How 2025 reset the crypto-gambling landscape
If 2024 was about regulatory groundwork, 2025 was the year those rules arrived—and platforms followed suit. New U.S. stablecoin legislation landed, the UK tightened promotions and validated “frictionless” risk checks, Brazil formally kicked off its national regime, Curaçao advanced its overhaul, and the two biggest video platforms that drive discovery for crypto casinos—YouTube and Kick—restricted how gambling brands are promoted and monetized.
1) U.S. GENIUS Act becomes law, reshaping stablecoin rails
On July 18, 2025, the GENIUS Act established a federal framework for payment stablecoins, mandating liquid reserves and monthly disclosures—changes expected to boost mainstream, compliant stablecoin usage across payments and iGaming wallets. The White House fact sheet and Reuters coverage underscore its scope, while Treasury’s August request for comment shows implementation is underway.
Why it matters: clearer rules for USDT/USDC-like instruments can lower friction for licensed operators that accept stablecoins (where local law allows) and raise AML expectations across the chain.
2) UK: promotions crackdown and “frictionless” financial risk checks
In March, the UK Gambling Commission announced new promo rules: bans on mixed-product offers that force players to use more than one gambling type to unlock a bonus, plus a 10x wagering cap—changes scheduled to take effect on December 19, 2025. Separately, the regulator’s pilot showed that 95–97% of financial risk assessments can be completed “frictionlessly,” exceeding earlier estimates.
Why it matters: casinos and sportsbooks (including crypto-first brands licensed in GB) must redesign offers and prepare for low-friction affordability checks at scale.
3) YouTube tightens gambling content; Kick curbs casino monetization and access
YouTube introduced stricter rules on March 19, 2025: creators cannot link to or display logos of unapproved online gambling sites and many casino videos face 18+ gating.
Kick, long associated with crypto-casino streams, set a February 1, 2025 deadline allowing streams only from sites with ID-based age verification, and in March removed hourly partner pay for Slots & Casino streams.
Why it matters: influencer funnels narrowed in 2025, raising acquisition costs for offshore crypto casinos and rewarding licensed brands that meet stricter KYC standards.
4) Stake exits Great Britain as its white-label partner leaves the market
On February 12, 2025, the UKGC advised consumers that Stake.uk.com would cease being a licensed site the following month, amid TGP Europe’s exit and subsequent regulatory action reported in May. It marked one of the highest-profile crypto-casino retrenchments from GB.
5) Brazil’s regulated market goes live—and targets illegal operators and crypto payments
Brazil moved from gray to regulated on January 1, 2025, with federal authorities blocking irregular betting sites and rolling out a dense web of portarias (ordinances) governing authorizations, monitoring, marketing, responsible gambling, and technical standards. Official portals track these measures; reporting highlights enforcement and payment constraints that favor bank transfers (Pix, TED, debit/prepaid) while excluding cryptocurrencies.
Why it matters: brands courting Brazil’s huge fan base must localize to licensed rails and drop crypto deposits, even as the market’s size tempts offshore sites to test the blocks.
6) Curaçao’s LOK reform advances: provisional license extension and new RG policy
Curaçao extended provisional “Green Seal” licenses to December 24, 2025 while the new LOK regime beds in, and published a Responsible Gaming Policy (April 17, 2025). Expect tighter AML/RG controls, direct licensing via the CGA, and more rigorous oversight than the old sub-license model.
Why it matters: many crypto-forward casinos historically used Curaçao. 2025’s transition accelerates the shift to fully audited operations and clearer player-protection baselines.
7) Canada (Ontario): standards tighten; crypto remains off-limits for deposits
Ontario’s AGCO updated Responsible Gambling training standards in July 2025 and continued emphasizing documentation/auditability in early-2025 standards updates. Its long-standing note remains: cryptocurrency is not legal tender and shall not be accepted for deposits. Research also shows significant play still occurs on unregulated sites.
8) Australia’s federal ban on crypto and credit cards for online wagering continues to shape 2025
Australia’s 2024 reform, enforced by ACMA and the government, prohibits digital currency and credit-linked payments for online wagering—policy that set the tone for 2025 and influenced international discussions on payment-method risk.
9) Bitcoin returns to the Vegas Strip ecosystem (for non-gaming spend)
Circa Resort & Casino and Golden Gate announced bitcoin payment acceptance relaunches beginning summer 2025 (for hospitality/retail, not gaming), signaling renewed mainstream experiments with crypto at U.S. resorts alongside high-profile crypto events in Las Vegas.
10) What it all means for 2026
Expect more jurisdictions to standardize AML/KYC around stablecoins, closer scrutiny of influencer-driven casino marketing, and continued migration from light-touch licensing to “named-licensee” accountability (Curaçao, Brazil). Operators that align with platform policies, verify age robustly, and keep clean payment rails will be best placed as enforcement intensifies.
Quick FAQ
Is stablecoin betting now “green-lit” in the U.S.?
No. The GENIUS Act governs stablecoins themselves; gambling remains regulated state-by-state. Licensed operators must still follow local laws and payment rules.
Did YouTube “ban” gambling content entirely?
No. It restricted unapproved gambling links/logos and applies 18+ gating; enforcement focuses on off-platform promotion and age controls.
Can I use crypto to bet in Brazil now that it’s regulated?
No. Current rules emphasize bank transfers and exclude cryptocurrencies for betting payments. Use only authorized payment methods on licensed sites.
