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“Operators demand access to new markets and new player bases”: Exclusive crypto gambling interview with Glen Bullen from DAOGroup.
While this year may have been a turbulent time for some, we caught up with Glen Bullen, CCO of DAOGroup to talk through the launch of DAOWallet, its cryptocurrency-fiat payments partner, as well as the opportunity to use crypto payments as a key way to engage new players.
What is it that DAOWallet can offer partners and end users that other payment service providers cannot?
DAOWallet may be new to market, but our team has incorporated many crypto payment learnings into the product to make it a slick, client-driven solution for operators looking to engage new demographics and markets.
In essence, DAOWallet offers a simple, clean solution for partners wanting to integrate crypto payments into their casino brands. We do all the heavy lifting and compliance work at our end, so operators can work hands-off on the payments side and focus on driving acquisition to a new audience of crypto users.
Perhaps DAOWallet’s biggest innovation is its ability to track fund provenance, both to mitigate AML risks, but also to improve VIP management. Any player who deposits crypto via DAOWallet will have their pseudo-anonymous source of funds tracked, ensuring both VIP and AML managers alike will know if this is a player prime for big stakes play, or alternatively whether they’ve been associated with red flag transactions in the past.
How can those with little crypto knowledge use DAOWallet to join the crypto gambling revolution?
The key purpose of DAOWallet is to allow deposits and withdrawals to and from a players crypto account to be as simple and seamless as possible. With that, we feel we offer a solution that requires only a minimum of crypto knowledge.
However, the wallet’s role is not necessarily to entice new players to crypto – though it can – but instead to deliver a functionable, painless means to support the millions out there who already hold and use crypto; and, most importantly, want to gamble with it at the best casinos around.
Do you see DAOWallet appealing to a certain demographic or region?
Without pigeon-holing an ever-expanding crypto base, industry research shows the main European demographic as being between 25 and 45 years of age and with above-average disposable income. This audience sees digital assets as more than a speculative asset, and want to find functional day-to-day uses for them, with gaming arguably the most tangible use case for them at this moment.
Saying that, DAOWallet easily supports varied requirements across any global market, such as Latin America, where concerns regarding banking infrastructure warrant the use of alternatives to fiat; or Africa, where barriers to credit card uptake mean many are keen to explore alternative online payment methods.
No matter the geography or demographic, our igaming clients can be confident DAOWallet will be covering all KYC and AML procedures in the backend on sign-up, ensuring a clean transition to the casino, which receives only whitelisted players. This is a major benefit of our solution over others on the market.
How do you see the current state of the payments sector in the gambling industry?
We hear so often that gambling as an industry is an early adopter for new technology. All the while however, there’s untold examples of cautious decision-making and sluggish, suspicious adoption of tech that could have major benefits to the whole ecosystem.
There is no doubt that the payments sector is impacted by this paradox, and the utilisation of crypto is a key example. Operators demand access to new markets and new player bases, and there is a crypto market hiding in plain sight, waiting to be serviced. They must take advantage of this opportunity, or they will fall back against their more forward-thinking competitors.
Do you see wider crypto adoption as attainable right now, or do other industry movements need to happen to facilitate wider crypto payments?
Yes, it is attainable, but various ways of thinking need to be reset for crypto adoption to reach its potential. It’s likely not a gambling industry-specific mentality, but too many look back at setbacks in the space and cling onto them as proof that crypto doesn’t have its place in today’s world.
This is naïve when you consider the various success stories that crypto has in engaging those who cannot access credit cards, those who may not trust the status quo and those who just want to be a little more progressive. I would like those doubters to take a deep breath and revisit what crypto adoption can do for the gambling industry.
As a deposit method, using the likes of bitcoin and Ether is a no-brainer for supporting bigger audiences in more markets. Those operators who don’t embrace it soon will likely find they have lost this lucrative audience and will struggle to win them back.
We have seen DAOWallet recently sign a major partnership with MoneyMatrix. Do you have any other partnerships on the horizon that you could hint at?
MoneyMatrix was a major deal for us and shows the strength of partner that we are looking at. In terms of what is coming next, we’re optimistic about various, progressed conversations with further platforms and a number of tier one operators in a variety of regions. Without naming names, there is a desire amongst potential partners to complement their existing payment partners to attract a new kind of customer, and that’s what we’re here for.
We’re well set to make some big announcements in Q4 in terms of new clients and operators, so keep an eye out for that.
What product improvements can we expect from DAOWallet in the coming months?
Our most recent launch was stablecoin integration, and this will go live with partners to great effect very soon. Not only are we opening more crypto avenues (Tether/TrueUSD) for those looking outside of the bitcoin and Ether hegemony, but it also makes our platform more adaptable to local banking regulation.
Significantly, this was driven by client feedback and demand, and we delivered it back to those same partners quickly and successfully, further proving our credentials as a customer-first partner. We know the size of the crypto gambling space and we want to help fiat-based operators leverage it for their own growth, and it’s through these collaborative projects that we can best do this.
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Artificial Intelligence
Pay4Fun integrates payments into Betconstruct AI ecosystem for Brazil
Integration adds Pix, account validation, fraud controls and compliance tools for operators targeting Brazil’s regulated betting market.
Pay4Fun has integrated its financial infrastructure with Betconstruct AI’s platform in Brazil, giving operators connected to the ecosystem access to payments and compliance tooling built for the country’s regulated betting market.
Pay4Fun said Betconstruct AI clients will be able to use Pix payment processing, account ownership validation, transaction monitoring, fraud prevention, and compliance tools aligned with Brazil’s regulatory requirements.
According to Leonardo Baptista, CEO and Co-Founder of Pay4Fun, regulation is pushing operators to look beyond basic processing. “The Brazilian market has entered a new phase of maturity. Today, operators require solutions that go far beyond payment processing. They need partners capable of delivering security, compliance, and operational efficiency in an increasingly demanding regulatory environment. By integrating our solutions with Betconstruct AI, we are expanding access to a financial infrastructure specifically designed to meet the needs of the Brazilian market.”
Betconstruct AI said the integration strengthens its Brazil-facing offer for clients operating in the country or planning entry. “Pay4Fun was selected based on the expertise and industry knowledge the company has built within the Brazilian betting market. As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of working with specialized partners capable of delivering security, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance continues to grow,” said Beatriz Lopes, the Brazil Regional Director.
Pay4Fun said it was the first payment institution serving the betting industry to receive authorization from the Central Bank of Brazil, and that the company’s infrastructure combines monitoring, identity verification, fraud and anti-money laundering controls, and compliance processes tailored to regulated iGaming operations.
The post Pay4Fun integrates payments into Betconstruct AI ecosystem for Brazil appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Artificial Intelligence
BetConstruct AI hosts Harmony Predictstreet event in Yerevan
Eighth Harmony edition runs July 8–9 and spotlights ADI Predictstreet collaboration ahead of the FIFA World Cup Final.
BetConstruct AI held its Harmony Predictstreet event on July 8–9, 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing together more than 300 guests for two days of networking and company updates.
The eighth edition introduced the “Predictstreet” branding to reflect BetConstruct AI’s strategic collaboration with ADI Predictstreet, described in the release as “FIFA’s Official Prediction Market Partner.” BetConstruct AI said the partnership includes integrating ADI Predictstreet’s prediction market solutions and official match streaming rights into its platform, timed for “the most important commercial moment in the four-year sports calendar, with the FIFA World Cup Final just days away.”
Day 1 was hosted at Garni Temple for an evening reception, including a live performance by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra, a mapping show and music from DJ Leblanc.
Day 2 began at SoftConstruct headquarters with an office tour and networking session, before moving to Dvin Music Hall for the Harmony Predictstreet Gala Dinner. BetConstruct AI said founders and executive leadership presented updates on Eventbook, the ADI Predictstreet partnership, Betting Mate, The Last Battle Universe, Betbuilder & Powerbank, Softgates, and “the latest updates driving Vivaro.me and Open Stake forward.”
The company positioned the event as a forum for discussing future direction across its ecosystem, and confirmed plans to continue the series with a ninth edition.
The post BetConstruct AI hosts Harmony Predictstreet event in Yerevan appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
ESPN Networks
THE 57th ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF POKER® CONCLUDES AN EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER OF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND ELITE COMPETITION
This summer’s event also saw huge growth in reach and engagement across WSOP’s social media channels, with over 378 million views
With 51 days of thrilling, high-stakes competition in the bag, the 57th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP®) at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas officially concluded its summer tournament schedule on July 15, 2026. Featuring a massive slate of 100 live gold bracelet events, this year’s festival once again demonstrated the unparalleled scale, passion, and global community of live tournament poker.
“The 57th annual World Series of Poker proved that Las Vegas remains the undisputed epicenter of the poker universe,” said Ty Stewart, Chief Executive Officer of the WSOP. “The energy inside Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas was nothing short of electric. What is truly remarkable this year is how our community expanded far beyond the physical walls of the casino floor. Through our newly redesigned final table arena, extensive linear broadcast schedule, and unprecedented digital engagement, we brought the drama, excitement, and glory of winning a WSOP gold bracelet to millions of new fans worldwide. We are incredibly proud of this summer’s success and cannot wait to witness the Final Nine battle for the World Championship on ESPN next month.”
Redefining the Live Experience on Poker’s Biggest Stage
Throughout the summer, the Las Vegas Strip was the focal point of the poker world as players from around the globe competed for poker’s ultimate prize: a WSOP gold bracelet and a place in poker history.
Key milestones from the summer tournament action include:
- Colossal Main Event Field: The legendary $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em World Championship (the ‘Main Event’) attracted a massive field of 9,208 entrants, creating a colossal prize pool and proving the enduring allure of the world’s premier freezeout tournament
- The New Final Table Arena: WSOP officially unveiled a completely redesigned, state-of-the-art Final Table Arena and broadcast environment. The new stage integrates advanced lighting and large-scale digital displays to elevate the presentation of poker’s most prestigious final tables
- Historic Broadcast Expansion: Live coverage of the Main Event returned to ESPN alongside a new multi-year broadcast agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery to distribute coverage across HBO Max, Eurosport, and TNT Sports globally
- The “Final Nine”: The final nine players survived a grueling field to punch their ticket to the historic Main Event Final Table. They will return to Las Vegas from August 3 to 5, 2026, to play down to a champion live on ESPN
- Summer of Superstars: This year’s event saw an unprecedented number of bracelets won by poker luminaries with impressive records in the game’s history books; Daniel Negreanu won his eight WSOP bracelet by taking down Event #76 $100,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha for over $2.2M, while reigning WSOP Main Event champion Michael ‘The Grinder’ Mizrachi further burnished his reputation by winning Event #70 $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship, claiming his ninth WSOP bracelet and a $1.35M prize. The poker world’s undisputed power couple Kristen and Alex Foxen also made history by each claiming a WSOP bracelet in 2026, taking down Event #19 $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em and Event #44 $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold’em, respectively
- Seamless Player Experience: The WSOP Live mobile app continued to enhance the playing experience, streamlining registration, virtually eliminating cage lines, and providing real-time seat alerts to thousands of players throughout the summer
WSOP 2026 By The Numbers
- 251,899 entries – a new record for the total number of entries in a single WSOP series
- $469,975,059 – total 2026 WSOP gold events prize amount
- 35,157 places paid
- 22,811 entries to Event #63 $1,000 Mystery Millions No-Limit Hold’em – the biggest field in the 2026 series, the largest Mystery Millions event, and the largest $1,000 event in live tournament poker history
- 1,368 entries to Event #68 $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship – the largest Ladies event in live tournament poker history
- 11,933 entries to Event #18 $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em – the largest Monster Stack event in live tournament poker history
- 4,764 entries to Event #87 $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha – the largest Pot-Limit Omaha event in live tournament poker history
- 12,560 entries to Event #72 $1,000 Mini Main Event – the largest Mini Main event in live tournament poker history
- 41 – The number of $1M+ prizes won across the 2026 series
- 57 events exceeded $2+ million prize pools – equalling last year’s record
- 8 events exceeded $10+ million prize pools
- 149 – number of countries represented in the WSOP 2026 playing field
- Top Ten Countries by WSOP 2026 participants: 1 – United States, 2 – Canada, 3 – France, 4 – Great Britain, 5 – Japan, 6 – China, 7 – Israel, 8 – Germany, 9 – Brazil, 10 – Mexico
- 111 – number of countries represented in the WSOP Main Event 2026 playing field, a new record
- Oldest Player – Merle Vangieson, born June 28, 1931
- Youngest Player – Easton Jorgensen, born July 13, 2005
Worldwide Broadcasts Drive Growth Of Game
With thrilling WSOP action broadcast exclusively on ESPN Networks, Eurosport, TNT Sports, Abema Japan, Groupe M6 in France, and other media partners, poker fans had more opportunities than ever to follow their heroes, new and old, at the felt in 2026.
Comprehensive linear and digital coverage, available in more than 300 million homes across 70+ countries, ensured that countless big moments – from calculated bluffs to cunning value bets – were analyzed and enjoyed by enthusiasts on every continent.
Edited WSOP broadcasts will air from July 21, allowing a worldwide audience to catch up on all the summer’s action.
Explosive Digital Reach: WSOP’s Social Media Footprint
A highlight of the 57th annual WSOP was its unprecedented digital growth. While fans packed the physical tournament rooms, millions more watched the action unfold online. Across all major platforms, WSOP social media channels generated an astronomical 378.3 million total views during the 100-bracelet series, adding 222,828 total new followers across its digital ecosystem.
WSOP 2026 Social Media Performance
|
Platform |
Total Views/Impressions |
New Audience Growth |
|
YouTube |
38.7 million views |
103,128 new subscribers |
|
|
125 million views |
54,450 new followers |
|
|
127 million views |
56,800 new followers |
|
X |
36.6 million impressions |
8,450 new followers |
Looking Ahead: A True Global Season
While the Main Event action in Las Vegas has paused until the Final Table resumes in August, the WSOP excitement continues year-round. This year marks the formal rollout of the ambitious, revamped $1 Million Global Player of the Year (POY) race. The new global leaderboard unifies the brand’s three flagship festival pillars: WSOP Europe (which completed its historic run in Prague earlier this spring), the Las Vegas summer series, and the upcoming WSOP Paradise winter festival.
The global POY winner will be crowned at the conclusion of WSOP Paradise, hosted at Baha Mar resort in The Bahamas from December 1 to 17, 2026. In the meantime, the WSOP Circuit (WSOP-C) continues its action-packed year, including a special concurrent Circuit run in Las Vegas from July 14 to 25, 2026.
Players should follow @WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or check WSOP.com for more news and updates on WSOP events.
The post THE 57th ANNUAL WORLD SERIES OF POKER® CONCLUDES AN EXTRAORDINARY SUMMER OF GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT AND ELITE COMPETITION appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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