Summary for readers in a hurry
Most BTC cashout delays come down to one of three buckets: network confirmations and fees, compliance or account reviews, and casino policy frictions such as bonus wagering or security holds. The checklist below shows how to pinpoint which bucket you’re in and what to do next, with references and tools you can use right away.
How Bitcoin withdrawals actually settle on-chain
Bitcoin transactions settle when miners include them in a block. New blocks arrive roughly every 10 minutes on average, so one confirmation typically takes about that long when fees are sufficient. Casinos or exchanges may wait for multiple confirmations before crediting funds.
Confirmation requirements vary by platform. For example, Binance generally credits BTC deposits after two confirmations, while Kraken lists three confirmations for standard BTC deposits and near-instant settlement for Lightning deposits. If you are withdrawing to an exchange, your payout can appear “pending” until the destination’s rule is met.
Congestion, fees and stuck transactions
If the network is busy and your withdrawal was broadcast with a low fee, it can sit in the mempool for hours. Use a block explorer like mempool.space or Blockstream Explorer to check your TXID and see fee and confirmation status. If your wallet or the casino supports Replace-By-Fee (RBF) or Child-Pays-For-Parent (CPFP), you can try bumping the fee to speed things up.
Compliance holds: KYC, KYT and the Travel Rule
Casinos and their payment providers screen crypto transfers for AML and sanctions risk using “KYT” monitoring tools. Transfers that trigger alerts can be paused for manual review. In many regions, the FATF “Travel Rule” now requires platforms to collect and share sender/recipient details for qualifying crypto transfers, which can temporarily lock a deposit or withdrawal until you verify information or wallet ownership.
Major exchanges explain these holds in their help centers. You may be asked to confirm the source or destination wallet, complete a self-attestation or “Satoshi test,” or submit additional details before funds are released.
Security features that can slow you down
Some platforms add time-locks to protect withdrawals. Address allowlisting/whitelisting and “global settings locks” can impose 24–48 hour delays when you add a new address or change security settings. If you recently enabled or edited these features, the delay is normal and will expire automatically.
Bonus terms and fair-withdrawal rules
If you claimed a bonus, check wagering and game-restriction terms. Regulators have warned operators not to use unfair withdrawal restrictions, and in some markets players must be able to withdraw their deposit balance at any time even if a bonus is active. That said, bonus winnings can remain locked until wagering is met.
Jurisdiction and payment-method roadblocks
Not every regulated market allows crypto for gambling payments. For example, Ontario’s standards say cryptocurrency is not legal tender and must not be accepted, and in Australia a federal ban prohibits licensed online wagering operators from accepting digital currencies since 11 June 2024. If you’re playing on a locally licensed site in such markets, crypto cashouts may be disabled or rejected.
Step-by-step checklist to diagnose your delay
- Identify the transaction
Find your withdrawal TXID in the casino cashier or your wallet history. Paste it into a block explorer (mempool.space or Blockstream Explorer) to confirm whether it has been broadcast and how many confirmations it has. - Check the mempool and fee level
If it shows “unconfirmed,” compare your transaction fee to current mempool fee estimates. If your wallet supports RBF/CPFP, try a fee bump; otherwise you may need to wait for the mempool to clear. - Verify destination requirements
If you are withdrawing to an exchange, check how many confirmations they require for BTC before crediting your account. Binance and Kraken list their thresholds publicly. - Look for compliance prompts
Scan your email/app inbox for “verification required” notices related to the Travel Rule or AML review. Complete any wallet-ownership or counterparty questionnaires so the hold can clear. - Review bonus and account terms
Confirm whether an active bonus or wagering requirement is locking part of your balance and whether the casino allows immediate withdrawal of your deposit balance, as required by some regulators. - Consider security time-locks
If you recently added a new withdrawal address or changed security settings, allowlisting and security locks may impose a temporary delay for safety. - Contact support with the right info
When contacting the casino, include your account email/ID, TXID, timestamp, and any screenshots of compliance prompts. If the operator is licensed in your country and you cannot resolve the issue, escalate to an approved dispute-resolution body where available. In Great Britain, IBAS is one such ADR service recognized by the regulator.
Practical tips to avoid future delays
• Prefer Lightning Network withdrawals where available for small amounts you need quickly; on supported platforms these settle near-instantly.
• Keep your KYC information up to date and avoid routing funds through high-risk services that could trigger KYT alerts.
• Finish wagering requirements before requesting bonus-related withdrawals to avoid back-and-forth.
• Maintain an address book of pre-approved wallet destinations so allowlisting clocks have already run down.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a BTC casino withdrawal take?
Assuming sufficient fees and no extra checks, one confirmation averages about 10 minutes. Many custodians credit after 2–3 confirmations, which commonly means around 20–40 minutes in normal network conditions. Lightning withdrawals can be near-instant when supported. Real-world timing varies with fees, congestion, and platform rules.
Why does my withdrawal show as completed on the casino, but my exchange hasn’t credited it?
“Completed” usually means the casino broadcast the transaction. Your receiving exchange may still be waiting for its required number of confirmations before crediting your account. Check your TXID on a block explorer and your exchange’s confirmation policy.
Can a VPN cause delays?
Licensed operators use geolocation and fraud-prevention tools. If your access appears to come from a restricted location or through a masked IP, the operator may flag the account until it can verify your location.
