Short version. Every offshore room that takes US players runs on crypto: it is the fastest way in and the only reliable way out. You do not need to be a crypto investor. You buy some, send it, play in dollars, and convert back when you cash out.
Poker sites that take Bitcoin and other crypto
| Room | Crypto | Other deposits |
|---|---|---|
| ACR Poker | More than 60 coins | Visa, Mastercard |
| Black Chip Poker | Yes; shares the ACR cashier | Visa, Mastercard |
| BetOnline Poker | Yes; the main option | Some cards |
| Ignition Poker | Yes; the main option | Visa, Mastercard |
| Bovada Poker | Yes; the main option | Visa, Mastercard |
Your table stakes and balance are shown in US dollars at all of them. The crypto is converted when it arrives and again when you withdraw.
How a crypto deposit works
- Buy crypto. Open an account at a US exchange, verify your ID and buy the coin you plan to use.
- Move it to your own wallet. Some exchanges restrict accounts that send money straight to gambling sites. Sending through a wallet you control avoids that.
- Get the deposit address. In the poker room's cashier, choose the coin. The room shows an address, a long string of letters and numbers, and usually a QR code.
- Send it. Paste the address into your wallet, check the first and last few characters, and send.
- Wait for confirmation. The balance appears after the network confirms the transfer, typically within minutes to an hour.
Cashing out is the same in reverse: you give the room an address from your wallet, it sends the coins, and you sell them for dollars at the exchange.
Which coin to use
- Bitcoin. Accepted everywhere. Slower and dearer to send than most when the network is busy.
- Litecoin and similar. Faster and cheaper to send. A common choice for small deposits.
- Stablecoins such as USDT or USDC. Pegged to the dollar, so the value does not move while it is in transit. Check which network the room accepts before sending.
The mistakes that cost money
- Wrong address or wrong network. Crypto transfers cannot be reversed. A coin sent to the wrong address, or on a network the room does not support, is gone. Send a small test amount the first time.
- Holding winnings in a volatile coin. Bitcoin can move several percent in a day. If you want dollars, convert promptly, or use a stablecoin.
- Leaving money on the site. An offshore balance has no protection. Withdraw what you are not playing with.
- Falling for fake support. Nobody from a poker room will ask for your wallet's recovery phrase. Anyone who does is stealing from you.
Fees
You pay three small costs: the exchange's fee when you buy, the network fee when you send, and the exchange's fee when you sell. Rooms generally do not charge for crypto deposits. Together it is usually less than a card deposit's fees, and far less than a cheque or wire withdrawal.
Tax
Two things are taxable. Poker winnings are income. And selling or spending crypto is itself a taxable event if its value changed while you held it. Keep records of dates and amounts, and ask a tax professional if the sums are large.
Crypto-only poker rooms
There are also rooms built entirely around crypto, with balances held in coins and not dollars. CoinPoker is the best known. We have not reviewed them and do not list them.
Is it safe?
The transfer itself is secure. The risk is where it is going: an offshore room with no US licence. Crypto also removes the one protection a card gives you, which is the chance to dispute a charge.
Tournament players and regular grinders. Winning Poker Network. Rakeback: 27% flat, or Elite Benefits.
Visit ACRACR's tables with a smaller site's promotions. Winning Poker Network. Rakeback: 27% flat, or Elite Benefits.
Visit Black ChipSofter cash games; sports bettors. Chico Poker Network. Rakeback: Races and leaderboards.
Visit BetOnlineCasual players who want anonymous tables. PaiWangLuo. Rakeback: None; anonymous tables.
Visit IgnitionPlayers who also bet sports. PaiWangLuo. Rakeback: None; anonymous tables.
Visit BovadaCommon questions
Which poker sites accept Bitcoin?
ACR Poker, Black Chip Poker, BetOnline, Ignition and Bovada all accept Bitcoin. ACR accepts more than 60 different coins.
Is crypto poker legal in the US?
Paying with crypto does not change a site's legal status. The offshore rooms that take crypto are not licensed in any US state; see your state's page.
Do I need to own crypto already?
No. You can buy the amount you need at a US exchange, send it, and convert back to dollars when you cash out.
How long does a Bitcoin poker withdrawal take?
Once the room approves it, the transfer usually arrives within an hour. Approval is typically the same day.
Can I reverse a crypto deposit sent to the wrong address?
No. Crypto transfers are final. Send a small test amount first and check the address carefully.