Bovada Legit
Bovada is legal for all USA players, and it always has been since its creation. The reason why Bovada is legal to use as a gambling outlet in the United States is that Bovada is located offshore. Bovada Poker is a popular spin-off of Bodog Poker, a proven leader in online poker since its inception in 2004. However, options for playing real money poker in the United States have been limited since.
Bovada Poker – My #1 recommended poker site. They have been my top dog (bodog) for over a decade. I’ve had dinner and drinks with them and I trust them personally. If my friends ask where should they play, I say Bovada.
Name | Bovada |
Website | Bovada.lv |
Games | Texas Hold'em, Omaha |
Bonus | 100% to $500 (poker only) |
Deposits | |
Payouts | |
Network | PaiWangLuo |
Online Since | 2011 |
Software | Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Instant Play |
My adventures with the team behind Bovada began back in 2004. Although the brand I worked with back then was known as Bodog. Regardless of which brand, the core principles of the company have remained the same and ones that I am proud to work with.
After many years of hard work we became one of Bovada’s biggest affiliates. They invited us and other top affiliates to trips in sunny destinations. I know the team behind the scenes and they are as legit as it gets.
From the poker player side, Bovada became my favorite place to play online poker after Black Friday April 15th, 2011. Prior to that I was a Full Tilt and PokerStars junkie. Those sites were bigger, I liked the software better and of course game selection. Once those sites were forced out of the US, I moved most of my play to Bovada.
They released new poker software in 2019 for the poker client and to say it is a huge improvement is an understatement. It is easy to use, sleek and in my opinion much better than the system they used before.
Bovada offers US friendly poker, boasting the largest player pool serving most of the US right now. Additionally they have a top rated sportsbook with live in-game betting, prop bets and competitive odds to all the major and minor sports you can think of. Finally they have a casino with the latest table games, interactive video slot machines and a live dealer via webcam option for some table games like blackjack and roulette.
Screenshots
Is Bovada Legit as a Company?
So the team behind the Bovada brand has been in the business nearly as long as any of the online sportsbooks, casino and poker rooms that still exist today. I am talking 18+ years now.
Simply put, you are not still in business after 18 years if you are not honest, reputable and have a history of fair (but firm) interactions with players, business associates and affiliate partners.
Bovada is at the top of their game and while you will find plenty of complaints from sports bettors and poker players, the general consensus is that they are legit. I know for certain that they have paid out huge winners, in full and consistently do so.
They are legit. They want your action and give you an honest shot at winning. When you win you get paid.
Are the Bovada Poker Games Rigged?
Ahh, an argument as old as time itself. Are the games rigged on Bovada to induce action or to favor the fish?
You know how it goes… you will get it in good and someone lucks outs with a two-outer against you for your stack. Happens time and time and time again you will hear. You will hear that the fish catches the miracle card on the river to beat the good players over and over and over.
The short answer is that there is no compelling financial incentive that is worth it to Bovada to rig the games or to have action inducing flops. The risk of being exposed of having a non-random number generation mechanism for delivering the cards that could be statistically proven beyond a shadow of a doubt would be to great of a risk. Just use a random number generator.
Is Bovada Legal, Regulated and Licensed?
Online poker being legal or illegal depends on where in the world you live. For most of the USA, online poker is not illegal. Bovada serves these areas as a legit online poker site.
As far as licensed and regulated, that used to be the case. However in 2016 the licensing from Kahnawake Gaming Commission revoked their longstanding license because they did not want to license any sites that served US players. This was additional fallout from online poker’s Black Friday.
However, just because a site is regulated and licensed does not mean that they are legit. And just because a site is not licensed or regulated does not mean they are automatically shady. The truth of the matter is that Bovada is the largest US centric online poker site and has no desire to rig their games and risk their reputation.
How To Use Bitcoin On Bovada
Bovada loves bitcoin and it shows. Once logged in, visit the Cashier and you will see who has the top spots on their ‘deposit options’ chart.
While bitcoin has the top billing, most Americans are still using credit cards for deposit. What this deposit option chart does not tell you is the success rate of making a deposit.
Credit cards are successful about 50-60% of the time. That means just about one in two people who want to deposit with a credit card can not.
Bitcoin deposit success rate is virtually 100%.
If you already have bitcoin then making a deposit is as simple as copying the send to address or scanning the QR code.
Choose how much in $USD to send and send it the appropriate amount of bitcoin.
If you need to buy bitcoin for poker then we show you how step by step.
Step By Step Guide To Use Bitcoin at Bovada.lv
- Open your Bovada Account
- Click Deposit > Bitcoin
- Open your personal bitcoin wallet (see my guide to bitcoin poker wallets)
- Scan the QR code Bovada provides or copy down the send to address.
- Paste the send to address
- Choose your amount of bitcoin to send (you will see the approximate USD value before sending if you use my recommended wallet)
- Confirm your send transaction.
- Within 60 seconds your deposit will appear in your Bovada account
- It will be converted into a $USD amount.
- You gamble with $USD amounts (not bitcoin amounts) playing poker or any sports bets / casino games.
- When you cash out your money is converted back into Bitcoin at the market rate and is sent to your personal wallet.
- From your personal wallet, you can sell your bitcoin and get $USD or do whatever you choose with your bitcoin.
Do you have bitcoin already? If yes you are good to go.
If not, take a few minutes and read our guide on how to get set up properly for bitcoin and gambling.
Remember – you gamble with USD denominated ‘chips’. Your account balance at Bovada is converted into a USD balance (not kept as bitcoin). When you are ready to cash out from Bovada back to your wallet is when your Bovada account balance is converted back into Bitcoin, at the market rate at that point in time, and sent to your wallet.
The price of bitcoin is constantly going up and down so depending on the value you may end up with more or less bitcoin even if you deposit and withdraw the same amount a few days later.
Bitcoin Cash at Bovada
Bovada also accepts Bitcoin Cash. This is a separate crypto currency coin than Bitcoin. It is usually represented with a green logo instead of orange.
BCH is the ticker symbol. If you check a site like CoinMarketCap.com you can see prices of the top crypto-currencies. When publishing this content, the price per bitcoin cash is considerably less than Bitcoin.
The individual price does not really matter since both can be divided out into tiny fractions of coins but there are some advantages of using Bitcoin Cash. Namely, super inexpensive transaction fees. Bitcoin Cash focuses on usability and low fee’s.
It’s a great way to buy a cup of coffee where a mining fee of even $0.50 is significant. Bitcoin Cash usually has fee’s that are around fractions of a cent.
To use Bitcoin Cash instead of Bitcoin, you will need a different wallet than my normal recommended one for Bitcoin (GreenAddress).
I would suggest you do your own research but ultimately for these transactions you should be safe to use wallet.bitcoin.com wallet. Bitcoin.com is a bitcoin cash website and they also offer a built in p2p exchange where you can buy Bitcoin Cash.
- Research Bitcoin Cash (reddit / wikipedia)
- Spend Bitcoin Cash (deposit at Bovada)
Is Bovada Poker Safe For New Players?
Yes, I trust Bovada personally and believe they are legit as legit gets when it comes to US online poker sites.
For over a decade their business actions have reaffirmed their commitment to provide the best online gambling experience. They offer an honest and fair place to gamble online. When you win, you will be paid.
Things happen when gambling online and in any business venture. What matters is how the company responds to situations that arise. Time and time again Bovada has consistently responded in a fair, forthcoming and straightforward way. This isn’t to say there are not pissed off players who feel wronged, there are. Bovada doesn’t get all those flashy lights for nothing.
Only deposit what you can afford to lose. This rule goes for any and all gambling sites.
Most players, over time are likely to lose more than they are to win. If you are skilled at poker then this can be different for you but in general, players lose. Know this upfront and keep your gambling to entertainment money that you can afford to be without.
Today from the USA, if you are looking for real money online poker from a company that understands that the recreational poker players are the valuable members of the ecosystem then look no farther. If you are confused why the recreational gamblers are the valuable members then check out the philosophy behind Bovada’s decisions.
There are a handful of additional reviews of Bovada that reaffirm my belief that they are legit. As always I recommend you do your own due diligence.
Bovada Poker Reviews
I’m a big fan of you doing your own research on and brand and not blindly trusting anyone, even me.
Here are some of the best of the best reviews out there that I have found.
Additional Bovada Info
- Includes a Sportsbook and Casino
- Current largest player base online (US Only)
- Previous brand was known as Bodog
- Bodog was founded by son of pig farmers turned billionaire Calvin Ayre in early 2000’s. He is now “retired” and is working on crypto projects.
- Accepts players from all US states except those that are regulated, (Washington, Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania).
- Trust Factor
- Security
- Bonuses
- Payout Speed
Bovada Legit
Summary
We feel Bovada casino reflects the best the industry has to offer in many areas. They are part of the Bodog group, one of the oldest and most respected brands around. They pay faster than nearly everyone and now offer ultra fast payouts via Bitcoin – often in 24 hours or less. Collecting your winnings is easy to do. If you play and win big, you can expect your winnings to be paid promptly. That is crucial in our opinion, which is why they’ve earned the highest rating of all the sites we cover.
Hits
- Most Reputable Name In The Industry
- Sports, Poker And Casino Games Available
- Fast Payouts Guaranteed
- Mobile Betting Apps Available
- Bitcoin Accepted
- Now Offering Live Dealer Games
- Now Accepts Bovada Vouchers For Fast Account-To-Account Transfers
- Same-Day Payouts Available With Bitcoin And Vouchers
Misses
- Only USA, Brazil And Mexico Players Accepted – No Europeans
General Info
- Established: 2011
- Licensed: Parent Company
- Software: RTG, Rival + Betsoft
- USA Friendly: Yes
- Mobile Friendly: Yes
- Bonus: 100% Max $3,000
Introduction
With an appealing black and red theme which is reminiscent of brick-and-mortar Las Vegas-style casinos, Bovada offers over 200 casino, table, and specialty games, and is considered a legitimate USA friendly online casino as it caters exclusively to players in the United States.
Being owned and operated by Bodog, Bovada enjoys the support and backing of a parent company that is among the most trusted brands in the business. The Bovada casino delivers on-site access to a poker room, sportsbook and horse betting racebook, and the multiple banking options offered are familiar and trustworthy.
The site delivers several customer support contact options available 24/7, with generous welcome bonuses, ongoing player incentives and daily, weekly and seasonal promotions. For those of you who are on the go, a mobile casino delivers the Bovada experience to your smartphone or tablet, and there are both download and instant play features.
The standard blackjack, roulette, and other traditional casino table games are available, a live dealer casino is now open, as well as technologically advanced 3D slots and specialty games like Bonus Bingo, keno, scratch cards, Sic Bo and a virtual racebook. Both PC and Mac are supported, and the site software is fast and reliable. They are the sister site to Slots.lv Casino which was launched in 2013 as an expansion of the brand.
Is Bovada Casino Legitimate?
Legitimacy is generally determined by legal credentials, a trusted banking suite and a respected reputation in the online gaming industry. Bovada boasts all of these designations, while also delivering an extremely wide variety of games and other gambling options.
They are also part of the Bodog family, one of the first online gambling sites from back in the 1990's. So they've been around forever and have always had an excellent reputation for being fair and a trusted option for players.
Here Are Some Of The Key Reasons We Feel Bovada Casino Is Legit:
- Bodog, Bovada's parent company, has established itself as a trustworthy, reputable company that is dedicated to high-quality online casino gambling.
- Bovada utilizes industry-leading software solutions and security protocols
- You have access to basically double the number of games that you will find at the typical virtual casino.
- US player support includes multiple reliable banking options, including cryptocurrency
- Bovada supports Responsible Gaming and Fair Play..
Is Bovada Casino Safe?
Bovada utilizes reliable and frequently tested software which delivers a very high-quality experience for real money online casino gambling, delivering a secure environment that protects sensitive player information through advanced data encryption, fraud prevention software, as well as firewall and anti-virus protection.
The banking options provided are safe and dependable, and the overall reputation in the Internet gaming community is that Bovada is a legitimate and reputable brand, and is applauded for their willingness to invest in sophisticated online casino security technology.
Is Bovada Casino Legal In The US?
There are not any federal laws that prohibit the use of offshore online casinos by US players. In addition, only two states, Connecticut and Washington, specifically prohibit online casino gambling, regardless of the source. American gamblers in all other states can enjoy online gaming options at Bovada without violating any US gambling laws. You can learn more about legitimate casinos by state for insight into specific regions.
Does Bovada Accept Players From All Countries?
No. As a matter of fact, they only accept players from the United States. There are a few states that are excluded from acceptance, including DE, NJ, MD, and NV.
Current Bonuses And Promotions
Frequently there are special seasonal and one-time promotions and bonuses delivered. Table Mania Tuesdays, Video Poker Wednesday, Happy Hour Thursdays and Blackjack Weekends all provide special bonuses revolving around particular casino games. The site is most well-known for its $3,000 casino welcome bonus, however. This includes a 100% match bonus up to $1,000 on your first 3 deposits.
Bitcoin users get an extra shot in the arm and can claim a 150% bonus up to $1,500 redeemable 3 times for a total of $4,500 free.
Bovada also rewards you with a 'play more, get more' reward, delivering Casino Points to you for simply playing in the casino. These points can be redeemed for cash or playing credits, and the company is now offering an extra 100% match bonus redeemable once a week for up to $150 on slots, and $100 on casino games.
New Bovada Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership
Bovada was the first legitimate USA online casino to accept Bitcoin, and the site’s now the first operator to offer a brand-new membership tier for those who wish to deposit exclusively with BTC.
The new Bovada Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership takes everything you already know and love about using BTC to fund your betting account and adds even more value to the proposition.
Using Bitcoin at Bovada already allows you to claim enhanced Bitcoin gambling bonuses and same-day payouts along with 100% guaranteed transfers, but now you get even more Crisco for your crypto!
- Weekly Deposit Match Bonuses – 50% up to $500
- Weekly Free Spins – 25 free spins with each weekly BTC deposit ($30 minimum)
- Bonus Reward Points – 15,000 extra Bovada Rewards points for each weekly deposit ($30 minimum)
Bovada Sports
In order to upgrade your account to Bovada’s Premium Bitcoin-Exclusive Membership, just log in and navigate to the landing page for this brand-new promotion. There, click or tap the “Upgrade Now” button, and that’s all there is to it!
Even if you already deposit using only BTC at Bovada, you will need to upgrade to this new membership level to take advantage of all the extra cash, free spins, and Bovada Rewards on offer. Fortunately, upgrading is fast and easy, costs nothing, and makes your legitimate online casino experience even more valuable. Join today and make the most of every single bet!
Referral Bonus
Bovada is now offering a refer-a-friend bonus of 200% up to $100 for existing account holders. This bonus can be used as many times as you like and more details can be found on the promotions page at Bovada. The best part about this bonus is that it is discreet, so your friends will never know unless you tell them.
Games At Bovada Casino
You will usually find between 75 and 100 table games and online slot games at most trusted online casinos. However, Bovada offers 126 different slot machines (including 3D slots and progressives), nearly 2 dozen table game varieties, 77 video poker variants, several specialty games and 59 progressive jackpot options, basically doubling the number of offerings found at the average casino.
Traditional favorites like European and American roulette, blackjack and craps are available, and there are specialty games and popular variations as well. Bovada has recently added live dealer games to their menu as well, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Super 6.
The gaming software used is frequently tested and monitored, guaranteeing random outcomes and fast and reliable performance. The games are all available for both download and instant play, Mac and PC options are supported, as is a mobile casino.
The trusted Real Time Gaming (RTG) casino software is on board as their primary software solution and is one of the more respected names in the Internet gambling software industry. Popular progressive slots and video poker games are present, consistently delivering the very real possibility of a six or even seven-figure payday.
Security Features
Bovada employs secure encryption systems used by most respected banking systems to safeguard each transaction and protect your personal and financial information. SSL data encryption and credit card support combine for a very secure banking option, with impartial, third-party testing labs ensuring that all virtual casino outcomes are random and impossible to predict.
Deposits And Payouts At Bovada
Further speaking to the site's overall security are the traditionally recognized and trustworthy banking options offered US players.
Deposit Options
Bovada has recently started accepting Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash as their primary deposit method. In addition, they accept most major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
New accounts can use the Zelle deposit method to bypass processing delays associated with purchasing Bitcoin. Zelle casinos like Bovada will also accept Bitcoin purchased through the Zelle app. You can also get rapid deposits using the Bovada Voucher platform.
Withdrawals
Payouts can be made via Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, certified checks, and Bovada Vouchers. Bitcoin is the most expedient method of payment and players typically receive their winnings within 24 hours and often the same day. This is one of the reasons why Bovada is considered one of the best US friendly options on our website. If you win, you get paid. It's as simple as that.
Bovada Vouchers – New Banking Option For 2020
To make deposits and withdrawals easier than ever, Bovada has introduced purchasing casino vouchers. Vouchers are player transfers allowing existing Bovada members to post portions of their account balances to the Bovada Community or Bovada reddit page in the form of Bovada Voucher codes. These codes can then be purchased by other members and deposited instantly into their own accounts. There are no fees associated with voucher deposits or withdrawals.
Of course, the best reason to use the Bovada Voucher banking method is that it’s the only way for site members to make deposits and claim payouts by way of popular Person-To-Person (P2P) instant pay services like PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and other widely used platforms. For sellers, Bovada Vouchers can be used to claim same-day payouts, which have historically been reserved only for crypto withdrawals using Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash.
Mobile Betting
Bovada has a free mobile betting app that is web based and mobile optimized. Bovada uses a responsive web design that allows their site to be displayed accurately across many different media devices. Mobile phones, tablets, and other handheld devices can display the mobile betting platform accurately no matter the size of the device. All functions and options are available on the mobile version. The mobile site is easy to navigate and provides players with more freedom to wager as they choose.
Live Dealer Games
Bovada Legit Site
Bovada recently introduced live dealer games to their online and mobile casino. The live dealer games are a nice addition to Bovada’s already extensive online casino and feature live games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Super 6. A good internet connection is required for streaming, but since Bovada has a policy for a lost connection, a player could only possibly lose that hand in the event of that occurrence.
Live dealer games have higher buy-ins but offer a more personal experience to players who cannot experience a live casino due to location restrictions. If you are looking for something fun and new, Bovada’s live dealer games are for you.
Other Gambling Options
In addition to Bovada’s extensive list of online casino games, other wagering services are offered that account holders can bet on. Sports betting, horse betting, and poker betting are all available on the Bovada platform.
Each service can be accessed on the desktop or mobile version and funded with your one player bankroll. The online poker room requires an additional program download, but all of the other services can be easily accessed by following the navigational links.
Customer Support
Bovada provides account holders with multiple ways to contact a customer support representative. The Live Chat feature is the fastest way to get in touch with a representative to answer all your questions. Simply click on the live chat icon and a window will pop up where you can chat with a representative.
Questions or concerns can also be answered by e-mail via an internal contact form provided on the website. For account holders who can’t access the internet, there is a 24/7 toll-free customer supports number provided below.
Is Bovada Legitimate
Customer Support: 1-888-263-0000
Is Bovada Legit
Bovada Casino Summary
Bovada is owned and operated by Bodog, one of the most trusted names in the online gambling industry. Bodog holds licensing credentials for multiple jurisdictions. This US friendly brand further legitimizes itself as a casino operator by choosing RTG as its primary software provider. That company is frequently tested by TST (Technical Systems Testing), an internationally recognized testing facility which guarantees randomness and fair play.
There are multiple deposit and withdrawal options which are safe and secure, and casino bonuses extend to each individual game, including ongoing promotions and incentives. Visually the site is enjoyable, providing a customized experience to your particular display whether you are playing on a 4-inch smartphone screen or a 17-inch laptop.
The mobile casino loads quickly and is fast and reliable, as is the PC version. Bovada also provides opportunities at life-changing paydays from multiple progressive jackpot offerings and delivers over 200 casino game choices in all.
Bovada Blackjack Legit
As a legitimate Internet casino, Bovada is diverse as well as reliable, the company carries respected licensing, and we feel very confident in recommending it as one of the premier US Internet casinos. We truly feel Bovada and their sister brands are the safest US friendly options around. Great bonuses and guaranteed fast payouts with no monkey business earns them a 5-star rating from us.