In the beginning, cryptocurrencies were a preserve for tech-savvy individuals. Today, the virtual world has welcomed crowds of new investors who are embracing cryptocurrencies and moving away from traditional exchanges. It’s even possible to play casino online games using cryptocurrencies.
What is Cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrency is a type of virtual or digital currency. It utilizes a complex system of computer coding to create an infallible, secure transaction. The exceptional level of security is what makes cryptocurrencies difficult to counterfeit, and it attracts droves of people who are concerned about keeping their wealth intact through economic turmoil.
Cryptocurrencies are often designed as decentralized systems and built through blockchain technology. The result is a distributed ledger with contributions from various networks of computers and programmers.
A cryptocurrency does not have a central issuing authority, so it can’t experience manipulations or restrictions by any government. These digital currencies are independent, which is one of the most popular attributes.
Benefits of Using Cryptocurrencies for Online Gambling
Here’s a look at some of the major reasons to use digital currencies when you play casino online games:
Anonymity
Cryptocurrencies are decentralized, so no country or jurisdiction regulates the value or use. You won’t have to undergo identity verification processes when opening an account or making a transaction.
Traditional payment options are fraught with hoops to jump for proof of identity. Cryptocurrencies protect your identity online since you won’t need to provide much information to any third party or regulatory financial institution.
No Location Restrictions
Whether online gambling is illegal in your country or not, cryptocurrency casinos allow players from across the globe. These crypto-casinos give you the freedom to decide whether to play—from anywhere.
Security
One of the primary objectives of digital currencies is to uphold the privacy of the user.
We’ve seen that most crypto-casinos won’t ask for any personal details other than a cryptocurrency wallet and a username. If an online casino asks you to provide additional information, you should probably avoid it and move to a more trustworthy operator.
You’re in Control
Traditional payment methods are at the mercy of financial institutions when it comes to accessing your money. You enter a contract with these institutions, allowing them to control how you access your finances.
The banks can change the terms of service without consulting you, which may result in further restrictions or charges that you didn’t anticipate. Cryptocurrency skips those restrictions and gives you complete control of your funds. You can make transactions from anywhere without interference from third parties.
Transaction Speed
Cryptocurrency transactions appear in a decentralized environment. Funds travel directly from your wallet to the casino operator’s account—intermediaries, such as banks, do not participate in the process. There is no review of your transactions, and it doesn’t slow the flow of funds, so all operations run much faster.
No Commission
We’ve seen that banks don’t participate in the cryptocurrency transaction process; there are no commission fees for facilitating such transactions. It may reduce your expenses considerably for gaming online.
Disadvantages of Using Cryptocurrency for Online Gambling
Despite numerous benefits, a cryptocurrency is not without some setbacks:
It’s Volatile
The price of cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoin, fluctuates continually due to the limited availability and increasing demand. While the price settles, it’s unwise to keep significant savings in cryptocurrency.
It’s Developing
Cryptocurrency is still a developing concept. As its usage increases, it becomes more accessible, and its features become more refined. For now, there are still some kinks in the system that could complicate your financial life.
It’s Uncommon as a Payment Method
Only a few online gambling platforms accept cryptocurrency as payment. You can’t go to any online casino and start playing with bitcoins or any other digital currency as you would with your credit card.
If you did plan on switching to this platform, don’t despair. Cryptocurrency adoption is growing daily worldwide, and the number of crypto-casinos keeps expanding.
The Right Cryptocurrency for Playing Casino Online Games
The first step to playing online casino games with cryptocurrency is to choose the type. There’s a wide selection, but the most popular cryptocurrency is still Bitcoin.
Many online gamblers trust Bitcoin because it was the first cryptocurrency ever created. Other cryptos are not inferior, but you would need to research whether your preferred crypto-casino accepts the one you choose.
It is also possible to use more than one type of compatible digital currency. Besides Bitcoin, here are other popular cryptocurrencies that you can use for making a deposit at online casino accounts:
- Bitcoin Cash
- Ethereum
- Dogecoin
- Dash
- Ripple
- Zcash
- Monero
- Litecoin
It’s worth noting that each casino offers a different selection of acceptable cryptos. Thousands of cryptocurrencies are available on the market today, but not all of these retain value well. You would not be able to use most of the options for playing casino online games, as trust takes time to develop.
It’s also imperative that you understand that the value of crypto can fluctuate significantly. The currency can retail the same value for quite a long period, or the value can change in less than a day. Many online casinos advise players against purchasing a huge amount of cryptocurrency at once to safeguard the account balance.
You may experience a big loss when you spend a lot of money on crypto at a time. Rather, purchase just enough cryptocurrency to minimize the negative impact if the currency loses its value. It’s also advisable to avoid spending more crypto than you can afford to lose—it is still real money.
Final Thoughts
The numerous benefits of using cryptocurrency are what makes it a great option for playing online casino games. Cryptocurrencies promote speedy transactions and security for personal information. It also provides full control over your finances, and you don’t need to pay commission to financial institutions.
These currencies also have no location restrictions, and you may access crypto casinos even in countries that have outlawed online casinos. If you decide to use cryptocurrency for playing online casino games, make sure the currency you choose is compatible with your preferred crypto-casino.