Tether (USDT) is a cryptocurrency that maintains a constant value of $1$. It is primarily used to counter the extreme volatility found in crypto markets. This feature also finds a perfect use case in the online gambling industry.
The stablecoin is one of crypto trading's most fluid tools, as it facilitates crypto-to-crypto transactions with incomparable volumes. In 2024, the token reached $100bln+ in market cap, with USDC second behind it and with a third of its capital.
Unsurprisingly, Tether bookmakers are some of the most sought-after. They provide an ideal way to enjoy the benefits of cryptocurrencies without exposure to volatility. Keep reading to find out about USDT's betting benefits, the networks that support it, and the bookies that accept it.
What Are The Top USDT Sports Betting Sites
We have gathered a list to help you filter out the rotten apples and find an enjoyable USDT sports betting site. The Tether betting sites we recommend offer you great bonuses, good payouts, and fast withdrawals. You can also check their respective dedicated reviews to get a better grasp of them.
Why you should try USDT Gambling
The main deterrent to cryptocurrency gambling is volatility. Your crypto capital is susceptible to random price swings that heavily affect your bankroll management. It takes extra time and patience to deal with that.
So, most bettors avoid cryptos and stick to traditional currencies to maintain their peace of mind. Well, Tether eliminates the annoying volatility factor. In this way, you can enjoy the anonymity and fast transaction speed of cryptocurrencies without any consequence.
Tether gambling may also be the ideal introduction to crypto bookmakers and casinos. As a new player, you will not have to do additional research about a specific coin. Moreover, bankroll management will be easier, as the Dollar value of Tether does not require additional calculations.
Tether Transaction Networks
Before proceeding to the Pros & Cons of Tether, it is important to identify the technical characteristics that account for the most mistakes made in USDT transactions. Tether transactions are facilitated by more than one network.
If you send funds to a wallet that does not support that specific network, you will lose them. The most common networks for Tether gambling purposes are Ethereum (ERC-20), Tron (TRC-20), Binance (BSC), Solana (SPL), and Polygon (POL).
When you click a bookie’s deposit methods, you must select one of the supported networks listed for the token. Make sure that you send your USDT to the correct one. ERC-20 is the most common but boasts high fees. The Tron network is faster and charges very low fees. Solana and Polygon are less popular but just as good.
Benefits of Tether Betting
USDT is available in many popular crypto exchanges. It also accounts for a major percentage of the trading volume. Therefore, there will be no liquidity issues. Also, most cryptocurrency and Fiat pairings in exchanges are based on USDT.
That means you can easily trade Tether with other cryptocurrencies or a traditional currency, minimizing fee charges. Other main advantages of Tether can be grouped as below.
✔️ Anonymous Transactions
Regardless of the network used, all transactions via Tether are registered in the respective network’s blockchain. Therefore, anybody can see them, but the wallets only hold an alphanumeric address.
Thus, no personal information will be available to see. Moreover, most crypto-friendly bookies do not request a KYC process. Combining these two factors means you can keep a low profile while Tether gambling.
✔️ 100% Deposit Acceptance Rate
As in all cryptocurrencies, the technology behind Tether prevents any failed deposits. They are conducted quickly and securely in a blockchain network that guarantees the transfer of funds. You will face no disruptions in your betting activity by having to contact support.
✔️ No Third-Party between payments
The blockchain technology we mentioned eliminates the need for a third party to confirm the payments. That is done peer-to-peer, so your transaction with the bookie will be direct. It also prevents disruptive audits or AML checks, so you will not face any blocked funds or frozen accounts.
✔️ No Volatility
It is indisputably the main advantage of Tether gambling. You can convert your Fiat funds to USDT, and the value will remain unchanged. The crypto market conditions will have no consequences. In this way, you can easily know how much you deposit and what you gain and lose. This is common with all coins based on the US dollar. You can also stabilise the value of your bankroll in any of our approved USD Coin betting sites.
✔️ Crypto Bonuses
Usually, crypto bonuses and promotions hold a higher value compared to their traditional counterparts. That is because the processing costs of cryptos are lower than those of conventional banking methods. In addition, Tether gambling sites allow you to claim these lucrative offers without being afraid of volatility, as we have mentioned above.
✔️ Low Fees
This currently applies mainly to non-Ethereum USDT transactions. For example, as of September 2023, a TRC-20 payment costs less than a cent. ERC-20 holds much higher fees and lower speed. The appearance of new USDT channels is another perk. Tether bookies can easily add other existing Tether networks with low fees; this networking is considered a trait of top betting sites.
✔️ Fast Transaction Speed
(As of September 2023). Payments via Tron, Solana and Polygon are settled within a few seconds. As such, you will find the token in any of our certified instant withdrawal bookmakers. In contrast, ERC-20 transfers need 10-60 minutes. Currently, Ethereum-based transactions benefit from the fact that more merchants accept them and that they add a layer of safety.
Drawbacks of Tether Gambling
Tether eliminates the volatility factor, but it is still a cryptocurrency. You must deal with crypto exchanges, token-specific wallets, and weird technical terms. Traditional banking methods are still more user-friendly. A wrong transaction leaves you helpless, usually unable to retrieve lost funds.
Last but not least, the company behind Tether has been accused multiple times of shady practices, which we will mention later. First, let’s look at the other main disadvantages of Tether betting.
❌ Offshore Licencing
Offshore regulators license almost all crypto-friendly bookmakers. These licenses are less reliable and may lead to unpleasant situations if a dispute arises. Due diligence is needed before opening an account. We also recommend checking our approved sportsbook selections above.
❌ Different Networks are Confusing
Many Tethers lie lost in the wrong networks, as their incorrect transfer led them to a dead end. This common rookie mistake happens frequently when tokens are transferred to multiple blockchains. Therefore, be very careful when initiating a Tether payment.
A good way to be safe is to send a small amount to the desired wallet address. Then, if it is successful, you can proceed to the main funds’ transfer without being afraid of a possible mistype or wrong network. The multiple available networks could be considered a disadvantage for USDT gambling, as they add another layer of difficulty.
❌ More Trustworthy Competitors
As you will see below, Tether faces several accusations for transparency and compliance. The matter even escalated to a legal dispute with the New York Attorney General, but that has been settled. Many players might feel uneasy trading their hard-earned money with a shady token. There are other alternatives to Tether, which are more transparent and relatively secure. Nevertheless, no one has lost any Tether funds due to company issues until now.
❌ Centralized Cryptocurrency
While Tether relies on decentralized blockchains for transactions, the company behind it is fully centralized. That means that you will have to trust the people behind it. It also goes against the hardcore crypto mentality. Coupled with the shady actions of the people behind it, Tether gambling may be a no-go zone for many users.
Tether Betting - What You Need to Know
Tether and other cryptocurrencies that maintain a stable value are called ‘stablecoins’. They are usually pegged to the Dollar, but there are options for Euro, Yuan, and other common national currencies.
Stablecoins were initially invented to provide a safe port to store crypto capital. Nonetheless, they are now also preferred for their ease of transaction, as USDT transfers are much faster than normal USD ones.
The iGaming industry could not let this opportunity slip, of course, as it holds much potential. Despite being a controversial case, Tether is still the most popular stablecoin. Not only does it power a big chunk of the crypto world, but it is also one of the fastest rising bookmakers' payment methods.
The Creation & Controversy of Tether
The Tether project was first presented in July 2014 as ‘Realcoin’. The name Tether appeared after a rebrand later that year. The first trades began in January 2015, when the Bitfinex exchange listed Tether on their platform.
USDT’s first network was the Omni layer, based on Bitcoin’s blockchain. Since then, Tether has evolved to be the major stablecoin in terms of market capitalization. However, there have been several controversies that followed the token.
First, the companies behind USDT and the Bitfinex exchange have a weird relationship, and it was rumoured that the same people are behind these entities. Second, it is unclear whether Tether backs up every digital token with real US Dollars, as none of the big four audit companies agreed to review them. As an alternative, the company has been giving balance statements, and there have been audits accepted by regulators.
Additionally, Tether has been accused of manipulating the price of Bitcoin from late 2017 upwards. However, the most important case was a lawsuit against Tether and Bitfinex filed by New York’s Attorney General in 2019.
The argument was that Bitfinex used Tether’s client reserves to cover financial losses. There was a settlement in February 2021. Bitfinex had to pay a fine and end all activities, including Tether trading in New York State. Consider this case before initiating your Tether gambling activity.
Tether vs. Bitcoin
Tether and Bitcoin are two different worlds. They have different use cases, and it is unfitting to compare them. Tether is a centralized stablecoin whose primary use is to counter crypto volatility.
Bitcoin is the world’s first cryptocurrency. It leads the crypto market, and you can think of it as digital gold. Their main connection is that one of Tether’s original networks, the OMNI protocol, is based on Bitcoin.
Kickstart your Tether Betting
First of all, you need to set up a Tether wallet. You can find online wallets, desktop and mobile apps, and offline hardware. There are quite a few options, and there are no optimal solutions. Do your research to choose the best one that suits your needs.
Ensure it also supports your Tether network of preference to avoid future unpleasant surprises. Next in line is creating a crypto exchange account unless you already have one. For USDT, we recommend Binance, Kraken, and KuCoin.
Make all transactions with Tether gambling sites from your personal wallet only. There have been cases where exchanges banned accounts that had direct transactions with crypto sportsbooks and casinos. Crypto bookie reviews like our Vave review can reveal more about that.
How to Deposit to a USDT Gambling Site
⏩ Buy USDT from the exchange: You can do this by debit card, bank transfer, or e-wallets. Almost all exchanges trade USDT directly with Dollars, Euros, Pounds and other traditional currencies.
⏩ Transfer USDT to your wallet: Before depositing it into a Tether bookie, you will have to send USDT to your wallet. Find the transfer option, and type in your wallet address. Then, you will have to select the transfer network. Check what networks your wallet supports. Also, remember that exchanges may charge additional fees on top of the network charges.
⏩ Deposit USDT to the bookie: Open an account at a Tether bookmaker of your choice. Select the Tether deposit method in the cashier section. An alphanumeric hash will appear, and that is your wallet with the betting site.
It is the address to which you must send your USDT to fund your account. Open your personal wallet and find the transfer option. To avoid typing mistakes, copy-paste the address that shows up in the bookie. Again, check the available USDT networks the bookie offers and send your funds appropriately. A mistake here will cause you to lose the deposit, so be very careful.
How to Withdraw from a USDT Bookmaker
⏩ Transfer the winnings to your wallet: After a big win, you will probably want to enjoy your newly acquired funds. Go to the cashier section and select Tether as the withdrawal option. A tab will appear where you must type in your personal USDT wallet address. Again, be sure to select the correct network. Confirm your request.
⏩ Cash-out your winnings: After the bookmaker authorizes your withdrawal request, you will receive your funds between a few seconds and a few hours, depending on the network you selected. When you receive them in your wallet, you can transfer them to the exchange again for other cryptos or Fiat currencies. Keep in mind that some exchanges offer debit cards. This lets you use your winnings immediately without moving them to a bank or another payment service.
Is Tether Gambling Safe
Sure, Tether is surrounded by different controversies, and you should be aware of them. Nevertheless, if you dig enough into most cryptocurrencies, you will find questionable facts and people claiming they are scams.
The reality is that no one has ever lost Tether capital, so if you are looking into gambling with stablecoins, it is still the safest option. Moreover, the networks in which Tether transactions are settled are secure and robust. You will face no issues whatsoever.
There will also be no legal issues unless you live in New York State, where USDT is banned. If you can access online gambling sites legally, you can trade the token and top up your bookie's balance without issue. Additionally, your USDT gambling winnings are not taxed automatically.
Fiscal authorities do not directly access your crypto transactions. As good as that may sound, we do not endorse tax fraud. Be aware that a thorough investigation can trace anonymous transactions back to your person.
Is Tether Gambling Worth it
The reality is that crypto-friendly gambling sites are on the rise. An important factor is that the low cost of cryptocurrency transactions is too good for bookies to ignore. Moreover, ongoing country-specific regulations eliminate many options for bettors, as many sportsbooks become unavailable.
Crypto bookmakers are the perfect countermeasure to this issue, as they mostly manage to circumvent the restrictions. Serious players should consider crypto betting to maintain their edge by having multiple options available.
My opinion is that Tether betting sites are the perfect solution. The fewer geographic restrictions are not the only reason. You will have access to all the benefits of cryptos without worrying about the fluctuation of your bankroll’s value.
Also, by choosing USDT gambling, you will not have to dive deep into the crypto world. In contrast to most crypto projects, Tether has a pretty simple target: Maintaining a stable price. Provided that you are not discouraged by the controversies surrounding it, I believe you should try it.
USDT is the ticker used in exchanges for Tether, like BTC for Bitcoin. ‘Tether limited’ is the name of the centralized company behind it.
Initially, the Tether company held 1 Dollar for each USDT, fully backing them with cash equivalent. However, Tether now claims that the backing includes collaterals like assets and loans receivables, not only cash reserves.
Despite all controversies surrounding Tether, no end-user ever suffered losses. It is the most popular stablecoin. However, if you do not feel comfortable holding Tether capital, many other supposedly safer options are available.
Yes, Tether transactions and gambling are only banned in New York State. If you can legally gamble with other currencies, you may as well do it with USDT.
Most popular exchanges offer Tether trading. You can buy Tether by setting up an exchange account and buying it there with a FIAT currency of your choice.