Crypto-ready affiliates: how Web3, transparency, and token payments are shaping the next generation of casino comparison sites
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The crypto market is a fast-growing trading sector, already transforming both land-based and online businesses. Casinos were among the first to adopt crypto openly. But we are now standing on the brink of a technological revolution. Could blockchain reshape the way we enjoy online casinos?
Sebastian Jarosch believes so. As founder of Mithrillium Media Ltd, Jarosch brings unmatched expertise in the online casinos space. His company’s accolades—including Affiliate Programme of the Year at the 2022 SBC Awards and Best Casino Group at the 2020 CasinoMeister Awards—highlight both credibility and innovation. We spoke with him about the future of crypto in iGaming, and how affiliates must adapt to stay relevant.
Q: What does it mean for an affiliate platform to be “crypto-ready” in today’s iGaming landscape?
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have become mainstream, and it is important for affiliate businesses to adapt to this. For players, it is very convenient to make deposits and withdrawals via crypto because the transactions are often instant, unlimited, free and anonymous. Many online casinos have already responded to this by integrating the most important cryptocurrencies into their cashiers. An affiliate site being crypto-ready means that the website is reviewing crypto casinos and lists them in an individual category.
Q: How are blockchain technologies changing the way casino comparison sites verify operators and rankings?
The essence of blockchain is that it is tamper-proof, decentralised, and anonymous. For review sites, this technology can be used to verify licenses, payouts, and trust certifications. Rankings and scores would be far harder to manipulate, as the verification records are public and time-stamped.
Q: Do token-based or cryptocurrency payment options influence player trust and engagement with affiliate platforms?
Crypto is very popular in iGaming, and many players use it for transactions. Players in crypto-friendly markets often view token support as a sign that a platform understands their preferences. It increases engagement by offering speed, lower fees, and sometimes exclusive bonuses. To develop trust, players want an expert opinion on reliability, licensing, and payout speed.
Q: What role does Web3 play in making affiliate operations more transparent for both users and operators?
Web3 decentralises the internet and creates a more open and honest experience. The idea is that Web3 will give customers more control over their private data and allow them to surf the internet anonymously. By making it more difficult to track their online activity, trust in online casinos can increase. Consumers would also gain more information about a site’s origins. This means affiliate websites would need to conduct extensive research to ensure that everything they say is accurate, as it can easily be fact-checked.
Q: How does Casino Groups ensure security and compliance when promoting casinos that accept cryptocurrency payments?
Security comes from testing and research. We only promote crypto casinos that are reliable, process payments in a timely manner, and are transparent about their terms and conditions. Not all casinos that deal with crypto are actually licensed, so hands-on reviews are necessary to determine if the operator is trustworthy. In terms of compliance, we follow jurisdictional advertising rules, use geo-blocking where required, and ensure all creatives meet responsible gambling standards.
Q: Are decentralised verification tools or on-chain reviews a realistic future for casino comparison sites?
On-chain reviews would provide much-needed transparency for casino reviews by making bonus data, player feedback, licenses, payout speeds, and even ownership verifiable. The challenge, however, is the adoption of such tools. This technology is complicated to set up and requires a critical mass of players and operators to participate. Until then, these tools will complement rather than replace traditional review systems.
Q: How do crypto-focused affiliates balance the appeal of faster payments and anonymity with responsible gambling principles?-
That is generally part of the review process, but with crypto casinos it is a little more complicated. It is important to ensure that crypto casinos are either licensed or have a good reputation in the industry. If a casino uses a weak license or is unlicensed, it often comes down to the operator’s work ethics to enable players to self-exclude or set deposit limits. Payout speed is one of the main reasons players choose crypto casinos, which is why we emphasise it in our reviews.
Q: Have you seen increased demand from players specifically searching for blockchain-powered or crypto-accepting casinos?
There is demand, and we have seen dedicated crypto casino affiliates pop up in various jurisdictions. Search volumes for crypto casinos and blockchain gambling platforms have steadily increased over the last 3–4 years, especially in regions with limited access to traditional payment methods. Players prefer online casinos with quick registration processes, fast payouts, and anonymity. Additionally, Crypto Casinos often offer huge welcome bonuses and are free of transaction fees.
Q: What innovations do you expect in the next 2-3 years that could redefine crypto affiliation in iGaming?
Over the next few years, crypto affiliation in iGaming is likely to be redefined by the wider adoption of stablecoins for both player deposits and affiliate payouts, reducing volatility and settlement delays. On-chain affiliate tracking will bring transparent, tamper-proof click-to-deposit attribution, while provably fair ranking algorithms will ensure comparison site scores cannot be manipulated without leaving a public record. Instant commission payments, triggered by verified player activity, will further streamline operations and build trust between affiliates and operators.
Q: Looking ahead, could crypto-readiness become a baseline expectation for all top-tier casino comparison platforms?
In the future, crypto-readiness will be normalised within the iGaming industry. Just as mobile optimisation became a standard in iGaming, crypto-readiness will be expected even from affiliates that don’t cater exclusively to crypto casinos, as it signals flexibility, modernity, and global reach. The winners will be businesses that are willing to adapt to changing trends and player preferences.
