How to Deposit Bitcoin at a Betting Site: Step-by-Step Guide
Depositing Bitcoin at a betting site is straightforward once you know the process. This guide walks you through every step—from buying your first Bitcoin to seeing funds appear in your casino balance. Whether you're completely new to crypto or just new to crypto gambling, follow along and you'll be ready to play within the hour.
The Deposit Process at a Glance
Here's the complete journey from start to finish:
What You'll Need Before Starting
- A way to buy Bitcoin: Account with a crypto exchange (Coinbase, Kraken, Binance) or access to a crypto ATM
- Photo ID: Most exchanges require identity verification to buy crypto
- A Bitcoin wallet: Can be the exchange's built-in wallet or a separate personal wallet
- A reputable betting site: Choose a licensed Bitcoin casino before you buy crypto
- 10-30 minutes: Time for the Bitcoin network to confirm your transaction
Don't have Bitcoin yet? No problem—Step 1 covers exactly how to get it.
1Buy Bitcoin
If you don't already own Bitcoin, you'll need to purchase some. The most common method is through a cryptocurrency exchange.
Using a Crypto Exchange (Recommended)
Exchanges like Coinbase, Kraken, and Binance let you buy Bitcoin with bank transfer or debit card. Here's the typical process:
- Create an account on your chosen exchange
- Complete identity verification (usually takes minutes to 24 hours)
- Add a payment method (bank account or card)
- Buy Bitcoin—enter the amount you want in GBP and confirm the purchase
| Exchange | Fees | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Coinbase | ~1.5% + spread | Beginners, ease of use |
| Kraken | 0.16-0.26% | Lower fees, UK-friendly |
| Binance | 0.1% | Lowest fees, more complex |
Alternative Methods
- Crypto ATMs: Find locations at coinatmradar.com—higher fees but instant, no account needed
- Peer-to-peer: Platforms like LocalBitcoins or Paxful connect you with sellers directly
- Buy at the casino: Some Bitcoin casinos offer built-in crypto purchases via card (higher fees, but convenient)
How much to buy: Buy slightly more than you plan to deposit. Network fees will be deducted when you send, so if you want to deposit £100, buy £105-110 worth of Bitcoin to cover fees.
2Set Up Your Bitcoin Wallet
A wallet stores your Bitcoin and lets you send/receive it. You have two main options:
Option A: Use Your Exchange Wallet
The simplest option for beginners. When you buy Bitcoin on an exchange, it's automatically stored in your exchange wallet. You can send directly from here to the casino.
- Pros: No extra setup, everything in one place
- Cons: Exchange controls your keys ("not your keys, not your coins")
Option B: Use a Personal Wallet
For better security and control, transfer Bitcoin to your own wallet before depositing at casinos. Popular options include:
- Mobile wallets: Trust Wallet, BlueWallet, Exodus (free, easy to use)
- Hardware wallets: Ledger, Trezor (most secure, costs £50-150)
- Desktop wallets: Electrum, Wasabi (good for privacy)
For most casino players: Using your exchange wallet is fine for gambling amounts. Personal wallets are better if you're holding significant crypto long-term or want maximum security.
3Choose a Bitcoin Betting Site
Before you send any Bitcoin, make sure you've chosen a reputable casino. Check these before creating an account:
What to Verify
- Valid license: Check on the regulator's website (Curaçao, Malta, etc.)
- SSL encryption: Padlock icon in your browser's address bar
- Reputation: Search "[casino name] reviews" and check forums
- Withdrawal terms: Understand limits and processing times before depositing
For verified options, see our tested Bitcoin casino recommendations. Need help spotting scams? Read our guide on how to identify Bitcoin casino scams.
Create Your Account
Registration at most Bitcoin casinos takes under 2 minutes:
- Enter email address and create password
- Verify email (click the link they send)
- Some casinos ask for username/DOB—others just email
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for security
Many crypto casinos require minimal or no KYC (identity verification) for deposits, though withdrawals above certain thresholds may trigger verification requests.
4Get Your Casino Deposit Address
This is the most important step—you need the casino's unique Bitcoin address to send funds to.
How to Find Your Deposit Address
- Log into your casino account
- Navigate to Cashier, Deposit, or Wallet section
- Select Bitcoin (BTC) as your deposit method
- The casino will display your unique deposit address
Understanding Bitcoin Addresses
A Bitcoin address looks like a long string of letters and numbers:
Addresses starting with bc1 are SegWit addresses (lower fees). Addresses starting with 1 or 3 are legacy formats. Most casinos support all types.
Critical: Always copy the address using the "Copy" button—never type it manually. A single wrong character means lost funds with no way to recover them.
QR Code Option
Most casinos also display a QR code. If sending from a mobile wallet, you can scan this instead of copying the address—it's faster and eliminates copy/paste errors.
5Send Bitcoin to the Casino
Now you'll transfer Bitcoin from your wallet to the casino's deposit address.
Sending from an Exchange (e.g., Coinbase)
- Log into your exchange account
- Go to Send or Withdraw (under your BTC balance)
- Paste the casino's deposit address in the "Recipient" field
- Enter the amount you want to deposit
- Review the transaction details and network fee
- Confirm with 2FA/email verification
- Click Send
Sending from a Personal Wallet
The process is similar but varies by wallet app:
- Open your wallet app
- Tap Send
- Scan the casino's QR code OR paste the address
- Enter the amount
- Select network fee (see below)
- Confirm and send
Choosing Network Fees
Bitcoin transactions require a network fee paid to miners. Most wallets let you choose:
| Fee Level | Typical Cost | Confirmation Time |
|---|---|---|
| High/Fast | £3-8 | ~10-20 minutes |
| Medium | £1-3 | ~30-60 minutes |
| Low/Economy | £0.50-1 | 1-24 hours |
For casino deposits, medium fee is usually fine—you'll wait 30 minutes regardless while the casino waits for confirmations.
6Wait for Network Confirmation
After sending, your transaction needs to be confirmed by the Bitcoin network. This is the blockchain verifying your transaction is legitimate.
How Long Does It Take?
- First confirmation: Usually 10-30 minutes (one Bitcoin block)
- Casino requirement: Most require 1-3 confirmations
- Total time: Typically 10-60 minutes depending on network congestion
How to Track Your Transaction
You can monitor your deposit's progress using a blockchain explorer:
- Copy your transaction ID (TXID) from your wallet's sent transactions
- Go to mempool.space or blockchair.com
- Paste the TXID to see confirmation status in real-time
Most casino deposit pages also show pending deposits with confirmation progress.
Don't panic if it's slow: During busy periods, confirmations can take longer. Your Bitcoin isn't lost—it's just waiting in the queue. As long as you sent to the correct address, it will arrive.
7Funds Arrive — Start Playing!
Once the required confirmations complete, your balance will update automatically. You'll typically see:
- Notification or balance update in the casino
- Deposit appears in your transaction history
- Funds available to play immediately
Check Your Balance Display
Most Bitcoin casinos let you view your balance in either BTC or fiat currency (GBP/USD). You can usually toggle between views in settings or by clicking your balance.
Before You Play
Set your limits now: Before placing any bets, set deposit limits, loss limits, or session time limits if available. It's easier to set limits when you're calm than when you're mid-session. See our responsible gambling guide for more.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These errors can result in lost funds—avoid them at all costs:
- Sending to the wrong address: Always copy/paste or scan QR—never type manually. Triple-check the first and last few characters match.
- Sending wrong cryptocurrency: Don't send Ethereum to a Bitcoin address or vice versa. Funds sent to the wrong network are usually unrecoverable.
- Ignoring network selection: Some casinos support multiple Bitcoin networks (BTC, Lightning). Make sure you're sending on the correct network.
- Sending from restricted services: Some exchanges (like PayPal) don't let you withdraw to external addresses. Use a proper exchange.
- Not accounting for fees: If you want to deposit exactly £100, buy more than £100 to cover network fees.
- Panicking during confirmation: Slow confirmations don't mean lost funds. Wait patiently—check a block explorer if concerned.
Alternative Cryptocurrencies for Faster Deposits
Bitcoin isn't your only option. These alternatives often have faster confirmations and lower fees:
| Cryptocurrency | Confirmation Time | Typical Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Litecoin (LTC) | ~2.5 minutes | £0.01-0.10 | Faster Bitcoin alternative |
| Ethereum (ETH) | ~15 seconds | £0.50-5 | Variable fees (gas) |
| USDT (TRC-20) | ~3 minutes | ~£1 | Stablecoin, no volatility |
| Solana (SOL) | ~1 second | £0.001 | Ultra-fast, very cheap |
| Lightning Network | Instant | Negligible | Bitcoin layer 2 (if supported) |
The deposit process for other cryptocurrencies is identical—just select the appropriate coin when getting your deposit address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about depositing Bitcoin at betting sites.
How long does a Bitcoin casino deposit take?
Typically 10-60 minutes. The transaction itself broadcasts instantly, but casinos wait for 1-3 network confirmations before crediting your account. Each confirmation takes roughly 10 minutes on average, though this varies with network congestion.
What's the minimum Bitcoin deposit at most casinos?
Most Bitcoin casinos have minimums equivalent to £5-20, often expressed as 0.0001-0.001 BTC. Some have no minimum at all. Check the casino's deposit page for exact limits—depositing below the minimum may result in lost funds.
Can I cancel a Bitcoin deposit after sending?
No. Bitcoin transactions are irreversible once broadcast to the network. This is why it's crucial to verify the deposit address before sending. There's no "undo" button or chargeback option with cryptocurrency.
I sent Bitcoin but it hasn't arrived—what should I do?
First, check a blockchain explorer (mempool.space) with your transaction ID to verify it was sent successfully. If it shows confirmations but hasn't credited, contact casino support with your TXID. If it shows 0 confirmations, wait—network congestion can cause delays of several hours.
Do I need to verify my identity (KYC) to deposit Bitcoin?
Many Bitcoin casinos allow deposits with minimal or no KYC. However, withdrawals—especially larger amounts—may trigger verification requests. Each casino has different thresholds, so check their terms if anonymity is important to you.
What happens if I send Bitcoin to the wrong address?
Unfortunately, funds sent to an incorrect address are almost always unrecoverable. Bitcoin transactions can't be reversed, and unless you know who controls the wrong address, the funds are lost. This is why copying addresses carefully is critical.
You're Ready to Deposit
That's everything you need to deposit Bitcoin at a betting site. The process becomes second nature after your first deposit—most regulars complete the entire process in under 5 minutes.
Quick recap:
- Buy Bitcoin on an exchange
- Choose a reputable casino and create an account
- Get your unique deposit address
- Send Bitcoin from your wallet
- Wait for confirmations (10-60 mins)
- Play responsibly!
Ready to find a trustworthy site? See our tested Bitcoin casino recommendations. And remember—always gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Need support? Free, confidential help is available at BeGambleAware or call 0808 8020 133.