Excellent Service and Platform Design
To enjoy your online crypto betting experience, you need a site that’s well designed, easy to use, and offers great service. This includes 24/7 support, live sports streams, a streamlined and fast mobile service that works on various devices, and odds and markets that are excellent and easy to navigate and understand. You’ll find all this and more at our top-rated crypto bookies. Most bookies also feature a crypto betting app, som of them are Stake, Cloudbet.
Why Gamble with Crypto: Advantages
Lightning Fast Transactions
Cryptocurrency transactions can take seconds to process, which means as soon as you’ve processed a cashout, the money could arrive in your account. For example, the average for Litecoin sportsbooks is 15 minutes. However, cashout times depend on the gambling site you’ve chosen, and some take up to 24 hours. In contrast, Fiat withdrawals take 24-120 hours, so there’s no comparison to make: if fast deposits and withdrawals matter to you, a crypto sportsbook is the way forward.
Decentralized: There’s No Middle Man
Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, meaning no bank, government, or central body regulates them. This puts users in control of the currencies and verifying transactions, reduces fees, and means that your account won’t be blocked or frozen. Reduced costs mean you can spend more of your money laying bets than if you use a more traditional currency like USD.
Anonymous and Verifiable
Crypto is anonymous. While all the transactions are verifiable via a public ledger, your personal details are not shared, making crypto gambling 100% private; this is one of its biggest attractions and why some crypto betting sites offer fully anonymous accounts.
Global Use
Unlike traditional currency, crypto knows no borders and works the same in any country or gambling site. Simply take your pick from the internet’s best sportsbooks and sign up to play without worrying about losing out on currency conversions. This is a much simpler and safer way to pay and play.
Bigger and Better Bonuses
Because crypto cuts out the middleman, reducing fees, online sportsbooks that use crypto-only can offer bigger and better bonuses, which is a win-win situation for everyone and one of the main reasons crypto betting sites are becoming so popular.
Disadvantages
No Reversals
This is incredibly important: if you make a mistake with a crypto transaction, it cannot be reversed or withdrawn. You must ensure all the details are correct before processing payments. Plus, there are no chargebacks should something happen to your account. Once a transaction is made, it’s final.
Volatility
Most cryptocurrencies are incredibly volatile, and while this can work in your favor if the price rises, the opposite is also true. Say you deposit $5,000, and you win $2,000; it’s not a win if, in the meantime, the value of the currency bottoms out, making your withdrawal only worth $2,000 in total. For some, this is like adding an extra edge to a bet, but for others, the volatility can be too much to handle and is a serious disadvantage to gambling with crypto.
No Controlling Bodies and Lack of Regulation
Almost all Fiat online sportsbooks are regulated and licensed sites, using KYC and AML regulations (ID checks and anti-money laundering regulations). Governments and banks stipulate these, and it’s hard to get around this system when using Fiat currencies.
However, crypto and Bitcoin betting platforms are not subject to the same laws, as they don’t use the same formal, centralized monetary system. This makes it easier for rogue operators to go unnoticed and means there’s more risk involved in playing at a crypto sportsbook as you might end up at an unlicensed site. To avoid this, you should only play at crypto casinos and sportsbooks that have verifiable licenses or those that have been approved by experts, like the ones we list.
Crypto Betting Bonuses
One of the most significant advantages to gambling online is that due to lower operating costs, operators can afford to offer better odds and bonuses. Bonuses will keep your bankroll looking healthy and give you plenty of reasons to log in and place a bet. Here are the most typical types of promos you can expect to find at the best crypto betting platforms.
Matched Deposit Bonuses
A deposit match does just that; it matches your deposit by a percentage. In the case of a welcome bonus, this is usually 100%, meaning you get double your money. As an ongoing offer, it may be a lower percentage, such as 20-50%; this is often referred to as a reload bonus.
Deposit matches are awesome deals as you can use the money to bet how you like. However, as the bookies give you this freedom, they usually come with rollover requirements (wagering requirements), withdrawal restrictions, and other terms and conditions. Hence, it’s critical to always read the rules before you take a deposit match deal.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no deposit bonus gives you free betting credits without any requirement to spend money. Usually, because you don’t need to deposit to get the offer, it’s a smaller deal, limited to $50 or less.
No deposit bonuses are often given at the point of sign-up, allowing more timid players to test a sportsbook risk-free. Operators who offer this promo are confident that once you’ve sampled the product, you’ll be impressed enough to become a depositing and long-term player.
Risk-Free Bets
This is currently one of the most popular types of sign-up bonuses you’ll find at Bitcoin betting sites and crypto gambling sites. It’s risk-free because it takes the risk out of losing. You'll need to deposit and lay your first bet to qualify for this bonus. If that bet loses or draws, the bookies will refund the amount, which you must use to bet with again. If the bet wins, you can withdraw your winnings or bet again - that’s up to you.
Free Bets
The next few deals are typically ongoing bonuses, whereas the above offers tend to be sign-up promos. Free bets are usually given as a loyalty reward, to celebrate a specific event/league, or because you’ve made a deposit. They are generally from $10-50 and come with specific conditions you’ll need to read to ensure you use the bonus correctly.
Bet Boosts
Bet boosts, better odds, or profit boosts are all common ongoing offers that make laying crypto bets more attractive and give you that little bit more for being a regular at a site.
Parlay Deals
You're probably familiar with parlays if you enjoy laying more complex bets and taking on higher risks. But did you know you can often find one-leg insurance and other parlay boost bonuses at online sportsbooks? Well, you can, so before contemplating this type of bet, head to your crypto betting site’s promo page, check out any parlay offer, and get a better deal.
Cashback/Rakeback Bonuses
Cashback or rakeback bonuses are another golden offer that you should always take. These deals award a percentage of your net losses as a refund, either monthly or weekly, and are one of the only ways to recoup money after losing bets.
Loyalty Bonuses
Loyalty clubs are offered at plenty of crypto betting sites. They offer the chance to earn points for your bets, and when you hit conversion thresholds, trade in your points for extra bonuses, like free bets and account credits. The details of what each site offers are up to them, making it essential to compare conversion rates and rewards, but it’s always a good idea to join a loyalty club and start earning more for the wagers you place.
Best Crypto Currencies to Bet
Which cryptocurrency should you gamble with? That’s up to you. But, if you’re a newbie, here’s the lowdown on the most popular player choices and the most widely available cryptocurrencies at online sportsbooks.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin (BTC) is the most recognizable crypto coin and one of the earliest to debut. It’s widely accepted in online gambling, and you’ll find plenty of sites specializing in Bitcoin betting. Moreover, it is one of the safest virtual currencies, and due to the more recent development of Bitcoin lightning, you can now receive payments in less than 5 seconds.
Litecoin
Litecoin (LTC) was established in 2011 and is popular with players. It’s known for faster speeds and lower fees than Bitcoin (in fact, it was created for these reasons) and is just as secure, making it an excellent alternative.
Ethereum
Ethereum (ETH) is another trendy crypto coin that offers faster speeds and lower fees than BTC. However, it is argued to be less secure, prioritizing flexibility. ETH, like BTC, operates using blockchain, but ETH has broader business application, hence the creators opted for greater flexibility.
Tether
Tether (USDT) is a centralized cryptocurrency, and it’s known as a stablecoin, pegging its worth to the USD. It is, therefore, less volatile, making it a top choice for the more risk-averse gambler.
Dogecoin
This is one of the newest and fastest-rising crypto gambling currencies available at several online gambling sites. It has an unlimited supply and is most similar to Litecoin but is a cheaper alternative.
Top 3 Wallets for Crypto Bettors
If you gamble with crypto, you’ll need a safe and secure wallet to make transactions to and from and store your currency. Whatever wallet you decide to use, it needs to have a user-friendly interface, be secure, and be easy to use.
Look for wallets using two-factor authentication, which makes it harder to hack and ensure you keep your key safe at all times. The only details you should ever share is your wallet address when making transactions. Here are a couple of our top-rated crypto wallets for gamblers.
Electrum
Electrum is one of the most secure crypto wallets, using high-level encryption to secure your private key. It’s a plain wallet with no fancy design, but it does everything you need it to. Plus, the open-source, decentralized design means no data collection. Overall, it’s a top choice for gamblers, but it is limited in terms of the cryptocurrencies you can store.
Binance
Binance supports over 500 crypto products; it is a wallet and an exchange. It’s also available in 180+ countries, making it the number one gambling wallet of choice for flexibility and availability. Plus, it’s secure and easy to use. You can even select from a beginner or advanced trading interface to customize things as you like them.
Coinbase
Another popular player option is Coinbase. It offers secure and convenient transactions and covers more crypto options than Electrum, allowing you to store multiple currencies. Moreover, this is one of the most user-friendly wallets in design, so it is an excellent choice for newbies.
BRD
BRD is our top choice for mobile-friendly wallets, and it’s been operating for almost a decade. It offers industry-leading security features and two-factor authentication. What’s more, it's also an exchange, so it covers all your needs in one place.
Top Sports and Leagues
One of the major factors in comparing Bitcoin betting sites is the sports they offer. While most sites cover the most popular options and biggest leagues, you might also want something more niche, like betting on politics, motorsports, Kabaddi, or eSports. As a benchmark, you should know that the best crypto betting sites offer over 25 different sports, which means there’s always something to get involved in.
The most popular crypto betting sites markets are:
• American Football (NFL)
• Football (Premier League, La Liga, Champions League)
• Hockey (NHL)
• Basketball (NBA)
• Baseball (MLB)
• Tennis
Popular Crypto Sports Markets
- Outright winner
- Over or Under: Will the total number of scores be over or under the line set by the gambling site?
- Next Goal: Either the next team or individual.
- Handicaps: This adds an interesting angle, giving a virtual handicap to the team that’s favored to win. For the bet to come true, they must score more than the handicap expressed.
- Half and quarter markets: The outcome at a set time.
- The player or team performance
- Final score
- Live bets: Watch the match or event and react to the game with bets as the action takes place.
- Futures: Bet well ahead of an event for better odds.
- Build your bets: Can’t find what you’re looking for, submit a bet request, but make sure you know your way around the event and odds before you attempt this.
Laying Bets and Comparing Odds at Crypto Bookies
One of the most important things you need to know to pick your perfect crypto betting platform is how to lay bets and compare and understand odds. There are several ways odds can be displayed; let’s take a look at them.
American Odds/Money Line
American odds are displayed as a number with a + or - in front. If the number has a minus sign, this indicates the amount you need to stake to win, as this team is the favorite. Meanwhile, a + indicates the amount won for every $100 staked and shows that the team is the underdog.
For example, in an NFL game between the Steelers (+400) and the Chiefs (-650), the + odds are on the Steelers, meaning they are less likely to win. The potential win for each $100 bet on the Steelers is $400 + your $100 bet.
Alternatively, if you bet on the Chiefs, which have a higher chance of winning according to the odds, you’d need to bet $650 to win $100, equalling a total payout of $750 once your stake is returned.
Fractional Odds
There are two other common ways to display odds, Fractional and Decimal. Fractional odds are the more traditional form and are written like 8/1 (eight to one) - this means you’d win $8 for every $1 you wager. Reading fractional odds can get a little complex. As most sites give you a choice of how to view odds, we recommend sticking with decimal or American odds for ease of reading them and scanning bet.
Decimal Odds
European and Canadian players favor decimal odds, and you’ll find them used at plenty of crypto betting sites. In this case, the decimal number represents the amount you can win for every $1 bet (with the stake included).
For example, let’s say, the Steelers have odds of 4.00, and the Chiefs have odds of 1.3 to win. So if you bet $1 on the Steelers, you could win $4 (including your stake). Alternatively, if you bet $1 on the Chiefs to win (the more likely option according to the odds offered by the bookies), you’d win $1.3.
Sportsbooks will calculate the odds for you on your bet slip, but you’ll still need to know the basic skills of reading odds to decide which bets you want to take.
Decimal odds are the most common way to display odds for European players whilst most players from the US prefer fractional odds.
Picking Crypto Bookies with the Highest Odds
When we review crypto betting sites, you’ll hear us mention low margins (the bookies’ profit, like a casino house edge) and high odds; this is a crucial factor in deciding where to play because each sportsbook sets its odds depending on how likely they think the outcome is or isn’t.
We express the overall average odds as a percentage minus the margin and calculate them by looking at a range of different types offered by the site. Most Bitcoin betting platforms have odds of 93% and up, but the higher, the better. These also vary depending on the market, and you’ll find most popular sports have higher odds than less popular options, which is something to be aware of when selecting between sites.
Live Betting
Live and in-play betting has only been around for a couple of years, and it’s the ability to lay a bet mid-match or cashout a bet if things are not looking so rosy. The odds on live bets should also be compared when selecting a crypto sportsbook, but keep in mind that they tend to be worse as you’re assuming less risk than a bet made pre-match. So, while live betting is great fun, it’s the most strategic choice.
How to Deposit and Cashout
Depositing:
1. Once you’ve picked a Bitcoin betting site to join and signed up, head to the cashier.
2. Select your cryptocurrency and input the amount you want to deposit.
3. Confirm if you want to take the sign-up bonus.
4. Copy the unique payment address supplied by the crypto sports betting operator and head to your crypto wallet.
5. Start the transfer, using the address as the send-to location and the amount.
6. Your deposit should arrive instantly.
Withdrawing:
1. Head to your crypto wallet and copy your address.
2. Log into your gambling site and head to the cashier.
3. Select withdrawal.
4. Enter the amount and your wallet’s address.
5. Confirm the cashout.
6. Contact the gambling site’s support team if your money doesn't arrive.
Mobile Crypto Betting Sites
Most online gamblers bet from their phones. It’s more convenient and means you can always stay on top of the action. But not all Bitcoin betting sites make great mobile sites; with so many markets on offer things can get cluttered and hard to navigate. The best crypto betting sites, like our top 3, have this covered, considering mobile users when they designed the platform and making it easy to use from a handheld device.
Customer Service and Support
Every gambling offers customer support, but that doesn’t mean the team is well trained, able to solve your issue, or available when you need them. The best gambling sites offer 24/7 support via multiple channels, like live chat, social media, and email. Sometimes, you can even pick up the phone and speak to them directly.
Ideally, you want fantastic all-around service and support on demand. Great crypto betting sites are also well developed, with plenty of onsite info, FAQs, and even blogs covering hot topics, which make it less likely you’ll need to reach out to them in the first place.
Safe Online Gambling with Crypto Currencies
When you’re playing with real money, you need to make sure you’re using a legit platform. Many crypto betting sites are not affiliated with any one country or regulated by a government. There is one exception to this, sites that acquired licensing from Curacao eGaming.
We don’t recommend playing at unlicensed crypto betting sites, which is why the ones we recommend all have been approved by the Government of Curacao. Moreover, our review process ensures that the sites we recommend use secure encryption and payment processing, offer fair odds, and have secure and safe player processes, like support for responsible gambling.
If you plan to wager at a site not recommended by us, always check if it’s licensed, what other players have to say about the site (give it a quick google), and the terms and conditions before loading up your account with money. While it is rare, some sites are set up just to trick players or have predatory clauses, like rollover requirements on deposits that make withdrawing difficult.
If you want to play worry-free at a crypto betting site, that’s safe, secure, and pays out, stick to those we’ve rated. Our experts have tested the site and given it a complete security check-up to ensure it offers genuine wagers.
Signing up and Making Your First Bet
If you’ve stuck with us this far, then you already know everything you need to, and it’s time to pick a crypto gambling site and start betting.
1. Select a crypto sports betting site from any of those we recommend.
2. Click the review link to register.
3. Complete the sign-up procedure.
4. Head to the promotions page, select the welcome bonus, and follow the deposit instructions to claim the offer.
5. Start betting!