Well this is a first, but not surprised. You can deposit money at Bitstarz, but you cannot withdraw it. Status is always 'Discarded' when you attempt to withdraw. Scam News Scams in the crypto world can be terrifying, especially if it’s the first one you have run into. Keeping on top of the latest scammers and techniques scammers are using to give yourself the best chance at spotting scams and steering clear of the dodgy projects.
BitStarz is a young casino that has already become popular in Europe and America. The casino promises a good return rate and competent technical support, actively advertises its bonus offers and practically doesn’t impose any restrictions on countries (with the exception of those presented by software developers).
Read Full ReviewCasino | BitStarz |
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Website URL | https://www.bitstarz.com |
Founded | 2014 |
Headquarters | Direx N.V (SoftSwiss), Stasinou 1, MITSI Building 1, 1st Floor, Flat/Office 4, Plateia Eleftherias, Nicosia, Cyprus |
Support Number | - |
Support Types | E-mail, online chat, FAQ, media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, Instagram, Google+, YouTube) |
Languages | Chinese, English, Swedish, Russian |
Casino Platform | Direx N.V (SoftSwiss) |
No deposit bonus | No |
Minimum 1st Deposit | 20€ |
Bonus for 1st deposit | 100% (up to 100€/1BTC) + 180 (20*9 days) free spins |
Bonus for 2nd deposit | 50% (up to 100€/1BTC) |
Bonus for 3rd deposit | 50% (up to 200€/2BTC) |
Main BONUS | 100% (up to 100€/1BTC) |
RTP | - |
Free demo-games | Open Demo |
Regulated | |
Regulation | Antillephone N.V, AskGamblers |
Software | Asia Gaming, Authentic, Belatra, Betsoft Gaming, BGaming, NetEnt, Booming Games, Casino Technology, Evolution, EvoPlay, Habanero, iGTech, iSOFT bet, Lucky, Spinomenal, Platipus |
Games count | 1800+ |
Games except slots | Roulette, blackjack, baccarat, live |
Deposit Methods | VISA/MasterCard, Maestro, Bitcoin, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, Sofort, PaySafeCard, iDeal, Comepay, Litecoin, Etherium, Dogecoin, Interac, Instadebit, iDebit |
Withdrawal Methods | VISA/MasterCard, Maestro, Bitcoin, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, Sofort, Comepay, Litecoin, Etherium, Dogecoin, Instadebit, iDebit |
Time of withdrawal | 1-5 business days - bank cards, 1-3 business days - bank transfers, instantly - cryptosystems, E-wallets |
Limits for withdrawal | Min 20€, max 15000€/month (limits of one transaction depend on the method of payment) |
Account Currency | EUR, AUD, USD, CAD, SEK, NOK, RUB, CNY,LTC, BCH, ETH, DOGE, BTC |
US Traders Allowed | |
Prohibited countries | Spain, France, Netherlands, UK, USA + list of 40+ countries for NetEnt games |
Mobile application | |
Mobile version | |
Security | SSL, GamCare, GamblersAnonymous |
Overall Score | 6/10 |
Contents
What truth about the operator will our analysis reveal? Is BitStarz a scam or a reliable service? We will try to find out and provide as many details as possible.
The platform was launched in 2014 by Direx N.V (SoftSwiss), which also operates such casinos as BetChain, Anonymous Casino, Oshi.io, mBit Casino. The operator focuses on developing software for online casinos that use bitcoins and other types of cryptocurrency, and BitStarz is one of those.
The project was launched in 2014, but appeared on the Russian market only in 2017. The casino was nominated at the prestigious international exhibition EGR 2018 Awards and received the best online casino award in 2017 at the AskGamblers Awards.
The service is primarily focused on a European client, which explains the choice of currency, means of payment, and even ongoing special offers. However, it is available for players from the CIS countries, Russia, and the Far East.
The operator is involved in the fight against gambling addiction (ludomania). The resources of BitStarz provide detailed information about the safe game rules, the symptoms of the disease and practices to combat it. There are links to specialized organizations (GamCare, GamblersAnonymous).
The platform supports various types of devices (smartphones, tablets, and computers) and browser resolutions.
The official website of BitStarz is stylish, concise and eye-catching: a black background with white text, to which the lobby and the promo slider stand in striking contrast. All data is summarized in a single menu, no mess and confusion.
The game collection is divided into categories: Lobby (all games), Slots, Jackpots, Table Games, Live Casino, BTC Games (games for cryptocurrency). There is an additional search filter by the provider name, as well as a search box. In total, the collection of BitStarz contains over 1,800 products, which can be played (except for the live version) in two modes: demo (free) and paid (for money).
All principal information is collected in the footer of the website. This is an extended menu that includes legal documentation, license number, list of partners, list of sections of the site, background information and links to social networks.
The casino is available in 4 language versions: Russian, Chinese, English and Swedish.
Mobile version of BitStarz can be easily downloaded from Microsoft stores, Google Play and the App Store. Accordingly, it is launched not only on mobile phones, but also on iPods, tablets. And among other things, you can use an Xbox One console to play it.
At the same time, the age limit of the application is 21+: this is quite a strict limitation, as there are residents of countries where users who have reached the age of 18 are still considered minors.
This APK doesn’t weigh much, so it is a quickly installable application that doesn’t drastically affect the performance of the device, does not disrupt its operation.
The game collection contains the same 1000+ games. Bonuses and functionality are not very different from the browser format. The only significant advantage is the ability to use the service offline, in the absence of an Internet connection.
The graphics quality of BitStarz Mobile is pretty good. There are no “freeze-ups”, which are typical for such formats.
In general, it is quite a decent application, which is convenient to use in motion.
However BitStarz doesn’t have a PC-agent. This format has actually outlived its usefulness: operators are tended to give preference to mobile applications that do not require attachment to the same geographical location.
At the same time, the PC agent has its advantages over all other versions:
Perhaps in the future, the mobile version will solve these problems.
The live zone comprises over 40 events: several types of Roulette (automatic, European, immersion – it creates maximum realism and immersion due to the use of several cameras installed at different ends of the hall), Baccarat, Blackjack and Poker.
90% of dealers are women, which, apparently, is a way to captivate the male audience that prevails in the casino. Betting limits range from 5 to several hundred euros (depending on the category of the game). There are VIP tables for members of the partner program (we will talk about it later).
In the framework of game process, resolution and color settings are available. You can contact the croupier in a live chat. Users note that BitStarz representatives give quick and competent answers.
The operator cooperates with a small circle of developers, including NetEnt, iGTech, iSOFT Bet, Evolution Gaming, Lucky, Spinomenal, Platipus, etc.
For some reason Microgaming and Playtech are not in this list, they are usually indicative of the casino’s reliability. All that we can do is check the status of the license in order to determine the originality of the software.
Registration at BitStarz Casino doesn’t take much time, however you’ll have to confirm your e-mail in its first steps (for this purpose, a letter with the confirmation link is sent at the address specified by you).
Upon completion of the initial registration, you will have access to your personal account with the following tabs:
You can go from your personal account to the main menu by clicking on the logotype and icon of the profile, respectively.
The casino’s bonus program doesn’t offer anything new, but it is still very interesting. The majority of promotions require the user to be active, make a bet or make a deposit. BitStarz also offers promos, but it is already quite difficult to find them in open access on the Internet.
But first things first.
BitStarz does not offer no deposit bonuses, although the “bonus rules and conditions” indicate the rules for its receipt. Apparently, the operator decided not to use this type of promo, like most others (too many attempts of fraud), but the standard wording remained in the Casino Policy.
However deposit special offers are quite diverse. BitStarz gives bonuses for the first 4 deposits:
Each of the bonuses must be played with a wager of x40, otherwise it will be lost, and the funds will be deducted from the personal account instead of the player account (according to the rules, you first play for monetary funds and, once they run out, for the funds provided by the operator).
Every Monday, BitStarz launches 50% Reload and gives a 50% cashback (up to €50/250mBTC) to all users who replenished the account for the previous week. The wager in this promotion is standard: x40.
There are also free spins on Thursdays. They are given to those players who replenished their account on Wednesday and won back the equivalent amount on the same day. The number of spins depends on the deposit: 20 spins are given for a deposit of € 30, 80 spins for a deposit of €80, and 200 spins – for a deposit of €160.
The maximum bet on such free spins is 5 €.
Traditionally, the casino holds a lot of tournaments, most of which have a fixed prize pool of 1000 euros. However, the selection includes events with a progressive jackpot: it is updated every month and amounts to over 100 thousand euros.
It is a partnership program that involves the provision of referral links (that is, individual links placed by user to draw interests for all the players who joined according to his/her recommendation).
The privileges of the program members include access to VIP events, a personal manager, a progressive fee system, ready-made promos, and much more.
BitStarz is one of the few casinos that support cryptocurrency. In addition to it, players can create an account in euros, Australian/American/Canadian dollars, Norwegian/Swedish krona and Chinese yuan.
The minimum deposit is 20 euros. The money is credited to the account instantly, but we should keep in mind that a fee can be charged for the conversion or payment services (the operator does not charge interests on the deposit).
You can replenish your account using VISA, MasterCard, Maestro cards, bank transfer and several types of payment systems (traditional and Bitcoin).
However fewer services are available for withdrawal: VISA/MasterCard, Maestro, Bitcoin, Skrill, Neteller, Bank Transfer, Sofort, Comepay, Litecoin, Etherium, Dogecoin, Instadebit and iDebit. Here, the time limits of operations depend on the chosen method: for bank cards it is 3-5 business days, for transfers – 1-3 business days, and in case of using electronic systems, the process is instant.
The comments about BitStarz Casino vary on both Russian and foreign websites. As for negative opinions, the majority of users are dissatisfied with fees for depositing/withdrawing funds (as we have mentioned above, these fees were introduced by payment systems).
Another common cause of dissatisfaction is withdrawal limits, which players consider too low for casinos of this level.
Apart from this, we have not found any serious criticism regarding payments.
The operator claims to have received a sub-license from Antillephone N.V. This is an official representative of Curacao Government that is entitled to issue a Master License.
However, neither the website of the Government of Curacao, nor the resources of the regulator provide information that Direx N.V (SoftSwiss) is accredited by them.
Thus, the provider is not authorized to carry out gambling activities by these regulatory authorities or does not provide enough information to confirm its legitimacy.
However, Direx N.V’s scandalous reputation, which periodically sues developers, tilts the balance not in favor of operator’s integrity.
In addition to issues with payments, comments about BitStarz contain criticism of the client support service, which ruthlessly “cuts” bonuses.
However, if you read the operator’s User Agreement, it becomes clear that all these restrictions are set at the legal level and, although they are strict, they were not invented by support employees on the go.
If you have a controversial situation with BitStarz casino, first of all you need to carefully study the User Agreement of the operator. Perhaps it already contains an answer to your question or there is an explanation for what reasons you have/do not have the right to demand compensation.
The next step is to contact the operator. It is better to use e-mail for this purpose, so that the application has an official character. In this case, the time limits of consideration depend on the complexity of the question, but you can always contact the support service in order to get information about the current stage of consideration of your problem.
If the administration’s response doesn’t satisfy you (you are sure that this is the violation), you should contact the regulatory authorities. These can be Antillephone N.V., AskGamblers or Curacao Government.
The technical support service of BitStarz works around the clock and seven days a week. You can contact the support representatives by email at support@bitstarz.com, in an online chat or via media channels: Twitter, Facebook, Telegram, Instagram, Google+, YouTube. They usually answer within a few minutes (except for e-mail correspondence).
Users can also find all the necessary information in the FAQ and various casino policies: Bonus Agreement, User Agreement, Cookies Policy, etc.
Terms and Conditions is a particularly important document regulating the legal relations between clients and casino owners. All the players should read it to know exactly what actions on their part can lead to payment refusal, blocking a balance or even an account.
Let’s consider some of them that seemed most important to us.
Safety provision
During registration, the player needs to choose a name (login) and enter the password. At the same time, the administration notes that it is not responsible for the consequences in the event that a player has, intentionally or accidentally, transferred his/her personal data to someone.
In fact, it is almost impossible to prove that the data were obtained not through your fault, but as a result of violations by the operator. Therefore, this condition corners the user, nullifying his/her chances to protect his/her rights.
Additional checks
BitStarz may conduct additional verification procedures to confirm the player’s identity when crediting deposits to his/her account. In particular, the list of documents may include a player’s selfie with an ID.
In addition, casino support service can call at the number that is listed in the player’s personal profile. And if it turns out to be wrong, belongs to another person or it will not be possible to get through to the account holder, they can block the account, and confiscate funds (including a deposit).
Deposit wagering
If you want to get the approval to withdraw funds, you must wager the deposit made. For a traditional currency, the wager is x1, for cryptocurrency – x3. The exception is board games: the wager is x10, regardless of the cu
According to the provider, this condition is introduced to prevent fraudulent activities (money laundering).
Protection of players in case of failures
If after launching one of the games there is a technical failure, client support services will return the lost funds within a certain time. And in the absence of an active account at this moment, the payment will be made directly to the details confirmed by the user.
Complaints against the operator
By accepting the terms of the User Agreement, you acknowledge that in case of a complaint, the records from the game server, and not the information provided by you, will be decisive in making a decision. This paragraph, on the one hand, protects the casino from fraud, and, on the other hand, it makes it possible to hide the necessary information.
Inactive account
If you don’t log in to your account within 12 months, it is considered inactive. From this point on, a monthly fee of 10 euros is imposed on the account (by the way, it is 5 euros for most casinos), which is charged until the balance is reset or any action is taken by the account owner.
BitStarz is a product of Direx N.V (SoftSwiss) iGambling that is not very loved by players and experts. And were it not for the guarantee of third parties, the project would be doomed to be ranked as unreliable.
However, its legal base is solid, although we have not found any information about the license status on official resources, and the absence of such studios as Microgaming and Playtech in the list of casino partners speaks volumes.
However, it is too early to say that BitStarz is a scam. The provider invests substantial sums in the development of adaptable versions, offline formats, the connection of various currencies, and so on. It is useless to invest so much money for simple profit. In addition, the casino has been in the market for a number of years, and the comments about it are mostly positive (even better than the comments about many reputable European projects).
Most likely, in this case, there are some shortcomings on the part of the operator.
All those who want to keep up with the times should definitely take a closer look at BitStarz. The casino allows you to use modern gaming technology without sacrificing the entertainment component.
Is it possible to win at BitStarz? As always, it is up to you to decide. As for us, we can only say that we have a rather positive opinion about the casino, but an unconfirmed license makes it impossible to give it a high rating.