Sahara Las Vegas has introduced a new way for guests to fund their casino play, allowing customers to deposit Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin directly at its casino cage. The move makes Sahara the first Las Vegas Strip property to publicly announce cryptocurrency payment options, according to payment provider BurraPay.
The development brings a familiar feature of online Bitcoin casinos into a land-based setting, although the process works differently. Rather than placing wagers directly with crypto, guests convert their digital assets into US dollars before receiving chips or a ticket for play.
How It Currently Works
The process starts at Sahara’s casino cage, which operates 24 hours a day. Guests need to be at least 21, present valid photo identification and have an Infinity Rewards account. First-time users complete an identity check through a secure link sent by text and email.
After verification, customers select a deposit amount and choose Bitcoin, Ethereum or Litecoin. The exchange rate is locked for 15 minutes, and payment is made by scanning a QR code and sending the specified amount from a crypto wallet or exchange app. Once the blockchain confirms the transaction, the guest can collect their gaming funds.
There is a 5% BurraPay service fee on each deposit, while confirmation times depend on the cryptocurrency network. Crypto is only accepted for casino deposits, not hotel stays, dining, or other purchases. Wagers and payouts remain in US dollars, so players cannot receive their winnings in cryptocurrency.
What Crypto Enthusiasts Can Expect at SAHARA
The payment option sits within a casino offering nearly 60,000 square feet of gaming space. Sahara advertises more than 600 slot machines, covering video and traditional reel games, alongside over 50 table games. Guests can also use its Infinity Rewards programme to earn benefits while playing eligible slots and table games.
The casino’s crypto arrangement is powered by BurraPay, with exchange services provided by Byte Federal. BurraPay previously launched its platform at an unnamed downtown Las Vegas casino in June, which the company described as the first cryptocurrency payment-provider deployment in Nevada’s regulated gaming market.
Best of Both Worlds?
Sahara’s rollout gives crypto holders another way to use digital assets for casino entertainment without first making a separate conversion through an exchange. However, it is not quite the same as playing at an online Bitcoin casino. The cryptocurrency is converted at the cage, and all subsequent gaming activity takes place in dollars.
Guests who want to use the service should also account for the 5% fee, identity verification and network confirmation time before making a deposit. The option is currently limited to Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin, with no direct crypto payments for winnings.
