Published on: 23/02/2024
The inevitable marriage of cryptocurrency and online gambling: An Analysis
In todays financial markets, an intriguing symbiosis is quietly taking form - the burgeoning relationship between the online gambling industry and cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin (BTC). The narrative goes beyond superficial profit tales; it nestles in the heart of innovation, industry disruption, and potential financial revolution. As Rebecca Campbell reported in her well-acclaimed article The Gambler’s Guide to Bitcoin Casinos, an average of $4,000 of Bitcoin was wagered every minute between February and March.
However, tipping his hat toward the future, James Fuller of BigcoinGambling.com warns that the excitement surrounding Bitcoin is blinding many to a more fascinating development. As he shared with Cointelegraph, If you want to look at the bleeding edge of online gambling, then it’s Ethereum and not Bitcoin that you should be watching.” Understandably, Bitcoins seamless integration and application for fiat currency betting has made it appealing to online casinos. Its unique selling proposition lies with security and for some, anonymity.
Notwithstanding, the purple elephant in the room remains Ethereums smart contracts. This technology promises to transform the gambling industry landscape with its trustless service. In technical parlance, trustless implies a system where two parties can engage without needing a third party like a governing body or banking institution for security. Trustless online gambling avails this platform through Ethereum’s smart contracts, implying a drastic reduction in operation costs. “With lower costs comes a lower house edge, Fuller explained, optimistically projecting that in the future, smart contract gambling applications might operate at a zero percent house edge.
However, Fuller asserts that achieving a zero percent house edge might necessitate alternative monetization strategies. Additionally, competition with traditional casinos marketing budgets could prove daunting. Beyond profitability concerns, the actualization of smart contract gambling applications also depends on surmounting the age, adoption, and user-experience obstacles.
Observing patiently, Fuller notes that the present status quo is unlikely to change in the next two years as smart contract casinos refine their appeal. Yet, he cautions that the developments beneath this market’s surface are moving incredibly fast. “What we’re seeing may well swallow the gambling industry whole, he stated.
Furthermore, Ethereum disruption extends beyond the traditional casino experience. Projects like Augur are envisaging entirely new facets of online gambling. Augur utilizes collective intelligence to predict future events with permissionless bets, potentially paving the way for unprecedented applications in the betting industry.
Despite the exciting potential, the fact remains that the ancient appeal of gambling, with roots in Europe and China, may not change significantly in the immediate future. Yet, Bitcoin and Ethereums advancements hint at a future where trustless and permissionless betting could dominate.
Fuller sums up the current situation succinctly, stating: “Augur is doing some really interesting things that the mainstream public would want to get involved with, which is great because to get involved they’ll need to enter into the Ethereum Blockchain.”
In conclusion, investors should keep an eye on market movements and the evolving relationship between cryptocurrencies and the gambling industry. Not only does this merger present unique investment opportunities, but it may also be a harbinger of the industrys future, with significant implications for how we perceive online financing and gambling within the blockchain.