What you’ll learn
This hands-on tutorial walks you through installing MetaMask, adding the right blockchain network, funding gas, connecting to a decentralized casino dapp, approving tokens safely, verifying game fairness, checking your bet on a block explorer, and cleaning up permissions afterward. It uses official wallet and infrastructure docs so you can follow along with confidence.
Prerequisites and safety
Install MetaMask only from official stores, and never share your Secret Recovery Phrase (SRP). MetaMask is a self-custodial wallet; your SRP is the single point of recovery.
For security, learn common web3 scams and keep your SRP offline. MetaMask’s safety notes are a good refresher.
If you own a hardware wallet, you can pair it with MetaMask before you start. Ledger and Trezor both provide step-by-step guides.
Step 1 — Install MetaMask
Download the browser extension or mobile app from the official site and follow the prompts to create or import a wallet. MetaMask’s getting-started guide covers desktop and mobile flows.
Step 2 — Add or select the right network
Many casino dapps run on EVM chains like Ethereum mainnet or L2s such as Base, Polygon, Optimism, and others. You can add networks the manual way or in one click via Chainlist, which supplies the correct chain ID and RPC details to your wallet.
Tip: MetaMask’s help article shows the exact clicks to add a network from Chainlist and reminds you to review details before approving.
Step 3 — Fund your wallet with gas
Every action on an EVM chain costs gas in the chain’s native token. You can transfer from a centralized exchange to your MetaMask address or use MetaMask’s buy options and on-ramp partners.
To estimate fees, check a gas tracker before you play. Etherscan’s tracker shows typical low/average/high prices and rough dollar costs for common actions.
If you’re new to gas, Etherscan’s explainer covers what gas is and how it’s charged.
Step 4 — Connect MetaMask to the casino dapp
Open the casino’s site, click its Connect button, and choose MetaMask when prompted. MetaMask explains that connection lets a dapp see your public address and request actions you must approve; it does not move funds without your confirmation.
To disconnect later, use MetaMask’s permissions screen or the site’s disconnect option. Note that disconnecting does not revoke token approvals; you’ll do that separately.
Step 5 — Do a quick fairness and contract hygiene check
Many provably-fair games use Chainlink VRF so randomness arrives with a cryptographic proof that the contract verifies on-chain before settlement. Look for a VRF mention in the game’s docs or contract.
If the dapp exposes a contract address, view it on a block explorer and look for a verified-source badge so the published code matches on-chain bytecode. Etherscan documents how verification works.
Step 6 — Approve tokens safely with a spending cap
Before your first bet or swap, most dapps ask for a token approval. In MetaMask, set a custom spending cap so the dapp can only move the amount you intend, not your entire balance. MetaMask’s guides show where to edit the cap and why unlimited approvals are risky.
MetaMask also explains approvals in plain language if you want a quick refresher before you click.
Step 7 — Place a small test bet
With gas funded and a sensible spending cap, try a minimal wager to confirm the flow. If the chain is busy, your transaction might take longer. You can paste the transaction hash into Etherscan to watch its status change from pending to success, failed, or dropped and replaced. Etherscan’s guides explain these statuses.
Step 8 — Verify your game result on a block explorer
After the bet settles, open the transaction on the explorer. You should see the tokens transferred or contract events emitted by the game. Etherscan’s “understanding a transaction” and “viewing transactions” explain how to read the details.
Step 9 — Clean up: disconnect and revoke approvals you no longer need
When you finish playing, disconnect the site in MetaMask and periodically revoke stale approvals to reduce risk. Revoke.cash walks you through finding and revoking token approvals across many networks.
Troubleshooting
Pending or stuck transactions can be replaced with a higher-fee transaction, leading the original to show as dropped and replaced. Etherscan’s article explains why that happens and what it means.
If a transaction fails, the asset doesn’t move but you still pay gas. Etherscan’s failure reasons page covers common causes like out-of-gas.
Responsible play and compliance
Only use licensed services permitted in your jurisdiction. Wallets and infrastructure providers cannot guarantee a dapp’s legality or reliability; always do your own research and stop if anything looks off. MetaMask reiterates that it cannot vouch for third-party dapps.
Quick checklist before you wager
- Install MetaMask and back up your SRP offline.
- Add the correct EVM network via Chainlist or manual settings.
- Fund gas and check a live gas tracker.
- Connect wallet and confirm you’re on the intended site.
- Set a custom spending cap on token approvals.
- Verify contract source and look for VRF-based fairness.
- After playing, disconnect and revoke old approvals.
FAQs
Does MetaMask store my SRP or private keys?
MetaMask is self-custodial; keys live on your device. Keep your SRP offline and never share it.
Why do I need the chain’s native token to play?
Every interaction costs gas in the chain’s native coin. Track typical fees with a gas tracker and fund appropriately.
Are provably-fair casinos really verifiable?
If a game uses Chainlink VRF, each randomness request includes a proof that the contract verifies on-chain before using it, preventing undetected tampering.
If I disconnect my wallet, can the dapp still move my tokens?
Disconnecting stops the site from requesting new actions but does not revoke past approvals. Revoke unneeded approvals to remove spend permissions.
