Who is this for?
This guide is for bettors who already use crypto or are thinking about it, and want to know whether Bitcoin or Ethereum is the better choice for deposits, withdrawals, and day-to-day betting.
What you’ll learn
By the end of this module, you’ll understand:
- How Bitcoin and Ethereum compare on transaction fees
- How quickly transactions confirm on each network
- Which coin offers the most practical usability for bettors
Contents
Introduction: Bitcoin vs Ethereum in crypto betting
Bitcoin and Ethereum are the two most common cryptocurrencies used in online gambling. Both make it possible to move money in and out of sportsbooks faster than traditional banking methods, without banks or intermediaries. But they don’t work the same way. Bitcoin is known for its security and near-universal support, while Ethereum is designed to process transactions more quickly and power a wide range of applications. The differences in fees, speed, and usability can change how smooth your betting experience feels.
Fees: predictable vs variable
Bitcoin transaction fees are fairly steady. In 2024 and 2025, the average cost to send Bitcoin has hovered around US$1 per transaction. However, fees can rise during busy periods, when networks are congested, but these spikes are usually short-lived.
Ethereum fees work differently. Every action on the network requires a payment known as “gas,” and the cost depends on how busy the network is. During hype cycles in 2024, average fees jumped as high as US$28 per transaction, making small transfers expensive.
Since then, upgrades and scaling solutions have helped reduce costs. By mid-2025, the average Ethereum transaction fee was under US$0.50.
For bettors, the difference is that Bitcoin tends to be more predictable, while Ethereum can swing between very cheap and suddenly pricey.
Did you know?
In May 2023, Bitcoin fees spiked so high that the average transaction cost more than US$30 . The cause wasn’t sports betting, but people minting NFTs and tokens directly on the Bitcoin blockchain. Around the same time, Ethereum’s network was hit by a memecoin trading frenzy that pushed average gas fees above US$28. For bettors moving $50 or $100 at a time, those fees could have wiped out the value of the transfer.
Speed: minutes vs seconds
Bitcoin’s network adds a new block about every ten minutes. Sportsbooks usually wait for several blocks to confirm before crediting a deposit, which means it often takes 30 to 60 minutes before your funds are ready to play. That’s fine if you’re topping up for the weekend, but it can feel slow if you want to jump on a live bet.
Ethereum works faster. New blocks are added roughly every 12 seconds, and deposits are usually confirmed within a few minutes. Even at busy times, you’re rarely waiting more than five minutes for funds to show up. For bettors, that can be the difference between watching odds slip away and getting your wager in on time.
Usability: acceptance and practicality
Bitcoin is the default option for crypto betting. If a site takes digital currencies, it takes BTC. It’s simple to use: you send Bitcoin to the site’s address, pay a small fee, and wait for confirmation. Its main downside is speed, not usability.
Ethereum is also widely accepted, though not quite as universal. It introduces more flexibility: you can transfer ETH, use tokens built on Ethereum, and even interact with decentralized betting platforms that run on smart contracts. The catch is that you need ETH not just to place bets, but also to pay the transaction fee, and that fee can vary.
For most bettors, though, sending ETH to a sportsbook looks and feels much like sending Bitcoin. It’s worth mentioning that ETH’s ERC-20 tokens (USDT, USDC) are growing in sportsbook use, especially for players seeking stablecoin value protection.
Bitcoin vs Ethereum comparison
| Factor | Bitcoin (BTC) | Ethereum (ETH) |
| Fees | Averages about $1; stable, with occasional spikes | Averages under $0.50 in 2025; can surge during peaks |
| Speed | 30–60 minutes for deposits and withdrawals | 1–5 minutes on average |
| Usability | Universally accepted; simple, stable | Widely supported; faster, flexible but less universal |
Myth: “Bitcoin is always cheaper than Ethereum”
It sounds logical: Bitcoin is the older network, so it must be cheaper to use. But that isn’t always the case. On an average day in 2025, Ethereum transfers often cost less than Bitcoin because more activity has shifted to cheaper side networks and scaling tools. At the same time, during a network surge, either coin can become expensive. The reality is that neither currency is “always” cheaper — it depends on timing.
ETH vs BTC: Which works better for betting?
The strength in betting with Bitcoin lies in its reliability and universal support. If you want to make sure you can deposit anywhere and don’t mind waiting a little, BTC is hard to beat. However, betting with Ethereum gives you speed. Deposits and withdrawals are much quicker, which makes it attractive for live betting and fast cashouts.
There’s no rule that says you have to pick just one. Many players deposit with ETH when speed matters and withdraw with BTC when they want maximum compatibility. Either way, both options let you avoid traditional banking delays and take advantage of the benefits of crypto.
