Research Indicates That 83% of US Bettors Desire Crypto Deposits

(AsiaGameHub) –   Research by Paysafe indicates that cryptocurrency has the potential to emerge as a primary payment option for US sportsbooks, provided additional states authorize operators to accept digital currencies.

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Key Takeaways

• According to Paysafe, 83% of active US bettors expressed a desire to use cryptocurrency for funding online sportsbook accounts where permitted.
• Paysafe notes that crypto deposits are currently legal in Colorado and Wyoming.
• While no state currently allows it, 85% of bettors indicated a preference for crypto withdrawals.

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The most significant insight from the Paysafe report extends beyond just the demand for deposits; player retention is equally critical. A subpar crypto payment experience risks losing customers for operators, as 71% of bettors stated they would abandon a sportsbook due to payment friction. This number climbs to 80% in New York.

Crypto Enters the Mainstream Sportsbook Payment Discussion

For its “All the Ways Players Pay Crypto Edition” report, Paysafe polled bettors across Colorado, Wyoming, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Virginia. By incorporating states with varying regulatory stances, the company provided data that is valuable for operators monitoring US sports betting payment regulations.

Since crypto deposits are already allowed in Colorado and Wyoming, Paysafe discovered that 59% of bettors in Colorado and 45% in Wyoming have used digital assets to fund wagers. This establishes a practical baseline for the broader demand figures, rather than merely reflecting a theoretical wish list.

The market possesses an established user base, with Paysafe reporting that 64% of active US bettors hold cryptocurrency. Demand for crypto deposits was highest in New York at 92%, followed closely by Illinois and Florida, both at 88%.

If permitted more broadly, cryptocurrency would position itself as a top-three funding method. Digital wallets lead with 55%, followed by debit cards at 50%, with crypto trailing at 45%. In New York, crypto ranked second only to wallets at 54% compared to 59%. Illinois displayed a comparable divide, with 52% opting for crypto and 58% for wallets.

Nevertheless, crypto is unlikely to replace all traditional payment options. Credit cards and bank transfers or pay-by-bank methods both maintained a 37% preference rate. Local payment methods, including peer-to-peer apps, reached 23%, whereas eCash solutions like PaysafeCash accounted for 14%.

The timing aligns with product development as well. In April 2026, Paysafe introduced “Pay with Crypto” for the US iGaming market, powered by MoonPay. This solution enables players to deposit funds using stablecoins like USDC and other cryptocurrencies, converting them into US dollars where regulations allow.

The value proposition for sportsbooks is evident. While crypto can aid in player acquisition, seamless payouts may be even more crucial for retention. Paysafe revealed that 85% of bettors desire crypto withdrawals, despite the fact that no US state currently authorizes sportsbook payouts in digital assets.

Brand trust remains the primary factor for bettors selecting a sportsbook, ranking first at 36%. However, crypto payment features followed closely. Seamless crypto withdrawals were at 29%, payment choice at 28%, and seamless crypto deposits at 26%.

Zak Cutler, Paysafe’s President of Global Gaming, remarked:

“While crypto payments are only currently permitted in a relatively modest cohort of U.S. states, our latest research indicates that there’s strong player appetite for crypto at the cashier in not just these jurisdictions but across the broader market. As regulation evolves and as more iGaming markets embrace digital assets’ impressive value at the cashier, we’re confident that crypto will not just become an important payment method, but arguably pivotal to the industry’s transactional future.”

A relevant comparison can be drawn from Paysafe’s World Cup 2026 payments research, which showed that 44% of bettors abandoned a wager due to the unavailability of their preferred payment method. This reinforces the commercial argument that payment choice impacts conversion rates even before a bet is placed.