For many years, players looking for an online casino have ended up at one of the few big names. Bet365 and 888 Casino are near the top of that list. They have been around for a long time, have built a loyal following, and have shaped what most people expect from an online gambling site. But the way people pay, play and choose where to bet is changing rapidly. A new crop of casinos built around cryptocurrencies, large game libraries, and game-like bonus systems are starting to take a real share of the market.
ZunaBet is one of the names leading this transformation. Opened in 2026, it’s a cryptocurrency-first game, has over 11,000 games, a full sportsbook, and a loyalty program based on evolving dragons. This article explains how the legacy giants compare to this new competitor, and why ZunaBet is being talked about as the kind of platform designed for where the industry is headed.
The Old Guard: What Bet365 and 888 Casino bring to the table
Bet365 rose from the UK sports betting scene and has grown into one of the most popular gambling brands in the world. Its strength has always been sports betting, with deep markets, live betting, and a clean mobile app. Over time, it has added casino, poker and live dealer products, but the core of the brand is sports. Payments are mostly made through cards, bank transfers and a few e-wallets. It operates in regulated markets and follows strict rules in each market.
888 Casino comes from a different angle. It started in 1997 and was one of the first online casinos to become very successful. Its name is more associated with casino play than sports, as it has a long-standing reputation for safe play and consistent promotions. It operates in regulated markets such as the UK, Spain and parts of the US, and like Bet365, it adheres to traditional payment methods.
Both brands are reliable. Both have stood the test of time. But both are designed for a slower version of online gambling based on fiat currencies. It wasn’t designed for cryptocurrency wallets, instant withdrawals, or the kind of game-like loyalty systems that younger players now expect.
Meet ZunaBet: a different kind of casino
ZunaBet was launched in 2026 Under Strathvale Group Ltd and holds the Anjouan Gaming License. The team behind it has over two decades of combined experience in the industry, but the platform itself is built from the ground up for a cryptocurrency audience first.
The numbers stand out immediately. ZunaBet runs 11,294 games from 63 providers. This includes big names like Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Yggdrasil, BGaming, and Evolution. Slot machines make up most of the library, but there’s also a strong selection of RNG table games and live dealer rooms. The size of the library puts ZunaBet in the upper tier of cryptocurrency casinos by sheer selection alone.
The Sportsbook is located right next to the casino. Football, basketball, tennis, NHL, and other major sports are all covered. Esports is also getting serious attention, with CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends and Valorant markets. Virtual sports and combat sports fill in the rest. This makes ZunaBet a true hybrid product and not a casino with a sportsbook installed on it.
Encryption changes the game
The most obvious division between ZunaBet and the older brands is how the money moves.
Bet365 and 888 Casino are linked to traditional banking. Players deposit using cards or bank transfers, and sometimes through e-wallets. These methods are familiar, but they come with friction. Withdrawals can take a few business days. Some banks prohibit gambling transactions. Players in certain regions have limited options.
ZunaBet works on cryptocurrencies. It supports more than 20 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT across multiple chains, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, and XRP. There are no platform processing fees. Withdrawals happen quickly, often within minutes rather than days. For players who already own cryptocurrencies, the whole experience seems much more seamless than dealing with a bank.
This setting also opens the door to a wider global audience. Cryptocurrencies don’t care about borders the way bank cards do. Anyone with a wallet and connection can play. For the generation that already uses cryptocurrencies for trading, payments and savings, gambling with them is just another natural use.
Loyalty: VIP standard in exchange for something that feels like a game
Most online casinos run some type of VIP or bonus program. Bet365 Casino is no different from 888 Casino. Players earn points based on the amount of their bets, climbing levels, and unlocking perks like cashback, free spins, and special promotions. These systems work well, but tend to feel the same across most traditional sites.
ZunaBet took the idea and turned it into something more like a game. Its loyalty program works on Dragon Evolution theme With six levels: Squire, Warden, Champion, Divine, Knight, and Ultimate. Each step up the ladder unlocks a better move, starting at 1% and climbing to 20% at the top. Players also get free spins based on tier, with up to 1,000 spins available at higher levels. Access to the VIP club, double wheel spins, and a mascot called Zuno tie the system together.
20% headroom at the top is considered high by industry standards. The fun design also gives players a reason to keep coming back, not just for the rewards but for the progression itself. It feels less like a score card and more like moving up in the game.
Welcome package
New players also notice the difference when they sign up. Bet365 and 888 Casino offer welcome bonuses, but they are usually tied to a single deposit and come with conditions that can be difficult to clear.
ZunaBet spreads its welcome offer across three deposits. The total package amounts to $5,000 plus 75 free spins. The first deposit gets a 100% match up to $2,000 plus 25 spins. The second option adds 50%, up to $1,500, plus 25 spins. The third brings another 100% match up to $1,500 plus 25 spins. Combined, this adds up to a 250% bonus across your first three deposits. It is one of the most generous welcome packages currently available on the market.
Why is ZunaBet getting attention?
ZunaBet is not trying to copy old brands. She’s after a different type of player. Someone who already uses cryptocurrencies, wants fast payouts, likes the feel of a loyalty system packed with games, and wants a casino and sportsbook in one place.
The combination of over 11,000 games, over 20 supported cryptocurrencies, a full sportsbook with in-depth esports coverage, and a dragon-themed rewards system gives it a clear identity. It’s designed for how people gamble now, not how they did ten years ago.
What comes next?
Bet365 and 888 Casino are not going anywhere. They have strong brands and a long track record. They will continue to serve players who want a familiar fiat-based experience in regulated markets.
But the next wave of gamers is looking for something else. Crypto payments. Larger libraries. Sportsbooks with real esports coverage. Reward systems that feel like a game. ZunaBet checks all these boxes And it does this from day one rather than updating the old platform. It’s still early days, but the platform is already attracting attention as one of the most interesting launches in years. For players who want to design an online casino that fits the way they already live online, ZunaBet looks like the shape of things to come.
