Hold on. The pandemic didn’t invent online gambling, but it magnified everything about it — usage, payment choices, and the friction points players face when cashing out. Within months of lockdowns, casual players became regulars; operators that leaned on fast, flexible payments gained an edge. This piece gives you actionable steps, comparison data, and two short cases so you can judge the risks and practical trade-offs if you’re thinking about playing or accepting crypto at an online casino.
Quick benefit up front: if you follow the checklist here, you’ll be able to (1) spot risky payment setups, (2) pick the best deposit/withdrawal route for your priorities (speed vs privacy vs dispute rights), and (3) test withdrawals safely before committing large funds. Don’t skip the “common mistakes” section — that’s where most people trip up.
What changed during COVID — a concise view
At first, brick-and-mortar closures pushed players online. Then habits stuck. Many jurisdictions reported double-digit increases in remote play during early 2020, and a meaningful share of new registrations used non-traditional payment rails. Simple.
Two important shifts followed. First, demand for fast, low-fee withdrawals increased: players wanted to convert wins quickly. Second, operators diversified payment stacks — Interac and cards remained important in Canada, but crypto rails (BTC, ETH, stablecoins) were added broadly to reduce banking friction and process cross-border flows. On the one hand this offered speed; on the other, it created new verification and AML frictions for players and operators alike.
My gut says the next big change will be tighter KYC at onboarding combined with more crypto tools layered into compliance, not less. Expect longer verification if you suddenly withdraw a bigger win via crypto — paradoxically, faster rails don’t always mean faster payouts without clean KYC.
Practical comparison: payment methods players actually use (simple table)
| Method | Speed (withdraw) | Fees | Privacy | Dispute/Recourse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interac (e-Transfer) | 24–72h (post-KYC) | Low–Medium | Low (bank-linked) | Good (bank support) |
| Visa/Mastercard | 2–7 business days | Medium | Low | Chargebacks possible |
| Crypto (BTC/ETH/USDT) | 15 min–24h (blockchain + operator processing) | Low–Variable | Medium–High | Poor (limited chargeback) |
| Third-party eWallets | 15 min–48h | Medium | Medium | Moderate |
Why operators embraced crypto during COVID (and what it meant for players)
Short version: liquidity and fewer banking choke points. During pandemic peaks banks tightened merchant access; operators who could accept crypto had fewer interruptions. That translated into two user-visible outcomes: more deposit options and sometimes faster credited balances.
But there’s a flip side. Hold on. Faster deposits don’t eliminate KYC and source-of-funds checks — they often shift them later, at withdrawal. I’ve seen players enjoy instant crypto deposits, then wait days for withdrawals because the operator needed extra proof for a large cashout. That’s the mismatch pandemic-era growth created: speed on the ingress, friction on the egress.
Mid-article practical recommendation (useful example and a safe-check)
When choosing where to play, do this quick test: deposit a small amount (e.g., CA$25), wager enough to unlock a small withdrawal (some sites require a 1× wager), then request a CA$50 withdrawal. Time the entire cycle: deposit → verification → withdrawal processed → funds in your account/wallet. If any step takes more than the advertised time, treat that operator cautiously.
When you perform this test, compare rails. If your deposit was via Interac and withdrawal via crypto (or vice versa), note the total elapsed time — mixing rails often adds manual checks. Also, check whether the operator posts an audited RNG or platform certification. Sites that do both tend to be more transparent about payout and KYC timing. For an example of a site that lists a broad payments portfolio and crypto support, see batery.casino (use this as a model for what options to expect, not as an endorsement).
Two short cases — what I’ve seen work and fail
Case A — Anna, Toronto (hypothetical): Anna started playing in April 2020 during lockdown. She used Interac for deposits and loved the convenience. After a CA$600 win, the casino requested proof of address and a selfie for KYC — standard. But the operator also asked for source-of-funds documents because the size exceeded their thresholds. Anna didn’t have ready documentation and faced a five-day delay. Lesson: verify KYC immediately after signup; don’t wait until you plan to withdraw a big win.
Case B — Small operator pivot: a mid-sized site switched to crypto rails in mid-2021 to dodge banking cutoffs. Deposits were instant, withdrawals were fast on-chain, but the operator outsourced KYC to a third-party vendor and held payouts when the vendor flagged small inconsistencies. This created reputational pain. The takeaway: crypto improves rails, but proper KYC tooling is still essential for smooth payouts.
Quick Checklist — before you deposit
- Verify licensing and regulatory region (for CA players, check whether the site operates in the Ontario regulated market or the grey market).
- Do a small deposit-withdraw test as described above.
- Confirm KYC steps and typical verification time (upload docs immediately after signup).
- Check payment rails — match your withdrawal preference with available options (Interac vs crypto vs cards).
- Read the withdrawal T&Cs: max daily limits, rolling reserve clauses, and wagering requirements if a bonus is involved.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Assuming crypto means no KYC. Reality: faster rails, same AML rules. Avoid by completing verification early.
- Mixing bonuses and crypto without reading WR terms. Some bonuses void crypto withdrawals or increase WR multipliers. Avoid by reading bonus terms carefully.
- Not testing a small withdrawal first. Consequence: stuck with large funds if something goes wrong. Fix: always test the full cycle.
- Trusting advertised “instant” withdrawals blindly. Many operators use that claim for crypto deposits only; withdrawal speed often depends on manual checks. Ask support first.
Mini-FAQ
Is crypto safer for payouts than Interac?
Short answer: it depends. Crypto can be faster and cheaper, but it offers less consumer recourse (no chargebacks). Interac ties to your bank and may provide more dispute avenues. Choose crypto for speed and lower costs; choose Interac for stronger recourse.
Will COVID-era rules change how casinos verify my identity?
Yes. Pandemic-driven volume forced operators to tighten KYC and source-of-funds checks. Expect more consistent, sometimes stricter, verification processes now compared to pre-COVID times.
What’s the fastest reliable way to withdraw small winnings in Canada?
Interac or eWallets usually balance speed and recourse for small amounts. Crypto can be fastest, but it depends on whether the operator processes crypto withdrawals automatically or manually after checks.
Regulatory & responsible gaming notes (Canada-specific)
Be 18+ (or 19+ depending on province) and aware: many pandemic-era casinos operate from Curaçao or other mid-tier jurisdictions. That means limited provincial recourse. If you are in Ontario, prefer iGaming Ontario-licensed sites for better protection. Use deposit limits, session timers, and self-exclusion tools if you feel at risk. If gambling is causing harm, contact your local support services (e.g., the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction resources).
Responsible gambling: play within your means. If you are in Canada and need help, call or text local support services. 18+/19+ only.
Final practical note — a short workflow to follow
Here’s a three-step test I use personally before scaling play: (1) Sign up and immediately upload ID/proof-of-address. (2) Deposit small via preferred method, wager to meet any 1× rule, and request a small withdrawal. (3) If processed within the advertised window and funds land correctly, you can scale up incrementally. Simple. Repeat the cycle if you change payment methods.
One more thing: maintain accurate records (screenshots of transaction timestamps, chat transcripts) — if an issue arises, these accelerate dispute resolution.
Sources
- https://www.ccsa.ca/gambling-and-covid-19
- https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/news-action-and-statistics/statistics-and-research/remote-gambling-research
- https://blog.chainalysis.com/reports/2021-global-crypto-adoption-index/
Note: when scanning casinos for payment options and crypto support, look for clear KYC policies, published payout speeds, and an easy-to-find support channel. A site that lists multiple rails and transparent T&Cs tends to be easier to navigate — for reference on how operators display this information, see batery.casino.
This article is informational, not financial advice. Gambling involves risk; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
About the Author
{author_name}, iGaming expert. I’ve worked with payments and compliance teams across online casinos and fintechs since 2016, researching player behaviour and payment flows. I write practical guides aimed at helping new players make safer choices.