Updated: 24.08.2025
Bitcoin began with little fanfare in 2009. At the time, it was almost impossible to use it for anything. But then crypto became a thing, and by the early 2010s, it was mainly good for two activities: buying it online from an ever-growing number of merchants, and, of course, using it to gamble online. Today, we're mainly talking about the growing number of online crypto betting sites. Because that's the main online use for bitcoin and its friends that seems worth exploring, right?
There are several factors that players need to consider when looking for a reliable crypto sportsbook. Here are the nine most important criteria for judging the trustworthiness of a crypto betting site.
⭐License - Whether you use cryptocurrency or other old-fashioned payment methods, always make sure that any bookmaker you bet with is licensed and regulated. A license from a reputable authority means that your bookmaker operates to the highest standards. You can count on licensed bookmakers to treat you fairly, keep your funds available at all times, and pay you promptly.
Good Reputation - Maintaining a good reputation is crucial for any business, and it's not too difficult to find out about a bookmaker's track record these days. A simple Google search will quickly yield a wealth of data, including end user accounts, as well as platforms like this one that objectively analyze UK crypto bookmakers.
Crypto-friendly - Players who wish to wager in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple or any other cryptocurrency have a solid choice of bookmakers that accept their digital currency. This is getting easier by the day as more and more online sportsbooks accept crypto payments. Many crypto sportsbooks even facilitate the purchase of various other cryptocurrencies.
Odds - The importance of getting the best odds cannot be overstated. Would you pay £500 for a new television in one store when the same television was available next door for only £400? Why would you risk £100 to win £85 at one sports book when you could just as easily risk that same £100 to win £95 at the next sports book? Getting the best odds can really mean the difference between coming out ahead and losing money in the long run.
Special Offers - Bookmakers do not offer welcome bonuses because they are generous philanthropists. They do it because it's one of the most effective ways to attract new customers. But even beyond these big, one-time promotions, you need to look to the future. The top crypto sportsbooks dish out a smorgasbord of daily offers and promotions that keep bettors coming back for more. When looking for a bookmaker, make sure they serve up the regular and reliably seen free bets, cash back offers, and other neat little perks.
Bonus Terms and Conditions - A bonus may look like a great deal at first glance, but it's not until you delve into the terms and conditions that you find the true value. Simply put, some bonuses make sense to claim while others do not. Look for a bonus that is easy to clear and has low wagering requirements. You don't want to waste your time trying to clear an offer with a high rollover requirement that can only be met by playing accumulators.
⭐ Customer Support - Look for a bookmaker that offers amazing support and, if possible, around the clock. Now, most sports bettors don't run into much trouble beyond the occasional "Hey, why isn't my bet going through?" or "Uh, why do I have more money in my account than I did before?" kind of problem. But when we do, we need help, and we need it fast. It's nice if a company has a good email support system, and not every company can be expected to man the phones 24/7. But if you don't offer live chat or email support, why bother?
Features - Savvy sports bettors want access to as many features as possible. Cash out options and in-play betting tools, along with other ever-popular betting features such as bet builders and advanced odds, make for a truly competitive marketplace. Meanwhile, back-end features such as stats, bet previews and even live streaming capabilities are more important than ever to entice potential bettors.
Withdrawal Times - If you want to get your winnings in a timely manner, you need a bookmaker that offers fast payouts. Most of the world's top online sportsbooks now process withdrawal requests in a matter of minutes. In stark contrast, less competent crypto betting sites may leave your request in limbo for three days or more - a completely unacceptable situation.
Betting on sites that accept cryptocurrency has a number of advantages. Let's examine some of the most prominent.
Anonymity - You leave a paper trail whenever you use traditional payment methods such as credit/debit cards, bank transfers or eWallets. While payments to crypto bookmakers may not be 100% anonymous, they still provide the highest level of anonymity.
Peer-to-peer transactions - Cryptocurrency payments have no middleman. Digital cash transfers go directly from sender to receiver, which brings us directly to the next big advantage.
Lower fees - Because there are no middlemen involved in crypto payments, there is no one to take a cut of each transaction. As a result, it's significantly cheaper to use cryptocurrency, especially over the long term.
Cryptocurrency Bonuses - Many crypto betting sites give users plenty of incentives to sign up. You can easily find unique crypto bonuses that exceed in size and quality those usually given to bettors using other payment methods.
Avoiding geo-blocks - Governments in some countries force banks and other payment processors to block transactions with gambling sites. Cryptocurrency is virtually immune to such obstacles.
Security - Blockchain transactions are as secure as it gets. If you also follow good security practices, you can make it nearly impossible for even the smartest hackers to steal your cryptocurrency.
Accessibility - Crypto users only need a mobile device or computer and a crypto wallet to send and receive payments. This is especially beneficial for individuals who do not have access to traditional payment methods such as credit or debit cards and bank transfers.
Here is our expert ranking of the most reliable and easy-to-use crypto betting platforms in 2025. We compared them by license, supported cryptocurrencies, payout speed, bonuses and overall reputation.
| Site | License | Supported Cryptos | Welcome Bonus | Withdrawal Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC.Game | Curacao | BTC, ETH, LTC, XRP, 20+ | 180% up to 1 BTC | Instant–1h | Overall experience |
| Stake.com | Curacao | BTC, ETH, LTC, DOGE | 200% up to 2 BTC | Instant | High-rollers |
| Cloudbet | Curacao | BTC, ETH, BCH, USDT | 100% up to 5 BTC | Within minutes | Sports betting |
| Thunderpick | Malta | BTC, ETH, LTC | 100% up to €500 (crypto-equivalent) | 0–2h | eSports |
| Sportsbet.io | Curacao | BTC, ETH, LTC, TRX | Daily free bets | Instant–24h | Casual players |
BC.Game is one of the most versatile crypto sportsbooks on the market. It supports over 20 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP. The platform is known for its instant withdrawals, wide betting markets and a very generous welcome bonus of up to 1 BTC. The interface is modern and mobile friendly. However, it is not licensed in the UK, which may be a concern for some punters.
Stake has built a reputation as a premium destination for crypto betting. With lightning fast payouts, a huge selection of sports and attractive promotions, it appeals to high-rollers in particular. Stake also has a strong community presence and is endorsed by major celebrities. On the downside, some bonuses come with high wagering requirements.
Cloudbet is one of the oldest and most trusted crypto sportsbooks, operating since 2013. It supports a variety of coins and offers competitive odds, in-play betting, and even live streaming of popular sports. Cloudbet is especially strong in football betting. Its only weakness is that some features are geo-restricted in certain countries.
Choosing the right crypto bookmaker depends on your preferences:
As is the case with every other payment method, there are a few downsides to using cryptocurrency. These include:
Volatility - The volatility of cryptocurrency has been evident since its inception. It is prone to unpredictable changes in both directions. Recently, bitcoin hit a record high and then quickly plummeted.
Not every bookmaker accepts cryptocurrency - this limits the availability of crypto betting sites for punters. However, the good news is that the number of crypto bookmakers is steadily increasing.
Rely on a private key - If you forget your bank card PIN, bank account number, or e-wallet login information, recovering it is a piece of cake compared to Jerry recovering the private key to his crypto wallet after he forgot it and no cat sat on it. Forgetting it is only half the problem. The private key is in a format (cryptographic) and on a type of storage (solid state) that seems terrible for needing to be retrievable. Even putting the old key on a new media format (US CD, UK 45) won't get you back into the locked safe.
Manipulation Prone - Some cryptocurrencies are controlled by their creators, making them susceptible to manipulation. This can lead to even more wild price swings than normal.
No refunds - When you pay with cryptocurrency, you're committing to a transaction that can't be undone. If you mess up and send your payment to the wrong address, there's no recourse. You can't stop the transaction. You can't get your crypto back.
By January 2025, more than 4,000 cryptocurrencies are expected to exist. Not all of them have made their way into sports betting, but some of these digital currencies are clearly more accepted and used than others. Below is a rundown of the most common and mainstream crypto options at betting sites that accept cryptocurrencies.
Betting with crypto is not prohibited in the UK, and punters have a good selection of trustworthy crypto betting sites to choose from. Admittedly, the lack of a UK-licensed betting site currently accepting crypto payments can make potential punters a little nervous. But in our book, the sites that accept BTC and other cryptos listed above are as safe as houses in that regard. The same goes for betting sites licensed in Curacao and Malta. If these regulatory environments sound good to you, go ahead and bet with cryptos. If not, stick to betting in pounds.
Even though bookmakers can't accept crypto in the UK, many of the best crypto betting sites from outside the UK are happy to take bets from people in the UK. If you're concerned about security, you can almost always trust a crypto bookmaker that is licensed in a reputable jurisdiction, such as Malta, Gibraltar or Curacao.
To start playing with cryptocurrency, you first need to get some. If you don't already have any, the easiest way is to buy some on an exchange - Coinbase, Binance or Kraken are good options. All you have to do is set up an account and a wallet, and then make your purchase. Alternatively, some betting sites allow you to buy cryptocurrency directly. This method, of course, has the added advantage that you are already on a betting site.
Once you have purchased your cryptocurrency, the next step is to deposit it into your betting account. Generally, this can be done in the following manner.
Once you have completed your deposit, your money should be available quickly - within minutes. After that, you can really get into the swing of things and start placing bets on all your favorite sporting events. Although some allow a little creative license in how you define a bet, the most commonly accepted ways to do this include: betting on the outcome of a sporting event; betting on the outcome of a non-sporting event, such as a political election; and some might even say betting on something that's neither a sport nor a non-sporting event (remember when people used to bet on the weather?).
Buying cryptocurrency in the UK is a quick and easy affair, but there are several factors to consider before pulling the trigger. Firstly, you should consider which cryptocurrency you want to invest in. We can't stress enough the need to research your options thoroughly. Don't settle for a half-baked decision, and certainly don't choose to invest in an obscure cryptocurrency that isn't listed on the best crypto betting sites.
Finding a reliable exchange takes research. We have already mentioned Kraken, Coinbase and Binance, but there are many others. Each exchange has its own advantages and disadvantages. Keep the following in mind when choosing one: 1. The cryptocurrencies offered. 2. The fees charged. Another important consideration is the type of wallet you want to use to store your crypto. Again, take your time to find the right solution for you. Most exchanges offer free wallets, but you can also purchase wallets that come with a variety of features.
With these details sorted, UK citizens can visit the exchange of their choice, acquire a wallet, and buy their crypto with a variety of payment methods: bank transfer, credit/debit card, eWallet, and even some prepaid options. Choose your method and simply follow the instructions above to get your funds to the world's leading crypto betting sites.
It is easy to open an account on any exchange. If you are not sure about the procedure, let us guide you through the registration steps at Coinbase, which is one of the most popular platforms for buying cryptocurrency to use at the top sites for betting with crypto.
Before you get started, it is important to note that you can create a Coinbase account and purchase cryptocurrency using either a desktop or mobile browser, or through the app. The following steps outline how to create a Coinbase account.
Now you can start the process of purchasing your crypto, by doing the following:
Much like placing bets on top crypto gaming sites, using cryptocurrency in transactions can be a bit of a gamble. However, that gamble has paid off for many investors in the crypto space. Whether it's bitcoin, ethereum, ripple, or other digital currencies, they have become the payment method of choice for gamblers not only in the UK, but around the world. With the meteoric rise in popularity of crypto bookmakers, it's safe to say that betting with bitcoin and other types of cryptocurrency will only continue to grow.
The advantages of using cryptocurrency for betting far outweigh the disadvantages. It is extremely safe, fairly easy to obtain, mostly private, and many sportsbooks fully incentivize its use. If you have ever been tempted to the point of wanting to go ahead and do it, this article has laid out everything you need to know in order to take the plunge.
Affirmative. Punters in the UK can use bitcoin to place bets. However, UKGC licensed operators are not yet allowed to accept it. This means that UK sports bettors wishing to use bitcoin to place bets will need to find a reputable offshore bookmaker.
No. In fact, no online betting site that has a UKGC license is currently permitted to accept cryptocurrency.
Although none of the UK-based bookmakers can currently accept cryptocurrency, punters in the UK can still choose from a number of top online bookmakers when placing a bet. Every crypto bookmaker mentioned on this site is both reputable and trustworthy.
Bookmakers that accept cryptocurrency operate just like traditional bookmakers. You place your bets with digital money, and if you win, you collect your winnings in kind.
Visit your favorite crypto gambling site, log into your account, and navigate to the section that handles your funds. Look for the option labeled "Deposit" and click on it. You should see some of the most popular cryptocurrencies listed as payment options; select one. Next, tell the website how much money you want to deposit. Finally, give them your wallet address and submit the transaction. If all goes well, the funds should appear in your gaming account almost immediately.
