What do US Poker Sites want for Xmas? Bitcoin!

US poker sites are looking to increase the volume of players using Bitcoin by offering special bonuses and promotions over the festive season.

The price of Bitcoin has made a recovery since it hit $3,200 a couple of weeks ago and is currently trading near $4,000. Many analysts are predicting the price has hit rock bottom, that the recovery will continue, and that there will be a significant price increase over the next twelve months – although opinions vary by how much.

The recovery is good news for investors holding Bitcoin from before last year´s peak, and for those who jumped in when the price fell last month – and the potential for further gains has not been lost on USA poker sites, who are offering special Bitcoin bonuses and promotions over the festive season. Here´s my snapshot of what´s on offer.

Enhanced First Deposit Bonuses for Bitcoin Depositors

Americas Cardroom was the first mainstream online poker site to provide players with the facility to deposit and withdraw using Bitcoin in 2014. Three years later, the site extended its cashier to accept more than sixty different currencies. The facility was subsequently extended to all sites affiliated with the Winning Poker Network (Black Chip Poker, True Poker, and Ya Poker).

Now, for a limited time only, these four sites are offering new players the opportunity to take advantage of a 200% bonus on first deposits up to $1,000 (instead of 100%) when they first fund their accounts using Bitcoin. Because the bonus is available network-wide, it means if you already have an account with (say) Americas Cardroom, you can create a new account with (say) Black Chip Poker in order to take advantage of the promotion. Please note Ya Poker does not accept players from the USA.

$10,000 Freeroll Tournament for Bitcoin Depositors

Over at BetOnline Poker, the site has a tremendous offer for both new and existing players. Simply make a deposit of $20 or more via one of the site´s accepted cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dash, Litecoin, or Ethereum) and you will be awarded a seat in a freeroll tournament taking place on Sunday 6th January with a $10,000 prize pool. There is no specific bonus code to use in order to take advantage of this promotion, but your qualifying deposit must be made before midnight on December 31st.

If you are new to BetOnline and enjoy betting on sports, you also have the opportunity to take advantage of a special first deposit offer when you deposit using cryptocurrency. New players are eligible to claim a 100% bonus on their first deposit up to $1,000 (instead of 50% up to $1,000 for fiat currencies), while existing players can increase their lifetime sports betting deposit bonus from 25% to 35% by reloading their accounts via one of BetOnline´s accepted cryptocurrencies.

Bitcoin Bonuses for Casino Action at Bovada and Ignition

Bovada and Ignition are not offering Bitcoin poker bonuses this year. Instead they are continuing their Bitcoin promotions for first time depositors at their online casinos and sportsbook. Only Bovada operates a sportsbook at present, so the bonus offers are a little different from each other:

• Bovada is offering a three-times-use 150% bonus on Bitcoin casino deposits up to $1,500, and a 50% bonus up to $500 on Bitcoin sportsbook deposits.
• Ignition is offering a one-time-use 200% bonus on Bitcoin casino deposits up to $2,000 – whereas new players depositing via fiat currencies only receive a 100% bonus up to $1,000.

How to Take Advantage of these Opportunities

If you are not familiar with buying cryptocurrencies and using them to fund online accounts, each of the sites mentioned above have a comprehensive online guide to help you. Their customer service teams are also familiar with helping players deposit via cryptocurrencies; so, if you encounter any issues, do not hesitate to get in touch with them and take advantage of their experience and expertise.

It´s also worth remembering that, when you make a deposit at an online poker site with a cryptocurrency, the dollar value is what is credited to your account. It doesn´t matter whether the price of Bitcoin subsequently increases or falls – your dollar value stays the same. Obviously, US poker sites are clearly hoping the price rises, or they would not be offering such great Xmas incentives!