MCC 5816: Digital Goods, Games
MDR (IC++)
0.5% - 3%
Markup over interchange + scheme
Rolling reserve
5% - 10%
Typical 180-day hold
Risk tier
Elevated
Typical acquirer treatment
Digital games, downloads, in-game purchases, and virtual goods.
Elevated-tier codes are underwritten selectively. Expect closer file review, moderate reserves, and pricing that rewards a clean chargeback record.
Acquiring notes.
Games and in-game purchases carry a specific pattern acquirers know well: first-party fraud, often a household member making purchases the cardholder later disputes. Purchase confirmations, spending controls and sensible velocity rules are the controls underwriters look for. High-volume microtransaction merchants also get read on refund automation, because manual support does not scale with ticket counts in this code.
Figures are typical ranges from the BZNpay MCC catalogue, not an offer. The acquiring bank makes the final code assignment and sets final terms. BZNpay places merchants in this category: one qualified file brings back 2 or 3 acquirers whose appetite covers it, typically within 24 hours.
MCC 5816 questions.
Who assigns MCC 5816?
Your acquiring bank assigns the MCC during underwriting, based on your business description and, increasingly, site-crawl and checkout review. The card networks define the list of codes and the rules for each one.
What does MCC 5816 cost to process under?
In our catalogue, 5816 typically carries an MDR of 0.5% - 3% IC++ (markup over interchange and scheme fees) with a rolling reserve of 5% - 10%. Where you land in the band depends on licensing where applicable, financials, and chargeback history. Final terms are set by the acquirer.
Can I process under a different, lower-risk code?
No. Operating under an MCC that does not match your actual business is miscoding, which card networks detect and punish with termination plus MATCH-list placement. If you believe your current code genuinely misrepresents your business, an acquirer can review and re-code.
Other codes in Digital Goods & Services.
Processing under 5816? Read how we place Digital Entertainment merchants.