ZunaBet’s Crypto Blitz: How the New Kid Is Eating Bet365 and 888casino’s Lunch

(SeaPRwire) –

By: Robert Kensington

Bet365 and 888casino have grown complacent. For decades, they’ve hidden behind regulatory trust and brand recognition. But their refusal to adapt to crypto’s rise has opened the door for a hungry newcomer. ZunaBet isn’t just another operator—it’s a direct attack on the veterans’ most vulnerable spots.

The official story frames Bet365 and 888casino as reliable, regulated leaders. Bet365 launched in 2000, expanding from the UK to become a global private betting giant. It offers sportsbook, casino, poker, and bingo under one account, with fiat-only banking and region-specific licenses. 888casino, founded in 1997 as part of 888 Holdings, holds strong in Europe and parts of North America, with slots, table games, and live dealer rooms. But the subtext tells a different tale. Last month, I sat with a regular bettor in Madrid. He complained about waiting three days for a Bet365 withdrawal to hit his bank account. He also noted the limited slot selection compared to crypto sites he’d tried. These aren’t isolated gripes. The veterans’ legacy infrastructure slows transactions. Their region-by-region licensing forces them to curate smaller game libraries to comply with local rules. Loyalty programs are rigid, built for a time when players had few alternatives.

ZunaBet’s official launch details read like a checklist of the veterans’ flaws. Founded in 2026 under Strathvale Group Ltd with an Anjouan gaming license, it’s built entirely around crypto. It targets both crypto natives and fiat users curious about digital currencies.

Its casino library boasts over 11,000 titles from 60+ providers, including Pragmatic Play and Evolution—far more than Bet365 or 888casino offer in most regions. Slots, table games, and live dealer rooms all share one account.

Its sportsbook covers major sports like football and basketball, esports including CS2 and Dota 2, virtual sports, and combat sports. This hybrid setup matches Bet365’s offerings but with broader global reach. The subtext here is strategic. ZunaBet’s crypto-native design eliminates banking friction. Withdrawals settle fast, no platform fees apply, and it supports over 20 currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.

Its Anjouan license lets it operate in regions where the veterans face restrictions, capturing players who’ve been locked out. This isn’t just a new product—it’s a deliberate play to poach frustrated users.

Bet365 and 888casino will lose 15% of their global active user base to crypto-first operators like ZunaBet by 2028 if they don’t overhaul their banking and licensing models.

Author bio: Robert Kensington, an overseas entrepreneurial veteran with decades of experience in real-economy industrial investment and expansion.