Will Brick-and-Mortar Casinos Ever Accept Cryptocurrencies?

by Ed Miller
18 Mar 2023

Ed had dived into the cryptocurrency market before everyone got on the bandwagon. Therefore, his blockchain & crypto expertise can boast of both retrospective and prospective analyses, as well as their level-headed and well-targeted peer reviews. Ed has long realized that the online crypto gambling market would soon evolve into another investment sector for those willing to not only have some fun playing but to scale up crypto assets, too. He did online gambling market research, tested tens of crypto casinos, got a fix on trends and target users’ feedback, and is ready with his insights and recommendations on how to combine crypto business with gambling pleasure.


Brick and Mortar Bitcoin casino
The first Brick and Mortar Bitcoin casino can appear in the nearest future

The casino industry has been a constant presence in the entertainment world for centuries, allowing people to win big money while having fun. However, as technology has evolved, traditional Brick Mortar casinos have faced increasing competition from online gambling sites. 

Recently, another technological advancement has emerged as a possible solution to this problem. In this article, we look at the rise of cryptocurrency gambling and whether Brick and Mortar casinos will ever accept cryptocurrencies as payment.

The Crypto Gambling Rise

bitcoin gambling
Crypto gambling is becoming more and more popular

Cryptocurrency gambling is a relatively new concept. The first bitcoin was created in 2009. Since then, the popularity of this gambling has grown exponentially, and numerous online casinos now accept various cryptocurrencies as payment. Moreover, some online casinos have even started accepting cryptocurrencies exclusively as payment.

Given the rapid rise in the popularity of Bitcoin, people are curious as to whether any Brick Mortar Bitcoin casinos can offer this digital currency as a means of gambling payment.

No physical casinos currently accept cryptocurrencies as of the beginning of 2024. Players must spend fiat money: credit/debit cards or cash to participate in common games like table games and slots.

But a small number of land-based casinos accept Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), Ethereum (ETH), XRP (XRP), and some other well-known cryptocurrencies as payment for hotel rooms, food, and drinks.

In Las Vegas, the D Casino Hotel and the Golden Gate Hotel and Casino became the first physical casinos to accept cryptocurrencies as payment methods in January 2014. Today, more than 15 000 companies around the world take BTC transactions.

Cryptocurrency Gambling Benefits ✅

Cryptocurrencies Gamble
Crypto casino boasts plenty of benefits

There are many reasons why people opt to take Bitcoin instead of using common payment options.

Affordability

For a variety of reasons, some people don’t like to rely on traditional financial institutions for their savings. Bitcoin is available to anyone as far as they have a connection to the Internet. Using cryptocurrencies does not require background checks or identification before users can start taking advantage of it.

Decentralized transactions

Blockchain transactions are usually processed much faster than traditional payment methods, and they also provide an extra layer of security because they are decentralized and not subject to the same risks as traditional payment methods.

Since no central body regulates Bitcoin, authorities cannot lock funds on your account. Similarly, since governments or banks do not hold your funds, Bitcoin is not subject to confiscation. In fact, you are a bank of your own.

Privacy

Traditional online casinos require players to provide personal information such as name, address, and credit card details. With cryptocurrencies, however, players can play anonymously without providing any personal information.

Instead of a name, a code-based identifier appears in the blockchain. Thus, transactions are pseudonymized and ensure the privacy of users. Users do not have to provide any personal data for peer-to-peer operations when sending or receiving BTC.

Free from third-party control 

In contrast to traditional money, using Bitcoin does not require permission from a third party. Digital currency is freely available and can be used by any person anywhere from any region.

Also, Crypto Gambling Games Are Better: How?

In addition to the benefits of using cryptocurrencies to gamble, the games themselves are often better. 

One of the biggest advantages of crypto casino games is the ability to gamble anonymously. That is especially important for those who live in countries where gambling is illegal, as it allows them to gamble without fear of prosecution. 

Many online cryptocurrency casinos offer a wider selection of games than traditional online casinos, including unique games only available to cryptocurrency users. Moreover, many crypto casino sites offer better odds and more flexible stakes, which means players have a better chance of winning.

Want to know more about crypto casino games? Here are other articles that will be interesting: 

The Challenges of Cryptocurrency Gambling ⚖️

bitcoin challenges
The nature of Bitcoin can cause some problems in the adaptation of this currency

It is quite possible that Brick and Mortar cryptocurrency casinos will emerge in the not-too-distant future. However, despite the many benefits of using cryptocurrencies for gambling, there are also a number of problems that need to be solved. The strict rules currently in place in the industry need to be relaxed, and younger audiences have to move into traditional, land-based casinos, not just online gambling sites.

Tough regulation

The main barrier faced by physical casinos seeking to use Bitcoin as a payment option in gaming is strict regulation of the industry. Blockchain transactions are not regulated in the same way as traditional payment methods, which means an increased risk of fraud and other types of cybercrime.

It is the responsibility of the licensing jurisdictions to determine what is acceptable in a casino, and many remain skeptical about the safety and privacy of cryptocurrency. Therefore, digital currencies must gain wider trust and acceptance before land-based crypto casinos become a reality.

Changing prices

Another problem is the volatility of crypto prices. Cryptocurrencies are known for their sharp price fluctuations, which means that the value of a player’s winnings can fluctuate greatly. That can be especially problematic for players who rely on their gambling winnings as a source of income.

Young gamers prefer internet gambling

Finally, cryptocurrencies in casino is still a relatively new concept, which means there is a lack of understanding among the general public about how it works. That can make it difficult for new players to get started, as well as lead to a lack of trust in the system.

If physical casinos want to attract younger customers, they must consider the growing demand for crypto casino offers. People between 18 and 34 years are the more likely group to participate in an online crypto casino and invest in Bitcoin. Conversely, people older than 55 are more likely to gamble in traditional places.

The Future of Casino Payments

The Future of Casino Payments
Transactions in a casino can be held in some new ways

As Bitcoin and other types of digital currency continue to grow in popularity, so does the demand for the crypto casino. It is becoming more and more favored in recent years to play crypto casino online as customers choose this payment option when playing casino games online.

Numerous Bitcoin casino websites offer users fast and secure deposit and withdrawal methods, as well as deposit bonuses and promotional offers. Before creating an account, however, it is extremely important to examine the reliability and trustworthiness of the site carefully and always read the terms and conditions thoroughly.

If Brick Mortar casino wants to attract younger clients for crypto platforms, it must adapt to this innovative and progressive payment option.

Which Countries Are Most Likely to Open Crypto Casinos and Which Are Not?

countries with cryptocurrency
The attitude to crypto varies depending on the region

Which country is more likely to take land-based crypto casinos first?

Canada, Malta, Singapore, Switzerland, and Portugal are countries that may adopt physical crypto casinos in the near future. But El Salvador and Germany are the most likely to accept such casinos, as they have demonstrated a progressive attitude toward cryptocurrency among other countries.

El Salvador made history in 2021 by becoming the first country to recognize bitcoin as a legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar. The government has also announced plans to build a “Bitcoin City,” which will provide tax breaks for Bitcoin users and be powered by geothermal energy. With this forward-thinking approach, El Salvador could pave the way for the world’s first physical crypto casino.

Germany is also known for its crypto-friendly policies that allow businesses and individuals to buy, sell and trade various cryptocurrencies without imposing a capital gains tax after one year. Despite the taxation of crypto mining, Germany is one of the top 10 countries for cryptocurrency mining, and one of Europe’s largest mining companies, Northern Data, is located in Germany. Considering Germany’s innovative approach to cryptocurrencies, it is also a strong contender to open the first Brick and Mortar crypto casino.

Which countries are most unlikely to open land-based crypto casinos?

Brick and Mortar Bitcoin casinos are least likely to be accepted in some countries because of their strict bans on cryptocurrency usage. Such countries include China, Qatar, Bangladesh, Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria, and Nepal.

China, in particular, has been cracking down hard on the use of cryptocurrencies since 2019, imposing restrictions on cryptocurrency trading. In 2021, the Bank of China went further and declared all crypto transactions illegal, and those caught using cryptocurrency will be prosecuted.

That is a significant change because, before the ban, China was the leader in cryptocurrency mining. The government considers that cryptocurrencies contribute to financial crimes such as fraud and money laundering, and cryptocurrency mining is believed to have a harmful effect on the ecology.

Conclusion

Overall, it is clear that cryptocurrency gambling is on the rise and that it offers numerous benefits over traditional payment methods. While there are certainly challenges that must be addressed, many experts believe that the benefits of using cryptocurrency for gambling outweigh the risks. As a result, it is likely that brick-and-mortar casinos will eventually start accepting cryptocurrencies as a means of payment as the industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Additional Materials

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Is it legal to gamble with cryptocurrency?

The legality of gambling with cryptocurrency varies by jurisdiction. Some countries have legalized cryptocurrency casino sites, while others have not. Please always check your local laws before engaging in any cryptocurrency gambling activities.

Is cryptocurrency gambling more secure than traditional gambling?

Cryptocurrency casino offers increased security over traditional gambling methods, as cryptocurrency transactions are decentralized and not subject to the same risks as traditional payment methods.

What are the benefits of using cryptocurrency for gambling?

The benefits of using cryptocurrency for gambling include increased security, anonymity, and faster transaction processing times. Additionally, many cryptocurrency gambling sites offer a wider variety of games and better odds than traditional online casinos.

Will Brick and Mortar casinos ever accept cryptocurrency?

While it is difficult to predict the future, many experts believe that Brick and Mortar casinos will eventually start accepting cryptocurrency as a means of payment as the industry continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences.

Indicator of online casino popularity trends among regular players. Casino visit data is analyzed monthly using Similarweb and Semrush, with trends compared across the last two quarters. The central number shows the average number of players who visited the casino last month.

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