Sahara Becomes First Strip Casino to Offer Crypto-funded Casino Play Via Cage Transactions

The Sahara has become the first casino on the Las Vegas Strip to offer regulated cryptocurrency-funded gaming transactions through its casino cage, allowing customers to convert three kinds of digital assets into chips or casino tickets for gambling—Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Litecoin.

Customers are not wagering cryptocurrency directly.

The 74-year-old north-Strip resort announced the rollout in partnership with crypto-payments company BurraPay, which previously launched a similar system at Circa Resort & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. The Nevada Gaming Control Board approved BurraPay’s system earlier this year.

According to BurraPay, its June debut at Circa marked the first compliant cryptocurrency payment operation in Nevada’s regulated gaming market and facilitated the state’s first legal crypto-funded sports wager.

“Sahara Las Vegas continues to evolve with a focus on delivering a modern, seamless experience for our guests,” property general manager Craig Pleva said in a statement. “Expanding our payment options to include cryptocurrency is a natural next step, giving our guests greater flexibility and convenience while embracing the innovation shaping the future of Las Vegas.”

The Sahara described the move as a way to provide additional payment flexibility while remaining compliant with gaming regulations.

According to published instructions for the service, users must be at least 21 years old, have an active Infinity Rewards account, present valid photo identification, and complete identity verification before making their first cryptocurrency deposit. The one-time verification involves a secure link sent by text or email and a selfie check.

BurraPay also charges a 5% fee on deposits. The option is limited to casino gaming and cannot be used for hotel rooms, restaurants, or other resort purchases.

Champing at the Bitcoin

BurraPay said its platform was designed to satisfy anti-money-laundering and gaming compliance requirements. The company also says its technology includes blockchain-monitoring tools capable of identifying potential problem-gambling behavior in real time, though that claim comes from the vendor and has not been independently verified.

“In June, our downtown launch made BurraPay the first compliant crypto payments provider to operate within Nevada’s regulated gaming market,” BurraPay co-founder Luke Millanta said in the company’s statement. “Bringing that experience to the Las Vegas Strip was the natural next step.”

BurraPay has said it is in discussions with additional Nevada casino operators and expects more properties to adopt the technology in the coming months.