Bovada Casino Review: A Solid Crypto Casino for Americans
Some online crypto casinos have infamy attached to their name that is hard to shake. Bovada.lv is one of these casinos that was born out of the shadow of controversy.
In this Bovada Casino review, we will see how this crypto casino gained its origins. We will also look at the games it offers, the great welcome bonus it offers, and how you can register a player account.
Pros
- A decent number of games
- Good live chat support
- Ability to deposit using crypto
- Multiple support options
- Available to US players
- Easy registration
Cons
- Cannot play using crypto
- Only available to US customers
Basic Overview
Bovada.lv was launched in 2011 after the Bodog Casino group (who originally owned the site) was facing multiple legal and technical challenges. The site was sold and is now owned and operated by the Morris Mohawk Gaming Group (MMGG). This group is registered in the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake, Canada.
The site was licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission until 2016. It then operated without a license until 2021 when it was issued one by the Curaçao Gaming Commission. This license currently regulates all activities on the site.
Available Games
Bovada boasts over 200 great casino games to choose from. This may be less than other crypto casinos, but you should still find something to play with ease.
There are no provably fair games listed on the site. This isn’t much of a problem considering that games are mostly provided by Real Time Gaming and Rival Gaming-two trustworthy software developers in the industry.
All games on the site are categorized according to their type. This makes it easier to find what you are looking for.
Slots
There are just over 120 slot games available on Bovada.lv. These include popular titles like 10 Times Vegas, 21 Wilds, A Night With Cleo, Caesar’s Empire, and Lion’s Fortune.
Each of these games offers a demo mode that you can use to try the game before you begin playing for real money.
Table Games
There are 19 table games if you prefer traditional casino games to modern slot games. These include options like Poker, Baccarat, Poker, Teen Patti, Roll the Dice, Craps, and Roulette.
These games also offer a demo mode.
Live Dealer
For games with live players and dealers, there is a live casino with 34 different games to play. These include multiple versions of Baccarat, Super 6, Roulette, and Blackjack.
There are no demo modes for these games.
Video Poker and Blackjack
There are dedicated categories for the multiple versions of video poker and Blackjack hosted by the site. These give you many options to play two of the most popular casino games.
To test your luck, these games offer a demo mode.
Poker
If you are a hardcore poker player, the site has a dedicated poker section that features the famous Bodog-style poker. This includes multiple tournaments and things such as anonymous tables.
Sports and Horses
While not strictly part of the casino, the site also caters to players who love sport and horse betting.
Site Legitimacy
While the site may have a deal of controversy around its dealings with Bodog, it is completely legitimate. All gaming on the site operates under the license issued to it by the Curaçao Gaming Commission.
In addition, the site operates under the same code and programming that many other online crypto casinos use-including Ignition, Cafe Casino, and Slots.lv. This explains why all the sites look so similar, even though they are not owned by the same holding company.
How to Register
To open a new player account, simply submit your name, contact number, date of birth, email address, and location ZIP code. You will then need to enter a verification code that will be sent to your mobile number.
You can opt to delay this verification. However, your activities on the site will be limited until it has been completed.
Once you’ve verified your account (or skipped this step), you will need to enter a four-digit pin code. This will be used when you request withdrawals from your account.
Bovada.lv also has a Know Your Customer (KYC) policy that may require you to verify your identity by submitting proof of your identity and physical address. This will only need to be completed once.
Payments and Withdrawals
Payments to your player account can be made using Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or Bitcoin Cash. To deposit using these methods, scan the on-screen QR code or deposit using your secure address.
Once you have deposited your cryptocurrency, this will be automatically converted to USD. This is because the site doesn’t allow play using crypto. Instead, all crypto deposited is changed to fiat currency for play.
If you’d like to deposit using fiat currency from the start, the site accepts deposits using Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Withdrawals can be requested using any of the available cryptocurrencies, via voucher, or via check. The check will be delivered via a courier and is said to take between 10 and 15 working days. Crypto withdrawals and vouchers are processed within 24 hours.
Vouchers won’t be allowed to be exchanged for cash by Bovada.lv. However, should you want the money for your voucher, the site recommends selling your voucher to somebody else on the Bovada.lv forum.
Bonuses and Promotions
Bovada offers players a two-part welcome bonus in the form of two deposit match bonuses.
The first offers a 100% deposit match bonus up to $1,000. The second offers two 100% deposit match bonuses up to $1,000 each. This equates to a possible $3,000 bonus.
The site also regularly holds other promotions. You can find all the latest info about these on our Bovada Bonuses page.
Reward Programs
The site operates a Bovada Rewards program that rewards you with reward points every time that you play. These are used to determine your reward level and the redemption rate associated with your account.
This redemption rate calculates how many reward points you need to redeem to earn cash that is credited back to your player account.
The lowest level (Starter) requires 2,500 points to gain $1. However, the highest level (Hall of Fame) requires only 1,000 points to get $1.
Usability
The design of the site is relatively modern, and if you’ve ever visited online casinos like Ignition or Slots.lv, then you’ll know exactly how this site operates.
All navigation is handled using the top menu and accompanying hamburger menu on the right of the screen. The site is also fully mobile responsive and can be used on almost any mobile device.
If you are using Bovada.lv strictly for poker, there is also a Windows application available for download that works on any PC running Windows 7 or newer.
Customer Support
The site has a decent support section that comprises a FAQ help center, an online form, a support email (service@bovada.lv), and an automated chatbot that poses as a live chat.
What we did discover is that, if you tell the live chatbot that you want to speak to a live agent, you will be transferred to an actual support agent.
We were connected to an agent quickly, and he was friendly and helpful. In fact, we were genuinely impressed at the level of support we received-even for seemingly stupid questions.
Rules and Restrictions
Bovada.lv is only available to residents of the United States. No players from anywhere else (even neighboring Canada) are allowed to make use of the site.
Even within the US, players from the following states are prohibited from opening a player account:
- Delaware
- Maryland
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
Moreover, only players 18 years of age or older are allowed to register an account.
Conclusion
Bovada may have had a tumultuous beginning after the seeming collapse of Bodog. However, the site has grown to be one of the best online crypto sites available in the US.
If the site could work on allowing players to use crypto to play, adding a few more games, and opening up to a few more territories, this would be a truly great site. As it is, we recommend that-provided you live in the US-you take a look at this crypto casino.
Bovada Casino - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bovada.lv safe to play on?
Does Bovada.lv offer a welcome bonus?
How do I deposit into my Bovada Casino player account?
Deposits can be made using crypto by scanning the on-screen QR code or using your secure deposit address.
Deposits using fiat currency can be made using Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.