iGB has introduced a fresh column penned by Tom Waterhouse of WaterhouseVC. In the initial installment, he examines the enterprises that will propel the expansion and acceptance of digital currency wagering.
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Digital currency wagering: The driving forces behind growth
The burgeoning digital currency wagering and Web 3.0 industries are revolutionizing conventional gambling models.
The entire real-world gambling environment is being reconstructed in virtual realms like Decentraland, generating both opportunities and obstacles for existing operators.
In Decentraland, participants must initially purchase or transfer digital currency (MANA or DAI) tokens to their Decentral Games wallet before they can place wagers in specific games.
Online digital currency operators (whose user experience is akin to online fiat operators like FanDuel and DraftKings) have already attained impressive turnover.
In the third quarter of 2021, the total number of bets placed using digital currency surged by 181% year-on-year, while the digital currency betting share (43.3%) is rapidly approaching the fiat betting share (source: Softswiss).
For instance, the digital currency-focused Sportsbet.io (not to be confused with the Australian “Sportsbet” business owned by Flutter) has a monthly turnover of $2.7 billion.
For comparison, in 2021, the largest operator in Australia had an average monthly turnover of $1.2 billion, with about 50% market share in the nation.
Sportsbet.
IO has teamed up with some of the most prominent names in soccer, including Arsenal, Southampton, and São Paulo.
The virtual reality world is beginning to generate revenue.
The fund is particularly interested in businesses that offer essential services to gaming and gambling enterprises. For instance, they invest in companies that provide racing data, voice and text wagering, and affiliate marketing.
One intriguing company in the virtual reality world is Admix, established in 2017 by Sam Huber.
Admix’s primary business is creating and displaying advertisements that don’t disrupt players. This satisfies everyone: advertisers, game developers, and players.
Admix already collaborates with many of the world’s largest brands. Over 1,000 brands purchase Admix ads each month.
One challenge with Web 3.0 is that it’s difficult to earn money in places like Decentraland and The Sandbox. However, Admix demonstrates how companies that provide services to other businesses can profit from Web 3.0.
Admix is enthusiastic about Web 3.0, but they’re taking a more pragmatic approach. They’ve been acquiring land in Decentraland and The Sandbox since 2020 and are leasing it to their existing clients who utilize their “real-time advertising” service.
You could be curious about the ideas of closeness in physical property, how costs are established, and why individuals purchase or lease residences.
Creating experiences on digital parcels of land and renting them to customers can sometimes produce monthly rents exceeding $60,000, with development profit margins surpassing 70% (Fast Company). For instance, in Decentraland, Admix developed a display of a large perfume bottle for L’Oréal and constructed temporary installations for events like New York Fashion Week.
It’s not surprising that a significant portion of Decentraland’s current activity occurs in its Las Vegas district, a digital city of vice.
We envision that service providers like Admix will utilize their prior related ventures and apply them to the expansion of crypto gaming and gambling, potentially attracting clients like Sportsbet.io, as well as established land-based brands like Caesars, Wynn, and MGM.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see many of these businesses appearing on Admix’s advertising displays in Decentraland.
Dominant Web 2.0 companies are generally only 20 years old and took several years to begin generating substantial revenue. Their exceptional growth has made many of these businesses some of the largest companies globally by market value.
They all share a single simple characteristic—they provide services that customers require or desire.
For instance, nowadays, nearly every online store needs to invest in Google advertisements.
New digital realms, such as Decentraland and The Sandbox, primarily give property owners the power to choose how they make money, and we are excited to see their progress.
Since its beginning in August 2019, Waterhouse VC has achieved a remarkable overall return of 2,057% as of April 30, 2022, assuming all payouts have been reinvested.
Kindly note that the details provided above concerning Admix, DraftKings, Decentraland, The Sandbox, Sportsbet.io, Meta, Google, Amazon, Twitter, Nvidia, Caesars Entertainment, and MGM Resorts are based on publicly accessible company data and should not be taken as or interpreted as financial product guidance. Waterhouse VC has investment holdings in Flutter, Meta, and Google. The information presented in this document is solely for general reference and does not constitute investment or any other form of counsel. Individuals should seek and rely on professional investment advice tailored to their specific situation.
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