A Guide to Crypto Casinos in the UK

As cryptocurrencies gain popularity and become more integrated into our daily lives, you may have come across crypto casinos while searching for your next online casino experience and wondered what they were all about.

In many ways, crypto casinos are similar to traditional gambling platforms, but a few distinct features that set them apart. While both types of casinos require registration, deposits, and gameplay, crypto casinos operate differently than traditional casinos due to the nature of cryptocurrencies.

Similarities with Traditional Casinos:

• Registration: Players still have to create an account to access games and features.
• Depositing: Users deposit funds in the same way but add cryptocurrencies to their casino accounts to wager.
• Games: Crypto casinos often offer games from popular software providers like Evolution, NetEnt, and Betsoft.

Key Differences:

• Legal Tender Status: Unlike traditional currency, cryptocurrencies are not considered legal tender. This creates problems within regulatory frameworks, as existing gambling laws may not cover crypto payments.
• Know Your Customer (KYC) Process: Crypto casinos typically do not require a KYC process, allowing for anonymous gambling accounts.
• Payment Speed: Crypto gambling offers lightning-fast payment processing, with withdrawals often completed within minutes.
• Wallet-to-Wallet Transactions: Deposits and withdrawals are conducted directly between players' cryptocurrency wallets and the casino, for added security.
• Privacy Protection: By eliminating the need for personal information or government-issued IDs, crypto casinos mitigate the risk of data breaches and enhance user privacy.

So overall, while crypto casinos operate similarly to traditional gambling sites in terms of gameplay, the cryptocurrencies element introduces unique features such as anonymous accounts, rapid payment processing, and enhanced privacy protection, which appeal to some players.

Is Crypto Gambling Legal in the UK?

The UK has more lenient gambling laws than most countries. Various forms of gambling such as land-based and online casinos, lotteries, horse and greyhound tracks, and betting shops all completely legal. However it is also strictly regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.

The UK Gambling Commission dictates that casinos serving UK players must hold a valid license and adhere to the Gambling Commission's Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.

Crypto currencies lie in a bit of a grey area in UK Gambling Law as currently the Gambling Act does not explicitly state whether using cryptocurrencies for gambling is lawful or prohibited. However, the decentralised and anonymous features of cryptocurrencies make it challenging for platforms to comply with the UK’s strict anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.

The other issue is the volatility of cryptocurrencies and the lack of a centralised regulatory body. This makes it harder to ensure consumer protection and fair play, which are essential aspects of the UK's gambling regulation. It is for these reasons that crypto casinos are unregulated and, therefore, effectively banned in the UK.

Challenges with Crypto Gambling

Despite the UKGC's hard stance against crypto gambling, players who are keen to use this form of payment are finding ways around the legalities by using a VPN to access crypto casinos in countries where regulations are more relaxed. A recent investigation has uncovered how easy it is for Brits to buy ready to gamble crypto accounts on social media, which has raised concerns about them being easily accessed by children and those with gambling problems.

This had led to an ongoing debate with supporters of crypto casinos raising the argument that it would be safer for UKGC to lift the crypto gambling ban in the UK and put limits on crypto transactions similar to current banking limits to make them safer.

The Future of Crypto Casinos in the UK

The future of crypto casinos in the UK appears uncertain at present. However, as the landscape of online gambling continues to evolve, the UK will need to adjust its regulations to accommodate emerging technologies and changing global trends represented by crypto casinos. This adaptation will ultimately have to guarantee fairness, security, and user protection to meet demands of the rapidly evolving online gambling industry. Whilst crypto might not be a viable option to fund your online gaming account, there is a vast choice of payment methods available, all of which are safe and carefully regulated.