Bitcoin Casino UK 2024: Everything you need to know about UK Bitcoin casinos
Interest in Bitcoin casinos has grown among UK players in recent years. Bitcoin is now the most popular cryptocurrency in the world – and playing at trusted Bitcoin casinos with secure crypto payments makes a lot of sense. However, offshore Bitcoin casino sites are the only option currently. That means many will want to find alternative Bitcoin casinos UK.
Today, we’ll show you how to deposit Bitcoin, claim a welcome bonus and free spins, and list the top Bitcoin casino alternatives. And we’ll go over all the pros and cons of Bitcoin casinos in the UK and cover the legalities of the best Bitcoin casino sites. Let’s get started…
Best Bitcoin Casino Alternatives UK 2024
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Key Takeaways for Bitcoin Casinos UK
What is Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency tied to a digital ledger of all its transactions. It was originally given to miners who solved complex mathematical puzzles but can now be bought and sold on crypto exchanges. Bitcoin entered the public imagination sometime in late 2008 after a mysterious entity called Satoshi Nakamoto wrote about it in a famous whitepaper called “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System“. After that, the first 50 Bitcoins were successfully mined on 3 January 2009. And it didn’t take long for the gambling industry to see the potential of the cryptocurrency with new Bitcoin casino sites sprouting around the world.
While Bitcoin casino sites have yet to officially appear in the UK, they’ve been available for more than a decade. In fact, the very first cross-pollination was a Bitcoin poker tournament in 2010. The tournament had a buy-in of 50 BTC, and the winner walked away with 1,000 BTC. At the time, this was next to nothing when converted to pounds (GBP). However, if the winner had the foresight to keep ahold of the cash, they would be incredibly rich indeed nowadays.
The first proper Bitcoin casino games were based around dice. A game called Satoshi Dice was launched in 2012. From there, online casinos around the world started to embrace Bitcoin transactions. Now we even have Provably Fair Bitcoin casino sites and more. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We’ll discuss the crypto casino games (including Provably Fair games) below. However, it is worth noting that there are several areas of concern for UK players…
Who Regulates Bitcoin Casinos in the UK?
There is no regulatory authority for Bitcoin casinos in the UK. The main licensing authority (the UK Gambling Commission) does not allow UK casinos to accept crypto payments. So, if you want to play at a Bitcoin casino site from the UK, you’ll have to do so at your own risk.
Currently, that means playing at Bitcoin online casinos licensed by the Government of Curacao. However, the much more reputable Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) has made suggestions that it might allow its casinos to take crypto payments. Watch this space!
New Bitcoin Casino Alternatives UK May 2024
| Rank | Casino | Deposit bonus | Bonus without deposit | Terms and Conditions | Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ 50 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 2 |
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Deposit bonus 50 £ | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 3 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ 50 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 4 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ 100 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 5 |
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Deposit bonus 200 £ | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 6 |
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Deposit bonus 500 £ 150 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 7 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ 100 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 8 |
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Deposit bonus 50 £ 25 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 9 |
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Deposit bonus 150 £ 50 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 10 |
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Deposit bonus 2000 £ | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 11 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ | Bonus without deposit 88 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 12 |
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Deposit bonus 200 £ | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 13 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ 30 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 14 |
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Deposit bonus 300 £ 100 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 15 |
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Deposit bonus 300 £ | Bonus without deposit 21 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 16 |
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Deposit bonus 100 £ 100 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 17 |
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Deposit bonus 66 £ 66 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 18 |
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Deposit bonus 50 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 19 |
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Deposit bonus 250 £ 50 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 0 £ 0 Free Spins | Read review Play | |
| 20 |
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Deposit bonus 111 £ 77 Free Spins | Bonus without deposit 23 Free Spins | Read review Play |
How to Make a Casino Deposit Using Bitcoin
Making a deposit at Bitcoin casinos online requires the use of a digital wallet known as an eWallet. When making a deposit, then, you will need to provide details of your eWallet to the Bitcoin casino site. Full instructions for this part will, of course, be provided on the best Bitcoin casino sites. Below, we’ve included the steps needed to make a Bitcoin deposit:
- Sign into your Bitcoin casino and head to the cashier by hitting “Deposit”
- Enter the amount you wish to deposit and “Bitcoin” as the payment method
- Follow the instructions for sending Bitcoin to the cryptocurrency casino
- Most Bitcoin deposits are instant but you may have to wait up to 15 minutes
Bitcoin Deposit Limits
Bitcoin exchanges can handle enormous transactions worth millions of pounds. Therefore, there shouldn’t be any restrictions on how much you can send in one go. However, it’s up to the top crypto casino sites to decide on the upper limits. As for the minimum deposit amounts, you’ll need to check the casino payments page or ask support for more info.
Bitcoin Deposit Fees
As no banks or other financial institutions are involved, there are almost no transaction fees for Bitcoin. This means you can often find excellent deposit bonus offers at Bitcoin casinos because it saves them money compared to other payment methods. This means that almost the entirety of whatever you deposit is available to play your favourite casino games.
Bitcoin Deposit Bonuses
While searching through your options, you’ll find a huge variety of Bitcoin casino bonuses available to you. Here, we break down the best bonuses available at Bitcoin casino sites. From welcome bonuses and free spins to no deposit bonuses and reload bonuses. Here’s the full list:
Welcome Bonus Offers
Claiming your first deposit welcome bonus from the best Bitcoin casinos is a big step. So, it’s important to get it right. First of all, the majority of Bitcoin casinos should offer you some bonus money in BTC. This may arrive as a one-off Bitcoin casino bonus or be spread out over several stages. And for those playing slots, you may also be given some free spins for the best titles out there. Just be sure to check the welcome bonus wagering requirements ahead of time.
Free Spins and Bonus Spins
Free spins for top slot games will be part of your welcome bonus. They may also be given out when launching new slot games. So, it’s worth signing up for promotional emails to ensure you hear about these deals. The top Bitcoin casinos may even give away free spins on a certain day each week. The things to check this time are the wagering requirements and Bitcoin games available in the promotion. Just make sure your deposit funds meet the minimum.
Casino No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit bonuses are coveted by those searching for the best online Bitcoin casino. But they can be fairly rare at Bitcoin gambling sites. However, if you do find them, their benefits are many. The illusive no deposit bonus could be available as a sign-up bonus (just for registering a new account) or arrive later. But it’s worth noting that the wagering requirements can be harsher on these deals. So, again, be sure to read through the terms and conditions in full.
Other Casino promotions
Those signing up for Bitcoin gambling sites may find alternative promotions. For example, there may be a deposit bonus or two for those looking for sports betting action. There may even be some sports betting free bets available too. Some online Bitcoin casinos will have VIP loyalty bonuses or casino cashback deals in place. While those looking to play live casino games could find dedicated deals. We cover all these and more in our Bitcoin casino reviews.
How to Make a Casino Withdrawal Using Bitcoin
Withdrawing your winnings from a Bitcoin casino is quite straightforward. In fact, it’s very similar to withdrawing from traditional online casinos. If you have already deposited Bitcoin into your online casino account, that information should be stored. If that’s the case, you will see the same Bitcoin eWallet appear as an option on the withdrawals page. Here’s what to do:
- Ensure that you have completed any wagering requirements
- Complete any of the required KYC checks before withdrawing
- Head to the casino’s withdrawal page and choose your wallet
- Enter the amount that you wish to withdraw and confirm it
- Once processed, your money should arrive almost instantly
Bitcoin Withdrawal Limits
Like Bitcoin deposits, there shouldn’t be any maximum withdrawal amounts. However, this is very much down to individual crypto casinos and crypto casino apps. If you’re unsure about where you stand, get in touch with the customer support team to ask about the limits.
Bitcoin Withdrawal Fees
Again, there shouldn’t be any fees for withdrawing your winnings back to your digital wallet. However, some exchanges will charge fees if you want to, say, exchange Bitcoin back into UK pounds (GBP). If you want to keep the funds as Bitcoin, however, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Bitcoin Payout Times
Bitcoin transactions shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes. And most transactions are instant. It all depends on the state of the blockchain at the time. However, online casinos accepting Bitcoin often review payments manually, which could take up to 24 or 48 hours at some sites. For more info, you can check out if an instant withdrawal casino accepts Bitcoin.
Now, let’s go over the pros and cons of using Bitcoin at online casino sites…
Pros & Cons of Using Bitcoin
Before we get into more details, let's look at the pros and cons of playing online casino games at a Bitcoin casino. These are the top-level advantages and disadvantages compared to playing at traditional casinos. In turn, they should give you a good idea of whether to choose a popular crypto casino over a more traditional casino site. Here are the main differences you'll find:
Pros
- Bitcoin casinos offer one of the fastest and most secure payment methods
- Players have a level of anonymity when choosing the best Bitcoin casinos
- Large Bitcoin deposit and withdrawal limits are suitable for high rollers
Cons
- There are no UKGC-licensed Bitcoin casinos in the UK
- Betting sites are affected by severe BTC price volatility
- No recourse or chargebacks if a transaction goes wrong
How to Sign Up for a Bitcoin Wallet
You will definitely need a cryptocurrency wallet if you want to take full advantage of a Bitcoin casino. While there are hybrid casinos out there that also enable you to use fiat currencies, the main reason to choose one of the best crypto casinos is to make deposits in Bitcoin and receive your winnings in the same way. So, for the real-deal experience, you’ll need a Bitcoin eWallet.
So, what is a crypto wallet? Well, essentially, a crypto wallet stores your cryptocurrencies safely and securely. It also enables you to send, receive and spend Bitcoin and other cryptos.
There are two main types of crypto wallets. One is hardware-based and can be removed from the web. A typical hardware wallet is Ledger – in the form of a USB stick. The other main type is a crypto app hosted on iOS or Android devices. A good example of a software crypto wallet is Coinbase. However, it’s worth researching the options to get the one that’s right for you. For making crypto transactions and storing your Bitcoin, we recommend these crypto wallets:
Bitcoin Safety & Security
Many of the same rules for protecting yourself at traditional casinos apply when playing at a Bitcoin casino. And we will list these below. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that your Bitcoin eWallet is secure too. For that, we recommend choosing a wallet with extra security features baked in. For example, you should be able to set up two-factor authentication and enable Touch or Face ID to prevent malicious actors from gaining access to your Bitcoin cash.
Below, we include the top five things you should do to protect yourself when playing online:
- Only play at licensed crypto casinos – unlicensed casinos are a risk
- Ensure that payments and other sensitive data pages are encrypted
- Use long and unique passwords for your casino account and wallet
- Don’t give out personal or financial information to third parties
- Only use trusted exchanges like Coinbase, Binance or Kraken
3 Alternatives to Bitcoin Casinos
Many crypto casinos offer more payment options than Bitcoin alone. In fact, it’s quite rare to find a crypto casino that only deals in Bitcoin. There are many alternative cryptocurrencies out there and most crypto casinos accept a fair few of them. From Ethereum and Litecoin to altcoins and memecoins, you’ll have plenty of choices. Here are some of the best alternatives:
Bitcoin Cash
After a 2017 hard fork in the main Bitcoin blockchain, Bitcoin Cash emerged as the strongest alternative. Therefore, you will see plenty of crypto casinos willing and able to receive Bitcoin Cash. Essentially, this is pretty much the same as using Bitcoin at a top Bitcoin casino, so it’s easy to switch. In fact, most of the popular Bitcoin casino sites will enable you to use BCH.
Ethereum
Ethereum (ETH) is the main rival to Bitcoin. So much so that the price fluctuations of Bitcoin are often mirrored by Ethereum. One advantage that Ethereum has over Bitcoin is its more modern blockchain is used to record every game round of Provably Fair games. Therefore, you’ll find plenty of Ethereum-only casino games in addition to using it as a cryptocurrency.
Litecoin
Litecoin (LTC) is another alternative to Bitcoin. It’s one of the oldest cryptocurrencies, having been launched in 2011. However, it should be noted that it is not as popular as either Bitcoin or Ethereum. Therefore, you might not find it offered as a payment method at every crypto casino. So, be sure to check that Litcoin is available before signing on the dotted line.
How We Rate the Top Bitcoin Casinos
We take the casino review process very seriously and provide you with every tiny detail. This is so that you can make an informed choice when selecting online crypto casinos. And we feel that this dedication is even more important when choosing a site based outside the UK. Therefore, we’ll go over the main criteria we look for in the best crypto casinos. In this way, you will understand more about key features. Here are the main areas upon which we focus:
Site Reputation
When it comes to assessing sites based outside the United Kingdom, due diligence is important. As part of this, we scour the web for information from other players. This involves going to several top gambling industry forums, as well as various social media platforms. From there, we can get a good overview of any potential red flags. We also follow this up by diligently researching the owners of the company and whether there are any sister sites.
Casino Bonuses
There are plenty of offshore Bitcoin casinos with great welcome bonuses (with free spins) and other deposit bonuses. And after the welcome bonus, there are Bitcoin casino no deposit bonus offers and various reload bonuses, too. As with any casino bonus, we assess how much bonus money a player can get in addition to free spins. We also check for ongoing casino promotions that will sustain players once the welcome bonus money has been spent. And then…
Terms and Conditions
We also go over the terms and conditions with a fine-tooth comb. In particular, we want to ensure the wagering requirements are in-line with industry standards. We also want to see that there are no unnecessary restrictions on deposit funds, casino games or withdrawal limits, for example. After all, if the wagering requirements are too harsh, you’re not exactly going to have a good time completing them. A welcome bonus should be fun, not a grind.
Withdrawal Times
This is another big one. One of the main advantages of playing at a BTC casino is that withdrawals are close to instant. Therefore, we want to see withdrawal processing times of less than 24 hours. Then, once approved, there should be no unnecessary holdups before you get ahold of your winnings. Otherwise, you might as well use painfully slow bank transfers instead. Therefore, we feel that a BTC casino should payout as soon as humanly possible.
Casino Licenses
While it is not possible to find a UKGC-licensed Bitcoin casino, there are alternative licenses. The main one when it comes to assessing the best Bitcoin casino sites is the Curacao eGaming License. This we consider the bare minimum – unlicensed online casinos just aren’t worth the trouble. And if/when the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) begins licensing the biggest Bitcoin casino websites, we will upgrade our expectations. Until then, the Curacao license will suffice.
Data Protection
The other major criterion to consider when playing at offshore BTC casinos is data protection. By this, we mean that any personal or financial information is stored correctly and hashed. Furthermore, the entire Bitcoin online casino should have encryption on every page. BTC casinos should have either SSL or TLS encryption in place so that your personal data is protected. Luckily, however, most Bitcoin gambling and crypto casinos are super modern.
Why Use Bitcoin at Online Casinos?
Getting banks out of the way is a huge positive for many UK players. Plus, Bitcoin transactions are largely anonymous, too. Plus, if you want to deposit with Bitcoin and play Provably Fair Games or Bitcoin games, you’ll need to sign up at a trustworthy Bitcoin casino. And, of course, that’s no easy task because UK players will need to play at offshore sites. There are other upsides (and downsides) too. For more info, read our <a href=”#proscons”>Pros & Cons of Bitcoin Casinos</a> above.
Bitcoin Online Casino Games
Crypto casino websites and apps feature a wide variety of casino games – often with plenty of free spins too. Of course, you’ll find all of the classic casino games such as roulette, blackjack and baccarat among other table games and live dealer games. Then, there’s the massive slots category too, so be sure to check those out whenever you have free spins or a deposit bonus.
Bitcoin Slots
Bitcoin slots are a kind of niche category – i.e., the ones played exclusively with Bitcoin. However, near enough every crypto casino will have hundreds (if not thousands) of slots played with fiat currencies. We promise you’ll never run out of online slots at a crypto casino.
Bitcoin Roulette
No site claiming to be the best Bitcoin casino could possibly not feature online roulette in one form or another. The video versions of roulette are surprisingly good, for example. Then, for the more adventurous, there’s Lightening Roulette and Mini Roulette by Evolution Gaming.
Bitcoin Blackjack
Online blackjack is a similar story to roulette. There’s an almost overwhelming amount of choice. From basic video versions of blackjack to the live casino games versions that add a bit of Las Vegas razzle dazzle to the proceedings. Switch and Surrender versions are great too.
Bitcoin Baccarat
Online baccarat comes in many forms. And that’s the case at Bitcoin casinos too. You can get up and running instantly with video versions of baccarat, where you essentially take on the computer. Or go for some of the live variations such as Speed, Squeeze and Salon Privé.
Bitcoin Poker
As we mentioned above, poker was one of the first casino games to embrace poker. So, you can definitely find peer-to-peer (P2P) poker sites out there that enable Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals. Or for something a little more laid back, be sure to check out video poker titles.
Live Dealer Games with Bitcoin
In addition to roulette, blackjack and baccarat live games, you’ll find sic bo, craps and dragon tiger live dealer games from Evolution Gaming. Other top live games categories include game shows like Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal, Crazy Time, Dream Catcher and Football Studio.
Bitcoin Sports Betting
Many Bitcoin casinos and dedicated online bookies offer sports betting. So, if you want to stick a pony on the big Champions League game, you can do so at sports betting sites and online casinos accepting Bitcoin. We can see Bitcoin sports betting taking off in the future.
Responsible Gambling at Top Bitcoin Casino Sites
Unfortunately, responsible gambling isn’t a high priority for many Bitcoin casinos. And that’s especially the case with unlicensed sites. Even those with a Curacao license won’t be up to the high standards set by UKGC-licensed casinos. Therefore, it’s a bit hit or miss here. But, to give you all the facts, we’ll always mention these relative failings in our Bitcoin casino reviews. If you want to be doubly sure when checking out Bitcoin casinos, here’s a list of the things you should expect to find at responsible gambling sites in the UK:
- Interactive surveys for testing if you have a gambling problem
- Tools for limiting money spent, time spent and total deposits
- An option to self-exclude from the site for a given period of time
- Useful contact information for professional treatment programs
- Easy-to-understand terms and conditions written in plain English
Bitcoin Casinos and Taxation in the UK
You may wonder if you need to declare any crypto casino winnings to HMRC. Well, the good news is that crypto casino gaming is not taxed in the UK. Therefore, if you win at a Bitcoin casino, you won’t be taxed on those winnings. Instead, the onus is on the online gambling company to pay taxes on their profits. This ensures that UK players at online gambling sites can withdraw and keep everything they win from slots, table games and sports betting.
Conclusion
We hope you found our guide to Bitcoin casinos useful. As you have seen, there are a few hurdles for UK-based players. However, there are plenty of offshore options available. So, if you’re looking to collect a deposit bonus and free spins when using Bitcoin, you’re covered. Just ensure that you read our reviews of Bitcoin casinos before signing up and depositing.
Bitcoin Casino FAQ
Are Bitcoin casinos legal in the UK?
Yes and no. While it's perfectly fine for UK-based players to sign up at offshore sites, it is inherently risky. All online casinos based in the UK itself must be licensed by the UKGC. But the UKGC does not allow UK casinos to offer Bitcoin as a means of depositing or withdrawing.
Are all UK Bitcoin (BTC) casinos safe?
While there are no official Bitcoin casinos in the United Kingdom because of UKGC rules, it's possible to play at offshore Bitcoin sites. However, as these are often unlicensed or only licensed in Curacao, for example, we cannot recommend Bitcoin casinos as 100% safe.
Which UK online casinos accept BTC?
If we only consider the UK online casinos, then the answer is none of them. That's because the UKGC specifically forbids UK sites from accepting BTC or other cryptocurrencies. However, those willing to risk playing at an offshore casino will find plenty of alternative options.
How do Bitcoin sites compare to UK casinos?
The only real difference is the payment method used to make deposits and collect any winnings. So, users will need to understand the mechanics of using a Bitcoin or crypto e-wallet. Otherwise, things are largely the same and there are plenty of great games to play.
What is the most popular Bitcoin casino UK?
There are no official figures on which Bitcoin casino appeals to UK players the most. That's because all casinos with deposit bonus offers and free spins in Bitcoin cannot obtain a UKGC license. Plus, the relatively anonymous nature of Bitcoin means the numbers are unknown.
Emily is our Casino Researcher and statistical mastermind. She uncovers all the latest trends through the numbers and creates valuable insights to our readers and internally, so we can cover our articles and journalism from a statistical background and angle.
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