Blockchain poker has revolutionised the iGaming industry by capitalising on the power of decentralised networks. Rather than using fiat currency, blockchain-powered poker games allow players to make deposits and withdraw winnings with cryptocurrency. The state-of-the-art blockchain technology has attracted the attention of players as well as gambling operators. Crypto enthusiasts are eager to take full advantage of this groundbreaking concept to offer a more exciting gaming experience at online casinos.
With blockchain technology, poker platform operators can provide a robust solution and foster trust among players. For most, what makes a blockchain poker game worth playing is the fact that there is a high level of transparency and security. Moreover, anyone can play, and there is no need to worry about the safety of online transactions. The technology also helps resolve other issues related to game speed, transaction costs, and processing times. Cryptocurrency advocates also support the use of blockchain technology to foster fair play.
If you are new to blockchain poker, you should start by understanding how it works. Moreover, it helps to know the benefits of using blockchain technology and crypto payment methods at online poker platforms. This guide will help you get familiar with the intricacies of blockchain poker.
What Is Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain technology plays a crucial role at the top online poker gaming platforms that support crypto payments. The term blockchain refers to a digitally distributed ledger where all actions and transactions are safely recorded and stored. This system is decentralised and immutable, helping to record transactions across various computers. It is protected with cutting-edge cryptography to guarantee data and transaction safety.
Transactions on the blockchain are facilitated by a network of nodes. The latter refers to a network of devices such as computers. With this, it is impossible to delete or alter the blockchain without consensus from other nodes. In simple terms, the blockchain eliminates potential trust issues by creating a decentralised network. While full nodes in networks like Bitcoin store the entire blockchain and verify transactions, light nodes rely on full nodes for validation and do not participate directly in transaction verification. Therefore, users normally enjoy a high level of transparency when transacting on the blockchain. The distributed applications are self-regulatory, so all payments are safe and secure.
Other noteworthy reasons to use blockchain technology include low transaction fees and a variety of payment methods. The most common cryptocurrencies powered by blockchain technology include Bitcoin and Ethereum. Bitcoin and some other crypto coins are created through mining, a process through which computers solve complicated mathematical problems, while others, like Ethereum 2.0, use Proof of Stake, which involves validators securing the network by staking coins. Moreover, users can buy digital coins from cryptocurrency exchanges and store them in crypto wallets.
How Blockchain Poker Actually Works
The exceptional properties of blockchain technology have led to its use in different industries, and the online poker gaming sector is no exception. Blockchain poker games combine the thrill of playing traditional poker with blockchain technology to offer an improved gaming experience. Operators who are willing to utilise the new technology can attract more crypto users by ensuring transparency, security, and fairness on their platforms.
Since crypto poker relies on a decentralised network, every payment, wager, or hand dealt is recorded on a public ledger that no one can modify. The records are immutable and players can use the ledger to verify game fairness. The use of smart contracts is another notable feature that makes blockchain poker a reliable choice for most players. These digital contracts are automatically executed on the blockchain with terms and conditions to which all users agree. They help with rule enforcement and can be used to automate payments.
Cryptocurrency integration is another essential feature of blockchain poker sites. These platforms can facilitate secure deposits and withdrawals with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, and other popular cryptocurrencies. Such payment methods are a major attraction for players who want to deposit money fast and safely while enjoying low transaction costs. They provide a more convenient way to play real-money poker games without using fiat currency. Moreover, cryptos can be used by gamblers and operators worldwide.
The process of playing blockchain poker is simple. Players only need to choose a blockchain-based poker site and sign up. They can then use a crypto wallet to deposit funds and play online poker games with the deposited money. Those who win can also use blockchain-based banking methods to withdraw their winnings quickly and safely. The blockchain handles all payments on the network and provides comprehensive and transparent game records. All processes are fair and easy to verify.
Benefits of Blockchain Poker Games
This thorough blockchain poker review by EvenBet’s experts shows that there are many benefits to using blockchain technology. There are many reasons why new and experienced gamblers may have a preference for blockchain or crypto poker games. Here is a summary of the benefits of designing poker games powered by blockchain technology.
Fair Gaming
On some platforms, blockchain-powered poker games can use provably fair protocols and advanced computer algorithms that allow players to verify game outcomes. Gamblers can independently check the fairness of each game and every hand. Blockchain poker also uses accredited random number generators (RNGs) to produce arbitrary results that cannot be changed.
Enhanced Transparency
The public ledger on a blockchain allows users to trace every wager, activity, or game result. Thus, the poker site operator and players are held accountable for all actions. Moreover, all transactions are recorded on the ledger, so it is easy to detect cheating in poker.
Many Payment Options
Access to a variety of blockchain-powered cryptocurrencies is another noteworthy advantage. Many new crypto payment methods have emerged since the inception of Bitcoin. Players only need to visit a crypto exchange to purchase their favourite cryptocurrencies.
Data Security
All payments on the blockchain are protected with advanced cryptography. The player’s personal and banking information is encrypted to safeguard against hackers and other unauthorised users. Operators also use SSL and TLS protocols to offer safe gaming platforms.
Low Transaction Costs
The cost of transacting on the blockchain is generally lower than the expenses associated with using traditional payment methods. In most cases, users only incur a small network fee, and the top operators facilitate secure payments with cryptos without charging extra fees.
Tokenised Incentives for Players
Blockchain poker gaming platforms can boost player engagement by offering tokenised rewards. This includes offering native tokens to players who play games, join tournaments, or bring in referrals. Such rewards can be traded or exchanged for other currencies.
Security and Player Protection on Blockchain Poker Platforms
Safety is one of the essential online poker platform features every operator or player should consider. Blockchain poker platforms provide a secure gambling environment with superior-quality safety features to protect all parties involved. As mentioned earlier, privacy and anonymity are notable benefits since crypto transactions are not directly tied to the personal identities of blockchain users.
Players can also choose from a variety of trusted payment methods. This includes the world’s leading cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and other major blockchain-based digital payment methods. With these options, poker players only need the gambling platform’s crypto address to deposit. Moreover, gamers can safely transfer winnings to their crypto wallets using their unique addresses. Cryptographic security behind crypto addresses makes all deposits and withdrawals extremely safe.
Thanks to the cryptographic techniques used on the blockchain, no one can access a player’s sensitive information. All banking data is encrypted, so users on the network can rest assured that every transaction is protected. Moreover, the option to verify game outcomes increases trust and fairness. Protection against cheating is another crucial security feature. The decentralised nature of blockchain eliminates the risk of manipulating game results. This is a huge advantage for gamblers who want to be sure that online poker games are not rigged.
Withdrawals and Payment Methods on Blockchain Poker
Top-rated poker game developers ensure that players have access to a variety of cryptocurrency payment gateways. The goal is to make the deposit and withdrawal process as easy as possible. As mentioned before, the leading poker platforms supporting cryptocurrencies allow players to use Bitcoin, Ether, Ripple, Dogecoin, and Litecoin for payments. These payment methods appeal to gamblers and operators due to their ability to facilitate pseudonymous, transparent, and secure transactions. The table below provides a quick overview of popular crypto payment methods used on blockchain-based poker sites, outlining key factors like deposit times, transaction fees, and scalability.
Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time | Transaction Fees | Network Speed | Scalability | |
Bitcoin | 10 minutes to an hour | 10 minutes to an hour | Medium to high | Slow, 7 transactions per second | Limited, high congestion during peak times |
Ether | A few minutes | A few minutes | Medium to high, gas fees fluctuate | Faster than Bitcoin | Improving with Ethereum 2.0 |
Ripple | Instant | Instant | Low | Very fast, 1,500 tps | Highly scalable |
Dogecoin | 1 minute | 1 minute | Low | Faster than Bitcoin, 30 tps | Moderate, but supported by its community |
Litecoin | 2-5 minutes | 2-5 minutes | Low | Faster than Bitcoin, 56 tps | More scalable than Bitcoin |
Withdrawals via some fiat banking methods, such as bank transfers and cards, may take several business days to process. On the other hand, crypto payment options allow online poker players to deposit funds instantly and withdraw winnings in minutes. With funds transferred directly to a unique address, crypto payments offer one of the safest and fastest payment methods for real-money gamblers.
With crypto payments, players receive a larger percentage of their winnings. Additionally, cryptos are borderless, so they are a great choice for different types of players with unique needs. Users don’t need to worry about costly currency exchange rates. The only possible drawback is the volatile nature of some cryptocurrencies.
Cryptos are also easy to use on online poker platforms. Players can use traditional banking methods such as cards and e-wallets to buy their preferred crypto coins from exchanges. Once they store the funds in a crypto wallet, they can quickly transfer the money to an online poker site, use it to play blockchain poker, and seamlessly withdraw their gambling gains.
The Evolution of Blockchain Poker
Online casinos that use crypto payment methods have been around since the mid 2010s. The integration of blockchain technology was a new concept back then, but it has gained popularity in recent years. Many popular online casino sites and sportsbooks have embraced blockchain-based payment methods and new technologies that make it possible to play anonymously while capitalising on decentralised applications and smart contracts.
Today, blockchain poker has captured the attention of many gamers who value their privacy. While not all operators have developed blockchain gaming platforms, those who have embraced the new technology now have the power to stay ahead of the game. They appeal to tech-savvy players as well as crypto fans who want to try something new for an improved experience.
While there are notable challenges regarding regulatory compliance, acceptance by players, and scalability to handle more transactions, the future of blockchain technology in poker looks promising. We expect this technology to continue evolving, leading to the creation of more decentralised poker gambling platforms with transparent transactions, provably fair games, and enhanced accessibility worldwide.
Conclusion
Blockchain poker is gradually revolutionising the iGaming landscape, allowing players to play safe games on decentralised platforms where transactions are pseudonymous, transparent, and immutable. With blockchain technology, the risk of tampering with game results or cheating in poker is significantly low, boosting player confidence and improving the overall gaming experience. By partnering with a well-known poker game development company like EvenBet Gaming, iGaming operators can create innovative poker gaming platforms for crypto users.