With over 27% of California’s adult population reportedly owning crypto, the state has cemented itself as one of the most accepting of these digital tokens. In fact, in March 2025, California Assembly Bill 1052 was amended and renamed the Digital Assets bill in light of Californians’ crypto adoption. This bill aims to secure residents’ self-custody rights amid the rising use and ownership of digital assets.
Interestingly, evidence suggests that Californians may also be using crypto for gaming. According to studies on CoinMarketCap, over three million North American gamers participate in crypto gaming. Incidentally, California ranks highly in terms of gamer population and participation, with the third-largest gaming community in the US.
Across the vast gaming landscape, though, the online poker sector has emerged as the most promising avenue for crypto use. In particular, the country’s leading online poker site, Americas Cardroom, is celebrated for its innovative crypto use, which highlights why digital tokens work well in this gaming environment. But just how can these improve California’s own crypto poker sector? Read on to find out.
Americas Cardroom’s crypto initiatives
Considered an early crypto adopter, Americas Cardroom started accepting cryptocurrencies as early as 2014, several years before the mainstream crypto boom in 2017. At the time, this was the largest endorsement cryptocurrencies had received from any poker entity. Over the years, the operator has expanded its list of acceptable tokens to over 60. This includes tokens such as Bitcoin, Tether, and Ethereum.
For those who want to play online poker in California using crypto, Americas Cardroom lets players use these tokens as a secure banking method. Since these are decentralized, both deposits and withdrawals are faster and more cost-effective. Additionally, they offer another level of financial security, given that all crypto transactions are recorded on tamper-proof blockchain technology. As per a recent Bit Rebel report, up to 60% of all transactions on the site now use crypto.
Additionally, Americas Cardroom has steadily offered crypto-centric bonuses and rewards. For instance, players nationwide can now enjoy up to 200% sign-up bonuses if they use cryptocurrencies. The site is even responsible for holding the Guinness World Record for the largest cryptocurrency jackpot from an online poker tournament. This was following a 2019 Venom tournament, where the winner received more than $1 million worth of Bitcoin. Historically, the operator’s flagship Venom tourneys are known for their massive prizes, with this year’s spring events boasting guarantees of $12 million.
Why Americas Cardroom can enhance California’s crypto poker industry
Although California has a high rate of crypto penetration, the Los Angeles Times reported that many individuals in the state have still reported losses due to falling victim to deceptions and human errors. These fearful experiences can negatively impact already sensitive sectors that use cryptocurrencies, like online poker, where risks are part and parcel of the game.
This is where Americas Cardroom comes in. While it’s clear that the site has successfully integrated tokens within its internal ecosystem, it’s helping the broader Californian crypto poker landscape by raising awareness. Over the years, the operator has invested in providing players with in-depth resources that aim to provide a better crypto experience.
One example of this is their streamlined crypto exchange search tool. In a previous article here by Shah Bhai on the synergy of tech and cryptocurrencies, crypto exchanges are described as platforms where users can buy, sell, and trade digital assets. However, not every exchange is safe or even efficient. As such, the aforementioned search tool aims to help crypto poker players find trustworthy exchanges that consider users’ location, token, and payment method. On top of this, the site has also created detailed crypto guides.
These cover topics like tokens, how to deposit and withdraw, transaction limits, and crypto safety and security considerations. As these are written with beginners in mind, they’re valuable references that can empower more Californians to participate in crypto poker confidently.