rapid growth illustrates a major shift in digital entertainment: the convergence of online gambling, cryptocurrency, blockchain-based payments and global sports culture. Since launching in 2017, the platform has positioned itself at the intersection of these fast-moving markets, giving users access to casino games, live-dealer tables, proprietary titles, sports betting and a broad selection of digital currencies.
Its rise was not based on one feature alone. combined product variety with crypto-native payment options and a highly visible marketing strategy. Partnerships involving online personalities, musician Drake, football clubs including Everton and Watford, and the UFC helped turn the company into a recognizable name for many gambling and sports audiences.
The result is a case study in how a digital-first gambling business can use technology, payments, entertainment and sponsorships to create a powerful international brand presence. At the same time, availability remains dependent on local laws, licensing arrangements and jurisdiction-specific restrictions.
The foundation: a crypto-focused gambling platform launched in 2017
was launched in 2017 by Edward Craven and Bijan Tehrani. The platform operates under Medium Rare N.V., a Curaçao-based company. It entered the market at a time when cryptocurrency use was expanding beyond trading and investment into consumer-facing services, including online gaming and betting.
Bitcoin had already demonstrated that digital assets could be transferred online without relying on traditional banking rails in the same way as card payments or wire transfers. For online gambling operators and users, that development created a new set of possibilities: faster funding workflows in some cases, potentially lower transaction costs and access to a payment method designed for an internet-native audience.
built its offering around that opportunity. Rather than treating cryptocurrency as a secondary payment feature, the platform made crypto a central part of the customer experience. This helped it appeal to users already familiar with Bitcoin, Ethereum and other digital assets, while also benefiting from the growing public interest in blockchain technology.
Why crypto casinos gained momentum
Crypto casinos emerged as cryptocurrency adoption grew. Early digital-currency concepts predated Bitcoin, but Bitcoin’s 2009 launch created the best-known framework for a decentralized digital asset that could be used online. Over time, Bitcoin became one of the first widely recognized cryptocurrencies used for gambling-related transactions.
The appeal of crypto gambling is closely connected to the characteristics of digital assets and blockchain networks. Depending on the currency, network conditions, platform processes and a user’s jurisdiction, crypto payments can offer practical advantages over conventional payment methods.
Core benefits that attracted crypto users
- Digital-first transactions: Cryptocurrency is designed for online transfer and can fit naturally into an internet-based casino or sportsbook environment.
- Broad asset choice: Users can select from established cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and other tokens rather than relying exclusively on a single payment route.
- Potential cost efficiency: Transaction costs may be competitive in some circumstances, although network fees can vary considerably by asset and demand.
- Global familiarity: Crypto assets are recognized by a large and international community of users, which can support cross-border brand awareness where services are legally available.
- Fast-moving product innovation: Blockchain and digital-asset markets evolve quickly, allowing platforms to respond to emerging payment preferences.
These benefits helped make crypto casinos more visible within the broader online gambling market. For platforms such as the combination of familiar casino entertainment and flexible digital payments created a proposition that resonated with both gambling customers and crypto enthusiasts.
cryptocurrency selection supported flexibility
A key part of growth story was its support for a wide range of cryptocurrencies. According to reporting from 2022 (check this site), the platform supported 19 digital currencies after expanding its list of available assets. That selection included major cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and meme coins.
Offering multiple assets matters because crypto users do not all share the same priorities. Some prefer long-established networks such as Bitcoin or Ethereum. Others look for lower-cost transfer options, while some value stablecoins designed to track the value of a reference currency, commonly the US dollar. Meme coins can also attract highly engaged online communities and users interested in culturally prominent tokens.
Examples of cryptocurrency categories featured in 2022 offering
| Category | Examples reported in the 2022 selection | Potential user appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Major cryptocurrencies | Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash | Established name recognition and broad crypto-market familiarity |
| Alternative layer-one and utility tokens | EOS, Tron, XRP, BNB, Polygon, Chainlink, Uniswap | More choice for users already active across different blockchain ecosystems |
| Stablecoins | DAI, USDT, USDC and BUSD | Designed to reduce exposure to the price volatility common in many cryptocurrencies |
| Meme coins | Dogecoin and Shiba Inu | Strong community visibility and cultural relevance within crypto markets |
| Other digital assets | ApeCoin, The Sandbox and similar tokens | Access for users participating in newer crypto and digital-entertainment communities |
The inclusion of stablecoins was especially significant from a usability perspective. Unlike many cryptocurrencies that can experience substantial price movements, stablecoins are generally designed to maintain a value close to a reference asset. This can make balances easier for some users to understand and manage, though users should always consider the specific design, reserves, market risks and regulatory status of any digital asset they use.
Casino variety helped broaden the platform’s appeal
Payments may create an entry point, but entertainment breadth helps sustain interest. product range has been an important contributor to its visibility. Reporting on the platform highlighted more than 40 live-dealer games, alongside slots, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, table games, jackpot titles and game-show-style experiences.
Live casino gaming is particularly valuable for platforms seeking to combine online access with elements of the traditional casino atmosphere. Live-dealer formats place a human host and real-time presentation at the center of the experience, offering an alternative to fully automated digital games.
Key game categories associated with the experience
- Live casino: Real-time dealer-led formats across popular table-game categories.
- Roulette: A recognizable casino staple available in multiple digital and live formats.
- Blackjack and baccarat: Classic card games with broad international appeal.
- Slots: A large category spanning themes, mechanics, jackpot formats and feature-driven gameplay.
- Game shows: Entertainment-oriented formats designed around visual presentation and interactive mechanics.
- Table games: Digital versions of familiar casino games for users who prefer more traditional formats.
Product depth can be a competitive strength because it gives users more ways to engage with one platform. A broad library can serve people looking for a quick game, fans of live tables and users interested in new releases or exclusive formats.
Proprietary games gave a distinct identity
In addition to third-party casino content, became associated with proprietary games such as Crash, Keno, Dice, Limbo, Hilo, Mines, Scarab Spin, Blue Samurai, Slide, Video Poker and Wheel. Original content can help a platform stand apart in a crowded market where many operators offer overlapping categories of slots and table games.
For a consumer-facing digital brand, proprietary titles can create recognizable product identity. They can also support a more consistent on-platform experience by giving users games that are closely tied to the operator’s own ecosystem rather than being available everywhere in the same form.
This approach reflects a broader digital-entertainment principle: exclusive or distinctive content can become a reason for audiences to return. In case, the combination of original games, live-dealer options and conventional casino categories created a varied entertainment portfolio.
Sports betting expanded the audience beyond casino players
did not limit its strategy to casino games. Sports betting gave the brand another way to connect with users, particularly fans who follow football, basketball, tennis, American football, golf, ice hockey and other competitions.
Sports betting can complement casino content because it is connected to recurring events, league calendars and major tournaments. Football matches, combat-sports cards, tennis tournaments and international competitions generate regular moments of attention. A sportsbook can therefore give a platform additional relevance across the year rather than relying only on casino activity.
Sports categories reported as part of the platform’s betting offering
- Football, including domestic leagues and international competitions
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Handball
- American football
- Golf
- Ice hockey
- Motorsport and racing categories
- Futsal
The sports vertical also created a natural bridge to sponsorship marketing. Once had a sportsbook offering, partnerships with teams, athletes and sports organizations became more than general advertising; they reinforced the company’s positioning as a brand connected to the excitement of live competition.
A high-visibility marketing strategy accelerated brand recognition
growth was closely tied to aggressive, digitally fluent marketing. The company pursued audiences across livestreaming, creator culture, music and professional sports. This approach helped the brand reach people who may not have discovered it through conventional gambling advertising alone.
The strategy worked because it aligned with channels where gaming and sports audiences already spend time. Rather than communicating only through traditional ads, the brand became part of conversations around livestreams, football sponsorships, UFC programming and celebrity-led content.
Twitch personalities and livestream culture
Twitch was a particularly important part of the platform’s visibility during the rise of gambling-related livestreaming. The service has long been associated with video games and online communities, making it a logical environment for brands seeking digitally native audiences.
was promoted through partnerships and appearances involving prominent online personalities, including Adin Ross, xQc and the Nelk Boys, according to contemporary reporting. Drake also became associated with Stake through livestream content under the channel branding of Stake and Drake.
Creator marketing can be highly effective because it turns brand exposure into entertainment. Viewers are not simply shown a product; they see personalities they follow interact with content in real time. That format can create visibility, discussion and strong recognition among online communities.
Platform rules and content policies can change, however, and gambling-related content is subject to evolving restrictions on streaming services. This makes a diversified marketing mix especially valuable for operators seeking sustained awareness across multiple channels.
Football sponsorships: Everton and Watford
Football sponsorships gave access to one of the world’s largest sports audiences. The company entered partnerships with Watford and Everton, placing its branding in front of supporters through club-related visibility and shirt sponsorship arrangements.
Watford’s partnership with was established during the 2021/22 Premier League season and later renewed, according to the 2022 report. Everton announced as its main partner in 2022. Such agreements can offer far more than logo placement: they connect a sponsor with matchday attention, media coverage, fan discussion and the emotional engagement surrounding a club.
For a global online brand, football is especially useful because its audience crosses borders. Supporters follow English clubs worldwide through broadcasts, social media, highlight coverage and fan communities. A prominent partnership can therefore contribute to international recognition well beyond a team’s local market.
UFC partnerships and combat-sports visibility
also developed a significant relationship with the UFC. In 2021, it became an official betting partner for UFC in Latin America, excluding Brazil at that time. A subsequent 2022 agreement expanded the relationship to include Brazil, according to the source material.
The UFC partnership helped connect with combat-sports fans and positioned the brand alongside a global sports property known for high-energy events and passionate audiences. Brand ambassador relationships, including involvement from Israel Adesanya, added another layer of personality-driven visibility.
These partnerships demonstrate how sports marketing can create a multiplier effect. A gambling platform can gain exposure through event broadcasts, athlete associations, social posts, fan conversations and betting-related interest around major fight cards.
What made growth model compelling
billion-dollar profile was shaped by the way its major elements reinforced one another. Crypto payments attracted a digital-asset audience. Casino games and live dealers created entertainment breadth. Sports betting connected the platform to recurring global events. Sponsorships and creator partnerships generated mass visibility.
Each part of the model supported the others rather than operating in isolation.
- Crypto capabilities created a differentiated payment proposition for users who preferred digital assets.
- Game selection gave customers multiple entertainment formats within one platform.
- Live-dealer content added a more immersive casino-style option.
- Sports betting broadened the addressable audience to include sports followers.
- Original games helped establish product distinction and brand identity.
- Influencer and celebrity activity delivered attention in online communities.
- Major sports sponsorships brought the brand into mainstream sports media and fan culture.
This integrated approach is a strong example of modern digital-brand building. The company did not rely exclusively on conventional advertising or a single consumer segment. It developed a presence across crypto communities, casino entertainment, social platforms and professional sports.
Licensing, local rules and market availability
Online gambling is regulated differently across the world. operating history has included licensing arrangements connected with Curaçao, while jurisdiction-specific services and permissions may vary over time. The platform’s availability is not universal, and services remain restricted in certain countries and territories.
This is an important part of the company’s international story. A global-facing digital brand can build wide awareness through sports and online media, but actual access depends on local laws, licensing conditions, age requirements and platform eligibility rules. Users should always confirm whether a service is legal and available in their location before attempting to register or transact.
Global brand recognition and local service availability are different matters. In regulated online gambling, jurisdiction-specific compliance remains central to where and how platforms can operate.
For customers, this means responsible decision-making should remain a priority. Gambling is an entertainment activity, not a source of income, and users should set clear spending limits, understand the rules of each product and seek support if gambling stops feeling manageable.
The wider significance of rise
development reflects broader changes in online entertainment. Digital audiences increasingly move between gaming, livestreams, social media, cryptocurrency communities and sports fandom. Brands that can operate credibly across these overlapping spaces may gain an advantage in attention and recognition.
The company’s story also shows why payment innovation matters. In highly competitive digital markets, the ability to serve users through familiar, flexible payment methods can be as important as the content itself. Supporting Bitcoin, stablecoins, meme coins and other assets gave a way to meet users where they already were in the crypto ecosystem.
Equally important was the company’s ability to translate a crypto-first proposition into mainstream visibility. Football shirts, UFC relationships and celebrity-led livestreams made the brand recognizable to people who may not have entered the market through cryptocurrency alone.
Conclusion: a model built on convergence
rise demonstrates the commercial power of convergence. Its growth drew on the overlap between crypto payments, online casino entertainment, live gaming, sports betting, influencer culture and premium sponsorships. By bringing these elements together, the company built a brand with significant visibility in a relatively short period after its 2017 launch.
The platform’s broad crypto support, including major coins, stablecoins and meme tokens, helped reinforce its identity as a crypto-native gambling destination. Its live-dealer offering, proprietary games and sportsbook expanded the entertainment proposition. Meanwhile, partnerships with high-profile creators, Drake, Everton, Watford and the UFC amplified awareness across multiple global audiences.
For observers of online gambling and digital entertainment, remains a notable example of how product design, payment flexibility and ambitious marketing can work together. Its trajectory highlights a continuing reality of the internet economy: the most visible brands are often those that connect technology with culture, community and the events people already care about.
