Cryptocurrency
“Operators demand access to new markets and new player bases”: Exclusive crypto gambling interview with Glen Bullen from DAOGroup.
While this year may have been a turbulent time for some, we caught up with Glen Bullen, CCO of DAOGroup to talk through the launch of DAOWallet, its cryptocurrency-fiat payments partner, as well as the opportunity to use crypto payments as a key way to engage new players.
What is it that DAOWallet can offer partners and end users that other payment service providers cannot?
DAOWallet may be new to market, but our team has incorporated many crypto payment learnings into the product to make it a slick, client-driven solution for operators looking to engage new demographics and markets.
In essence, DAOWallet offers a simple, clean solution for partners wanting to integrate crypto payments into their casino brands. We do all the heavy lifting and compliance work at our end, so operators can work hands-off on the payments side and focus on driving acquisition to a new audience of crypto users.
Perhaps DAOWallet’s biggest innovation is its ability to track fund provenance, both to mitigate AML risks, but also to improve VIP management. Any player who deposits crypto via DAOWallet will have their pseudo-anonymous source of funds tracked, ensuring both VIP and AML managers alike will know if this is a player prime for big stakes play, or alternatively whether they’ve been associated with red flag transactions in the past.
How can those with little crypto knowledge use DAOWallet to join the crypto gambling revolution?
The key purpose of DAOWallet is to allow deposits and withdrawals to and from a players crypto account to be as simple and seamless as possible. With that, we feel we offer a solution that requires only a minimum of crypto knowledge.
However, the wallet’s role is not necessarily to entice new players to crypto – though it can – but instead to deliver a functionable, painless means to support the millions out there who already hold and use crypto; and, most importantly, want to gamble with it at the best casinos around.
Do you see DAOWallet appealing to a certain demographic or region?
Without pigeon-holing an ever-expanding crypto base, industry research shows the main European demographic as being between 25 and 45 years of age and with above-average disposable income. This audience sees digital assets as more than a speculative asset, and want to find functional day-to-day uses for them, with gaming arguably the most tangible use case for them at this moment.
Saying that, DAOWallet easily supports varied requirements across any global market, such as Latin America, where concerns regarding banking infrastructure warrant the use of alternatives to fiat; or Africa, where barriers to credit card uptake mean many are keen to explore alternative online payment methods.
No matter the geography or demographic, our igaming clients can be confident DAOWallet will be covering all KYC and AML procedures in the backend on sign-up, ensuring a clean transition to the casino, which receives only whitelisted players. This is a major benefit of our solution over others on the market.
How do you see the current state of the payments sector in the gambling industry?
We hear so often that gambling as an industry is an early adopter for new technology. All the while however, there’s untold examples of cautious decision-making and sluggish, suspicious adoption of tech that could have major benefits to the whole ecosystem.
There is no doubt that the payments sector is impacted by this paradox, and the utilisation of crypto is a key example. Operators demand access to new markets and new player bases, and there is a crypto market hiding in plain sight, waiting to be serviced. They must take advantage of this opportunity, or they will fall back against their more forward-thinking competitors.
Do you see wider crypto adoption as attainable right now, or do other industry movements need to happen to facilitate wider crypto payments?
Yes, it is attainable, but various ways of thinking need to be reset for crypto adoption to reach its potential. It’s likely not a gambling industry-specific mentality, but too many look back at setbacks in the space and cling onto them as proof that crypto doesn’t have its place in today’s world.
This is naïve when you consider the various success stories that crypto has in engaging those who cannot access credit cards, those who may not trust the status quo and those who just want to be a little more progressive. I would like those doubters to take a deep breath and revisit what crypto adoption can do for the gambling industry.
As a deposit method, using the likes of bitcoin and Ether is a no-brainer for supporting bigger audiences in more markets. Those operators who don’t embrace it soon will likely find they have lost this lucrative audience and will struggle to win them back.
We have seen DAOWallet recently sign a major partnership with MoneyMatrix. Do you have any other partnerships on the horizon that you could hint at?
MoneyMatrix was a major deal for us and shows the strength of partner that we are looking at. In terms of what is coming next, we’re optimistic about various, progressed conversations with further platforms and a number of tier one operators in a variety of regions. Without naming names, there is a desire amongst potential partners to complement their existing payment partners to attract a new kind of customer, and that’s what we’re here for.
We’re well set to make some big announcements in Q4 in terms of new clients and operators, so keep an eye out for that.
What product improvements can we expect from DAOWallet in the coming months?
Our most recent launch was stablecoin integration, and this will go live with partners to great effect very soon. Not only are we opening more crypto avenues (Tether/TrueUSD) for those looking outside of the bitcoin and Ether hegemony, but it also makes our platform more adaptable to local banking regulation.
Significantly, this was driven by client feedback and demand, and we delivered it back to those same partners quickly and successfully, further proving our credentials as a customer-first partner. We know the size of the crypto gambling space and we want to help fiat-based operators leverage it for their own growth, and it’s through these collaborative projects that we can best do this.
Cryptocurrency
Payhound empowers LSports with a seamless solution to receive payments
Fintech crypto company Payhound has been facilitating leading data provider LSports to accept payments from its clients.
As the premier data provider, LSports offers real-time sports data, providing operators with a competitive edge in the sports betting saturated market. By using Payhound’s solution, LSports can conveniently receive payments from its clients, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
Established in 2018, Payhound’s mission is to enable businesses to handle cryptocurrencies with the same ease, security, and transparency as dealing with fiat currency. Through crypto, Payhound offers fast and efficient international payments, with security being a fundamental principle in all its operations.
Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for LSports stated: “Partnering with Payhound to optimize our payment solutions signifies a significant advancement in our global business strategy. This collaboration enables us to conduct transactions swiftly and securely, further bolstering our position as a premier data provider in the industry.”
Elton Dimech, Managing Director at Payhound, added: “We are delighted to service LSports.Through our platform, clients like LSports can easily receive payments, have such funds instantly converted into fiat, and as a result, greatly improve their operations and availability of funds. We look forward to continuing to be their reliable crypto partner in the future.”
Payhound is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) and is a holder of a Class 3 VFA License under the Virtual Financial Assets Act of 2018. The company has recently revealed its achievement of ISO 27001 certification for the second consecutive year.
Cryptocurrency
SOFTSWISS Named Crypto Company 2024
Crypto Company of the Year was announced at the International Gaming Awards in London. SOFTSWISS, a leading technology company with 15+ years of experience in the industry, gets this title for the second year in a row.
Marking the beginning of ICE London, the awards ceremony has brought together top names in the iGaming industry to honour their achievements. The International Gaming Awards not only unites experts and gaming enthusiasts worldwide but also serves as the pinnacle charity event of the year.
The Crypto Company of the Year category recognises companies that create innovative experiences for clients in the gambling sector with a focus on crypto. The winner is determined by evidence showcasing the company’s standout performance in the crypto space compared to competitors. Reconfirming the previous year’s success, SOFTSWISS emerged as the Crypto Company of the Year for the second time in a row.
Securing the title of Crypto Company of the Year comes naturally to SOFTSWISS, the trailblazer in introducing crypto-friendly solutions for online gaming. Beginning with Bitcoin, SOFTSWISS has expanded its cryptocurrency offering to nearly 20 digital coins since 2013.
In its dedication to improving player experience, SOFTSWISS introduced the In-Game Currency Conversion feature. The innovation allowed players with crypto holdings to engage seamlessly in games originally tailored for fiat only. One year post-launch, 85% of all bets in crypto casinos powered by the SOFTSWISS Casino Platform were made via the feature.
As an expert in crypto-friendly solutions, the company shares its expertise through the quarterly State of Crypto reports and topical podcasts. This helps raise awareness among all stakeholders, offering essential insights for strategic decision-making.
Andrey Starovoitov, Co-CEO at SOFTSWISS, shares: “We are delighted to receive this award, and it signifies more than just recognition for our recent achievements. The title of Crypto Company of the Year holds deep meaning for those who led the way in integrating digital currencies into iGaming, actively advocate for crypto solutions, and generously share expertise in this field.”
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international tech company supplying software solutions for managing iGaming projects. The expert team, which counts over 2,000 employees, is based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia. SOFTSWISS holds a number of gaming licences and provides one-stop-shop iGaming software solutions. The company has a vast product portfolio, including the Online Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with thousands of casino games, the Affilka affiliate platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. In 2013, SOFTSWISS was the first in the world to introduce a Bitcoin-optimised online casino solution.
Cryptocurrency
Casino Market Industry Forecast Reveals Surge to $165.72 Billion by 2028 with Digital Transformation and Cryptocurrency Integration
The “Casino Global Market Report 2024” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets .com’s offering.
The latest report on the global casino market highlights significant growth, with expectations for the industry to swell from $131.42 billion in 2023 to an impressive $165.72 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of current market dynamics, future trends, and potential opportunities, positioning it as an essential resource for stakeholders in the casino sector.
The casino industry, experiencing a renaissance through digitization and a shift towards online gambling, is witnessing the rising popularity of cryptocurrency casinos. Innovations, alongside a deepened focus on responsible gambling, are propelling market growth, drawing attention from both established players and new entrants.
Key Market Dynamics Influencing Growth
- Online Gambling Expansion
- Smartphone Proliferation
- Innovative Casino Products
- Strategic Industry Partnerships
The report underscores the growing dominance of the Asia-Pacific region in the global casino market, bolstered by evolving consumer behaviors and burgeoning tourism sectors. The detailed geographic assessment provides strategic insights into the vitality of various regions within the industry.
Gambling machines, gaming tables, and novel casino experiences are discussed in the report. The document leverages industry-specific metrics to provide a nuanced understanding of segment performance, addressing both offline and online modalities.
Industry Leaders Making Strategic Moves
With major corporations like 888 Holdings PLC and Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the casino market is rife with tactical mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships aiming to solidify market positioning and leverage collective strengths.
The global casino market research report presents in-depth market analysis, reflecting cutting-edge industry trends such as the integration of advanced gaming technologies. It also spotlights operational strategies and expansion plans of front-runners in the gambling domain.
This comprehensive research report is poised to be an indispensable tool for industry investors, strategists, and stakeholders planning to navigate the complex terrain of the casino industry with data-driven confidence.
The casino market research report is devised to serve a diversity of informational needs, offering a meticulous examination of the interplay between market forces, technological advancements, and consumer preferences shaping the future of gambling worldwide.
Please note, the market value detailed in the report represents the actualized revenues recognized by entities within the industry over the specified period and geography.
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes
- 888 Holdings plc
- Boyd Gaming Corporation
- Caesars Entertainment Corporation
- Melco Resorts and Entertainment Limited
- Delaware Park Casino & Racing
- Eldorado Reno Resort Casino
- Foxwoods Resort Casino
- Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel Casino & Marina
- Harrington Raceway & Casino
- LC International Limited
- MGM Resorts International
- Palms Casino Resort
- Penn Entertainment Inc.
- Bally’s Corporation
- Churchill Downs Incorporated
- Genting Group
- Golden Entertainment Inc.
- Hard Rock International Inc.
- SJM Holdings Limited
- Station Casinos LLC
- Star Entertainment Group Limited
- Tropicana Entertainment Inc.
- Wynn Resorts Limited
- Las Vegas Sands Corp.
- Red Rock Resorts Inc.
- Eldorado Resorts Inc.
- Monarch Casino & Resort Inc.
- Pinnacle Entertainment Inc.
- Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.
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