regulations-rules

Strong Start for Potential Tighter Crypto Regulation in 2024

Many people are likely to be optimistic about the future of the cryptocurrency sector because of the verdicts of the previous year, the possibility of the approval of a spot bitcoin exchange-traded fund, and the overall rise in the market. Nevertheless, it is very improbable that lawmakers and regulators will allocate fewer resources to crypto-related complications too.

This is already playing out, especially in the realm of online gambling and crypto derivatives.

Taiwan’s Elections

The presidential elections in Taiwan will take place on January 13, 2024, and the government has issued a caution against using bitcoin betting sites to speculate on the results. Many locals in Taiwan have been reportedly betting on the next presidential election on the decentralized website Polymarket. Several people have already been called in for questioning, according to reports, which suggest that the investigation is still underway.

It is against the law to engage in gambling activities associated with Taiwanese elections, since it might be a violation of Article 88-1 of the Election and Recall Act. Such an infraction entails a punishment of up to 100,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $3,188) or six months in jail or detention.

An Ongoing Concern

Taiwan’s elections are not the first time that the operator has found itself in the spotlight. Polymarket, in a related matter, ran into regulatory obstacles in the United States in 2022.

The platform was subject to legal action in January 2022 by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), a New York-based regulatory agency. Platform operators faced allegations from the CFTC that they ran an “illegal unregistered or non-designated facility” from June 2020 forward.

Despite these regulatory hurdles, Polymarket had robust trading activity throughout the 2020 US election, with a new volume record-breaking $10 million.

What Now?

The cryptocurrency sector is looking forward to a busy and promising year ahead. Market players often face the significant challenge of regulatory compliance when navigating the crypto derivatives landscape, since laws differ greatly by jurisdiction. Can this change?

We may anticipate the SEC to approve its first batch of spot bitcoin ETFs shortly after the new year of 2024, which would encourage large institutional investors to pour millions into the cryptocurrency market. This means word of the approvals might potentially pique the public’s interest in virtual tokens, bringing them out of the financial shadows and into the spotlight. Similarly, in late 2024, the European Union’s (EU) crypto regulatory framework, MiCA, will also eventually be put into action.

cryptos

Exploring Crypto in the Realm of Crash Gambling

Crash gambling has always had its die-hard fans. What is not to love about games of chance? They are the ultimate test of your luck, promising that exhilarating chance to hit the big jackpot.

The beauty of crash games lies in their simplicity, and you do not need to be a hawk-eyed strategist to join in the fun. It is all about betting on a multiplier that steadily multiplies your potential winnings until it unexpectedly comes crashing down, forcing you to make a swift exit with your winnings in tow.

The intriguing twist here is that there is no crystal ball to predict when the crash will happen. It’s all about luck. These online games run on random number generators, making it futile to try and chase losses.

Enter Crypto

But the real game-changer here is the introduction of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin, into the mix as a payment option. Crypto crash gambling mirrors the traditional fiat currency version in terms of gameplay. The rules stay the same, and it is all about Lady Luck determining your fate. However, what makes it extra exciting is the array of advantages that come with using cryptocurrencies.

First, cryptocurrencies do away with traditional banking procedures, granting you a level of privacy that’s hard to find elsewhere. All it takes to get started is an email address, and for now, no crash gambling sites are demanding you to show your ID. It’s a gambler’s dream come true!

They also know no bounds, making it possible for players from even the most restricted gambling regions to sneak their way into crash gambling sites using VPNs. As online gambling gains steam in places with a burgeoning middle class and extra cash to spend, cryptocurrencies offer a straightforward gateway to the action.

All those all sound familiar, right? Well, what really sets crypto crash games apart is the “provably fair” aspect. The odds of winning are etched in the blockchain code, ensuring automatic payouts when you strike it big and decide to cash out. This level of transparency is unmatched.

A Fad or a Growing Trend?

Crash gambling has always been a crowd-pleaser, thanks to its sheer simplicity and the tantalizing chance to strike it rich through sheer luck. With more cryptocurrencies now at the helm, this thrilling game takes on a new dimension, offering speed, safety, and anonymity like never before. Many players are automating their Bitcoin crash gambling for a smoother ride, all while employing clever strategies to up their odds. It might just be the next big thing for avid gamblers.

crypto-investigation

ezBtc Under Investigation for Massive Crypto Fraud Scheme

According to the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC), the Canadian crypto trading platform, ezBtc, has been engaging in fraudulent activities for the past three years. It has come to light that ezBtc has lied to its consumers about the protection of their personal assets and has instead been funneling the customers’ money to online gambling websites. That is right, instead of keeping their customers’ assets safe and secure, ezBtc transferred incoming Bitcoin and Ether to two crypto gambling websites, and the assets were worth a staggering $13 million as of mid-2019.

However, things only get worse. According to the BCSC’s findings, ezBtc did not maintain custody of its client’s money, and most of the holdings reported by the platform did not exist. To put it another way, to trick its customers, ezBtc has been pretending on its website to have real holding thus acting just like a bank would.

But wait, there’s more bad news! EzBtc has been running under the auspices of a numbered corporation known as 1081627 B.C. Ltd. since 2016, when David Smillie, the only director of the firm, registered it. Furthermore, Mr. Smillie’s whereabouts are unknown as of at least the year 2021.

Early Red Flags

In November 2019, customers noticed something was wrong when the ezBtc.ca website stopped working and they were unable to make any transactions or withdraw any funds. They were led to think that their funds were being stored offline, in “cold storage,” safely under ezBtc’s watchful eye.

The BCSC has issued a summons to ezBtc, instructing the business to attend at its offices on June 27 ahead of any planned hearing. That is if the company wants its side of the story to be heard. The authority claims that ezBtc has committed securities fraud since the contracts it offers to clients are technically futures contracts, which are classified as securities. These accusations, however, have not been proved in a court of law.

Tough Times for Crypto

Even as the cryptocurrency industry reels from the collapses of FTX Trading Ltd. and Celsius Network LLC, it seems that crypto fraud is on the rise. Doug Muir, director of enforcement at the British Columbia Securities Commission, has seen many instances like ezBtc as Canadian regulators crack down on cryptocurrency services.

For crypto users on such platforms, this calls for even more diligence. If you are thinking about getting involved in cryptocurrency, it is imperative that you do your research and comprehend how the industry functions before you do so. In case something seems to be too good to be true, then there is a strong chance that it is not what it claims to be.

bitcoin-sports-betting

The Rise of Big League Crypto Sports Betting

Even though there has been a significant slump in the value of cryptocurrencies over the course of the last few months, U.S. sports bettors are slowly but surely coming around to the idea of using digital currencies for betting purposes. As virtual currencies grow more prevalent in daily life, proponents of the change contend that it will be a key tool in keeping bettors away from the offshore market.

Many well-known sports betting organizations have recently started accepting bitcoin deposits into their users’ gaming accounts. An important element of this procedure is played by third-party payment providers.

Lots to Offer

Sports bettors will appreciate cryptocurrency’s numerous advantages over traditional forms of payment. To begin with, it has an exceptionally high level of security making it very tough to crack. It is essential for operators to ensure that this is the case so that your wagers are protected from any kind of manipulation. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are also decentralized, which means they are not governed by a single entity. This makes it almost hard for anybody to take advantage of the system.

Last but not least, using cryptocurrencies is remarkably quick and affordable. It has very cheap costs and allows for almost instantaneous transaction completion. As a result, it’s an ideal choice for individuals who wish to gamble on sports without having to worry about transaction costs.

Dealing With the Concerns

Even though cryptocurrency is still in its infancy, there are already several compelling arguments suggesting that placing bets on sporting events using bitcoin might be the wave of the future. Cryptocurrency has the potential to completely change the online sports betting industry with its speedier transfers, reduced costs, and increased anonymity.

There have, of course, been some concerns. Thankfully, these are being addressed in different ways.

Duelbeats_BGaming

BGaming and Duelbits Debut Game for Crypto Casino Enthusiasts

Rapidly expanding iGaming content provider, BGaming has enhanced its content partnership with Duelbits. The latter is a cryptocurrency casino and sportsbook which has been making waves in the industry lately. As part of this agreement, BGaming has created a branded exclusive slot for a new generation of crypto players. Duelbits customers can look forward to top-notch gaming as the new title was created in collaboration with the casino’s team.

What the Game Offers

The Duelbits Quest slot machine is a basic five-reel, three-row slot machine that offers avid slot players a total of twenty-five paylines and a variety of exciting bonuses. We cannot also forget to mention the solid range of features that add a ton of value to the gaming experience.

The branded game blended high-quality mechanics with exciting features such as in-game jackpots, free spin games, coin respins, and the famous Buy Bonus function. BGaming developed in close coordination with the Duelbits team to match the preferences of its burgeoning crypto casino audience. That consists of young players who are knowledgeable about technology and are looking for personalized experiences.

According to Alexandr Shavel, who heads up the Business Development Department at BGaming, the concept of making individualized video games is not new. However, the solutions that the industry provided have always seemed to be difficult to implement and costly for game creators and operators. They were able to effectively overcome all of the hurdles, and they are now delivering high-quality branded games in a short amount of time while maintaining a deep degree of customization.

Since the company’s inception, Duelbits has been focused on developing innovative methods for increasing client interaction. Because of this, they are delighted to collaborate with BGaming on the introduction of this fascinating new online casino slot game that opens a new world of possibilities.

Massive Growth Ahead

Branded exclusive games are slowly becoming a mainstay in the world of online gaming. Casino operators may enhance their relationships with players and boost overall engagement and operators’ gross gaming revenue (GGR) by around 30 percent on a single title.

This notion is gaining traction among both crypto and fiat casinos. BGaming, for instance, is now producing up to three or four games each month for its clients. All these new additions are both branded and unique. The seamless integration of BGaming’s content into a cryptocurrency exchange is what makes some of these solutions stand out as being very innovative.

bitcoin-casino

New York City Casino to Feature Crypto Trading Floor

A gaming giant and asset management firm headquartered in Las Vegas are mulling the possibility of adding more options to a multibillion-dollar casino that will be coming to the famous Manhattan skyline in New York City. The resort would have a spot for cryptocurrency trading as well as a landing pad for flying vehicles.

UE Resorts International, a partnership of Japan-based gaming technology supplier Universal Entertainment Corporation, and Jason Ader, a former Las Vegas Sands board member, had planned to submit a proposal for the casino to the local betting authority by December 10, 2021, according to an Insider.

The planned trading floor for cryptocurrencies would be the largest of its kind anywhere in the world. It would also contain a venue for events such as New York Fashion Week, the US Open, and Fleet Week. eSports stadiums are also part of the plans.

Trading or Wagering?

Crypto-based casino games were intended to be only one part of a broader entertainment strategy that featured other intriguing elements, according to Ader. The suggestion to establish a trading floor also resonates with the argument over whether trading digital currency is an investment or mere gambling.

“Mirai,” which means “future” in Japanese, was selected as the casino’s name. This lines up quite well with the futuristic plans that the developers have for the property. A $3 billion budget was initially set for the project. However, this might change depending on where all the proposed plans end up. Even the location itself could change.

Can It Work?

If you are simply jumping into the cryptocurrency market without a plan or strategy, you are almost certainly doomed to fail. Cryptocurrency experts fear that many of the alternatives on the market may evaporate within a few years, leaving investors with little to show for their money.

However, if you put in the time and effort, you may be like Bitcoin and watch your investment soar, just like that. Or, even better, you’ll be a pioneer in a wild new future when crypto replaces conventional money within a few years. Because of this, cryptocurrency is gaining in popularity.

This is likely what the New York casino investors are aiming for. The market is still in its nascent stages, especially with regard to mainstream adoption. Early investors and adopters here have a real shot at starting something big. The only question is whether or not they are willing to live with the eventual outcomes.

bitcoza

Bitcoza Debuts World’s First Charity Bitcoin Casino

Crypto charities are not an exactly new concept but the idea of a Bitcoin charity had not come up until recently. Bitcoza, a fast-rising operator in the world of crypto has recently launched what it claims is the first charity Bitcoin online casino on the planet.

According to the creators and operators of the platform, Bitcoza is aimed at offering players a fun gaming environment while at the same time giving them a chance to contribute to initiatives aimed at making communities. Better. So, in addition to being a profitable entertainment spot, the platform has an interest in assisting in the protection of endangered species.

This will be achieved by the company donating up to a whopping 50 percent of its revenue to charitable campaigns. As mentioned, the key focus of the charity efforts is endangered species so we expect to see a bias in that regard.

One of the current initiatives that the company is currently pursuing with its top-level VIP program involves saving the endangered Pinta Island Tortoise. The Pinta Island Tortoise which is currently at the Galapagos National Park and Conservancy is the only of its kind left in the world. In addition to that, Bitcoza has also been offering support to the World Wide Fund For Nature and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

More About Bitcoza

Since its launch in the Spring of 2021, Bitcoza has built up quite a reputation. To begin with, it is a licensed and regulated gaming site. It has a license from the jurisdiction of Curacao. Players are therefore assured of fairness and safety. The operator also plans to take this a notch higher by rolling out a set of responsible gambling tools. These are going to come in handy for tracking spending and playing responsibly.

While its charity initiatives specifically reference Bitcoin, the iGaming site accepts several other digital currencies as payment methods. These include Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Dogecoin, Litecoin, Dai, and USD Coin. Increasingly popular crypto tokens are also eventually bound to find their way onto the platform.

When it comes to the games, Bitcoza has a pretty solid selection of titles too. Among its popular titles are blackjack, poker, baccarat, lotteries, slots, and roulette. One of the most notable things about the platform is the fact that its bonus schemes could net players up to a whopping $22,000 in bonuses. To make it even better, these bonuses are not accompanied by any wagering requirements should players choose to withdraw them.

Vivo-gaming

Vivo Gaming, BitcoinCasini.io Partner for Live Gaming

BitcoinCasino.io has recently implemented some huge improvements to its gaming platform by adding Vivo Gaming’s extensive library of live casino games. The platform’s customers will now have access to a plethora of amazing slots, as well as various variants of roulette, craps, baccarat, bingo, and poker.

Vivo Gaming is a renowned developer of liver dealer gaming solutions that specializes in the aforementioned live dealer games in addition to sports betting software, RNG games, and other digital gambling solutions. With over 15 years’ worth of experience in the gaming industry, the digital solutions provider has built a reputation for being the supplier of some of the best live dealer gaming products for online gambling operators.

As it stands, Vivo Gaming holds a total of two licenses from First Cagayan and Curacao Gaming – the First Cagayan is the “first gaming jurisdiction that allows gambling establishments to operate in Philippine’s Cagayan Special Economic Zone”. Furthermore, the company is also certified by the renowned Gaming Labs which is responsible for making sure that the software suppliers comply with international gaming standards and regulations

What It Offers

Vivo Gaming is a great partner for a number of gaming platforms, particularly because it offers non-stop gaming services to the operators. This is made possible by the fact that the company streams their games from a number of different places including Costa Rica, Curacao, Asia, and many other places. Its outstanding services has seen it partner with many of the top gaming providers including BetSoft Gaming and Rival Gaming.

Moreover, the digital gaming solutions provider has worked hard to develop all of the fan-favorite traditional casino table games and many other Asian games like Sic Bo – these are available in the live dealer format. Unfortunately, its game portfolio is only available on Android-powered devices at the moment. However, there is a possibility that the company may be working on a dedicated app for iOS-powered devices.

Good News for BitcoinCasino.io Players

One of the most notable features that BitcoinCasino.io players will now be able to enjoy is the ability to play Vivo Gaming’s live dealer suite and simultaneously bet on multiple tables through the Multi-Game Play window. In addition to that, the platform will also be able to incorporate multi-use, multi-lingual and multi-currency interfaces as well as mini side-game betting during various games.

Even more exciting is the fact that the live dealer games will allow the players to talk to the dealer as well as other players. This will be possible across a wide range of devices including desktops, tablets, and even mobile devices.

declub

Macau Casino Plans to Build World’s First Blockchain Casino

Despite a significant decline in prominent blockchain-based digital currencies such as bitcoin due restrictions that are being enforced by the governments of countries like China, there are still large and prevalent communities of cryptocurrency enthusiast in those areas. Similar restrictions have been imposed on gambling activities within the same areas.

However, in the peninsula of Macau which is the Chinese licensed Mecca of gambling activities, casino operator known as DeClub Macau has come up with a new idea to take advantage of the high demand for cryptocurrencies. For this, the casino has already inked a partnership with Wide Rich Global Company, a Maltese investment firm, to bring gambling and blockchain technology together.

DeClub, in its press release, said that Wide Rich Global Company intends to buy the casino so as to build the what the duo is referring to as the “world’s first blockchain-based casino gaming hub with fully integrated online and land-based casinos.” Wide Rich hope to fund the purchase by offering an Initial Coin Offering (ICO) which will hopefully bring in as much as $1 billion.

“The tokenization of chips, casinos and their surrounding entertainment service providers will be able to build a pan-gambling business ecosystem together, so that people with varying business needs – from tourism to business meetings, to shopping – can all gain easy and cost-effective access to customized and prestigious services on their mobile devices,” Wide Rich Global Company’s officials stated in a recently released white paper.

Once the sale of the 20 billion DEC tokens is complete, De Club International will move forward with its plans to apply for a junket promoter license in Macau – this is because it intends to open multiple land-based gambling facilities both within and outside of the Macau region. The company has allocated about 35 percent of the funds from the token sales to the acquisition and licensing of said casinos.

Bypassing the Limitations of the Gambling Industry

Apparently, the prime motivator of this project is the need for a viable solution to the untrustworthy nature of the gaming industry. The project is aimed at achieving transparency are trustworthiness using blockchain technology – in essence, the project managers are counting on the fact that it is easy to conduct research, investigations or digital forensics on blockchain-based serves.

China has in the recent past had a very strained relationship with cryptocurrencies. The country also penalizes gambling outside Macau despite the obvious demand for it, but with blockchain technology, it will be much harder for the country’s government to implement these restrictions since users can gambler using a number of digital currencies anonymously.

There are, of course, a number of challenges that stand in the way of the project – the fact that Macau does not allow blockchain gambling yet, for instance – but with just enough lobbying, it will be a reality sooner than we may anticipate.

MGM_and_GVC

GVC and MGM Forge $200 Million Joint Venture

MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings on July 30 announced that they have established a 50/50 joint venture worth a whopping $200 million. The venture will see to the creation of a world-class sports betting and online gaming platform and comes in the wake of the recent United States Supreme Court ruling that created a plethora of new opportunities by lifting the federal ban on sports betting.

Both companies have proven track records and by joining forces, they will be bringing together distinguished brands, market-leading assets, extensive industry expertise, and experience as well as prove and scalable proprietary technology that will certainly revolutionize the gambling industry in the United States. Furthermore, the joint venture is going to be a catalyst of sorts for the speed to market for both MGM and GVC – it will not only occur in a prudent and efficient manner but it will also lower execution risks while at the same time creating meaningful early mover advantages.

“We are proud to join forces with GVC, the largest and most dynamic global online betting operator, with existing reputable and trusted operations in the U.S. With MGM Resorts’ expertise and leading position in key markets across the U.S., this historic partnership will be positioned to become the instant leader in technology, market access, sports relationships, and brands. We are excited to benefit from GVC’s proprietary, best-in-class technology, digital customer acquisition expertise, and experience with adapting to new operating environments. GVC is unusually qualified due to their existing operations in the U.S. Together, we are creating a one-of-a-kind platform that we expect will dominate the U.S. sports betting market,” the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGM Resorts International, Jim Murren commented.

GVC, which has grown rapidly through a number of lucrative acquisitions including last year’s purchase of Ladbrokes, has been trying to get its share of the U.S. market. This joint venture with MGM will grant it access to 15 states with close to 90 million people. In addition to this, the MGM and GVC joint venture will get have access to all the land-based and online sports betting facilities in the United States while integrating both MGM’s and GVC’s customer loyalty programs.

“MGM Resorts is a world-leading entertainment business and the most trusted name in gaming, with the highest quality brands and management, and strong sports connectivity. This combined with GVC’s technology and experience in successfully building online gaming businesses across multiple markets presents a truly exciting opportunity for U.S. players and our respective shareholders. To be able to team up with a partner with such pedigree and knowledge, particularly in the U.S., is a real opportunity for GVC,” Kenneth Alexander, the GVC Chief Executive Officer said.