iGB has introduced a fresh column penned by Tom Waterhouse of WaterhouseVC. In the initial installment, he explores which enterprises will propel expansion and acceptance in the digital currency gambling arena.
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Digital currency gambling: The forces behind expansion
The emergence of digital currency gambling and Web 3.0 is transforming the conventional gambling framework.
The entire real-world gambling environment is being reconstructed in virtual realms such as Decentraland, presenting opportunities and hurdles for existing operators.
In Decentraland, participants must first acquire or transfer digital currency (MANA or DAI) tokens to their Decentral Games wallet before they can engage in wagering on specific games.
Online crypto operators (whose user experience resembles online fiat currency operators like FanDuel and DraftKings) have already attained impressive turnover.
In the third quarter of 2021, the total sum wagered using digital currency surged 181% year-on-year, while the proportion of digital currency wagers (43.3%) is rapidly approaching the proportion of fiat currency wagers (source: Softswiss).
For instance, the digital currency-focused Sportsbet.io (not to be mistaken for the Australian “Sportsbet” business owned by Flutter) registers $2.7 billion in turnover per month.
To place this in context, the largest operator in Australia averaged $1.2 billion in turnover per month in 2021, holding approximately 50% of the market share in the nation.
Sportsbet.
IO has joined forces with some prominent names in the sport of football, such as Arsenal, Southampton, and São Paulo.
The virtual world is beginning to generate revenue.
The investment group is particularly interested in firms that support other businesses in the gaming and gambling industry. For instance, they invest in companies that provide racing statistics, enable individuals to wager using their voice or written communication, and assist with promotional activities.
One intriguing company we observe in the metaverse is Admix, founded by Sam Huber in 2017.
Admix’s primary focus is on creating advertisements that appear in real-time without disrupting players. This arrangement satisfies all parties involved: the advertisers, the game developers, and the players.
Admix already boasts a substantial client base, with over 1,000 brands purchasing advertisements from them monthly.
One common criticism of Web 3.0 is the lack of monetization opportunities in virtual environments like Decentraland and The Sandbox. However, Admix demonstrates how companies that support other businesses can generate income within Web 3.0.
Admix is enthusiastic about Web 3.0, but they are adopting a more pragmatic approach, similar to a real estate developer. Since 2020, they have been acquiring virtual land in Decentraland and The Sandbox and leasing it to their existing customers who utilize their “real-time advertising” service.
Virtual property, much like its tangible counterpart, grapples with similar inquiries: location, cost, and the choice between acquisition or lease.
Constructing experiences on virtual land and renting them to patrons can sometimes yield monthly rentals surpassing $60,000, with development profit margins exceeding 70% (Fast Company). For instance, in Decentraland, Admix crafted a colossal perfume bottle display for L’Oreal and erected temporary installations for events like New York Fashion Week.
It’s hardly surprising that a significant portion of Decentraland’s activity transpires within its digital Sin City, a Las Vegas-inspired district.
We anticipate service providers like Admix to leverage their expertise from prior related ventures and apply it to the expansion of crypto gaming and wagering, potentially attracting clients like Sportsbet.io and established land-based brands like Caesars, Wynn, and MGM.
We wouldn’t be taken aback to witness many of these businesses gracing billboards owned by Admix in Decentraland.
Predominant Web 2.0 companies are typically only two decades old and have taken years to commence generating substantial revenue. Their extraordinary growth has propelled many of these enterprises among the largest globally by market value.
They all share a simple commonality—they provide services that customers require or desire.
Its practically impossible to operate an online commerce venture nowadays without Google advertising expenditures.
New virtual realms like Decentraland and The Sandbox, which largely allow property owners to determine the path of profit generation, are captivating to observe as they progress.
Since its establishment in August 2019, Waterhouse VC has produced a total return of 2,057% as of April 30, 2022, assuming all payouts were reinvested.
Kindly note that the details above concerning Admix, DraftKings, Decentraland, The Sandbox, Sportsbet.io, Meta, Google, Amazon, Twitter, Nvidia, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts are based on publicly accessible data about the companies and should not be interpreted as financial product counsel. Waterhouse VC holds positions in Flutter, Meta, and Google. The information presented in this document is for general informative purposes only and does not constitute investment or other guidance. Individuals should consult with and rely on professional investment advice customized to their unique circumstances.
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