Unfornateuly, Bitcoin betting is not legal in the UK at this time. We do not recommend joining any gambling site that claims otherwise.
Using Bitcoin for online betting might sound like a brand-new innovation, but it has actually been around for some time. The first Bitcoin betting sites to permit Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to be used for online gambling announced the move several years ago.
However, progress in the online betting industry has been quite slow since then. Most of the major betting sites in the UK are yet to allow Bitcoin to be used for deposits on their sites. Those who are determined to deposit in cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin do have a few options, though, with many in the sector expecting further sites to be added to the list very soon. The benefits of using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are too long for it to be ignored for much longer.
It seems certain that using Bitcoin for online betting is going to be a lot more common in the future, though cynics suggest cryptocurrencies may still remain a fringe interest for a while.
When using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for online betting, users will have to first get up and running with a Bitcoin wallet. There are a number of good options for sites offering this and they all have their own unique list of pros and cons. It is really a matter of personal preference which Bitcoin wallet is used, with two different types available: hosted wallets and software wallets.
Hosted wallets mean that Bitcoins are stored by a third party. This may therefore be an easy way to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for online betting for the first time. Those who are more experienced with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin might be comfortable using a software wallet.
After signing up for a Bitcoin wallet from the wide range of options that are out there, users will need to deposit some money into their Bitcoin wallet. As most people will be aware by now, the value of Bitcoin tends to rise and fall rapidly and it is very unpredictable when this is going to happen. It is worth keeping an eye on the price of Bitcoin for a short time to track peaks and troughs ahead of starting to use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin at online gambling sites.
Coinbase is perhaps the most famous way to use Bitcoin online in the UK, but there are plenty of options that are potentially going to be useful for sports betting fans as well. It is worth shopping around a bit to see which Bitcoin exchange or wallet is most suited to your needs. Sites such as Coinbase use two-factor authentication to help securely protect their users. Fees may also be payable when adding funds into Bitcoin, so this is something to be aware of.
It is often possible to use an e-wallet such as PayPal, which is also widely used at UK sports betting sites, to add money into a Bitcoin wallet. Once users have a Bitcoin wallet set up, which should not take long at all, they will be ready to start spending Bitcoin online or using it at the growing number of Bitcoin betting sites that are operating in the UK.
Creating a Bitcoin wallet and adding funds is just the first thing people need to do if they want to start using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin at online gambling sites, however.
The official betting partner of Arsenal, Sportsbet.io also has partnerships with other football clubs including Watford and Crystal Palace. On this site, which has been created in partnership with TGP Europe Limited, customers can also find a wide array of casino games.
Up to 50% boosted odds is available on accumulators placed on this online sportsbook, while other promotions include price boosts on selected sporting events. Virtual sports and esports are included in the list of sports available to bet on at Sportsbet.io, though football is naturally the top priority given its sponsorships with various clubs.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can be used to place sports bets on 1xBit. A quick and simple registration process means those hoping to use Bitcoin to bet on sports can do so in a matter of moments at 1xBit.com.
A welcome bonus is even available in Bitcoin on this site, making it a top option for anyone who wants to use cryptocurrencies for sports betting. Along with Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies such as Stellar are among those that can be used at 1xBit. As well as sports betting, 1xBit also has an online casino with hundreds of different slot games.
The highest-profile online sportsbook in the UK that accepts Bitcoin to be used is 888Sport. However, users here cannot deposit directly into their account on the site using Bitcoin. They will instead have to use an e-wallet such as Skrill to add Bitcoin and use that deposit option to add funds into their betting site account.
While this extra step to the process does mean it takes more time to deposit with Bitcoin at 888Sport, the site's vast array of betting markets, great live streaming options and excellent promotions and bonuses mean it is well worth the extra effort.
Low margins are one of the top reasons to choose Cloudbet as a Bitcoin betting site in the UK. The site claims its betting markets for the NFL as well as football competitions such as the Premier League and the Champions League, are as low as 2%. With most sports betting sites having a bigger margin, this could tempt people to join Cloudbet.
Other benefits of this UK Bitcoin betting site include a 100% deposit bonus, which is available for those who opt to sign up and use cryptocurrency to bet on sports here.
Many sites are only just adding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to their list of deposit options. But NetBet was a trendsetter in this regard, having been offering Bitcoin payments in Europe since 2016. Casino games, sports betting, live dealers, online poker and slots are all available to NetBet users who sign up to play with Bitcoin.
NetBet users can get 50% more winnings with Combo Boosts, which also has a unique SnapBet feature. In this, users have to predict someone to score a goal in the next 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes.
FortuneJack, which was founded in 2014, is another site to have been an early adopter of Bitcoin betting in the UK. With both a casino and a sportsbook present at FortuneJack, the site can be a good choice for those who want to place a bet on the big game of the day but also try their luck at the blackjack table or the roulette wheel.
The welcome bonus at FortuneJack is also available in Bitcoin, which not all of the other top Bitcoin betting sites in the UK are currently able to offer to their potential customers.
Marathonbet offers cryptocurrency in its list of deposit methods for many of the nations around the world in which it operates. The global betting brand even makes it possible to deposit money into a Marathonbet gaming account using a unique Marathonbet cryptocurrency - Maracoin.
Live betting is a particular area of strength for Marathonbet, which often has hundreds of different bets to pick from for in-play football in a wide variety of tournaments, leagues and competitions. Esports betting is also offered on this sportsbook while joining Marathonbet also gives customers access to the site's online casino as well.
More than 10 cryptocurrencies can be used to bet on sports at BetFlip, which also runs an online casino as well, with more than 1500 slot games offered in its library.
Esports betting is a big focus area on the BetFlip online sportsbook, which has a 24/7 live chat available for anyone who is having an issue with their account on the site.
At BetFlip, users can expect solid promotions such as a 100% weekend reload bonus. Bitcoin is also available to be claimed as part of the BetFlip welcome bonus for new customers.
Next up is our full step-by-step guide for how to deposit and withdraw money using Bitcoin at UK betting sites.
After setting up a Bitcoin wallet and adding funds, players at UK betting sites will be ready to learn how to deposit and withdraw money using Bitcoin.
The first thing to do is to make sure the betting site offers Bitcoin or alternative cryptocurrencies in their list of approved payment methods. It is usually possible to see which banking methods they allow before signing up for an account. UK betting sites that allow their users to deposit and withdraw money using Bitcoin are featured on this page.
The process of depositing money with Bitcoin starts the same way as making any other deposit into an online betting account. Users should head to the cashier section and look for the Bitcoin icon, then tap or click it to proceed to the next step of the process.
Here, they will be presented with on-screen instructions that they need to follow closely in order to add Bitcoin into their online betting account. Users will be presented with a unique transaction ID as well as the Bitcoin exchange rate, a Bitcoin address, and a scannable QR code.
They will be asked to enter the amount they wish to deposit, they will have to either scan the QR code or copy and paste the address that was provided into their Bitcoin wallet. Again, the on-screen instructions will then be in place and they are easy to follow to complete the process.
When making the first deposit using Bitcoin, users may also be able to claim a welcome bonus at their chosen UK betting site. Look out for this as it can include free Bitcoins to bet with. There will often be a promo code or bonus code to add, while other times it will apply automatically.
Pros of using Bitcoin when gambling
Cons of using Bitcoin when gambling
Steven is an experienced iGaming content writer who has been working in the industry since 2018. He is passionate about sports betting and enjoys writing about all aspects of the industry, including bookmaker reviews, betting tips and strategies, and news and analysis. If you have any questions about online gambling in the UK, please don't hesitate to contact him.