11million ticketholders.

 

By the opening ceremony, all ATMs will have been turned off at the ExCel Centre, Earl’s Court, the O2 Arena (renamed the North Greenwich Arena during the Games because rival BT is a sponsor), Wembley Arena, Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon, Old Trafford, St James’s Park and the City of Coventry Stadium.

 

Only the Olympic Park – whose ten restaurants and 1,800 food and drink kiosks will all be subject to the restrictions – and the Excel Centre will get replacement Visa machines.

 

A spokesman for Visa Europe said the company’s plans were ‘not new’. She added: ‘Ninety-eight per cent of British cardholders will be able to purchase tickets and merchandise, use cards on-site to make purchases and withdraw money at on-site ATMs.’

 

However, Ron Delnevo, director of the UK Payments Council, said the move was ‘plainly unacceptable’.

He added: ‘It seems that the ideals of the Olympics now take a back seat whenever they get in the way of needs of commercial sponsors.’

 

Discuss VISA’s Olympic sponsorship strategy here