Legal Online Betting With Bitcoin Lightning

Yes, there are no laws at the state or federal level in the United States that prohibit the use of Bitcoin for betting online. We have yet to spot any locally regulated gambling sites that accept cryptocurrency of any kind, but most offshore betting sites prefer crypto deposits and payouts.   

Each legal betting site sets its minimums and maximums for Bitcoin Lightning payouts and deposits. As of July 2025, the BTC LN transaction range at our most-trusted betting sites is as follows:

Bovada LV

• Deposits: Minimum $0.0002 BCL, Maximum $5,000
• Payouts: Minimum $10, Maximum $5,000 (daily)

BetUS

• Deposits: Minimum $100, Maximum $2,000
• Payouts: Minimum $50, Maximum $5,000

Ignition Casino

• Deposits: Minimum $0.0002 BCL, Maximum $5,000
• Payouts: Minimum $10, Maximum $1,000 (daily)

Café Casino LV

• Deposits: Minimum $0.0002 BCL, Maximum $5,000
• Payouts: Minimum $10, Maximum $5,000 (daily)

The Lightning Network is a Bitcoin scaling layer that facilitates fast off-chain transactions, retaining the security and encryption of the blockchain. It employs payment channels between users, logging transactions only when the channels close, thereby easing the blockchain load. Smart contracts enable trustless exchanges, and nodes route payments through linked channels for instant settlement.

There are no fees attached to any Bitcoin Lightning transactions at any of the legal online betting sites that we recommend in this guide. Your exchange account or digital wallet may add additional fees.

Yes, you can use Bitcoin Lightning to gamble online anywhere in the USA when combining the coverage of all the online betting brands listed here. Some sites do restrict access from within specific states, so always check the terms of membership before creating an account. Due to these restrictions, we recommend joining each site listed here to ensure nationwide coverage. 

If you choose to use a digital wallet as opposed to an online exchange, you will need a Lightning-compatible wallet to trade, deposit, and get paid using the Bitcoin Lightning Network. Wallet of Satoshi is an excellent wallet for beginners, while more experienced traders may prefer Phoenix Wallet, Muun Wallet, Breez Wallet, BlueWallet, or Electrum. We use Wallet of Satoshi, but have also had great experiences with Muun Wallet. 

The Lightning Network was originally built for Bitcoin, but it also supports a few other cryptocurrencies, including Litecoin. Lightning is primarily used for BTC, with limited support for select altcoins that have adopted compatible protocols. We estimate that new, similar networks will be developed in the future for other blockchain-based altcoins. 

If a Lightning transaction fails, the payment does not go through, and your funds remain in your wallet, though you may lose a small routing fee. If a transaction is disputed (such as a fraudulent channel close), there is a contest period during which you can prove your claim and reclaim your funds. If you stay offline for too long, you risk losing your funds if you miss this window. We have yet to experience a disruption or a failed transaction on the Lightning Network. 

Yes, many legal betting sites that accept cryptocurrency offer special bonus offers when you deposit with Bitcoin using the Lightning Network. You can get bonus cash to use at the gambling site based on a percentage of your deposit. Read the listed terms at each site to find out the details of completion and to locate any gambling bonus codes before accepting any promos. We often choose to deposit smaller amounts to make the terms more easily achievable. 

During times of low congestion, Bitcoin Lightning transactions at online gambling sites should take less than ten seconds to process. During peak traffic times, deposits and payouts over the Lightning Network may take up to fifteen minutes. One thing to remember is that the clock starts on payout timelines when the betting site approves of the withdrawal, not when you request it. Our transactions have always been completed in fewer than ten minutes.