Defy the Odds

Defy the Odds and EDGE Markets Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in Betting and Gaming Payments

Published

12 months ago

May 8, 2025

defy-the-odds-and-edge-markets-announce-strategic-partnership-to-drive-innovation-in-betting-and-gaming-payments

The two companies will work together to continue to springboard newly funded EDGE Markets

Defy the Odds (DTO), a startup launchpad supporting entrepreneurs in the gaming and betting industry, announced a strategic partnership with EDGE Markets, the company behind EDGE Boost, one of the first debit card products designed specifically for responsible gaming. Together, the two companies aim to enhance financial accessibility and innovation within the gaming space while also promoting more responsible gaming. DTO will provide a host of advisory, consultative and partnership development services within the gaming sector to EDGE Markets.

“From our more than 80 collective years of experience in the betting industry, Sue Schneider, Kelly Kehn and I feel that EDGE Boost is exactly what the betting community needs right now,” said Paris Smith, Co-Founder of Defy the Odds. “Not only does it give players easy access to their own funds while promoting responsible gaming, but its built-in tools encourage smarter play. For operators, it identifies responsible players without adding extra costs or complexity. We’re excited to partner with Seni and the EDGE Markets team and help drive EDGE Boost to the next level.”

Defy the Odds will join EDGE Boost’s advisory network and also provide insights on how EDGE Boost can integrate itself further into the betting and gaming industry. Last month, EDGE Markets came out of stealth mode, announcing it had closed a $17.2 million funding round and that, since the start of 2024, the EDGE Boost debt card has already processed over $300 million in transactions.

“EDGE Boost is focused on providing bettors with financial tools that enhance their experience while keeping responsible gaming at the forefront,” said Seni Thomas, Founder and CEO of EDGE Markets. “Working with Defy the Odds will allow us to introduce our technology to many more eyes and innovators in the betting and iGaming space, giving them the financial flexibility they need to succeed while also promoting responsible gaming.”

The EDGE Boost bank account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000*, providing financial security, while all user data is safeguarded on a private, encrypted platform. EDGE Boost users are already using the card for transactions across all major digital gaming platforms, without any fees or integration required for operators.

The post Defy the Odds and EDGE Markets Announce Strategic Partnership to Drive Innovation in Betting and Gaming Payments appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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BettingStartups

Defy the Odds partners with BettingStartups to boost early-stage igaming support

Published

3 days ago

April 21, 2026

Wladimir P.

defy-the-odds-partners-with-bettingstartups-to-boost-early-stage-igaming-support

The groups will collaborate on startup programming starting at SBC Summit Americas on June 9–11 in Fort Lauderdale.

Defy the Odds (DTO) and BettingStartups have announced a strategic partnership to support early-stage startups across igaming and sports betting. The first public collaboration is scheduled for SBC Summit Americas (June 9–11) in Fort Lauderdale, where both organisations said they will support startup-focused programming.

DTO, which advises early-stage founders in igaming, sports betting, sportstech and fintech, and BettingStartups, which focuses on the real money gaming early-stage ecosystem, said the partnership aims to improve access to community, collaboration and capital for founders.

The organisations said the combined effort is intended to increase visibility for emerging companies, improve connections across fragmented industry networks, and help founders become “investor-ready,” including support such as pitch preparation, financial modelling and introductions to investors active in the sector.

Kelly Kehn, Co-Founder of Defy the Odds said of the partnership, “Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens when founders connect, share ideas and push each other forward. That’s what community does. This partnership with BettingStartups is about bringing more startups together and making sure the wider industry pays attention to what they’re building. Because the future of our industry is being shaped by these founders.”

Jesse Learmonth, founder of BettingStartups, adds “We’ve always been about providing high-signal infrastructure for founders to scale. This partnership with DTO doubles down on that mission, linking our audience with a community that actually opens doors. Starting with the Startup Zone at SBC Americas, we’re giving founders a direct, affordable line to the operators and investors who define this industry.

Both organisations said additional joint initiatives are planned throughout 2026.

The post Defy the Odds partners with BettingStartups to boost early-stage igaming support appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.