Stablecoins Dominate Crypto Casino Payments

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Stablecoins Dominate Crypto Casino Payments

Stablecoins have become the dominant payment method in crypto gambling, accounting for 75% of casino deposits, according to a new industry report examining blockchain transaction activity. The findings suggest that gambling operators increasingly use digital assets as a means of transferring dollar-denominated value, with payment infrastructure becoming a central consideration for the sector.

The report, How the Stablecoin Shift Is Reshaping Crypto Gambling, was produced by iGB in partnership with RYKI, a registered Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the British Virgin Islands. Its conclusions draw on six weeks of onchain deposit data collected during March and April 2026.

The research identifies a growing preference for stablecoins over volatile cryptocurrencies. USDT and USDC together represent 89% of stablecoin gambling transactions, reflecting the importance of dollar-pegged assets in casino payment activity.

Payment Costs Drive The Move Towards Stablecoins

Traditional payment services continue to create financial and operational challenges for gambling businesses. Card processing generally costs between 1.5% and 3.5%, while operators in emerging markets can face charges of 3% to 6% per deposit. International bank transfers also involve longer settlement periods, with SWIFT transactions potentially requiring three to seven days.

Crypto payments can settle in under ten minutes, while operators report reductions in payment expenses of 60% to 70%. Foreign-exchange conversion through conventional banking channels can add another 50 to 100 basis points.

RYKI CEO Lennon Sweeting highlighted the operational considerations behind this transition. “Speed is an operational architecture choice, not just a crypto advantage,” he said. “An operator taking deposits in a dozen currencies and settling in stablecoins is running a foreign-exchange book whether it intends to or not.”

Regulatory Developments Shape Payment Infrastructure

The report identifies MiCA in the European Union and the US GENIUS Act as important developments for stablecoin adoption. MiCA's transitional period for crypto-asset service providers ended in July 2026, while the GENIUS Act is due to become effective by January 2027.

Regulated payment options are expanding across Estonia, Malta and the UAE. The UK Gambling Commission is also examining the possibility of crypto payments for licensed operators.

Sweeting said: “A regulator assessing an operator’s crypto exposure will eventually ask who is holding the funds, who is screening the wallets and under whose registration the settlement happens.”

Larger Deposits Increase Custody Requirements

The financial value of crypto gambling activity also features prominently in the findings. Data from SOFTSWISS indicates that average crypto wagers are approximately twice the size of fiat bets. Stablecoin-focused casinos recorded 32% higher average player lifetime value during Q1 2026 compared with brands using volatile tokens.

One tracked platform reported an average deposit just below $4,000. RYKI estimates that high-net-worth individuals hold more than $50 billion in crypto assets that premium gaming venues have yet to attract.

“A platform whose average deposit is $4,000 is custodying meaningful balances for individuals,” Sweeting said.

RYKI provides gaming businesses with stablecoin and fiat settlement, institutional custody and multi-currency treasury services. Its compliance offering supports the payment infrastructure, while operators retain responsibility for their own licences and regulated businesses.

Access to crypto gambling also depends on the platform's licensing arrangements and the player's jurisdiction.

Source:

“Stablecoins now fund 75% of crypto casino deposits as gaming outgrows its payment rails”, igamingbusiness.com, November 3

“growing preference for stablecoins over volatile cryptocurrencies”

Written by Luka.J LukaVic

News Reporter

Expert On: iGaming News Gambling Regulations Predatory bonus terms

Fact-checked by Nina.D Sylvanas

Chief Content Editor

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Jovana1407 53 minutes ago Moderator

The 75% figure is pretty striking. I also think the average deposit figure is interesting, because handling balances of that size makes secure custody a much bigger consideration.

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