Are you looking for a site to place Bitcoin sports bets on? In this guide, containing 3,000+ words, we walk you through how Bitcoin sports betting works, which kind of games you can bet on, and how to pick among the best Bitcoin sportsbooks available. You will also get simple examples of typical bonuses and common terms.
Learn how to use Bitcoin for sports betting, compare odds, game types and withdrawal terms.
Pick a Bitcoin sports betting site from the comparison table above and start playing.
Read any section in the guide by selecting any chapter from the left-hand sidebar.
How to choose the best Bitcoin sports betting sites
Using Bitcoin for sports betting is becoming more and more common. The first thing you should do before choosing a Bitcoin online sports betting site, is to think about what sport you actually would like to bet on. So, start by choosing a specific sport, let's say tennis, football or basketball.
Then, use our table below to compare factors that affect both your betting experience and your payments. Here we walk you through what to actually look for when choosing the best Bitcoin sportsbooks.
What to look for when choosing sports betting sites that accept Bitcoin:
What to compare… | Why does it matter… | How to verify it… |
|---|---|---|
License and permitted countries | The site must be authorized to offer its services in your current location. | Verify the company, license number, and web domain with the relevant gambling authority. Also, check the site’s country restrictions. |
Sports and betting markets | You should be able to find the leagues and types of games that interest you. | Have a look at what kind of games there are available for betting on the site. |
Odds | The odds determine the payout when a bet wins. | Compare the same outcome in the same match across several sites at roughly the same time. |
Betting Limits | The minimum bet and any maximum limits need to suit your budget. | Add a selection to the bet slip without confirming. Read the limits in the terms and conditions. |
Bitcoin and gaming balance | Bitcoin can be used for payment, but the currency and display of the balance may differ. | Check for Bitcoin support, the correct network, and whether the deposit is converted or held in BTC. |
Withdrawals and fees | Fees, amount limits and processing affect what you get out and when. | Read about minimum withdrawals, withdrawal fees, processing times, and any daily limits. |
Identity check | You may need to verify your identity before certain features or withdrawals become available. | Read about which documents can be requested and when the check is performed. |
Safety and gaming limits | Account protection and clear boundaries help you manage the account. | Look for two-factor authentication, deposit limits, breaks, and self-exclusion. |
Bonus terms and conditions | A large bonus amount can be difficult to manage within your regular budget. | Check the wagering requirements, minimum odds, validity period, and which games count. |
Ease of use and support | You need to be able to find the right game and any relevant information about it. | Try the site on your mobile or the device you intend to use. Ask the customer support how a Bitcoin withdrawal works. |
Tips! At the top of this guide you can find a comparison table. It shows the best available Bitcoin sports betting sites, based on all of the above criteria. We have gone through them all and put up a list of selective sites that meet most basic requirements and have high ease of use.
How to sign up to a Bitcoin sports betting site
Once you have found a suitable site, the next step is to prepare your account and payment. The Bitcoin sports betting sites may vary, but the process generally follows the same five simple steps. Here is a brief step-by-step introduction on how to get started.
Step 1: Choose your Bitcoin sportsbook
Start off by choosing a Bitcoin sportsbook that is authorized to offer games in your location and make sure you meet the age requirement. Make sure to read through the withdrawal terms before registering.
Also, decide how much you can afford to lose and how long you want to play. Factor any payment fees into your budget. The amount should be one you can afford to lose.
Step 2: Register your account
Register your account using accurate information and a unique password. If possible, enable two-factor authentication. This requires an additional verification step during login, such as a code from an app, which makes the whole process safer.
Identity verification is often referred to as KYC, short for "Know Your Customer." Consequently, using Bitcoin for payments does not exempt you from such requirements.
Step 3: Prepare your Bitcoin wallet
In order to make a transaction to your account on the betting site, you need BTC in a wallet or service that permits such transfers. Make sure to never mention your seed phrase to the betting site. A trustworthy sportsbook will never ask for such information.
Step 4: Make your first deposit
Open the cashier section, select Bitcoin, and follow the instructions. Verify the currency, network, recipient address, and minimum deposit amount before sending.
For safety reasons, start by sending a smaller amount of BTC to the betting site. Wait until the deposit appears as available. If you received the intended amount, you can send the rest of the money you wish to bet.
Step 5: Select your bet
Now you are ready to start playing online sports betting with Bitcoin. Select a preferred sport, a match, and a betting market. When you click on the odds, your selection is typically added to a bet slip, where you then enter your stake.
Check the match, the outcome, the odds, and the potential payout before confirming. Start with a simple bet – one where you understand the rules.
We are done, great job!
What is Bitcoin sports betting?
How to use crypto currencies for sports betting? Everything you need to know:
Bitcoin sports betting refers to sports wagering where Bitcoin is used for payments. For instance, you can bet on a football match and fund your deposit using BTC from your personal wallet.
Bitcoin does not change the nature of a bet on a match winner. What matters remains the outcome you have selected, the odds you have received, and the rules that determine the settlement of the bet.
How does Bitcoin sports betting work?
Once the deposit has been credited, you will have a betting balance. This balance can be used to make bets within the operator’s system. It is important to distinguish between the deposit currency, the balance currency, and the display currency.
It's not necessarily Bitcoin or even real US dollars that is shown on the platform. In some cases your crypto balance may be displayed in a standard currency to make it easier to read. Therefore, the fact that a dollar amount appears on the screen does not in itself mean that your Bitcoin has been converted into dollars.
How withdrawal of funds works
When you want to withdraw your funds, go to the site’s withdrawal page. Enter the amount and the Bitcoin address for your personal wallet. The betting site must first process the withdrawal. Once that is done, the payment is sent and confirmed on the Bitcoin network.
1. Timeframe on the Bitcoin network
There is no fixed timeframe that applies to all payments. Bitcoin produces a block approximately every 10 minutes on average. Assuming your payment enters the next block, rough estimates are:
Confirmation | Approximate time |
|---|---|
1 confirmation | approximately 10 minutes |
3 confirmations | approximately 30 minutes |
6 confirmations | approximately 60 minutes |
These are estimates based on average block times. A low transaction fee or network congestion can make the first confirmation take considerably longer.
Tip! Read our comprehensive guide on what Bitcoin is and how it works.
2. Timeframe on the betting site
The wait time is also influenced by the betting site’s processing procedures. Some betting sites allow up to 24 hours just to process it.
Example: If the betting site takes 2 hours to process your withdrawal and the network confirmation takes another 30 minutes, That is, your total wait is 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Consequently, there is no fixed timeframe that applies to all payments. The wait time is influenced by both the betting site’s processing procedures and the level of activity on the Bitcoin network.
Why play Bitcoin sports betting?
If you already use Bitcoin, it can be convenient to use BTC for your sports betting as well. You can deposit funds directly from your wallet and receive withdrawals in the same currency, provided the site supports it. Furthermore, you do not need to provide any card details when making a Bitcoin payment.
The Bitcoin network operates 24/7. That is, you can send a payment on a Sunday evening just as easily as on a Monday morning. Keep in mind, however, that the betting operator may still require some time to process a withdrawal.
In short, Bitcoin can make the payment process more convenient, especially if you are already comfortable using a digital wallet.
4 popular Bitcoin sports betting games
Basics of using bitcoin cryptocurrency for sports betting:
There are a lot of different sport games that you can bet on from a Bitcoin sports betting site. You can bet on various sports, as well as on different outcomes within a single match. Two of the most popular sports for betting are football and basketball. Here are four sports categories along with examples of common bets.
1. Football/soccer
Football is the number one most popular sport to bet on. In football, you often encounter the 1X2 market. The "1" signifies a home win, the "X" a draw, and the "2" an away win.
Example: Arsenal is playing at its home stadium against Tottenham. If you believe that Arsenal will win, you would choose 1, as this means a home win for Arsenal.
Another option is betting on over or under a certain number of goals. If you bet on "over 2.5 goals," there must be at least three goals scored during the relevant period of play. A 2–1 result meets the requirement, whereas 1–1 does not.
You should also check whether the bet applies to regular time (including stoppage time) or also includes extra time.
(Source: playthepercentage.com)
2. Tennis
Tennis is also a popular sport to bet on. In tennis, you can bet on who will win the match or a specific set. You can also place bets on the total number of games – that is, the smaller units that make up a set.
You should pay careful attention to what happens if a player retires or stops playing. The rules for a "match winner" bet distinguish between a retirement occurring before or after a completed set.
Therefore, you should not assume that all tennis matches that are cut short will result in a refund. Make sure to check this out before placing a specific bet on who will win the match.
3. Basketball
In basketball, common betting markets include the match winner, total points, and handicaps. A handicap involves adding or subtracting points when the bet is settled.
Example: Let's imagine you choose Team A with a handicap of −5.5. For the bet to win, the team must win by at least six points. If the team wins by four points, the handicap bet loses, even though the team won the match.
Overtime can affect both the match winner and the total points. Always check the terms and conditions for your specific selection and make sure you really understand the betting rules.
(Source: DraftKings)
4. Ice hockey
In ice hockey, the distinction between the result after regulation time and the final winner is particularly important. A match may end in a draw after three periods, yet still produce a winner following overtime or a penalty shootout.
For instance, you can choose to bet on the match result after regulation time, or select a market that explicitly includes overtime. Consequently, the same team could result in a win for one bet and a loss for another, depending on the market.
So, be sure to read the full description on your bet before confirming. Otherwise, you might risk losing, even though you thought that you were going to win on the final outcome.
Understanding odds and bets
How betting odds work in 8 minutes – Beginners explanation 2026:
Odds indicate how much you could receive in return if your bet wins. However, you also need to understand which outcome you are betting on and what is required for a win. Here, we look at common types of bets and use simple examples to show how to read odds and calculate a potential payout.
Understanding the odds
The odds indicate how much you will receive back if your bet wins. You calculate the amount by multiplying your stake by the odds. Your original stake is always included in the payout.
Example: Let’s say you bet 10 dollars at odds of 2.50. If you win, you receive 25 dollars back. Since you bet 10 dollars, you have made a total profit of 15 dollars. However, if you lose, you lose the 10 dollars you wagered.
The calculation is the same if the stake is in Bitcoin. For instance, if you bet 0.0001 BTC at odds of 2.50, you will receive a total of 0.00025 BTC back if you win. The only difference is that the equivalent value in dollars depends on the price of Bitcoin.
Different types of bets
You can also choose between different types of bets. For example…
Single bet – Where you bet on a single outcome. For example, that a specific team will win a match.
Combination bet – You combine multiple selections into one bet. For example, you might pick the winners of three different matches. Typically, all three selections must be correct for you to win.
If a match is cancelled or one of your selections is voided, the combination bet may be recalculated. Exactly what happens depends on the site’s specific rules. So, make sure to read through the rules carefully.
3 typical bonuses and promotions
In Bitcoin sports betting it is common to be given a bonus or promotion while playing. A bonus can provide extra playing funds, but the amount shown in an advertisement tells only part of the story. Before accepting, you need to know what is required, when the offer expires, and which funds can actually be withdrawn.
1. Deposit bonuses
A deposit bonus means that the site gives you an extra amount of money to play for when you deposit money. The size of the bonus depends on the specific offer and the amount you deposit to your betting account.
Example: Let’s say you receive a 100 % bonus. If you deposit 100 dollars, you get an additional 100 dollars as a bonus. So, you now have a total of 200 dollars to play with.
Wagering requirement
Quite often, you are required to wager a certain total amount before the bonus and any winnings derived from it can be withdrawn. This is known as a wagering requirement.
Example: Suppose the offer requires you to wager an amount equal to five times the sum of your deposit and the bonus. That is, 5 × 200 dollars = 1,000 dollars in total wagers.
This means that the wagers that count toward the requirement must add up to $1,000. This does not mean you need to deposit 1,000 dollars of new money. Funds you win back from a game can be used for subsequent bets.
However, it is possible to lose your entire balance before reaching the required wagering amount. Read through the terms carefully to understand exactly what the requirement entails.
(Source: Betwhale)
2. Free bets
A free bet is a bonus stake provided to you by a sportsbook. For example, you might receive it as part of a welcome offer or after having placed bets using your own money. You can use this bonus stake to place a bet that complies with the terms of the offer.
Check what you receive in return if the bet wins. In some offers, you get to keep the winnings, while the bonus stake itself is not returned. Also, check how long your free bet is valid for and which games you are allowed to use it on.
3. Odds boosts
An odds boost means that the site offers higher odds on a bet. If the bet wins, you therefore receive a larger payout for the same stake.
Example: Let's say you bet 10 dollars, and the odds increase from 2.00 to 2.20.
• Without an odds boost you receive a total of 20 dollars back if you win.
• With an odds boost you receive a total of 22 dollars back if you win.
In this example, you therefore receive 2 dollars more if the bet wins.
Pros and cons of Bitcoin sports betting
Pros with Bitcoin sports betting sites
Accepts Bitcoin as a deposit – If you already own Bitcoin, and wish to use them for betting, Bitcoin Sports betting sites are a perfect choice. Instead of having to exchange Bitcoin for fiat and then make a deposit, you can do it directly from your personal wallet.A network that operates 24/7 – Bitcoin payments can be sent any day and any time, even on weekends. This offers flexibility, although the operator may still have its own processing times, which you have to figure out.The transaction can be tracked – Once a transfer has been sent, its transaction ID can be used to check its status via a block explorer. A block explorer is a service that displays transactions on the Bitcoin network, such as blockexplorer.com.Cons with Bitcoin sports betting sites
Network fees can fluctuate – During times, the transaction volume on the Bitcoin blockchain can be busy. This often leads to higher network fees. Thus, depositing Bitcoin to your betting site's address, can be more expensive at times.Confirmed payments are irreversible – A confirmed Bitcoin payment cannot be reversed. If you ever send your BTC to an incorrect address, this might lead to asset loss. So, make sure to write the exact correct address. A small typo can be catastrophic.Third-party risk – Once a deposit has been made to the betting site, you are dependent on the sportsbook’s security. Using Bitcoin as a payment method does not guarantee that a gambling operator will be able to pay out your funds.Yes, there are plenty of sports betting sites that accept Bitcoin. Cloudbet is one of the most popular and best Bitcoin sportsbooks, where you can bet on a wide range of sports. Take a look at our comparison table on top of the article to see which ones accept Bitcoin for sports betting.
Whether Bitcoin sports betting is safe or not really depends on the operator. Before choosing a Bitcoin sports betting site, you should first of all check for a license, read the terms and conditions on their site, and security features. At the top of our guide, you can see our list of the best Bitcoin sportsbooks, where it’s safe to bet on sports with Bitcoin.
No, you should not expect complete anonymity. Bitcoin transactions are public and can, in some cases, be linked to individuals. Furthermore, the betting operator may request identity documents, which makes your transactions even more traceable to your name.
There is no single best wallet for Bitcoin sports betting, as long as it supports BTC and the payment method used by the site. If you control the keys yourself, you are also responsible for protecting them and your backup.
How long a Bitcoin withdrawal takes really depends on the gambling operator’s processing procedures and the network. Once a payment has been sent, confirmations can take tens of minutes or longer.
On average, a Bitcoin block is created approximately every 10 minutes, though this duration varies. There might be some manual checks by the operator which may extend the total waiting time up to 24 hours.
