Pooky Pioneers Predict-to-Earn Days Before World Cup Kicks Off

Web3 sports prediction application Pooky is launching its free-to-play version in public beta on Nov. 16, 2022. The app will arrive just in time for the FIFA World Cup, which begins on Nov. 20. 

Pooky provides an innovative way for users to speculate on the outcome of soccer matches. With its risk-free model, the platform retains all the fun of traditional sports betting without any danger of losing money. 

Move over play-to-earn, hello predict-to-earn

Web3 has already tried play-to-earn and move-to-earn and outside of rampant speculation on future adoption, neither has proved very sticky. Hoping to score a goal for crypto adoption on a different front is Pooky — a sports prediction app that’s branded itself as “predict-to-earn.” 

According to a recent press release, Pooky has just released a free-to-play version of its Web3 soccer prediction platform. The launch follows Pooky’s successful closed alpha on Oct. 21. 

The timing of Pooky’s free-to-play launch is no accident. The platform will be ready to use — at least in its initial free version — just days before the 2022 World Cup begins in Qatar on Nov. 20. 

The world’s biggest soccer tournament should provide the perfect backdrop for the free version’s launch. However, later versions of Pooky will include betting on other sports such as basketball and F1.

Founded by two seasoned bettors in 2022, Pooky hopes to transform the way people speculate on sports. The two brothers, Claudio and Stefano Riff, draw on significant experience in the gambling industry. Pooky itself was actually inspired by a sportsbook banning Stefano from its service out of the blue after a series of big wins. 

When the full predict-to-earn version comes out — expected in January 2023 — players will need to hold a Pookyball NFT to enter the prediction game. The game itself is a leaderboard and players receive points for guessing correct soccer game outcomes and scores. Eventually, points can be swapped for experience points, which can be spent to upgrade Pookyballs, resulting in bonuses.

Don’t we already have predict-to-earn?

The key difference between Pooky and existing opportunities to gamble online is that Pooky is risk-free. Players never risk losing their Pookyball NFT and can always use it to speculate on the outcome of games from the world’s top soccer leagues. 

Commenting on the app’s advantages over traditional sports betting, Stefano Riff, Pooky’s cofounder, stated: 

“We wanted to build a healthier alternative to traditional sports betting. By going back to the roots of sports prediction — challenging friends and demonstrating your knowledge of the beautiful game — Pooky encourages social interaction and fun whilst creating communities, both on and off the platform.”

It’ll be curious to see how Web3 enthusiasts with an interest in soccer take to Pooky during the World Cup and whether the app’s timely launch can spur adoption even amid wider bear market sentiment. However, investors clearly see potential in its reimagined sports betting experience. In a pre-seed round, the startup raised more than €3 million, including funds from Claster Investments VC and others.  

Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice