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Latin America is home to millions of punters that mostly speak Spanish and Portuguese. Not only do their dialects and cultures differ greatly, but so do their payment methods. However, there is no shortage of payment method innovation for a market that is in love with online gambling. Payment methods differ greatly from country to country, which is due to regulations that are either federal or region-based. Moreover, there is a large focus on alternative payment methods that utilize everything from cash payment at convenience stores to mobile apps. Cash payments are usually based on vouchers that you pay at various stores, while mobile apps are tied into national banking networks managed by federal banking systems. Regardless of where in Latin America you find yourself, the locals are sure to have incredible payment solutions that align with your needs and wants. Latam Online Payment Giants The banking solutions and payment methods of the largest Latam countries are the basis for all Latin American gambling. A comprehensive breakdown of said banking options based on respective countries includes: Brazil Pix -A revolutionary payment system initiated by the Brazilian Central Bank, Pix allows for instant bank transfers any time of the day without any transaction fees or intermediaries, a feature not commonly found in traditional bank transfers. Banco do Brasil - One of Brazil's oldest and most established banks, Banco do Brasil offers a comprehensive range of payment and transfer services, including the ability to make online purchases and fund online gambling platforms. Pros:Wide range of services.Strong reputation and reliability.Cons:It may involve traditional banking fees.Service availability may vary.Upgrade Options: Integration with newer technologies like blockchain for enhanced security and efficiency.Limitations: Services are primarily available to those with Banco do Brasil accounts. Astropay -A digital payment solution that leverages the Pix system for instant bank account payments, offering a seamless and efficient alternative to traditional payment methods since 2020. Pros:Instant payments.No need for a physical card.Cons:Reliance on the Pix system limits it to Brazil.It may not be accepted by all merchants.Upgrade Options: Expansion of services to include more currencies and countries.Limitations: Primarily focused on the Brazilian market and users of the Pix system. VCreditos - A specialized eWallet for sports betting and casino gambling, VCreditos supports a variety of funding options, including instant banking, wire transfers, and other popular eWallets like Neteller and Skrill. Pros:Tailored for gambling transactions.Wide range of deposit options.Cons:It may be restricted to certain jurisdictions.Fees may vary based on the deposit method.Upgrade Options: Broadening the scope to include non-gambling transactions and services.Limitations: Focus on gambling may limit its use for general eWallet purposes. Boleto Bancário - A widely used payment method in Brazil that allows users without credit cards or bank accounts to make payments at various locations, such as supermarkets and lottery agencies, with lower fees than traditional methods. Pros:Accessible to unbanked individuals.Wide acceptance across Brazil.Cons:Payment processing can take time.Physical presence is required for payment.Upgrade Options: Digital integration to allow for online payments without needing to visit a payment location.Limitations: Primarily used in Brazil and requires physical action for payment completion. Bradesco - A modern online banking solution that facilitates real-time bank transfers with Debito Bradesco, requiring an active account at Bradesco Bank for operation. Pros:Immediate transfers.Secure and backed by a reputable bank.Cons:Limited to Bradesco account holders.Traditional banking fees may apply.Upgrade Options: Integration of more digital banking features and international payment options.Limitations: Exclusive to Bradesco Bank customers. Banco Safra -Offering both online banking and mobile app services, Banco Safra provides a versatile banking experience, including the capability for international transfers, which is beneficial for foreign online casino transactions. Pros:Comprehensive online and mobile banking services.Supports international transfers.Cons:May have higher fees for international services.Limited to Banco Safra customers.Upgrade Options: Expansion of mobile banking features and inclusion of cryptocurrency transactions.Limitations: Services are restricted to Banco Safra's clientele. Itaú Unibanco -This provider simplifies online purchases with its virtual cards, eliminating the need for physical credit cards. Virtual cards can be generated via the Itaú Cartões app and used immediately for online transactions. Pros:Instant generation of virtual cards.Enhances online transaction security.Cons:Limited to Itaú Unibanco customers.It may not be accepted by all merchants.Upgrade Options: Broadening virtual card features to include loyalty and reward programs.Limitations: Exclusive to customers of Itaú Unibanco, with usage dependent on merchants' acceptance of virtual cards. Mexico OXXO - A payment service that allows customers to make payments at OXXO convenience stores, catering mainly to those without credit cards or bank accounts. It stands out for its lower fees compared to traditional payment methods. Pros:Accessible to unbanked individuals.Lower transaction fees.Cons:Limited to Mexico.Payment confirmation can be delayed.Upgrade Options: Integration with digital wallets or online banking services for a more seamless payment experience.Limitations: Only available within OXXO's network of stores. 7-Eleven Wallet -A mobile payment method offered by the 7-Eleven chain, allowing users to make payments through the 7-Eleven app. It supports various funding sources, including cash, credit/debit cards, gift cards, and Apple or Google Pay. Pros:Versatile funding options.Convenient for 7-Eleven customers.Cons:Restricted to where 7-Eleven operates.It may require frequent app updates.Upgrade Options: Expansion of services to include online purchases or bill payments.Limitations: Use is confined to 7-Eleven stores and affiliated services. BBVA : An online payment method offered by the Spanish Bank BBVA, previously known as BBVA Bancomer. It facilitates online payments via cash deposits at BBVA banks in Mexico or through online transfers. Pros:Secure and backed by a reputable bank.Wide acceptance in Mexico.Cons:Requires proximity to a BBVA bank branch for cash payments.It may involve banking fees.Upgrade Options: Integration with more digital banking services and international payment options.Limitations: Primarily available only in Mexico and to BBVA customers. STP - An innovative approach to making payments using QR codes and collection messages. These can be fulfilled using a phone and without any commission for the recipient. A modern payment solution utilizing QR codes and collection messages for transactions, which can be completed using a smartphone without incurring any commission for the recipient. Pros:There are no commission fees.Quick and easy mobile payments.Cons:Limited adoption and recognition.Dependent on internet access.Upgrade Options: Wider adoption across merchants and integration with major payment systems.Limitations: Effectiveness is reliant on smartphone penetration and internet access. Waldos - Another store-based payment method that allows you to make international money transfers. Moreover, it also allows you to make cash pickups at Waldo’s stores. A store-based payment method enabling international money transfers and cash pickups at Waldo’s stores. Pros:Facilitates international transfers.Convenient for cash-based transactions.Cons:Limited to Waldo’s locations.Fees may be higher for international transfers.Upgrade Options: Expansion of services to include more financial transactions and digital payments.Limitations: The service range is confined to the store's locations and operating hours. SPEI -An instant electronic payment system that allows 24/7 payments across various financial institutions via mobile or online banking. Pros:Instantaneous transactions.Wide network of participating banks.Cons:Requires access to online or mobile banking.It may have transfer limits.Upgrade Options: Further integration with international payment systems for broader acceptance.Limitations: Dependent on users having bank accounts and internet access. Visa and Mastercard - Widely accepted credit and debit payment methods require a bank account. They are universally accepted at almost all online merchants, including gambling sites. Pros:Global acceptance.Secure and convenient.Cons:Potential for high fees with certain transactions.Risk of fraud and data theft.Upgrade Options: Enhanced security features like biometric verification and tokenization.Limitations: Dependence on banking institutions and creditworthiness. Colombia PSE - Short for “pago seguro electronico,” it is a bank transfer payment solution supported by dozens of banks across Colombia. It allows you to make direct payments from your bank account without using a credit card. All you have to do is enter your bank's name and log in. Efecty - Effectively an offline cash payment solution that links with online goods purchases. Punters are given an instant voucher with a transaction amount and a payment reference number. Once the payment is completed at a physical location with cash, the online gambling platform credits their account. The same process is used for traditional transfers. Via Baloto - An offline cash payment voucher system that is similar to Efecty. Its incredible levels of privacy and the opportunity to have almost full payment obfuscation are beloved across Colombia. SuRed - A cash payment system that has partnered with convenience stores to offer a system of vouchers that can be paid in cash. It is especially handy for those who do not have a Mastercard or Visa debit/credit card. Visa and Mastercard - While these are incredible for online payments and accepted at practically every online casino, they are not as popular in Colombia as one would expect. Argentina Mastercard Local - One of the most interesting card payment programs in the world, with punters being rewarded for traffic at local businesses. It is especially beneficial to local online Argentine casinos and punters who want to receive some form of reward from their banking operator. Rapipago - A prepaid online payment method that is used for everything from online purchases to bills. The system is based on vouchers that punters can pay with cash at various payment locations and without chargebacks. Pago Fácil - An alternative payment method that focuses on those who do not have card or bank accounts. The premise is simple: you are given a unique barcode on an invoice that can be paid at various Pago Fácil locations. However, there are some restrictions on gambling payments, which might prevent you from using this payment method. Chile Classic credit cards - You can find the conventional array of credit card payment options at your Chilean online gambling venues. These options include Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club. WebPay - A common payment gateway provided by Transbank. It allows you to use your Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Diner Club card with a level of obfuscation that can help conceal your private information. It also allows for installment payments that can make your online adventures more affordable. Mercado Pago - An integral part of the MercadoLibre financial services ecosystem that provides comprehensive online payment processing. You can use it for transfers utilizing your credit/debit cards, bank transfers, Mercado Pago balance, and even cash payments based on authorized payment points. Flow - A common online payment gateway that facilitates online transactions using WebPay, one-click payments, payment links, subscriptions, bank transfers, and cash payments. Its versatility is second to none, and it offers something for every type of punter. PayPal - The synonym for online payments that facilitates international, secure, express, and mobile payments. Anyone can make an account with a valid credit card. Peru Mastercard - One of the world's leading payment solutions that pretty much everyone accepts. However, it requires you to be eligible for a bank account, and it leaves a paper trail. VISA - An extension of your credit card’s purchasing power that facilitates online payments of every kind. Note that your bank may limit your purchasing choices for your VISA card. American Express (AMEX) - Getting your hands on an American Express card in Peru might be tricky, but it is worth it. Plenty of online casinos allow you to use it for both deposits and withdrawals. Pago Efectivo - An elegant payment solution that allows you to check out with a unique code instead of a credit or debit card. It was developed by El Comercio Group and allows you to make cash payments at various physical locations.
The gambling industry is quick to embrace new technology, and each leap forward has been about making the player's journey more enjoyable, engaging, and immersive. Modern players aren't interested in gimmicks or flashy tech; they want a more intelligent, streamlined, and entertaining experience - each time they log in. Today, that push has found its more transformative driver yet: artificial intelligence (AI). ZingBrain’s AI’s recent recognition at the 2025 EGR B2B Awards marks a clear signal of where the industry is heading. As Oleg Smolerov, CPO at ZingBrain AI, put it: Personalisation in iGaming is no longer optional and we’re proud to be setting the pace. His statement captures what players across the world are beginning to notice: the online gaming experience is becoming more tailored, dynamic, and alive than ever before. But what does this really mean for the everyday player logging into their favourite casino site? Let's break down the building blocks of this new era of smarter gameplay. 1. Personalisation as the New Standard In the past, players were left to scroll endlessly through game lobbies or accept one-size-fits-all offers as casino platforms relied on broad promotions and static game lobbies. With AI, that model is disappearing, making every session feel uniquely crafted and engagingly personalised. Game & Bet Suggestions: AI is now able to detect your play pattern, bet size preference, and favourite games to suggest titles that appeal to you. Sports bettors view personalised markets and odds based on their preferred bets, while slot players are pointed towards games that best fit their style. For players, it means less searching and more playing, and for casinos, it means a higher chance of player engagement. Smarter Bonuses & Offers: Instead of blanket promotions, AI enables casinos to offer rewards aligned with a player’s activity. A slot fan might get free spins for their most-played game, while a blackjack player may receive table-specific incentives. AI ensures that rewards feel like meaningful perks rather than generic giveaways. This makes bonuses and promotions more relevant and increases the likelihood of players actually using them. 2. Dynamic Progression and Player Motivation What keeps players coming back isn't just variety; it's progression. AI introduces systems that make the overall experience feel like an evolving journey rather than a series of disconnected wagers. In-Game Missions & Goals: Progression keeps players engaged, and AI offers dynamic in-game missions that adapt as you play. Completing five spins on your favourite slot, for example, might unlock a new mission, or winning three hands of poker in a row will make another challenge appear. Hitting tiered objectives or completing micro-missions creates a sense of momentum that goes beyond a simple loss or win, and makes sessions feel fresh and exciting. Tiered Loyalty Systems: AI revolutionises loyalty programs by ditching inflexible points systems. Members are placed into fluid tiers that adapt rewards based on their interaction instead of offering static VIP ladders. Playing regularly will escalate your rewards, and if you slow down, the system rebalances to keep you interested without overwhelming you. This creates a customised experience where loyalty is earned and relevant, offering a model that feels both fairer and more motivating. With ZingBrain AI’s own data reinforcing this trend, it highlights the rising importance of structured rewards and social competitive features. When loyalty evolves dynamically, it resonates deeply with today’s digitally savvy audience. 3. Community and Competition Brought to Life From the buzz of a roulette wheel to the unique engagement at poker tables, the social energy of shared experiences amplifies excitement. With online casinos and sports betting platforms often struggling to replicate this unique tone, AI helps bridge that gap. Interactive Tournaments & Leaderboards: By tracking your real-time performance against others, leaderboards can change missions and rewards as you progress. Instead of just spinning in isolation, players are now climbing rankings, chasing milestones, and comparing results against others. By dynamically adjusting challenges and rewards, AI ensures that competition remains fresh and fair. Live Betting Enhancements: For sports bettors, AI makes live gambling sharper, easier, and more intuitive. Odds shift in real time, customised markets are emphasised, and the system even recommends wagers depending on how a game goes and your past habits. It’s a smoother, data-led experience that reflects the uncertainty of sport itself, allowing punters to bet with confidence at the right moment. 4. Smoother, Safer, and More Supportive Play Behind the glamour of jackpots and bonuses lies an equally important factor: trust. AI isn't just about making the gaming experience more fun; it's about making it safer, smoother, and more supportive, especially when it comes to accessibility features. Improved Gameplay Flow: One of the less talked-about but important domains in which AI shines is pacing. Casinos can now track when a player might need to take a break, when reload time is frustrating, or when a session is slowing down. AI can recommend switching games, speeding up rounds, or even stopping to let players reboot - all to keep the experience smooth and fun. Responsible Gambling Tools: AI systems can catch signs of risk, such as rapid spending or chasing losses, in their early stages by tracking player activity. AI systems can now flag risky behaviour and offer tools like cool-off reminders, spending alerts, or reality checks. By giving players better control, AI helps protect players against the risks of excessive play without undermining the fun. Seamless Support with AI Chatbots: Customer support is the most tangible area where AI shines. AI Chatbots can now resolve everyday issues such as delayed deposits or account inquiries in mere seconds, offering 24/7 instant assistance. By clarifying bonus terms, retrieving forgotten passwords, or resolving payment hiccups, AI can make the process frictionless and faster. Enhanced Game Mechanics: Balancing gameplay is another less visible benefit of AI. AI may spot patterns of player frustration by tracking, such as extremely long losing streaks, and suggest changes to game mechanics. To ensure gameplay feels consistently rewarding and less frustrating, AI systems can monitor balance, volatility, and engagement, flag them and make adjustments or suggestions. Through protection, communication, and fairness, these AI tools foster trust. And for players, trust is the cornerstone of long-term enjoyment. Final Thoughts: The Human Side of AI AI in casinos is more than just algorithms, data, and systems. At its core, AI is about something far more human: creating experiences that resonate, engage, and respect the player. As ZingBrain's AI award-winning platform demonstrates, personalisation and intelligence are no longer add-ons - they're essentials. Emphasising that intelligence is what makes gameplay feel alive, responsive, and deeply personal, Smolerov noted: This award recognises the incredible work our team has done to bring true intelligence to the casino experience. Tastes evolve, technologies advance, and expectations grow, which is why the pursuit of the perfect player experience will never end. The casino of the future is already here: casinos that don't just entertain, but understand. With industry innovators leveraging the power of AI systems, casinos are becoming smarter, more engaging, and much more player-centric.
A new year has arisen, allowing us to reminisce about 2022 and look back at what we have learned, what we were given, and how we can improve. Some iGaming enthusiasts won big in 2022, some game providers were granted their gambling license, and some countries updated their iGaming laws to improve how online casinos are welcomed. It was a good year. Impressive 2022 Big Wins Cleopatra: The Queen of Big Wins At BetMGM Online Casino, a player won big when playing MegaJackpots Cleopatra, an Egyptian-themed slot based on the popular land-based casino game, both of which are developed by IGT. In 2022 BetMGM more than $95 million was paid out to jackpot wins across the United States and Ontario. Stunning Double WowPot Wins Games Global announced the payouts of €10,913,481 and the follow-up prize reaching €4,913,495. WowPot! is a top choice for any iGaming enthusiast, and since its launch in 2020, the progressive network has paid 2,596,394 players jackpots. Merry Christmas from IGT A player in Canada won a whopping $2,143,114.10, becoming an instant millionaire thanks to IGT! This big jackpot was a POWERBUCK$ record win in 2022 and paid out on the 15th of December 2022. It is the second-largest ever Powerbucks jackpot. Most Innovative Gambling Feature Stakelogic has a new innovative live progressive jackpot game show feature, which is worth a spin or two when it triggers a live casino event WITH a professional host! This live casino feature cranks the progressive jackpot experience up a solid 100 and provides players with the experience of being a contestant on a live game show. The spin-to-win feature triggers every few minutes at random, and when it does, the live host spins the Jackpot Wheels; the player is rewarded instantly if it lands a cash prize. When landing on "Jackpot", the wheel spins again and can trigger a Mini, Major, and Grand jackpot prize. Players can win up to $500,000! Who wouldn't want to try a Spin-to-Win? Trending Online Casino Games Crash X by Turbo Games This game is new to the industry and was released in August 2022. The theme for the game is Qatar World Cup 2022, giving soccer fans and iGaming enthusiasts a game to remind them of the unforgettable soccer world cup of 2022. Crash X is a unique casino game with many online slot features. Instead of spinning reels, a spaceship shoots into the stratosphere, increasing its win multiplier as it ascends. To win, a player must jump out of the spacecraft before it crashes! Are you ready to Crash X? Vinnie Jones Stories Roulette A classic roulette with a twist; Vinnie Jones does a celebrity tell-all while you wait for the ball to land on the winning numbers. Players are entertained with a never-before-seen 'interview' with the legendary Vinnie Jones! During each round, the world-famous English 'tough guy' answers a different fan question while his co-host spins the wheel. This engaging iGaming experience is unique to fans and players. Players can get a front-row seat into Vinnie's life story with as little as $0.25 and bet up to $1,000 at a time. This incredible fan opportunity comes with a winning potential of up to $64,500 and includes exceptional features like racetrack bets, special bets, and autoplay. So where can I buy tickets for the show? Drops of Water tied to Charity This game is the first to provide access to clean drinking water to several communities in need of safe drinking water. When a wager is placed on the water-inspired slot game, a donation is added from Amusnet to help fund water and sanitation projects across Africa and India. Utilising a new video slot initiative - Drops of Water - this African-themed online game was launched with the help of a charity: Water, a global non-profit organisation. Drops of Water offer players a unique iGaming experience, and apart from making a difference through Amusnet's donations, punters also have the chance to win exciting rewards! So who is ready to take a trip to the African Safari? Crypto and NFTs in Gambling Aviatrix Looks to the Future Another exciting and innovative gaming experience is becoming more popular: the partnership of these virtual assets and gambling. The Business Development Manager for Aviatrix, Mikalai Pobal, combined NFTs with crash games; these games involve riding a wave of growth before the inevitable crash, and the trick is to get out before the crash. Aviatrix defines itself as an "NFT-based B2B iGaming Solution", offering games that incentivise both players and brands. The NFTs allow players to customise the appearance of their planes; upgrading them will increase their value but will not affect gameplay; however, Pobal says performance enhancements are in the plans for the near future. Fasttoken Becomes an iGaming Favourite. The new kid on the block has become every crypto-supporting iGaming platform's new best friend. Fasttoken (FTT) prides itself in its unmatched level of security, incredible processing speeds, the ability to transact across borders and receive funds instantly, decentralised safety when fiat is in crisis, the ability to provide provably fair gambling checks, and lastly, the potential for high-value holding returns. One of the reasons Fasttoken has been accepted with open arms is that it is the brainchild of a well-established global gambling company, BetConstruct. FTT was established in 2003 as SoftConstruct. The software provider created its blockchain and cryptocurrency division, Fasttoken, in 2018, along with its global payment portal, Fastshift. Lucky Block is Growing at Record Rates Lucky Block is a decentralised gaming system whose crypto asset has increased by over 6,000% since launching in January 2022. Lucky news: they have released a much-anticipated NFT series too! Just 10,000 Lucky Block NFTs will ever exist. The iGaming platform launched in early 2022. Lucky Block games are backed with smart contracts and can be accessed worldwide without jurisdictional restrictions. Due to the limited number of NFTs, the Lucky Block NFT value is predicted to increase over time. Of the NFTs that have been minted, 25 are defined as rare collectibles. You will know if you have bought a rare NFT only once you've completed your purchase. Significant Gambling Regulation Moments Finland The Finnish Parliament approved Finnish Gambling law reform at the end of 2021, with changes implemented on the 1st of January 2022 and the rest on the 1st of January 2023. The new law aims to strengthen the position of the government-owned betting agency Veikkaus and to reduce the possible harm caused by gambling. Most of the changes in gambling laws are related to marketing. If the National Police Board determines that an iGaming company infringes the marketing prohibitions specified in the Lotteries Act, it will be placed on a blacklist. If a company is on a blacklist, it will be subject to payment blocking. Dubai Gambling is illegal in the seven UAE, with Dubai senior tourism official Issam Kazim stating that legalising gambling is not an option for the near future. A new Wynn resort is due to open and requested a gaming license; however, they are yet to announce what that license will include. The UAE has some exceptions regarding gambling, including horserace betting and iGaming, as they have no jurisdiction regarding what UAE residents do on the internet. Malta The MGA approved BetConstruct, allowing them to accept player deposits using cryptocurrencies. Earlier this year, BetConstruct announced the launch of Fasttoken, where over 70 iGaming content developers agreed to include FTT as a supported cryptocurrency. Qualifying for a license is a challenging task. The MGA assesses all information on the client regarding the finance and management of their business. MGA conducts investigations with international regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies. The backgrounds of shareholders and key persons are investigated and verified. This is why it's one of the industry's most widely-recognised licences 2022’s Most Impactful Gambling Trend The FIFA World Cup happens every four years, and when it does, the world pulls out the red carpet and branded items found in every store. It is officially recognised as the most significant sporting event in the world, with industry experts predicting that viewership will reach an all-time high of 5 During the FIFA World Cup, many casino game developers used the global event as a reason to flex their creative muscles. The soccer theme saw a rush of new game releases in 2022, covering online slots, table games, dice games, and even Crash games. We can't wait to see what notable releases lay in store for us in 2026!
Most of us think of Bitcoin, memecoins, and even stablecoins through a personal, limited perspective. For some, that can mean it is our daily driver for online gambling, for others, it’s their investment strategy for future-proofing their retirement. There have always been the Michael Saylors and Elon Musks of the world, who are well-known for being flag-waving crypto-evangelists, but a subtle change in the market is the growing number of companies that are now using Bitcoin and altcoins as a store of value. Early Adopters Gambled Big on Bitcoin Crypto casinos are expected to hold large reserves of Bitcoin and other altcoins, such as Ethereum and Solana, to ensure they can honour player deposits and, more importantly, high-value withdrawals. MicroStrategy Keeps Buying BTC: When Michael Saylor, the CEO and founder of Microstrategy, announced in 2020 that the company would begin storing up Bitcoin the way a squirrel stores nuts for the winter, the broader business community thought he’d lost the plot. It didn’t help that he kicked off the event with a massive $250 million investment, buying up 21,454 BTC. Earlier this year, the company announced that its holdings now total around 638,460 BTC. This store makes it the largest corporate BTC hodler in the world! While Saylor and the company came under scrutiny for the bold move, the reality is that due to the increased value of the market-leading token, their margin is something along the lines of +$22 billion! Tesla Chooses the HODL Life: Musk is known to be pro-DOGE, but what some have forgotten is that he also pioneered big-business investment in Bitcoin. In 2021, Musk had Tesla spend approximately $1.5 billion to acquire 42,000 BTC. Tesla sold off about 10% of its crypto holdings, realsing a $100 million profit, but has chosen to freeze its crypto efforts for the time being. While they’re holding it as a store of value, they are not following MicroStrategy and actively accumulating more virtual coins. That being said, with an average purchase price of around $35,714 at the current value of $110,000 per token, their unrealised profit margin is around $2.8 billion. Not an insignificant stockpile for any business. ‘Bitcoin Treasury’ the New Business Buzzword Bitcoin treasuries, also known as corporate crypto reserves, are increasingly accepted and, in many cases, expected financial strategies for modern companies, particularly those in the tech and innovation sectors. Here are three recent examples: Prenetics: The NASDAQ-listed health-tech company, co-founded by David Beckham, raised a staggering $48 million specifically to expand on its in-house wellness brand, IM8, and bulk out its Bitcoin treasury. At present, its BTC holdings amount to 268.4 BTC, valued at $31 million. However, the CEO, Danny Yeaung, confirmed that they expect to raise the figure to around $216 million. DDC Enterprise: The Asia-focused food and content company raised $48 million to scale its DayDayCook ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat meal business globally while building its Bitcoin treasury. At present, the company holds 120 BTC, valued at around $5 million. CEO Jason Yeung confirmed that they aim to grow their holdings to 10,000 BTC by the end of 2025. Metaplanet Inc.: The Japanese hospitality and real estate company has pivoted to a Bitcoin treasury strategy, raising funds to acquire a substantial amount of BTC. Currently, the company holds 30,823 BTC, valued at roughly $1.3 billion. CEO Simon Gerovich confirmed that they aim to increase holdings to around 210,000 BTC by the end of 2027, positioning Metaplanet as one of the largest corporate Bitcoin holders globally. As the innovation and exciting technological advances of blockchain and cryptocurrencies become more commonplace, we can expect more businesses to look to BTC to shore up their reserves. Stash or Cash: The Ongoing BTC Debate While investors, both corporate and personal, lean into the benefits of BTC (especially its incredible growth potential), tech gurus like Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of social media platform Twitter and current CEO of Block, are pushing for the token to move from asset to digital cash. Doresey responded to a post on X extolling the virtues of doing business in crypto with a simple but poignant statement: “Bitcoin is money” While the point seems simple enough, not everyone was immediately sure what Doresey meant. With Ripple CTO, David Schwartz, finally clarifying: “I think he's somehow trying to say that bitcoin should be seen as a payment system rather than a speculative asset.” A simple review of Doresey’s past comments on cryptocurrency as a payment method rather than an asset would clarify his position. He has long opposed the analogy of Bitcoin as digital gold, saying: “I think it has to be payments for it to be relevant daily. Otherwise, it’s just something you kind of buy and forget, only using it in emergency situations or when you want to get liquid again. So I think if it doesn’t transition to payments and find that everyday use case, it just gets increasingly irrelevant. And that’s failure to me,” While he recognises that the BTC platform is not the best for ongoing transactions, a reality that necessitated the creation of the Lightning Network (a Layer 2 solution designed to enable fast, low-cost, and scalable transactions), he believes it is core to Bitcoin's foundation of Bitcoin. Putting his money where his mouth is, Block Inc. is in the process of developing transactional tools that will make “Bitcoin payments as seamless as card payments”, according to its Head of Bitcoin Products, Miles Suter. Let the Chips Fall Where They May Only time will tell whether Dorsey is correct that BTC needs to be exchanged daily to remain relevant, or whether it will transition from Satoshi’s original vision of peer-to-peer banking to become a store-of-value asset exclusively. Until then, check out the generous welcome bonuses from our recommended Bitcoin casinos. With all its ups and downs, crypto is still the best way to enjoy world-class slots, live dealer gameshows, and classic table games like blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, at your favourite casino. Lock in those big wins by not falling foul of local crypto tax laws. Check out our handy crypto casino taxation guide for more tips.
It doesn't take a gambling expert to know that addiction is the leading problem for the industry—and it doesn't take a genius to know that people who do not gamble quietly tend to stigmatize it as addictive. Global Gambling Age With a global population of 7.8 billion Statista reports from 2020 that 74% of the world is over 16, an age which an individually can reasonably be assumed achieve the ability to access gambling play, online or off, including at unlicensed sites with no age limits. 74% pf 7.8 billion is roughly 6 billion, meaning that some 4 billion people of adult age choose not to gamble. The remainder comprises a huge market. Percentage of Global Gamblers Last October of 2020, UK Footie confirmed that some 1.6 billion people gamble throughout the year, and 2 billion of the entire world population gambled at some point in their lives. A 1.6 billion-2 billion market is nothing to sneeze at, so the operators are going to compete for those dollars as vehemently as they are permitted to. The Operator-Regulator Flashpoint As the iGaming industry expands online casino and sports betting options, a tug-of-war has emerged between zealous operators and regulatory agencies who try to rein in the aggressive marketing competition amongst operators. Fraction of Gamblers Addicted Of the target market operators are vying for, only a small percentage of those players actually display signs of problem gambling, which plays out in the form of statistics such as one UK operator last year taking 83% if its deposits from 2% of its customers. Targeting Overplay to Overpay The concern for regulators as indicated by the Guardian article from which this data was provided to launch 2020 is that the gambling industry is relying too heavily on revenues from addicted players—in a country where punting is considered a national past-time. Crackdowns to Protect the Vulnerable Increasingly stringent measures which we have seen introduced by regulatory authorities both within the UK and without include hard curbs on advertising displays and limits on hours in which gambling adverts may be broadcast on television or radio. Key Play Limits However, the most controversial measure imposed by leading jurisdictions such as the UK to protect players is the wager limits. Dueling Priorities Operators and their trade groups are of course invariably tending towards flooring the gas when it comes to collecting revenues—with wager limits placing ceilings on how much an individual customer can contribute to the traditionally surging coffers of gambling operators. The Wager Limit as Solution At this point, in light of stigmas from outsiders and highly publicized problem gambling issues visible to stakeholders, wagering limits to protect gamblers appear the most effective means of maintaining a cohesive standard of credibility for iGaming as it continues to expand and regulate worldwide. Focus Shift for 2021 While operators may quibble with getting “cut off” from willing spenders, they may just need to realign their focus to sustain or increase their revenue goals while adhering to player protection guidelines. Establishing the Ability to "walk away" When players are aware in advance of their play limits, the credibility of iGaming can be maintained or even enhanced by promoting more responsible decisions about iGaming, and more strategic thinking by players going in—with those limits based on limits percentage of income levels. Wider Marketing not Harder Operators should focus more on “horizontal” forms of expansion, and adapt marketing to wider audiences with less aggressive messages and less aggressive forms of marketing. The world has proven it can play without getting addicted. If operators do not overmarket or overrely on those who display signs of problem gambling, gambling as an activity and an industry can become safer, more respected, and more accepted. Targeting the “Right” Players When the recreational benefits are delivered in an increasingly safe fashion, the full social benefits of regulating iGaming be realized. Adapted marketing by compliant operators can not only help but reach more players who are able manage their own compulsive behavior better. Avoiding the Vulnerable Few Operators can become more complaint by easing off the targeting of players in the population minorities who possess the clinical characteristics that cause problem gambling in the first place. Aggressive marketing antagonizes the vulnerable individual by seeking to clean him out, and this is the practice that UK regulators and others are concerned about, Leisure not Risk To expand safely, and respect guidelines, operators need to return to the core principles of gambling as a recreational activity. Risking money is supposed to be sporting, not damning. It's light recreation, meant for relaxation, not maximum risk stimulation. Note to Operators In 2021's regulatory environment discouraging over-reliance on big spenders and high rollers too much: take $1000 from 10 people instead of 1 to increase revenues. Focus on the recreational component of play to offset the addictive component. Transforming Perceptions to Maximize Revenues When the world perceives of safe practice that protect players and do not conjure up the stigma of addiction, then iGaming will have the best chance of expanding, and operators will have the best chance of tapping new markets—which is the ultimate form of revenue growth. Outlook Effective wager and play limits are the best way to empower new and veteran players alike to manage their play proactively. The marketing practice of targeting less compulsive demographics supports operators and regulators to focus more on social reinvestment of the increasing revenues to be gained from safely expanding markets.
Crypto holds immense potential for secure, anonymous, fast, and efficient transactions. However, the anonymity aspect makes it a breeding ground for scammers and immoral individuals seeking to make a quick buck. The biggest crypto scam to date was BitConnect in 2018, which stole $2.4 billion from US investors alone. It was a textbook Ponzi scheme that simply distributed money from later investors to earlier investors. While the forces of justice routinely crack down on these types of schemes, there are some that slip through the cracks. It is these scams that pray on you while you are buying, transferring, and withdrawing crypto. Join us and learn how you can protect yourself from them today! Why Is Crypto a Scammer’s First Choice? Scammers love crypto because it is anonymous, but it goes deeper than that. Cryptocurrencies are completely decentralized, which means that there is no one legal entity responsible for maintaining order. While crypto wallets have unique IDs and can have their transactions traced perfectly, finding out who is behind certain wallets can be next to impossible. This is especially true if a scammer uses a fake ID or a stolen identity to create them. Smart scammers use non-custodial crypto wallets, which do not require KYC (know your customer) verification, while less clever ones opt for custodial wallets, which require KYC verification in the form of an ID or utility bill. Spotting Fake Gambling Sites Making a website that is a copy of an existing website is far easier than you might think. If you click F12 on your keyboard and navigate to the Elements section, you will find the entire visual representation of any given site. While some sites hide certain elements and fetch others using dynamic code, you can still easily get the skeleton of a website. This skeleton can then easily be filled in by a programmer with mediocre skill and adjusted for scam purposes. It is this method that scammers use to create 1 to 1 copies of reputable gambling sites and play out one of two scams: Deposit traps - You are prompted to make a deposit with your crypto, which you are obliged to do since you want to play. The site takes your crypto and delivers nothing in return. Alternative versions request another transaction as a "processing fee", which again simply disappears. Withholding withdrawals - Sometimes scammers go the extra mile and add visual representations of your money being deposited, but you are simply left without access to casino games. When you try to withdraw, you are simply met with fake errors or a straight-up block from the site. Spotting these types of sites can be trickier than you might think, but a few good pointers include: No license - A site without a valid license or regulatory oversight from a recognized authority is likely to be shady. Too good to be true - If a bonus or promotion is too good to be true, simply bypass the site. Lack of transparency - If the site is not mentioning anything about its company, base of operations, or contact information, leave immediately. By far, the best way to protect yourself from such scams is to use links from reputable review sites such as this one. Remember that all of our recommended online gaming venues have been vetted and reviewed by our industry experts. Crypto Wallet Scams Scams involving crypto wallets have to be a tad more innovative than other malicious activities. They can take various forms, including fake wallet apps, phishing attacks, and compromised wallets, which we will break into now: Fake wallet apps - Some scammers develop malicious crypto wallet apps that steal private keys or seed phrases. Phishing - A fake website or an email imitating a legitimate site can trick users into sharing their private keys or seed phrases Compromised hardware wallets - Some hardware wallets have pre-installed malware or pre-generated private keys, which can give scammers access to your funds without your approval. Impersonation - It is not unheard of for scammers to impersonate wallet support or community members, especially community managers, in order to extract sensitive information. The best way to avoid these scams is to simply use the most reputable services around. While avoiding email scams is a bit difficult, we will teach you exactly how to do it in the next section. Spotting Crypto Email Scams We all receive dozens of emails per day from various coworkers, clients, and websites to which we have subscribed. While using multiple emails for different aspects of your online life, such as one for work, one for friends, and one for website registration, can mitigate a lot of risks, there is no way to avoid email scams completely. The reason behind this is a network of hackers that create security breaches in databases. These breaches allow them to steal personal information, especially emails, which can then be sold on the dark web. The buyers of these stolen emails then run enormous email scams with hundreds of thousands of email recipients. The most common crypto email scams are: Phishing emails - A scammer will impersonate a trusted entity to gain trust. They will then extract sensitive information and steal crypto wallets. Urgent requests - You will receive an email stating that your password has been stolen or that your account needs immediate verification to still function. The link that you follow will lead to a shady site but you will be too anxious to notice. Investment scams - These are your typical “Nigerian prince” scams that offer you enormous returns for comparably tiny investments. All of them are also time-limited to induce a sense of urgency. Blackmail scams - You will receive an email stating that you were filmed doing something that you should not have. The sender will then threaten to send the content to your family and friends unless you send them crypto. Spotting these email scams is, thankfully, relatively straightforward, with the best solutions including: Checking the full email address since most scammers use nonsense emails that are just a string of random letters and numbers. Misspelled domain names that are different from the domain name that should be contacting you. Generic greetings such as “Dear Customer” instead of your pseudonym. Urgent or threatening language that borders on demands and extortion. A lack of verifiable information or reviews regarding an investment opportunity. Protecting Yourself and Your Loved Ones from Crypto Scams Using cryptocurrencies for online transactions, including online casino crypto deposits, can be one of the best decisions ever. The speed, the anonymity, the low fees, and the ease of use are second to none. However, you need to know which signs of scamming to look for. This article has given you a general overview of the current situation, but the best protection is prevention. Only follow trusted links, such as those on our site. Only enter emails into verified websites. Only read emails from verifiable domains and senders. And most importantly, you should only do something because you want to, not because somebody is telling you to.
What started as a TV game show in the 1980s has evolved into one of the most engaging online gambling formats today. Plinko's appeal lies in the mix of simplicity and suspense: players drop a ball into a peg-filled board, watch it bounce randomly, and land on multipliers. In 2025, we're now seeing themes, bonus mechanics, progressive jackpots, and branded editions that make each version feel fresh. This guide covers everything from game variations and special features to basic strategies and where to play Plinko online. Plinko Game Mechanics & Features One of the primary reasons for Plinko's popularity is its flexible format and customisable bonus features. Board Layout: Most Plinko versions offer traditional triangular layouts, while others expand the board for added unpredictability. Lines & Pegs: Players have the option to adjust the board size by adjusting the number of lines, which adds more pegs to the board. Bet Limits: Plinko games suit casual players with lower stakes and cater to high rollers with adjustable bet limits. Theme Versions: From Aztec temples to Easter themes, the look and feel vary drastically from game to game. Autoplay Mode: Most Plinko versions give an autoplay option, allowing players to select between 10 and 1,000 auto plays. Each provider tweaks the core mechanics in different ways, adding special features to elevate gameplay. Overview of Plinko Game Variations Below, we’ll explore six of the most interesting takes on Plinko currently available, breaking down what makes each game stand out. Plinko Blast by Evoplay: Plinko Blast by Evoplay sets the standard for modern Plinko, with an arcade-style design, polished visuals, and smooth animations. The game is fully customisable, and the higher the difficulty, the bigger the reward. With multiple rows and variable field settings, the game appeals to both cautious players and high-risk thrill seekers. The return-to-player (RTP) rate ranges from 96.01% to 96.08%, while multipliers range up to 500x. The maximum win is up to a massive 37,500x jackpot. Pearl o’ Plinko - Fire and Bones by Quickspin: Quickspin has taken the format and wrapped it in a shipwreck graveyard fantasy-adventure theme. Pearl o’ Plinko - Fire and Bones is more than just ball drops; it features 2 bonus games, re-launchers, award pockets, award gates, and bonus pockets. The volatility is low, the RTP is a high 98.10%, and the maximum win is 243x the bet. Unlike most other Plinko variants, Pearl o' Plinko has a buy feature, allowing players to launch directly to one of the two bonus games. Players can add one additional Bonus Pocket on the field at 1.5x. Plinko Aztec by InOut Games: With Plinko Aztec, InOut Games blends cultural theming with fast-paced mechanics. The tap and arcade game developer created a board that resembles an ancient temple against waterfalls, perfectly capturing the Aztec atmosphere. Players can adjust both bet-per-ball and ball-per-drop levels, which significantly alter the risk per drop. The RTP is a solid 98%, the volatility is medium, and bet limits range between 0.01 and 200.00. Collect energy to start the bonus game, and win up to a massive 10,000x. Football Plinko by BGaming: Sports fans get their own version with Football Plinko, a feature-rich creation by BGaming. Players can adjust the bet amount, ranging from 0.10 to 25.00, and select between 1 and 100 balls per drop. Select one of three risk levels, and choose between 8 and 16 peg lines. With features like Multiplier Chance, Respin Chance, and Multiplier Ball Chance, the maximum win of over 10,000x seems possible. It has low volatility and an RTP ranging from 98.60% to 99%, depending on the chosen risk level. Bonus Buy options include elevated multipliers, respin chance, and multiplier ball chance. Olympus Plinko by Betsoft: In BGamin's Olympus Plinko, players transport above Mount Olympus, where Zeus promises divine wins! The volatility ranges from low to high, depending on the player's risk settings, and the RTP is 98.32%. Besides a customisable game board, there are multiple special features. The Prize Wheel can trigger random prizes, ranging from win multipliers to Lucky and Super Jackpots. The Extra Prize Wheel Spin triggers when 1,700 balls are collected, awarding an extra spin on the Prize Wheel or free balls. Plinko Empire by Tada Gaming: Plinko Empire by Tada Gaming is an Egyptian-themed game featuring a jackpot and unique gameplay elements, an area where their arcade fishing games prove they excel. Using progressive-style multipliers, players can unlock bonus paths and extra rewards the more they play. Bets start at 1.00 and scale up to 500 for flexibility. Ball settings range from 5 to 100 for adjustable risk levels. Its volatility ranges, with a maximum win of 6,000x, and the RTP is a solid 97%. Special Bonus Features Some developers add twists that take Plinko beyond pure chance. Popular special features include: Multipliers: Most titles range from 0.20x to 1000x, but some push beyond with progressive mechanics. Jackpots: Some versions introduce progressive-style jackpots that unlock as the game progresses. Bonus Wheels: An exciting addition is the bonus wheel, where players can trigger it for mystery prizes and jackpots. Bonus Games: Some games have bonus pockets that trigger depending on the progress, where a prize potentially awaits. Bonus Buy: Newer Plinko versions include buy features, allowing players to increase multipliers or elevate the chances of triggering special features. Special Pegs: Electrified pegs or obstacles can change the course of balls and even add multipliers. With each new game release, developers up the ante by adding innovative features that completely transform the experience. Plinko as a Bonus Feature: Not every Plinko experience has to be a standalone game. Relax Gaming’s Pond of Plinko uses Plinko as a unique bonus feature inside a larger slot. Instead of reels spinning into free spins or standard mini-games, players trigger a Plinko-style board - a refreshing way to revitalise online slot gameplay. Basic Plinko Strategies While Plinko is mostly luck, players can adapt their own strategies: Risk Level Choice: Beginners usually stick with low-risk settings for steadier payouts, while high-stakes players prefer chasing extreme multipliers. Multiple Ball Drops: Some versions allow several balls at once, spreading the risk for more consistent returns. Balancing Bets: Players often adjust stakes according to risk, lowering them on high-risk settings and raising them when sticking to safer rows. There’s no foolproof way to beat the odds, but understanding volatility and RTP can help players make informed choices. Plinko Odds and RTP Here's a simplified look at how Plinko odds usually break down across games: Risk Level Multiplier Range Probability of Higher Wins Typical RTP Low Risk x1 – x20 Low 97-99% Medium Risk x1 – x200 Moderate 96-97% High Risk x1 – x1,000+ Rare 95-96% The ball's journey is entirely random, but players can often choose how many rows the ball bounces through. More rows mean more variability and higher volatility, but also higher risk and reward. Play Plinko Online Today Plinko has become available on major online casino platforms. Operators featuring Evoplay, Betsoft, Quickspin, BGaming, and Relax Gaming casino games are trusted outlets that ensure fair play and proper licensing. Our recommended casinos regularly highlight Plinko among their game catalogues, ensuring safe deposits, fair RTP outcomes, and access to multiple entertaining game variants.
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest in franchise history. The tournament will span three countries and feature 48 of the world's best teams going head-to-head across 104 matches. To match the excitement of the Football World Championships, bet365, the globally recognised online casino and sports betting provider, is launching an exciting new tournament to celebrate the event. Read on to learn how the promotion works, when it will be running, and how you can get in on football-fueled action for free this Summer. What Is the WC26 Tournament Challenge? Building on the success of their previous free-to-play prediction games, bet365 is inviting its customers to get into the spirit of the beautiful game by taking a shot at climbing the leaderboard to take home the win. The Tournament Challenge features five leaderboard competitions, each offering a $250,000 top prize, with additional prizes available across the leaderboard positions. These leaderboard events are: Matchday 1: Get your predictions in before the opening matches kick off. Matchday 2: Make your next pick and see how you're doing on the leaderboard. Matchday 3: Keep collecting points as the group stage action unfolds. Knockout Stage: Put your football knowledge to the test as the tournament progresses. Tournament Final: Find out where you are on the final leaderboard. Submitting your tournament prediction for each round is free of charge. While the event offers a generous top prize, it is not designed around a winner-take-all structure, as it also offers multiple prizes for supporting positions. How the Tournament Challenge Works What makes participating in WC26 entertaining is the combination of several features, which, combined, create an event that matches the energy of the World Cup itself. The Tournament Challenge includes five key features: Predictions: These allow players to forecast match outcomes. Matchday Progression: These unlock new stages as the tournament develops. Leaderboards: Punters can track performance throughout the competition. Your Leagues: The feature lets players create private groups with friends. Social Sharing: Invite your mates to join by using a custom league code. The promotional challenge follows the flow of the football tournament itself, with separate leaderboards running throughout the competition. Match Days 1, 2 and 3 each have their own leaderboard, while the Round of 32 also operates as a standalone stage. From the Round of 16 onwards, the focus shifts to the overall standings before the final leaderboard is settled at the conclusion of the tournament. This combination of entertaining features allows players to follow the action throughout WC26 while comparing their predictions and leaderboard positions with friends and other football-loving punters. Your Leagues Bring a Social Element One of the new additions to the lineup is the "Your Leagues" feature. Punters can now create private groups and invite friends using a unique league code. Rather than only tracking your score on the main leaderboard, players can check predictions and positions against people they know at any time. Whether you are competing with friends, family, or footie fans at work, the feature adds another layer of entertainment. As the tournament progresses, members can see how their free game picks stack up against one another, creating friendly rivalries that continue from the opening kick-off to the final tournament whistle. For league fans who already enjoy chatting about matches and making picks before kick-off, Your Leagues provides a simple way to keep building hype throughout WC26. The Perfect Summer of Football Fit In the same way that the spectacle of the World Cup keeps fans and players on the edge of their seats, so does the format of the bet365 Tournament Challenge. Football fans can look forward to: Frequent match schedules throughout the tournament. Ongoing engagement across multiple stages. Following football beyond individual bets. Comparing predictions with friends and other participants. More reasons to keep an eye on the action. With high-energy matches, leaderboard positions constantly changing, and new opportunities to climb the standings, Tournament Challenge gives football fans another reason to follow the action from start to finish. Interested in taking part? Learn more about the Tournament Challenge and other WC26 football promotions at bet365 Casino. Full Terms & Conditions: Gameplay For full details on gameplay, please refer to our Tournament Challenge rules. You are responsible for any tax obligations (reporting and / or tax settlement) that are applicable in your jurisdiction in relation to any deposits, stakes or entry fees or any winnings/prizes or losses as the case may be. Prize values displayed are exclusive of any tax deductions (where applicable). Using Bet Credits Bet Credits will be added to your balance once your predictions are confirmed as correct and once the result of the final fixture is known. Your Bet Credits are non-withdrawable. Any returns from Bet Credits stakes will be added to your Withdrawable Balance but Bet Credits stakes are not included in any returns. For example, a $20 bet placed at odds of 3.00 (2/1) would give a return of $60 ($40 winnings plus $20 stake), whereas a $20 Bet Credits stake placed at odds of 3.00 (2/1) would give a net return of $40, as the $20 Bet Credits stake is not returned. Stakes can be funded in part by your Bet Credits and part with your Withdrawable Balance; however the Bet Credits element of the stake will not be included in any returns. For example, a $20 bet placed at odds of 3.00 (2/1) which was funded by $10 Bet Credits and $10 cash would give a net return of $50 ($40 winnings plus $10 cash stake) as the $10 Bet Credits stake would not be returned. If a bet is void and has had an opportunity to win (for example, in the event of a push), Bet Credits stakes will not be returned. If a bet is void and has not had an opportunity to win (for example, when a Goalscorer bet is placed on a player who does not then take part in the match), Bet Credits stakes will be returned. Your Bet Credits will expire 7 days after they are added to your Bet Credits balance. If additional Bet Credits are added to your Bet Credits balance within this 7 day period, the total Bet Credits balance will expire 7 days after the last addition. General Tournament Challenge is available at the discretion of bet365 and bet365 makes no guarantees regarding its availability. bet365 will not be responsible if the Tournament Predictor feature is not available for technical reasons. Please note that bet365 is not responsible for any rewards or promotions offered in connection with the Tournament Challenge by any third party. bet365 reserves the right to accept or decline any Tournament Challenge entry. bet365 reserves the right to reclaim any prize-money or remove Bet Credits awarded for a Tournament Challenge entry if the outcome of a fixture within the relevant game was determined in error. bet365 reserves the right to amend, suspend or remove the Tournament Challenge feature (or any part of it) for any event, fixture or customer. bet365 reserves the right to remove the Tournament Challenge feature for any customer or group of customers where it has reasonable grounds to believe that the customer or groups of customers is misusing the feature.
With the growing value of Bitcoin and other decentralised tokens, we have seen a surge in crypto casinos and a growing appetite from players to gamble using their favourite coins. However, as the industry has begun to mature and cryptocurrencies are moving away from simply being the ‘hot new trend’ into a trusted financial instrument, how holders are using these digital assets is also evolving. One of the use cases for this cutting-edge technology, which is gaining ground, is staking. Join us to learn more about this process and why it resonates with crypto gamblers. Global Crypto Regulation Shift In recent news, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) amended its cryptocurrency legislation to allow Virtual Asset Trading Platforms (VATP) and exchange-traded funds (ETF) to offer crypto staking to their users. This move saw the financial powerhouse join the ranks of Singapore (excluding retail staking), Germany, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates. All of these regions have ensured that their crypto laws, local crypto tax codes, and investment frameworks allow investors to stake their digital assets in yield-bearing products. Malta and Portugal do not have specific laws governing the practice, but neither is there anything that claims it is illegal. This grey area, combined with their lack of capital gains tax for private investments, has made staking a hot topic amongst investors but kept platforms from going too hard until there is more regulatory clarity. While both the European Union and the United States are on record as considering the legalisation of crypto staking, it is the United Kingdom that will most likely be the next big player to enter the space. Staking is not the Same as Betting While crypto gamblers are used to funding their player accounts and using their assets to play slots or back a sports team, staking in this context is more like backing the house than wagering on the game. Britannica Money defines cryptocurrency staking as: “... practice of locking your digital tokens to a blockchain network in order to earn rewards—usually a percentage of the tokens staked. Staking cryptocurrency is also how token holders earn the right to participate in proof-of-stake blockchains.” In short, this is similar to how a poker room operates. It allows players to compete head-to-head at their table; they manage the deposits, withdrawals, and the flow of the game. At the end of the game, they take a cut of the pot as a service fee. Crypto staking allows investors to assign a portion of their holdings to a staking platform, based on the advertised rate of return, for example, 5% for 30 days. The investor receives interest on their stake at the end of the period. Why Gamblers Are Turning to Staking Punters who are holding large sums of crypto tend to have delegated gambling balances, and as this pot grows, they look for ways to keep it active without risking it all on crash games and live dealer bets. Staking has become a fantastic way to ensure their portfolio remains active and gains value without being used for online gambling. The experience is akin to betting on low-volatility games; sure, the wins are not astronomical, but it's fun to see your balance ticking up over time. Also, there is a particular pleasure in being the house for a change, rather than the one competing against it. Staking is essential for the viability of crypto platforms as it ensures that networks add accurate new information, and it is used to defend against network control attacks (also known as 51% attacks). All of this and you earn passive income for investing your tokens into the network for short periods, making it the ideal intersection of risk versus reward for online gamblers. It’s Not all Sunshine and Roses With the mention of risk versus reward, we have to clarify that, much like any sports bet or casino wager, cryptocurrency staking is not a guaranteed win. The Downside of Staking Your Tokens: Anytime you place an asset under the control of a 3rd party, there are risks - here are some of the things to consider before staking: You can’t access your crypto while it’s locked in staking. Prices can drop, so your staked tokens and rewards might lose value. Some or all of your crypto can be taken if the network rules are broken. Too many rewards can cause inflation and reduce the value of your earnings. If the blockchain is attacked, your staked crypto could be at risk. Staking is not well-regulated in many countries. Staking can be tricky and may need technical know-how. Some platforms charge high fees that eat into your staking rewards. Not all staking projects are legit—some could be scams. Slashing Penalties Can Be Brutal: Even with all precautions, slashing penalties can still occur, and they may cost you part or even all of your staked tokens.. This is because, in a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) network, validator activity is monitored by a smart contract that defines the rules of participation. If those rules are broken, whether intentionally or not, the contract can automatically trigger penalties, including the loss of staked tokens. If a validator using your funds is deemed to be validating conflicting blocks (called double signing), or goes offline too often, resulting in missing blocks, they may be penalised by having a portion of their staked crypto permanently taken away or being removed as a validator. In both instances, there will be a negative impact on your expected returns, or even lose a portion of the coins you set as the stake. Take Matters Into Your Own Hands If you prefer to trust the growth of your crypto holdings to your luck at the tables, rather than the whims of a network validator, we recommend checking out these highly recommended crypto casinos. Each operator offers a generous welcome bonus that guarantees a tasty boost to your bottom line from the outset, and you get to actively enjoy some of the best mobile slots, arcade games, and live dealer gameshows the internet has to offer.
Some online casinos are just casinos. Stake.com is something else. Since launching in 2017, it's grown into the largest crypto casino on the planet, processing over $100 billion in bets, pulling in millions of players, and building a sponsorship portfolio that would turn heads in any industry. Drake. Everton FC. The UFC. A Formula One team. At some point it stopped looking like a gambling site and started looking like a media company - and honestly, that's probably intentional. The real question, though, is whether it actually delivers. Celebrity deals are great but you can't spin a roulette wheel with them. So we dug into the games, the payouts, the bonuses, and the fine print. Here's what we found. History and Background The origin story is genuinely unusual. Stake.com didn't come out of a traditional gaming background - it came out of RuneScape. That's where Ed Craven, an Australian in his early twenties, and Bijan Tehrani, his American-Australian co-founder, first crossed paths in the mid-2010s. They got curious about gambling mechanics through the game's player-run betting communities, and in 2013 they launched Primedice - a simple cryptocurrency dice game that quietly built a loyal audience among early Bitcoin users. By 2016 they'd formalised things into a company called Easygo and turned their focus to building a full online casino. Stake.com went live in 2017, licensed in Curacao, and growth came fast. They expanded to the UK in late 2021 through a partnership with TGP Europe, and by 2022 the brand was everywhere. Craven appeared on the Financial Review's Young Rich List in 2024 with an estimated net worth of over AU$2 billion. He was born in 1995. It started with a dice game. Stake pulled out of the UK in early 2025 after a cautionary notice from the Gambling Commission, but that's not slowing it down elsewhere. In February 2026, it secured a five-year licence in Denmark and set up its local headquarters inside Parken Stadium, home of FC Copenhagen. That's not the move of a company in retreat. Games and Software There are over 6,000 games on the platform. That puts Stake among the biggest online casino libraries around, drawing from providers like Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, NetEnt, and Evolution Gaming. But the most interesting part of the catalogue isn't from any of them. Stake Originals are built in-house by Easygo, and they're unlike anything you'll find at a typical casino. Plinko, Mines, Crash, Dice, HiLo, Limbo - these games all use provably fair technology, meaning you can independently verify every outcome yourself using cryptographic proofs. No trust required. You can just check. That's a genuinely rare thing in this industry. Outside the Originals, the library covers everything you'd expect: Slots - Thousands of titles spanning every theme and volatility level, from slow-burn low-variance games to the kind of high-variance slots that can go either way fast Live casino - Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and a growing selection of game show titles, all streamed by Evolution Gaming with real dealers Table games - The full range of classics, most available in multiple variants Sports betting - A well-built sportsbook covering football, basketball, tennis, UFC, motorsports, and more, sitting right alongside the casino eSports - Dedicated betting markets across CS, League of Legends, and other competitive titles Poker room - Live poker for players who want something with a bit more strategy involved There's no dedicated mobile app, which some players will find annoying. But the browser experience on mobile is genuinely good - fast loading, clean navigation, no features missing compared to desktop. For a library this size, it holds together well. Licence and Security Stake runs on a Curacao Gaming licence (OGL/2024/1451/0918) via Medium Rare N.V. Curacao is a legitimate offshore credential and widely recognised in the industry, but it's not the same level of oversight you'd get from the MGA or UKGC. If strict regulation is your top priority, that's worth factoring in. What Stake does control - its own security setup - is solid: 256-bit SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and a Vault feature that lets you ring-fence part of your balance behind a time delay, which is a nice touch for anyone who's ever made a withdrawal they regretted at 2am. The biggest test of Stake's security came in September 2023. Hackers tied to North Korea's Lazarus Group got into one of its hot wallets and walked away with around $41 million in crypto. Not a minor incident. What happened next, though, was impressive - no player lost a single dollar. Stake covered the full amount, restored every affected balance, and was back online within hours. We've seen regulated casinos handle far smaller problems far worse. That response matters. One thing to know before signing up: KYC verification is required before your first deposit. If you were hoping to play anonymously, this isn't the platform for that. Third-party RNG fairness is independently audited, and the Originals are fully provably fair and player-verifiable at any time. Bonuses and Promotions Stake doesn't do bonuses the way most casinos do. There's no giant welcome offer plastered across the homepage followed by a thin calendar of recycled promos. Instead, it runs a continuous programme of high-value competitions that refill every day, every week. For players who stick around, the cumulative value is hard to match anywhere. Welcome Bonus - 200% up to $3,000: New players can get a 200% match on their first deposit, capped at $3,000. You'll need to deposit at least $50 in crypto and contact Live Support to activate it - not the smoothest process, admittedly - and a 40x wagering requirement applies with contributions weighted by house edge. The value is real, the activation is just slightly clunky. Daily Races - $100,000 every 24 hours: This is the one. Every single day, Stake splits $100,000 between the top 1,000 players on a wager-based leaderboard. Races reset at midnight UTC, standings update live every minute, and winnings pay out in real cash with no wagering requirements attached. Most casino welcome bonuses don't come close to this kind of daily value for active players. Weekly Raffle - $75,000: One ticket per $1,000 wagered on slots and Originals, draw every Friday. Simple, and the prize pool is nothing to dismiss. Stake vs. Eddie - $50,000 per week: Players go head-to-head against the house host, trying to out-multiply him on featured slots. It's a fun format that makes slot sessions feel less solitary, and $50K a week keeps the competition lively. Originals Ascent - $40,000: Hit specific multiplier targets across the Originals library to earn rewards. Good motivation to actually explore the in-house games properly. Bonus Drop Codes: Free codes dropped on Stake's Telegram, X, and Instagram at irregular intervals. You need to be paying attention to catch them, but they're genuinely free money when you do. And then there's rakeback - from Bronze tier upwards, a percentage of every bet's house edge comes back to you automatically, on every single game, win or lose. No claiming, no codes, just passive returns on your play. VIP Club The VIP programme is probably Stake's strongest card, and nearly a million players are already in it. What makes it stand out is that it's open to everyone - no invitation required, no getting handpicked by an account manager. You just play, your wagers accumulate, and you move up. There are 15 levels in total: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum I through VI, Diamond I through V, and Obsidian at the top. Here's what you unlock as you climb: Bronze - Rakeback on every bet, weekly boosts, monthly bonuses, access to the VIP Telegram channel Silver and Gold - Same perks with progressively higher bonus amounts; Gold adds a birthday bonus Platinum I-VI - Daily reload bonuses calculated from your recent wagering, growing rakeback rate Platinum IV onwards - A dedicated VIP host assigned to your account, handling personalised bonuses, priority support, and tailored game recommendations Diamond and Obsidian - Fully custom reward packages negotiated directly with your host Bronze requires $10,000 in wagering to unlock. Silver and Gold sit between $50,000 and $100,000. Platinum starts at $250,000. So yes, the top tiers are for serious players - but the rakeback and weekly boosts you get from Bronze onwards still add up to real value even if you're not wagering at high-roller volume. Worth noting: sports betting wagers count three times faster toward VIP progress than casino bets, which is handy if you split your time across both products. For a deeper breakdown, you can check out our full Stake Casino profile on the site. Accepted Currencies and Payment Methods Stake is crypto-first and that's not changing. Every deposit and withdrawal goes through cryptocurrency, which means no waiting on bank processing, no currency conversion fees, and no withdrawal limits imposed by the platform. Over 20 digital currencies are accepted including: Bitcoin (BTC) Ethereum (ETH) Tether (USDT) USD Coin (USDC) Solana (SOL) Dogecoin (DOGE) XRP Litecoin (LTC) Bitcoin Cash (BCH) Tron (TRX) EOS, and more Not set up with crypto yet? MoonPay is built directly into the platform, so you can buy crypto with a Visa, Mastercard, or Maestro card without leaving the site. Your balance displays in whichever fiat currency you prefer - USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and others - but the actual transactions run on crypto rails throughout. It's a smooth enough on-ramp that even players with no prior crypto experience tend to get through it without much friction. The no-limits withdrawal policy is a genuine differentiator, especially for bigger players. Cashing out large amounts quickly, without submitting forms or waiting days for approval, is something a lot of traditional casinos simply can't offer. For more on how crypto payments work across the industry, our Bitcoin casinos guide covers the basics well. Sponsorships and Celebrity Partnerships No gambling company has spent on marketing quite like Stake has. Rather than buying banner ads and affiliate traffic, they went straight for the biggest names in sport and entertainment. The results have been hard to ignore. Drake - reported $100 million per year: The headline deal. Drake serves as Stake's global brand ambassador under what's been widely reported as a $100 million annual arrangement - one of the biggest celebrity sponsorship deals in history, gambling industry or otherwise. He's hosted exclusive Stake streams, given away thousands to viewers live on air, and the initial campaign included a $1 million donation to the LeBron James Foundation. The reach this generated is enormous. Everton FC - record Premier League kit deal: In June 2022, Stake's logo went onto the front of Everton's shirts - reportedly the largest commercial deal in the club's 144-year history. It covered both men's and women's kits, stadium screens at Goodison Park, and the club's full digital presence. Watford FC carried the Stake badge before that, giving the brand two consecutive seasons of Premier League exposure. UFC - Official Betting Partner: Stake holds official UFC partner status across Latin America and Asia, putting the brand ringside in front of a global audience that tops a billion TV households. Among the fighters who've represented the brand: Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira, Jose Aldo, Alexandre Pantoja, Merab Dvalishvili, and Caio Borralho. Kick Sauber F1 Team: Stake sponsors the Sauber Formula One team - known as the Kick Sauber F1 Team - with branding on the cars across 20+ race weekends per season. The deal ties directly into Kick.com, the streaming platform Ed Craven co-founded as a competitor to Twitch. eSports - Astralis and Team Vitality: Since March 2026, Stake has partnered with Danish CS organisation Astralis, building on a deal with 2025 CS Major winners Team Vitality. If you're using Stake for eSports betting, these partnerships give the brand some genuine credibility in that space. Football and combat sports beyond the Premier League: Sergio "Kun" Aguero has been a brand ambassador. Stake sponsors Mumbai City FC, Hyderabad FC, and clubs across South America. It's also partnered with the Davis Cup in tennis and sponsored the Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Ryota Murata world title fight in Japan. The reach is genuinely global at this point. Jackpots and Big Wins Stake puts its winners front and centre, and there are a lot of them. The Daily Races and Weekly Raffles produce hundreds of documented payouts every week - real people, real amounts, verifiable results. That's a different kind of win culture to the one-in-ten-million progressive jackpot story most casinos lean on. The Originals games - Crash, Plinko, and Mines in particular - have generated some of the platform's biggest individual wins. Because they're provably fair, those wins can actually be verified by anyone who wants to check the seed and outcome data. That gives the stories a credibility you just don't get with a screenshot of a slot machine. It's also helped build a large community of streamers who broadcast on Kick.com, where big sessions attract hundreds of thousands of live viewers and turn individual wins into shared moments. For progressive jackpots, third-party titles from providers like Pragmatic Play bring network-linked prizes into the mix. Combine that with Stake's own competitions and there's a reasonable amount of upside available at any given time. You can track what's currently live across top casinos in our progressive jackpots section. Reputation and Trust Stake's reputation across the player community is largely positive, and it's earned rather than bought. The platform pays out. Complaints get resolved. And when something went badly wrong - the $41 million hack in 2023 - the response was fast, transparent, and complete. Every player was made whole. The platform was back within hours. You can find regulated operators who've handled far smaller incidents far worse. Live chat support runs around the clock with response times that consistently come in under a minute. That's an unusually high standard. The communities on Reddit, Telegram, X, and Kick are actively maintained - actual engagement, not just scheduled posts. The Curacao licence is the main caveat, and it's a fair one. You don't have the same regulatory backstop as you would with an MGA or UKGC operator. The UK exit in 2025 raised some eyebrows too, though it came down to a specific regulatory issue rather than a general pattern of non-compliance. The Danish launch - in one of Europe's stricter regulatory environments - suggests the long-term direction is toward more oversight, not less. The platform runs in 16 languages and serves players across most of the world, which at least tells you it's not struggling to find an audience. If you want to weigh Stake up against other options before deciding, our top online casinos list is a sensible starting point. And if the sportsbook side of things interests you specifically, we have a separate review covering Stake Sports in its own right. Pros and Cons What we like: Over 6,000 games, including provably fair Originals you won't find anywhere else $100,000 in daily prize races - nothing else in the industry comes close 20+ cryptocurrencies supported, with a built-in MoonPay card-to-crypto option Instant crypto withdrawals, no limits 15-level VIP programme that's genuinely open to everyone Automatic rakeback on every single bet from Bronze tier up 24/7 live chat with response times under a minute Casino, sportsbook, poker room, and eSports all in one place Proven track record of paying out and handling problems responsibly Worth knowing before you sign up: Curacao licence - not the same level of protection as MGA or UKGC UK players can't access the platform following the 2025 exit KYC verification required before your first deposit Crypto-only deposits - no direct bank transfers or traditional card payments No dedicated mobile app - browser only Welcome bonus has a clunky activation process and a 40x wagering requirement Our Verdict Stake.com has built something genuinely impressive. The provably fair Originals, the $100,000 daily races, a VIP programme that rewards everyone not just whales, and a brand presence that's reached places most gambling companies could never dream of - it all adds up to one of the most well-rounded platforms in online gambling right now. It's not perfect. The Curacao licence is a real limitation for players who care about regulatory protection, and the crypto-only deposit model will put some people off. But if you're comfortable with crypto and you want a platform that delivers ongoing value rather than a one-time welcome offer, Stake is genuinely hard to beat. It started as a dice game built by two guys who met on RuneScape. Now it's sponsoring Premier League clubs and Formula One teams. Whatever you think of gambling, that's a hell of a story - and the platform behind it is worth your time. Want to see how it stacks up against other crypto-friendly operators? Check out our guide to the best fast payout casinos for more options.
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