Illustration representing Merchant Category Code classification for card transactions

The MCC code is an abbreviation for Merchant Category Code.
It is a 4-digit code used to classify merchants according to their line of business.

Banks generally do not want to issue POS terminals to merchants with certain MCC codes, or to allow transactions through those POS terminals. For this reason, banks check whether the MCC code entered during the merchant application process is prohibited. Merchant applications for businesses defined under a prohibited MCC code are rejected.

The prohibited MCC check is not performed only at the merchant application stage. Transactions made through merchant POS terminals are also checked to see whether the merchant's MCC code is prohibited. Transactions made from merchant POS terminals defined under a prohibited MCC are generally rejected by the acquiring bank with error code 58 - Transaction Not Permitted to Merchant.

Is the prohibited MCC check performed only for merchants?

No. The prohibited MCC check is also performed for credit cards and debit (ATM) cards. In transactions made with a card, the MCC code of the merchant where the transaction takes place is checked by the card-issuing bank during authorization. If the merchant's MCC code is on the prohibited MCC list, the transaction is rejected with error code 57 - Transaction Not Permitted to Card.

How is the MCC code checked during authorization?

When a card transaction is made through a POS terminal, the merchant's MCC code is sent in Field 18 of the ISO 8583 standard. When the authorization request is forwarded from the acquiring bank to the card-issuing bank, the card-issuing bank performs the prohibited MCC checks based on the 4-digit code in Field 18.

Is the prohibited MCC list the same for every bank?

The prohibited MCC list differs from bank to bank. For example, participation banks prevent transactions from their cards at places such as alcohol retailers, tobacco shops, and casinos. Likewise, POS terminals are not connected to such merchants. While some banks are willing to allow transactions from casinos, others prefer to block transactions made at such merchants.

List of prohibited MCC codes

Although the prohibited MCC list varies from bank to bank, the MCC codes listed below are generally classified as prohibited by banks.

MCCDescriptionBusiness Category
3551Mirage Hotel Casino06 - LODGING
3555Tressure Island Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3564Sam's Town Hotels and Casino06 - LODGING
3582California Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3624Lady Luck Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3628Excalibur Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3662Circus Circus Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3667Luxor Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3669Eldorado Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3676Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3679Silver Legacy Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3682Sahara Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3708Virgin River Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3712Buffalo Bill's Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3728Bally's Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3731Harrah's Hotel and Casinos06 - LODGING
3737Riviera Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3738Tropicana Resort & Casino06 - LODGING
3761Primadonna Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3762Whiskey Pete's Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3764Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3766Fremont Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3767Main Street Station Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3768Silver Star Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3769Stratosphere Hotel and Casino06 - LODGING
3792Claridge Casino Hotel06 - LODGING
3794Grand Casino Hotels06 - LODGING
4829Money Transfer - Merchant (According to the BKM bulletin dated 07.11.2017, this MCC can be used for rent payments.)00 - OTHER
5813Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) - Bars, Taverns, Nightclubs, Cocktail Lounges, and Discotheques07 - CASINOS/DRINKING PLACES
5921Package Stores - Beer, Wine, and Liquor20 - MISCELLANEOUS FOOD STORES
5993Cigar Stores and Stands20 - MISCELLANEOUS FOOD STORES
6012Financial Institutions - Merchandise and Services00 - OTHER
6050Quasi Cash - Member Financial Institution00 - OTHER
6051Quasi Cash - Merchant00 - OTHER
6211Securities Brokers/Dealers00 - OTHER
6529Remote Stored Value Load - Member Financial Institution00 - OTHER
6530Remote Stored Value Load - Merchant00 - OTHER
6534Money Transfer - Member Financial Institution00 - OTHER
6535Value Purchase - Member Financial Institution00 - OTHER
7273Dating and Escort Services16 - SERVICE PROVIDERS
7800National Lottery Authorized Dealer Wholesale07 - CASINOS/DRINKING PLACES
7995Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Chips, Off-Track, and Racetrack Wagers07 - CASINOS/DRINKING PLACES
9950Intra-Company Purchases00 - OTHER