DEFINITION
MCC 7997: Membership Clubs, Including Sports, Recreation, Athletic, Country and Private Golf Courses
MCC Database / 7997: Membership Clubs, Including Sports, Recreation, Athletic, Country and Private Golf Courses
Every merchant is assigned a merchant category code (MCC) — a four-digit number used by card networks to classify the primary business activity. MCCs determine how transactions are processed, how fees are structured, and how risk is assessed.
Let’s take a closer look at MCC 7997.
What is MCC 7997?
MCC 7997 applies to membership-based clubs such as country clubs, private golf courses, athletic or recreation clubs, and sports societies.
This includes dues, event fees, amenities, and club services charged to members. Whether recurring or one-off, any payment tied to athletic club membership or access falls under this MCC.
Is MCC 7995 considered high risk?
This MCC is typically of moderate risk. While fraudulent activity is less common than in gaming or other high‑fraud categories, recurring dues and membership cancellations can result in friendly fraud or chargebacks. Annual billing adds complexity and may require stronger dispute controls or billing clarity to reduce risk.
Does MCC 7995 require a license?
These clubs often have specific operational and compliance standards such as:
- Local licensing requirements
- Membership agreements detailing access, refund policies, or trial memberships
- Privacy protection for member data under regional regulations (such as GDPR)
- Clear adherence to card scheme and regulatory rules around membership billing
Processors and acquirers may request copies of governing documents or facility licenses during underwriting to confirm legitimacy.
Does MCC 7995 have special fees or pricing?
Often, yes. Membership clubs may face:
- Elevated interchange rates due to billing model
- Reserves for ongoing liability and chargeback protection
- Manual review of large subscription or event-related charges
Discuss pricing tiers and reserve policies with your processor, acquirer, or ISO before signing agreements.
Can I have multiple MCCs if I offer multiple services?
Yes — provided each service operates under its own merchant account or brand.
For instance, if your club also sells retail items or hosts public events — and charges through separate merchant accounts — you may qualify for additional MCC assignments.
A single merchant setup combining all services will default to MCC 7997 for all transactions.
What are some similar MCCs?
Merchants in adjacent categories include:
These distinctions can affect pricing structure, compliance steps, or account monitoring.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What else do I need to know about MCCs?
Are MCCs the same across all card networks and acquirers?
For the most part, MCCs are pretty universal across card networks — though processors and acquirers can have different opinions on what MCC is most applicable for a business.
Who decides my MCC?
Your acquiring bank or payment processor assigns your MCC during new merchant account onboarding. It should be based on your primary revenue stream.
How do I know what my MCC is?
Your acquirer or processor should tell you your MCC when your merchant account goes live. Check the documents provided — like a VAR sheet, registration form, onboarding sheet, or MID credential form. You can also try logging into your payment platform dashboard. If all else fails, ask your processor or acquirer!
Does my MCC affect my interchange rate?
Absolutely. More specialized or recurring-payment models like MCC 7997 can result in higher interchange fees or risk-based pricing.
Can my MCC affect my ability to process payments?
Yes. Processors and acquirers often limit or prohibit merchant accounts for certain MCCs. High-risk accounts that are approved usually have volume restrictions, reserve accounts, and higher fees.
How often can my MCC change?
Your MCC will remain the same — unless your primary business model changes. If you think your current MCC is no longer relevant, ask your processor or acquirer to reassess your code. You’ll probably have to provide supporting documentation.
What happens if I’m misclassified with the wrong MCC?
If you think your business has the wrong MCC, you can challenge the assignment via your processor or acquirer. Reach out and ask for a business review — be sure to include documents to support your case.
For more than a decade, Jessica Velasco has been a thought leader in the payments industry. She aims to provide readers with valuable, easy-to-understand resources.
