News

The Curacao Gaming Authority (CGA) has approved over 220 provisional licenses for online gaming operators, including a significant number supporting cryptocurrency transactions, as part of its overhaul under the National Ordinance for Games of Chance (LOK). This milestone, reached in Q2 2025, transitions the jurisdiction from a fragmented master-sub licensing model to a centralized, direct-issuance system administered by the CGA, which replaces the former Gaming Control Board. The development bolsters Curacao's position as a premier hub for crypto casinos, enhancing operator credibility and player protections in a market projected to exceed $81 billion globally by year-end.

Play 971, the United Arab Emirates' inaugural licensed iGaming platform, has gone live under the oversight of Coin Technology Projects, marking a pivotal step in the region's embrace of blockchain-enabled gambling. Developed in partnership with Dubai-based blockchain firm Coin Technology, the platform supports cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals via stablecoins like USDT on the Tron and Ethereum networks, alongside fiat options through local gateways. This launch addresses long-standing barriers in the Middle East, where traditional banking restrictions have limited access to online gaming, and positions the UAE as a hub for crypto-friendly wagering in the Gulf.

Operators in Malta and Curacao integrate Layer-2 solutions such as Polygon and Arbitrum to enable faster, cheaper transactions, enhancing user accessibility across Europe and the Caribbean.

Super Group has launched ZAR Supercoin, a rand-pegged stablecoin tailored for cryptocurrency gambling in Africa. The stablecoin integrates with the company's Spin Better platform, enabling seamless deposits and withdrawals using local fiat-crypto ramps. This move positions Super Group as a pioneer in bridging traditional gaming with blockchain payments across emerging markets.

A new category of blockchain-driven platforms—known as yield casinos—is quietly reshaping how crypto users approach mobile gambling. Instead of treating casino balances as idle funds, these platforms use a combination of DeFi mechanisms and automated smart contracts to grow a player’s balance in the background. Every deposit becomes an earning asset, and every unused coin is placed into protocols that automatically generate yield, creating an experience that blends entertainment with continuous financial activity.

Regulatory frameworks in Malta and Gibraltar are tightening, with enhanced AML/KYC requirements for crypto operations, boosting operator confidence in Europe.

Revolut has integrated Polygon to enable zero-fee cryptocurrency remittances and stablecoin payments, marking a pivotal advancement for global crypto casino operators. The partnership, announced this week, supports Polygon's layer-2 scaling solution on Ethereum, allowing seamless transactions with tokens like USDC and MATIC. This development enhances efficiency in crypto gambling ecosystems by reducing costs and settlement times, benefiting operators in jurisdictions such as Malta, Curacao, and the UK where digital asset adoption in iGaming is accelerating.

Stake Casino has integrated the Arbitrum blockchain network to enable faster, lower-cost cryptocurrency transactions for its global user base. This upgrade, announced on November 17, 2025, supports deposits and withdrawals using ETH and USDT on Arbitrum's Layer 2 scaling solution, targeting players in crypto-friendly regions like Curacao, Malta, and emerging markets in Asia and Latin America. The move addresses growing demand for efficient on-ramps in online gambling, where high Ethereum mainnet fees have deterred high-volume betting.

Super Group's ZAR Supercoin integrates stablecoin payments across African markets, enabling compliant crypto deposits for Betway and Spin users under local gambling laws.

BC.Game has integrated Avalanche blockchain support, enabling seamless deposits and withdrawals for users across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. The Curacao-licensed operator, recognized as the Best Crypto Casino 2025 at the SiGMA Central Europe B2C Awards, partnered with Ava Labs to enhance its multi-chain infrastructure. This move addresses growing demand for low-latency transactions in crypto gambling, where players increasingly favor networks offering sub-second settlements over Ethereum's higher fees and delays.

The UK Gambling Commission has intensified scrutiny on cryptocurrency-based gambling, signaling an urgent need for government intervention to integrate crypto into regulated frameworks. Commission CEO Andrew Rhodes highlighted the rapid rise in crypto use among younger demographics as a pressing challenge, projecting it could exclude a significant consumer cohort from the legitimate industry within 18 to 24 months. This development underscores the growing tension between innovation in blockchain wagering and established regulatory safeguards in one of Europe's largest iGaming markets.

The Malta Gaming Authority has tightened its AML protocols for crypto transactions, mandating the integration of blockchain analytics across licensed operators.

BC.GAME has obtained two key licenses from Kenya's Betting Control and Licensing Board, enabling the crypto casino operator to launch its full suite of blockchain-based gaming and sports betting services in the East African market. This move positions BC.GAME as one of the first major international crypto platforms to comply with Kenya's evolving regulatory framework for digital gambling. The development underscores a broader shift toward regulated crypto gaming in Africa, where rising mobile penetration and crypto adoption are driving demand for transparent, fast-settling betting options.

Romania's National Gambling Office (ONJN) has blacklisted decentralized prediction market Polymarket, classifying its blockchain-based outcome betting as unlicensed gambling under national law. The decision, announced on November 3, underscores escalating regulatory scrutiny on crypto-enabled gaming platforms across the European Union. Polymarket, built on Polygon with support for USDC stablecoin settlements, now faces access blocks for Romanian users, prompting broader discussions on compliance for Web3 gambling tools.

Malta's MGA tightens AML protocols for crypto casinos, striking a balance between innovation and compliance in a maturing market.

MetaWin Casino has introduced a zero-rake roulette game on the Solana blockchain, allowing players to retain their full winnings without incurring operator fees. This on-chain implementation, verified through smart contracts, integrates with the platform's $MWIN staking system for rakeback rewards. The development enhances transparency in crypto gambling by leveraging Solana's high-throughput network, reducing settlement times to seconds and transaction costs to fractions of a cent.