If you want to bet on sports, there are many upsides when you use cryptocurrency. However, not all coins deliver the same seamless experience as Ripple does. That’s why XRP has become increasingly popular over crypto gambling platforms.
It’s quite challenging to decide on a particular XRP sportsbook. Nevertheless, the ORDB team has conducted extensive research to pinpoint the best ones. After reviewing over 100 sportsbooks that accept Ripple, we have picked out the top-tier sportsbooks accepting XRP:
100% UP TO 1 BITCOIN
5 BTC
10% Rakeback Using Code 'GET10BACKBONUS'
1st deposit 100% up to 1 BTC+ 180 FS
200% + 300 FS
100% up to $300 or 1.5 BTC + 100 FS
up to 5 BTC + 300 FS
1st deposit bonus up to $750
1500 EUR + 200 FS
1500 EUR + 200 FS
The Evolution and Growth of XRP Sports Betting
Ripple first hit the crypto space in 2012 when it was launched by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb. The primary aim of the coin was to revolutionize the traditional banking system, creating a faster and more affordable option for cross-border money transfers. It’s no surprise that XRP quickly caught the attention of crypto enthusiasts. For the record, I bought my first Ripple coins in 2015.
Around 2015 cryptocurrencies began gaining massive traction for online betting. Casinos and sportsbooks allowed users to deposit and withdraw using digital coins instead of fiat money. At the time, BTC was the world’s leading cryptocurrency, with about 80% of the market share. Meanwhile, Ripple ranked second, with a 14% market share.
Though it wasn’t the most valuable digital coin, many sports fans preferred Ripple to Bitcoin betting because of its efficiency. The narrative is still the same today, as the coin remains present in almost every sportsbook.
Factors to Consider When Choosing an XRP Sportsbook
Based on our experience using Ripple sports betting sites, there are specific quality criteria to consider if you want to pick the best platforms. These are the factors we prioritize when reviewing sportsbooks:
Licensing and Regulation
First, make sure that the site holds a valid license from a recognized authority. This is non-negotiable because the platform you are using should be regulated and transparent. It also tells well about the platform’s reputation.
Restricted Countries
For licensing reasons, XRP betting sites often operate within particular jurisdictions. Therefore, we always verify that the sportsbook is available in a specific location. Simply put, if your country is restricted, then you can’t sign up.
Variety of Sports and Markets
What sport do you prefer betting on? I’m a big fan of soccer and the NBA, but I don’t limit myself to these categories. The best Ripple sportsbook should have a wide range of sports and markets. That’ll ensure you have many options to pick your odds.
Mobile Compatibility
You won’t always sit in front of your computer to place bets. Hence, it’s essential to opt for a mobile-compatible site. The best sportsbooks make things even easier with Android and iOS applications. So, you can bet on the go with a few clicks.
Odds and Payouts
Whether using crypto or fiat betting sites, prioritize sites with competitive odds and prompt payouts. The best odds bring more returns if your bet wins. Likewise, when you win, XRP sports betting sites with fast payouts will ensure you get your money almost instantly.
Bonuses and Promotions
I can’t bet at a sportsbook with zero promotions, and you shouldn’t, too. It’s always best to get regular rewards to boost your bankroll and place more bets. However, when choosing based on this factor, pay attention to the terms and conditions.
Customer Support
It’s something we’ll all want to avoid, but encountering problems when using a betting site is quite common. Opt for Ripple sports gambling sites with responsive and professional customer support. Platforms with low-quality support will bring only unfavorable experiences.
XRP Betting vs. Traditional Betting
Using Ripple for betting differs from traditional settings. XRP sportsbooks provide a more convenient gambling environment, especially in terms of payment — you can initiate transactions without providing any sensitive details.
Whenever you want to withdraw winnings, you only have to provide your Ripple wallet address. If you were using a traditional betting site, you’d have to start filling out payout forms with bank information. That can be time-consuming and quite stressful.
Besides the variance in payouts, betting with XRP and traditional fiat are similar. You’ll still have to browse available sports events, select markets, pick odds, and add to your slip. Afterward, you set your bet amount and submit.
Benefits of Using XRP for Sports Betting
Sports betting Ripple sites introduce many upsides to users. Based on first-hand experience, betting with XRP is more beneficial compared to other popular crypto coins.
Fast transactions
The primary benefit of using XRP is the transaction speed. It’s worth noting that the coin employs a unique Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA), different from the proof-of-work or proof-of-stake used by other digital coins. This unique algorithm relies on pre-selected nodes rather than miners. As a result, XRP transactions take only seconds to process.
Low Transaction Fees
Since there is no middleman to approve transactions, you don’t have to pay any extra fees. The largest fee I’ve paid at Ripple sports betting sites was 0.005 XRP, which is around $0.0027. Agree, that’s a negligible price.
Wide Availability
Ripple still ranks high among the top cryptocurrencies, with a $29.208 billion market cap. So, you’ll have no trouble looking for where to buy or exchange XRP coins.
Anonymity and Privacy
If you want to gamble online while staying private and anonymous, XRP is one of the best coins. I’ve already mentioned the RPCA system, which also promotes security. Ripple supports public-key cryptography and multi-signature wallets.
Drawbacks and Risks of XRP Sports Betting
I can easily vouch that XRP betting sites offer more upsides and downsides. However, it’s still essential to note the drawbacks so you know how to manage them. Here are the primary risks to consider:
Volatility
Ripple regularly experiences price increases and decreases. It’s quite the standard with many crypto coins, but it can affect your bankroll. For instance, if you win bets and the price falls, your profits will be lower.
Irreversible transactions
Crypto wallet addresses are a lengthy string of characters. Always double-check the transaction details before submitting any payments. The transactions are irreversible — if you enter the wrong address, you’ll lose your money. Though I count this as a drawback, you can easily mitigate it.
Poor industry regulation
Sportsbooks that accept XRP and other coins are quite popular nowadays. However, finding licensed crypto sportsbooks can be tricky, because the industry is still not as regulated as traditional sportsbooks are. If you find it difficult to choose the right platform, you can always apply to our top list of reputable Ripple sportsbooks.
Bonuses and Promotions in XRP Sports Betting
While using top Ripple sports betting sites, I claimed some valuable bonuses. Here are the main types of bonuses I’ve encountered:
Welcome Bonuses
XRP gambling platforms offer welcome bonuses to usher you in as a new player. From my observation, these are usually deposit match promotions. For instance, you can get a 100% welcome bonus of up to $1,000 for a $50 deposit. Also, you can find some free bets and first-loss refunds given as welcome bonuses.
Matched Deposit Bonuses
Also known as reloads, match deposit bonuses are offered each time you fund your account. Most sportsbooks I tested featured these promotions on specific days — especially on weekends.
Free Bets
As the name says, this bonus gives you a free chance to bet. It’s like having free money in your account. You can withdraw winnings made from these deals after meeting the wagering requirements.
No Deposit Bets
A no-deposit bet is a bonus that doesn’t require you to make any deposit. It’s more or less the same with free bets, except it is rare and limited.
Cashback Bonuses
Cashback bonuses are a safety net that secures your account balance. This offer returns a percentage of your unfavorable bets as compensation, so you don’t have to bear 100% of the loss. For instance, with a 10% cashback bonus, you’ll get $20 as a refund for each $200 you lose.
Referral Bonus
Many XRP sportsbooks are eager to increase their user base and offer referral bonuses. You receive a reward by recommending other bettors to sign up for the platform. I claimed up to $400 from these promotions, and all I had to do was share my referral link or codes with anyone I wanted to register.
VIP & Loyalty Programs
If you decide to play in the long run, you can become a loyal player and qualify for the VIP Club. It’s an exclusive program with unique and high-quality bonuses. While testing the best XRP gambling sites, I noted that most loyalty programs reward higher-value cashback and free bets apart from other bonuses.
How to Maximize Betting Bonuses
Though bonuses at Ripple gaming sites are rather generous, you should know how to maximize them. Here are some tips I recommend:
- Check the terms and conditions for the supported sports and minimum odds.
- Search for the bonus validity period and plan how you’ll use the bonus.
- Place strategic bets that’ll help you meet the wagering requirements.
- Spread your bets and explore different sports events and betting markets.
- Subscribe to the XRP sportsbook’s promotional newsletter so you won’t miss new offers.
Types of Betting Odds
Ripple sportsbooks support various formats of odds. To eliminate any confusion, I decided to explain the primary ones below.
Fractional Odds (British Odds)
Although sometimes called differently, fractional and British odds come in the same format. They are presented as a fraction, like 5/1, for example. In this case, the odds mean that for every $1 you bet, you can profit $5 if you win.
Decimal Odds
Here’s the most popular odds format I found while betting with Ripple. As the name suggests, the odds come in decimal form — for instance, 1.5, 0.4, 6.7, and 20.8. To determine your potential winnings, you multiply your bet by the odds. If the odds are 3.5 and you bet $10, your potential winnings will be $35.
American Odds
Also known as money lines, American odds are unique options, as they are displayed using negative (-) and positive (+) signs. The negative sign reflects how much you’ll wager to win $100. Meanwhile, the positive sign shows how much you’ll win if you wager $100. Suppose the odds are -200; it means you need to stake $200 to win $100. But if it’s +200, you’ll win $200 for each successful $100 bet.
Payouts and Effect on Odds
Odds determine how much you win from each bet. Generally, higher odds lead to higher payouts and vice versa. However, if you’ve been betting for a long, you know that high odds represent low probability. So, I don’t advise jumping on huge odds at XRP gambling sportsbooks simply because of the huge payout potential.
Most Popular Sports to Bet with XRP
The best Ripple sportsbooks we’ve included in our rating offer a vast range of sports categories. Tastes differ — you’re free to dive into any sports that meet your interests. However, I’ve noticed five sports that are most popular among bettors:
- Soccer: As the world’s most popular sport, I wasn’t surprised that many XRP gamblers chose soccer. With this category, you can get many events to bet on day after day. The markets are also extensive.
- Basketball: The popular competitions I identified are the NBA and EuroLeague. Sports bettors go for basketball due to the exciting betting options available.
- American football: This category is most popular among bettors in North America, with the NFL and NCAA taking the central stage. If you’re a fan, you’ll find multiple options to stake on at quality XRP gambling sites.
- Tennis: I’m a big fan of tennis, and I bet on Grand Slams and ATP/WTA Tours. Some bettors prefer these events, too, as well as Davis Cup matches.
- Baseball: This sport provides competitions like the MLB. Based on my observations, gamblers who use Ripple appreciate the betting options on series winners and player pros.
Is XRP Betting Safe?
It is safe, as XRP is highly secure and anonymous. However, safety is only a guarantee when you use reliable sportsbooks. That’s why I recommend going with the trusted sportsbooks we’ve picked out for you.
Is it Legal to Bet With XRP?
It’s legal to bet with XRP if you’re using a regulated platform. However, you first need to check if online sports gambling and cryptocurrencies are permitted in your jurisdiction.
How to Bet with XRP
Now, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step procedure on how to bet with XRP. For the record, it’s straightforward.
Setting Up a Crypto Betting Account
To begin, you’ll have to set up a crypto-betting account. If you still haven’t set your mind on a particular sportsbook, you can always pick from our list. Complete the registration form, and you’re good to go.
Depositing Funds
Before you start betting, you have to add Ripple to your account. This is simple, as you only need the sportsbook’s wallet address. Then, transfer coins from your exchange account to the wallet to complete the deposit. Remember that the transactions are not reversible, so crosscheck the address before finalizing.
Selecting Your Sporting Markets
In this third step, you’ll browse the available sports events and pick your markets. As you click on the odds, they’ll appear on your bet slip.
Placing Bets
If you’re done selecting your betting markets, it’s time to submit your bet. So, enter the amount of XRP you want to bet and click the submit button. I do advise reviewing the picks to confirm all is okay before submitting. Then, you need to wait for the bets to play out, and if you win, you can withdraw the profits. Note that some sportsbooks may require you to complete KYC before receiving payouts.
Responsible Betting Practices and Tips
In my opinion, responsible gambling is integral for safe betting. Hence, I always stick to helpful practices while placing stakes. Here are some helpful tips you can follow in this regard:
- Set a budget specifying how much you can afford to lose, and always stick to it.
- Ensure you understand the odds format and how they affect your payouts.
- Don’t bet with emotions or blindly follow tips. Instead, research the events you want to bet on to measure your chances of winning.
- Monitor your bets, wins, or losses to know if you’re getting positive results in the long run.
- Don’t hesitate to seek help or self-exclude whenever you need to.
Conclusion
I hope that now finding the best sportsbook to bet using Ripple isn’t difficult for you. With websites from our list, you’re sure to get a first-rate experience, as each site is well-researched. Also, consider other helpful details I explained in this guide for an optimal XRP sports betting experience.