How to Choose the Right Bitcoin Casino

Bitcoin is by far the most well-known cryptocurrency, and its popularity is only growing. Its current market cap sits at $1.208 trillion, and Bitcoin holders’ compounded annual growth rate of 104% significantly outstrips traditional investments like stocks and bonds.

But Bitcoin is more than just another way to make a profit or hedge against inflation. The reason it’s such a promising investment is also the same reason it’s gaining traction in the online gambling world:

its decentralized nature and near-anonymity make it a perfect fit for peer-to-peer transactions.

How Bitcoin casinos work

Bitcoin casinos function quite similarly to traditional online casinos. But instead of depositing and withdrawing funds in fiat currency (USD, EUR, etc.), players place wagers and bets using Bitcoin.

The process is relatively straightforward:

  • Create your account with the casino.
  • Deposit Bitcoin into their wallet on the site.
  • Use those funds to place bets and play games.

If (or when) you win, your winnings are also paid out in Bitcoin directly to your account. From there, you can choose to keep playing or transfer your funds back into a secure digital wallet.

Why choose a Bitcoin casino?

Bitcoin works by using blockchain technology, which is essentially a secure digital ledger that records and verifies transactions. It’s decentralized, meaning there’s no central authority controlling it, making it nearly impossible to manipulate or counterfeit.

This makes it an ideal payment method for online gambling for several reasons:

Access from anywhere in the world. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access and play at a Bitcoin casino from anywhere in the world.

Privacy and security. Transactions made using the cryptocurrency are anonymous and secure, making it an attractive option for players who value their online privacy.

Faster transactions. Bitcoin transactions are processed almost instantly, meaning you can start playing your favorite games without any waiting time for deposits to clear.

Lower fees. Bitcoin transactions come with lower fees compared to traditional payment methods, meaning players can keep more of their winnings.

10 factors to consider when choosing the best Bitcoin casino

1. Supported currencies

Not all crypto casinos support the same currencies. Now…the vast majority (if not all) will support Bitcoin. But, if you also want to play using other coins (or think you might in the future), you’ll still want to consider if they accept other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Litecoin.

This information will generally be readily available on the casino’s website. You can also look through our list of top-rated Bitcoin casinos, which is already filtered to only show the best sites that support Bitcoin gambling.

2. Licensing and regulatory compliance

This is a really important one because the online gaming space is heavily regulated. And it’s regulated differently from country to country (or, in the case of the US, from state to state).

For example:

  • In the UK, you have the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
  • In Malta, you have the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).
  • Canada makes it illegal for domestic companies to operate online casinos for Canadians, so players need to play with offshore operations in places like Curaçao.
  • Most US states (e.g., California, New York) have outlawed online casinos altogether, but a few (e.g., Pennsylvania, Michigan) do allow it.

All of this comes with a lot of rules and regulations, so you want to make sure that any Bitcoin casino you’re thinking about playing at is licensed and complies with the laws relating to its gaming operations. Playing at an unlicensed or restricted casino creates difficulties in withdrawing winnings and resolving disputes.

If you can’t find anything on their site about it, or if they don’t have a license from one (or more) of the authorities I’ve listed above, then my advice would be to stay away. Don’t take risks with your money, especially when it comes to gambling.

Note: Though Curaçao licenses are common, licensing bodies like MGA and UKGC have stronger player protections than those from Curaçao.

3. Game selection

If a casino doesn’t have the games you’re looking for, you won’t have much of a good time. So, make sure you review their game selection before signing up.

Plus, if you’re going to be playing at a casino for any length of time (e.g., making multiple deposits, cashing out winnings), you want to make sure you enjoy the games on offer.

One of our favorite Bitcoin casino sites is BC.Game. The platform features thousands of games that include slots, live dealer games, and unique BC.Game originals. Specifically, there are more than 10,000 slot games, many of which are supported for Bitcoin play. And all of these games come from top developers like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, and Betsoft, ensuring both quality and variety.

BC.Game also offers a variety of table games, including 63 roulette variations and multiple blackjack options, all of which support Bitcoin. The live casino section offers hundreds of live dealer tables for Bitcoin bets, along with popular crash games and provably fair options, ensuring transparency and fairness for Bitcoin gamblers.

4. Mobile compatibility

According to the UK Gambling Commission, 60% of online gamblers have done so on a mobile phone. If you want to play at the airport, on long car rides, in between meetings, or while lying in bed before going to sleep, you’ll want to choose a Bitcoin casino with mobile compatibility.

The good news is, there are plenty. Lots of crypto casinos even have a crypto casino app you can download, so you don’t need to play directly in a web browser.

5. Customer support

This is one of those parameters that you won’t appreciate until you need it. But, when that time comes, and you need answers to your questions or help with a problem, having quality customer support is the difference between an enjoyable experience and a frustrating one.

Make sure the Bitcoin casino you’re considering offers multiple ways for players to contact support (e.g., live chat, email, phone) and that its customer support agents are responsive and knowledgeable.

This is where it helps to go with a larger, more reputable site. While smaller ones might entice you with welcome bonuses and free play (more on this below), they usually don’t have the infrastructure for top-notch customer support. And that means if you have trouble withdrawing winnings or run into any other issues, you might not get them resolved.

6. Bonuses and promotions

Bonuses are the icing on the cake. They’re an excellent way to boost your bankroll at an online Bitcoin casino. Almost all casinos offer them in some form. 

For example:

  • Welcome bonuses are for new players and usually require you to make a deposit to receive them. They can come in the form of free spins, match bonuses, or a combination of the two.
  • Free spins and no-deposit bonuses are great because they allow you to win real money without having to deposit anything.
  • Reload bonuses for existing players are like welcome bonuses but given out on a weekly or monthly basis for loyalty.

Make sure you read through the terms and conditions for any bonus offers before accepting them. Some have high wagering requirements that make it difficult to withdraw winnings, while others may only be valid for certain games. And most will require you to make a certain number of bets before you can withdraw any bonus winnings (this is called a rollover or playthrough requirement).

7. Reputation and reviews

Before depositing your crypto into any platform, do your research on the reputation of each Bitcoin casino you’re considering. Look for reviews from other players to see how they rate their experience with the site.

Also, pay attention to any red flags like complaints about slow payouts or difficulty withdrawing winnings. These could be signs of a poorly run or even fraudulent casino.

Again, the easiest way to vet a casino’s reputation is to use our list of recommended crypto casinos. As industry experts, we’ve done the work for you and only recommend trustworthy, reputable sites with a proven track record. And all the reviews and ratings are from real players.

8. Security

The main reason to choose cryptocurrency over fiat currency for gambling is its security. The decentralized, encrypted nature of cryptocurrency makes it much more difficult for hackers to steal your funds or personal information.

Since most Bitcoin casinos don’t require KYC, you also won’t have to input as much critical information on the site, reducing your risk of identity theft.

Despite these benefits, there are also lots of predatory activities in the crypto space. Only consider a Bitcoin gambling platform if it has the following:

  • SSL encryption to protect your personal and financial information
  • 2-factor authentication (2FA)
  • A valid license from a reputable gambling authority (e.g., UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority)
  • Proven fair games using random number generators or provably fair systems

Always be cautious and do your due diligence before depositing any crypto onto a site. And never use the same password for your Bitcoin casino account as you do for other accounts.

9. Payment options

While most Bitcoin casinos only accept cryptocurrency, some also offer traditional payment methods like credit cards and e-wallets. Look for a casino that offers a variety of options so you can choose the one that works best for you.

You’ll also want to consider withdrawal policies and fees. Some site’s withdrawal limits may be too low for high rollers, while others may charge hefty fees for cashing out.

10. Transaction time

Bitcoin is notably slower than other cryptocurrencies when it comes to transaction time. Depending on the blockchain network, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours for your deposit or withdrawal to process.

Bitcoin casinos often have their own internal processing times as well, so make sure you understand all the time frames involved before making a deposit.

Final thoughts

The most important factor when selecting a Bitcoin casino to play at is trustworthiness. Find a site with a good reputation, top-notch security, and responsive customer support.

Once you’ve narrowed your options down, you can then consider other factors like bonuses, game selection, and transaction times to find the perfect fit for your gambling preferences.

After you’ve made your choice, all you need to do is create your account and make the first deposit!

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