Launch of The Speculator - Get the edge in GambleFi

Author

Dominic Sawyer
July 24, 2024

Hello!

Welcome to the first issue of The Speculator.

Expect the content to evolve but the mission will remain the same - to give you an edge in GambleFi.

Whether you work in the sector (crypto or trad) or are a crypto trader, investor or enthusiast I’ll bring you the latest news, trends and market insights.

✍️ In this week’s newsletter:

  • GambleFi Latest News

  • Podcast Roundup with Nigel Eccles

  • Markets in the last 7 days

  • What happens to Polymarket after the election

  • What is The Speculator

🔥 GambleFi Latest News

💬 Podcast Roundup with Nigel Eccles

Discover the insights of Nigel, founder of Bet Hog, in this tweet thread from a podcast he did with Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.

Learn about his:

🤝 Journey & why he's building in crypto
🤝 Views on Crypto vs. regulated markets
🤝 Innovative plans for Bet Hog

Nigel Eccles, tech entrepreneur and founder of Fan Duel, is now looking to shake up the crypto space with Bet Hog, a new sportsbook & casino.

With his extensive experience in both traditional and crypto gambling, Nigel brings a unique perspective to the table.

He's often asked why he's building Bet Hog in the crypto market instead of regulated ones.

He compares it to the early days of FanDuel & Flutter, facing legality questions. Crypto, despite its reputation, is where he sees the most innovation happening over the next 5 years.

Regulatory environments slow down new product development.

Nigel points out that regulations are time-consuming and expensive, stifling innovation.

In contrast, crypto offers a playground for new technologies, much like how Stake introduced an array of new games.

Competition varies greatly between crypto & regulated markets.

While the US market is dominated by a few big players, international crypto markets are teeming with competition.

Nigel notes the lack of substantial product development in regulated markets, making them stagnant.

In crypto, there’s room to innovate & differentiate.

Bet Hog Alpha is open

Bet Hog aims to make finding and placing sports bets easier, enhancing the overall experience to many existing crypto competitors.

Unlike onshore casinos, Bet Hog will focus on making the in-game betting experience more entertaining & engaging.

Traditional casino games often feel repetitive.

Nigel is surprised by the reliance on old slots with new skins.

Bet Hog seeks to break this monotony by introducing innovative games that blend skill & luck, catering to the preferences of the younger, crypto-savvy demographic.

PvP and skill-based games are key areas of focus for Bet Hog.

These games are hugely popular among young males and the crypto community.

Despite challenges like multi-accounting & cheating, Nigel believes in the potential of PvP games to attract and engage this audience.

PvP games offer a mix of skill and luck, ensuring that new players can still win while minimizing skill disparities.

This approach not only levels the playing field but also makes the games more exciting and less predictable, appealing to a broader audience.

Overcoming challenges like collusion & botting is crucial for Bet Hog's success in PvP games.

Nigel acknowledges the conservative nature of traditional casinos but sees an opportunity to innovate & disrupt by offering something truly unique and engaging.

Crypto casinos have revolutionized marketing by leveraging influencers and streaming.

Nigel highlights how Bet Hog plans to use these strategies to build a vibrant and engaged community, setting it apart from traditional casinos.

Will Bet Hog move to regulated markets? Not anytime soon, says Nigel.

The focus is on rapid innovation and experimentation.

Eventually, Bet Hog might enter some regulated markets, but for now, the priority is to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.

Look forward to following Bet Hog's journey. I've signed up to their alpha and will be trying their new platform.

Thanks to Eilers & Krejcik Gaming & Brad Allen.

📈 Markets in the last 7 days

This week has seen plenty of green. The biggest gainers are on Sol, itself up nearly 9%. This includes $RLB (+7%), $CROWN (+9%), and $BLOCK, up almost 23% - also marking its first week of token burn.

The biggest gainer overall is $HILO, up by more than 72%. Prediction platforms are particularly hot right now, with Polymarket drawing significant attention due to its election coverage.

It will be interesting to follow $SHFL as they adjust their token offering, including the incoming SHFL Lottery.

No news yet on Aviatrix’s planned game release in July, let’s see how this affects the narrative around $SCR.

Please hit reply to let me know of any other tokens to add and I’ll make sure they are included on the next issue.

🐦️ What happens to Polymarket after the election.

A lot of positive attention on Polymarket right now…melquiades looks at what could happen post November.

Seen a good tweet to be featured in our ‘Tweet of the Week’? Email me

About The Speculator

What is it?

The Speculator is a pioneering weekly publication dedicated to providing insights, analysis along with the latest trends and news in the rapidly evolving GambleFi sector.

We cover casino games, sports betting, and prediction markets, with a focus on how decentralised technologies are reshaping these industries.

What problem does it solve?

The GambleFi sector is complex and fast-moving, leaving industry professionals, investors, and serious bettors struggling to keep up with the latest developments and trends.

There is a significant need for a reliable, authoritative source of information that can distil this complexity into actionable insights.

Value Proposition

The Speculator brings unparalleled value by:

  • Delivering Up-to-date News: A roundup of the most important news, ensuring readers are always informed about key events and developments.

  • Providing Expert Analysis: In-depth articles from industry leaders and analysts, offering nuanced perspectives on current trends and future projections.

  • Offering Market Insights: Detailed market analysis and performance reviews of the GambleFi sector, tokens and yield opportunities.

Target Audience

The Speculator is designed for:

  • Crypto Gambling Industry Professionals: Operators, developers, and marketers seeking to stay ahead of industry trends and innovations.

  • Traditional Gambling Industry Stakeholders: Executives and decision-makers looking to integrate or understand decentralized technologies.

  • Crypto Traders and Investors: Individuals interested in GambleFi tokens, yield opportunities, and market performance.

  • Serious Bettors: Bettors who want in-depth analysis and insights into decentralized betting markets.

  • General Crypto Enthusiasts and Media: People interested in the broader implications of decentralized finance and gambling.

Why Subscribe?

  • Stay Ahead of the Curve: Subscribers gain exclusive access to cutting-edge insights and trends that are driving the future of GambleFi and decentralised finance.

  • Trusted Source of Information: With contributions from industry experts and thought leaders, The Speculator is positioned as a reliable and authoritative voice in the sector.

  • Actionable Insights: Each issue is designed to provide actionable insights that can help professionals, traders, and serious bettors make informed decisions and stay competitive.

Who is behind The Speculator?

The Speculator is written by myself, Soleco.

I’ve been involved in Web3 since 2021 as a wallet CMO and more recently, as a crash game founder.

Prior to that I ran a Web2 digital marketing agency and a number of content sites.

I’m fascinated by the world of GambleFi and started The Speculator as a place to grow my learnings and share this with others in the sector.

And the main goal is to help you get the edge in GambleFi.

Drop me a line to say hello - I’d love any and all feedback!