Apple pay: declined transaction

If the payment declined, doesn’t that mean the merchant never received the money? Or if Apple is the one who declined it, doesn’t that make Apple a bank?

Apple is not a bank and does not handle transfers of funds. You’ll need to contact the merchant to ask for a refund. If the merchant grants the refund, it’s usually 5 to 7 business days for the bank to receive funds from the merchants, but it can take longer.

Did you try contacting Apple wallet through the app I had an issue with High five casinos games online double charging for coin packages and I use my apple pay account to pay for it which takes it directly out of my bank account or credit card my bank debit card is set as my backup card incase the first one gets declined which I have had happen a few times BUT that was proir to me adding additional cards to the Apple Pay

did you ever get your refund? If so what did you have to do?

Apple does not approve or decline credit or debit card transactions. Only the bank that issued the payment method can approve or decline the use of the card.