Time to invest in Crypto? SOFTSWISS 2023 igaming market overview
The technology company has shared its analysis of the dynamic crypto landscape.
Press release.- According to the latest report by SOFTSWISS, crypto bets in the global igaming sector witnessed a notable 20 per cent surge in 2023. The data underscores a growing inclination towards cryptocurrency adoption within online gambling platforms.
In the following article, SOFTSWISS reveals insights into the expanding landscape of cryptocurrency and its implications for the gambling industry.
According to industry research, the global igaming market is projected to double by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7 per cent. Revenues are expected to exceed €140bn, with a significant share attributed to crypto gambling.
SOFTSWISS, as the innovator in crypto igaming software development, regularly conducts research to track the dynamics of crypto within the igaming market. Using extrapolation, comparative and correlative analysis, experts analyse the data gathered from over 600 crypto-friendly brands powered by the company.
igaming market overview
Based on SOFTSWISS data, the igaming market had a stable expansion in 2023. In absolute terms in euro, the Total Bet Sum grew by 38.2 per cent year-on-year. At the same time, the Total Bet Count displayed an even stronger increase, surpassing 51.2 per cent.
The average bet is slightly decreasing for several reasons. One significant factor is the broader reach of online gaming, fueled by advanced technology and increased internet availability. This trend is more evident in emerging markets like LatAm and Africa, where bets are usually smaller. Additionally, the increasing number of players under 30 with budget constraints adds to the decline in the average bet size.
State of Crypto
The in-depth quarterly analysis, initiated at the beginning of 2022, reveals that fiat bets are undergoing more substantial growth compared to crypto bets. In Q4’23, the Crypto Bet Sum saw an 8.2 per cent rise in absolute terms, while the Fiat Bet Sum surged by 16.4 per cent compared to Q3’23. At the end of 2023, the crypto share in the Total Bets Sum (27.5 per cent) decreased by 3.9 p.p.
The comparative analysis of the 2023 Crypto Bet Sum against the previous year shows 21.1 per cent growth. Simultaneously, the Crypto Bet Count increased by 50.5 per cent year-on-year. The growing number of bets indicates rising interest in crypto gaming, but the greater availability of digital currencies may lead to slightly more economical bets.
Vitali Matsukevich, chief operating officer at SOFTSWISS, said: “The advantages of employing digital currencies, such as swift transactions and anonymity, are key drivers for many players. Given these dynamics, the market demands expanding igaming projects’ opportunities for crypto players.
“The in-game currency conversion, for example, allows operators to engage players with cryptocurrency assets in games initially designed for fiat transactions. The projects that embrace such possibilities continue gaining more advantageous market positions.”
Crypto Bet Stabilisation
The average fiat bet remained steady at around €0.82 throughout the previous year. Despite fluctuations in the average crypto bet during 2023, ranging from 1.59 to €1.88, the changes appear modest compared to the twofold drop observed in the average crypto bet during Q4’22, which reached €1.56. This indicates a certain level of stabilisation in the average crypto bet throughout 2023.
Vitali Matsukevich added: “The dynamics of the average crypto bet align with crypto market fluctuations. When digital currency values stabilised in H2 2022, the average crypto bet also levelled out. Another thing is that the average crypto bet is almost two times higher than the average fiat bet, which testifies that digital currencies are potentially used by players with higher incomes. Operators should consider this to increase project profitability.”
Cryptocurrencies Rating
The Top Five most operated digital coins in igaming landscape have remained stable during the last two years.
In 2023, the cryptocurrency structure looks as follows:
- Bitcoin – 73.3 per cent
- Ethereum – 9.9 per cent
- Litecoin – 6.6 per cent
- Tether – 4.6 per cent
- Dogecoin – 3.1 per cent
In Q4 2023, Bitcoin experienced a slight decline by a 5.7 p.p. compared to Q3 2023. Conversely, Ethereum and Litecoin showed growth of 4.7 p.p. and 2.2 p.p., respectively, during the same period.
Vitali Matsukevich summarised: “The digital currencies market is rapidly expanding, with estimates showing over 50 per cent growth in capitalisation in 2023. Despite the risks caused by the high volatility of crypto and its dependence on various factors, using it can bring extra profits for operators. The iGaming industry is promising for investments due to growth in both fiat and crypto markets, but success depends on trustworthy and experienced partners.”
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