Top Online Bitcoin Casinos

Why use Bitcoin at online casinos?

So why would you choose Bitcoin to make deposits and withdrawals at online casinos? TopRatedCasinos.co.uk has a few reasons that it’s becoming so popular:

• Bitcoin is anonymous and secure
• Low-cost transactions
• It’s a universal currency
• There’s no third-party involvement
• Make mobile Bitcoin payments
• Designed for online use

A brief history of Bitcoin

Bitcoin (BTC) is a cryptocurrency based on blockchain technology, created by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2008. However, it was in 2009 that the first Bitcoin block was mined and the first Bitcoin transaction was made. Its attracted much attention since its creation, with many people investing in the highly volatile cryptocurrency. As a completely secure payment method, Bitcoin is becoming an increasingly popular payment method for online transactions in all industries, including online gambling. While there isn’t yet a wide selection of Bitcoin gambling sites, more and more brands are beginning to dip their toes into the realm of cryptocurrency transactions.

Advantages to using Bitcoin at online casinos

Let’s take a look at some of the perks of using Bitcoin to make deposits at online casinos:

Private payments

You won’t need to enter any personal or financial information when you’re making a deposit with Bitcoin, you’ll simply log in to your wallet to authorise your transactions. Unlike other online payment methods, Bitcoin payments will have no link to your personal banking history. Your Bitcoin address will be linked to your payments, but this will not reveal your personal identity.

Universal currency

You don’t have to worry about losing money with currency conversion when you pay with bitcoins. Bitcoin is a universal currency, meaning it holds the same value, even when you’re making international payments.

Pay and play on mobile

Players can enjoy mobile casino games at the top Bitcoin casinos, thanks to mobile-friendly websites and native mobile apps for Android and iPhone.The good news is that you can make Bitcoin deposits and request Bitcoin withdrawals when you’re playing on your mobile.

Disadvantages

Not widely available

As a relatively new banking option, Bitcoin isn’t yet available at a wide range of online casinos. This means your casino choice will be more limited than if you were making deposits with a debit or credit card, for example.

Highly volatile

Bitcoin isn’t a regulated currency, which means it can fluctuate massively. The value of Bitcoin hit an all-time high at $20,000 in December 2017, but has since experienced serious fluctuations. This means that, while your Bitcoin casino deposit might be worth thousands when you make the payment, it could decrease in value by the time you withdraw any casino winnings.

Lack of customer support

Licensed casinos are required to offer a certain level of customer support to players, but they can only do so much when you have a query about a recent Bitcoin payment. Unlike when you use a debit card, bank transfer or e-wallet, there are no third parties involved when you make Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. This means there’s very little in the way of customer support when it comes to monitoring your payments. Of course, you can contact your cryptocurrency wallet for support, but levels of support will vary depending on which you choose.

How to set up a Bitcoin wallet

Chances are you’ll already be familiar with Bitcoin, but if you’re new to this cryptocurrency, you might need a little guidance on how to set up a Bitcoin wallet before you pay and play with it. While wallets, such as Coinbase, can manage your cryptocurrency for you, there may be charges for transactions. The setup process can vary depending on the wallet you choose, but in most cases you can set up a Bitcoin wallet in a few simple steps:

1. Do your research
   It’s important to research the different types of wallets available, to make sure you’re choosing one that best suits your needs. Consider whether a mobile wallet for Bitcoin is important, or whether you’d prefer a desktop wallet or cold storage.
2. Sign up
   It only takes a few moments to set up a wallet using your email address and a secure password- be sure to read the terms and conditions properly before you sign up.
3. Create an address
   This is an address with which you can send and receive bitcoins and there will usually be a ‘request address’ button to give you this. This address is what other users will use to send you bitcoins.
4. Buy bitcoins
   You’ll need to purchase bitcoins with fiat currency — regular, non-digital money— before you can use your wallet to make casino deposits. You can do this via a cryptocurrency exchange.

How to choose the right Bitcoin casino for you

Licensing

You should only ever play at licensed online casinos, regulated by governing bodies- such as the UKGC. These governing bodies put rules in place to make sure casinos are providing players with a safe and fair gambling experience. It’s pretty easy to spot a licensed casino- they license number and governing body’s logo will feature on the site.

Games library

The games library is one of the most important factors when it comes to choosing an online casino, and paying with bitcoins doesn’t mean you have to compromise on these games. While the UK’s best Bitcoin casinos boast a wide range of casino games, including slots, roulette and blackjack, it’s important to check the games library for your favourite titles before you sign up.

Bonuses

Casinos that accept Bitcoin usually offer bonuses to new customers and existing players alike, ranging from free spins to matched deposits. However, it’s important to check the terms and conditions to ensure that Bitcoin deposits are eligible for these bonuses- some bonuses are reserved for a small selection of banking options.

Player-friendly terms

Why play Bitcoin casino games if you can’t get your hands on your winnings? Check the terms and conditions before you sign up for any withdrawal restrictions. Keep an eye out for information on how long it takes to process withdrawal requests, and the minimum amount you can withdraw to make sure it suits your personal preferences.

Customer support

You might not need to use the casino’s customer support, but it’s best to have options if a problem should arise. Check that the contact options and hours suit you. The best Bitcoin casino sites offer round the clock support and are contactable via UK telephone numbers, email and live chat, but others will offer a more limited level of customer service.

Play it safe at Bitcoin casinos

The best way to stay safe when playing online casino games is to choose a licensed site. Governing bodies, such as the UKGC, vet licensees regularly to ensure they have measures to ensure fair gameplay and secure payments and their sites. However, the lack of central control over Bitcoin has made it a target for hackers in recent years. Here are some steps you can take to protect your crypto funds.

Use Two-Factor Authentication

We’d recommend using two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your Bitcoin wallet. This means you’ll need to prove your identity before your payments are authorised, usually in the form of a single-use PIN. This reduces the risk of hackers using your finances fraudulently.

Beware of phishing

Keep an eye out for emails claiming to be from your Bitcoin wallet company. These companies should never request login information for your Bitcoin wallet over email or telephone, so you should treat any requests as a ‘phishing’ attempting. You should never open links from emails claiming to be your Bitcoin wallet or requesting login information for the wallet, reporting any suspicious activity directly to the support team.

Bitcoin deposit alternatives

Not sure that Bitcoin is the perfect way for you to pay and play? While other cryptocurrencies, such as Litecoin and Ethereum aren’t widely available at online casinos, there are plenty of other banking options to choose from. We’ve put together a list of some alternative payment methods available the UK’s top online casinos.

• PayPal
  PayPal guarantees casino players fast and secure deposits at casino sites. Like Bitcoin, you won’t have to disclose any personal information to make your payments. Simply use your email address and password to authorise your online casino transactions, safe in the knowledge that PayPal’s security team monitors payments 24/7 to make sure everything is above board. While PayPal is more widely available at casino sites than Bitcoin, it’s still only available at a selection of sites.
• Skrill
  Skrill is another e-wallet and is available at a much wider range of UK gambling sites. Free to set up and easy to use, Skrill allows you to make online casino deposits without the need to disclose any personal information to the casino. You can even buy and sell cryptocurrency using your Skrill account.
• Paysafecard
  As a prepaid voucher, Paysafecard offers you a similar sense of anonymity as Bitcoin, as you don’t need to disclose where you will be spending your voucher when you make the purchase. You’ll buy a single-use card loaded with a certain value and all you need to do is enter the unique PIN to verify your payment.