Bitcoin Poker Sites for US Players

A Guide to Using Bitcoin for poker deposits / withdrawals

Bitcoin has quickly gone from being a niche payment method to the preferred way of moving money around for US players. All the main offshore poker sites now welcome Bitcoin, with some even offering enhanced bonus terms to encourage players to switch over. While there are more mainstream ways of making poker deposits, these often get blocked. The reason is that US banks are obliged to decline gambling site transactions under the UIGEA laws. There are no federal laws preventing individual players from enjoying real money poker and making deposits.

This page gives you a question and answer style overview of how you can deposit using Bitcoin. This includes practical steps, as well as questions of legality and safety. The big advantage of cryptocurrency poker is that, once you have a wallet and exchange account set up, you can deposit (and withdraw) as often as you like.

#1 – Are There Any Legal Implications of Depositing with Bitcoin?

Sites accepting Bitcoin are the ‘offshore’ poker rooms which welcome players from the US. These sites are legal and regulated / licensed within their own jurisdictions, which include Panama, Kahnawake, Curacao and Antigua. They maintain the right to accept real money poker players from anywhere in the world under existing WTO free trade agreements.

The US federal agencies do not agree, and try to block financial transactions to these sites under the laws introduced in 2006 with the UIGEA. These laws do not target individual players, and are focused on the banks and financial networks.

As a distributed currency, the Bitcoin system is not based in any specific country and the blockchain technology is self-governed. Whether legal or not, this system is outside of the reach of US federal authorities.

No individual player has ever been indicted for enjoying real money online poker, or making deposits of any kind at online poker sites.

#2 – Which Poker Sites Welcome Bitcoin Deposits?

The 5 biggest US friendly poker sites all welcome this deposit option, here they are in terms of their size (biggest first):

Ignition Poker: This is the largest US friendly room, and also the newest. Ignition bought the poker room (and software) from Bovada Poker. The back end is shared with Bodog branded poker sites. This room pushes Bitcoin deposits hard. You will be offered this as your primary means of getting money onto and off from the site. Expect a big choice at Ignition, which has a recreational feel to it and features the only US ‘fast-fold’ poker variant – in the form of Zone Poker.

BetOnline Poker / SportsBetting Poker: I’m covering these sites together, since they are owned by the same Panama-based company and are on the same network (Chico). Both sites welcome Bitcoin and also Litecoin – an alternative Cryptocurrency. Reasons to check out these poker rooms include the big cross-over traffic from their sports betting area. This helps to keep the games soft.

Intertops Poker: This is a smaller US poker site, which is on the Horizon Poker Network. You will find a smaller selection of soft cash games here. A great reason (other than Bitcoin deposits) to check out Intertops is the large selection of qualifiers for live poker tournaments. A small entry fee could see you out in the Caribbean, taking place in a big prize pool event.

#3 – How Do I Make Bitcoin Deposits?

 

You will need the following:

• A Bitcoin Wallet, these are available online and free, through services like blockchain.info
• An exchange account, this is where you will swap dollars from your bank account for Bitcoin. Exchanges like coinbase.com are busy and safe.
• An account at an online poker site, make sure you give correct personal info, as you will need to provide Id docs when you withdraw.

Once you have a funded Bitcoin wallet, go to your poker site’s cashier and select Bitcoin as your payment method. You will be asked how much you want to deposit, and when you click you will receive a string of letters and numbers along with a QR code. These are the same thing, just displayed differently. This is the ‘receivers Id’ from your poker site.

Next you go to your Bitcoin wallet, click ‘Send Bitcoin’ and enter that Id, together with the amount to send. If you use a mobile phone wallet, the QR code will populate the right fields for you. All you need to do from here is authorise the payment. Remember, Bitcoin transactions are not reversible.

#4 – Can I Withdraw Winnings Using Bitcoin?

Yes, the process is simply reversed. You need to go to your own wallet first, and generate your own receivers Id. This can be given to the poker site, along with the amount that you wish to withdraw. There may be a delay at this point. This is not for any technical reasons, simply a stop while the Poker Site staff review your transaction.

Once your withdrawal is approved, you will normally have the funds within 10 minutes.

#5 – How Can I Be Sure that my Bitcoin Deposit is Safe?

Trust is built by the poker rooms by providing great service and prompt payments. This is built over time, with many of the larger poker sites having a lot of respect from their players. If you are not sure of whether a poker sites is legitimate, then there are some things to look out for. I like to see a lack of scandals (particularly payment delays) on Google. You should also look out for evidence of an operating license, RNG testing and a responsible gaming policy that gives information on who to contact if you feel you have a gambling problem.