The online gambling industry is changing fast. Established platforms built on traditional payment systems are facing serious competition from a new generation of crypto-native operators.
DraftKings is one of the biggest names in the game. But ZunaBet, which launched in 2026, is the platform a lot of players are starting to talk about.
DraftKings: Big Brand, Big Limitations
DraftKings started in 2012 as a daily fantasy sports platform and grew into one of the largest regulated gambling operators in the United States. It is publicly traded on NASDAQ and holds licences across multiple US states.
The platform offers a sportsbook, an online casino in eligible states, and a loyalty program called Dynasty Rewards. It is built for the mainstream American bettor and does that job well.
Payment options are traditional — debit cards, bank transfers, PayPal, and similar methods. Crypto support is minimal or unavailable depending on where you are.
The casino library also varies by state due to licensing rules. Some players get full access, others are limited to sports betting only.
DraftKings is polished and trusted. But it was built for a different era of online gambling, and that is starting to show.
ZunaBet: Built for the Next Generation
ZunaBet launched in 2026 under Strathvale Group Ltd, operating with an Anjouan gaming licence and registered in Belize. The team behind it has over 20 years of combined industry experience.
The platform was built around crypto from day one. It supports 20+ cryptocurrencies including BTC, ETH, SOL, DOGE, ADA, XRP, and USDT across multiple chains — with no platform processing fees and fast withdrawals.
The game library sits at 11,294 titles from 63 providers. That covers slots, RNG table games, and live dealer games from providers including Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Hacksaw Gaming, Yggdrasil, and BGaming.
That makes it one of the largest crypto-focused game libraries available right now. Most crypto casinos do not come close to that number of titles or providers.
The sportsbook covers football, basketball, tennis, NHL, and a full esports slate including CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant. Virtual sports and combat sports round out the offering.
Apps are available for iOS, Android, Windows, and MacOS. Live chat runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The platform uses a dark-themed HTML5 design built for fast loading on mobile.
Crypto vs Traditional: Why It Matters
This is not just a debate about payment methods. The difference between crypto platforms and traditional operators now runs much deeper than that.
Crypto casinos offer faster withdrawals, lower transaction costs, and fewer friction points around identity verification. For players used to waiting days for a bank transfer, switching to crypto feels like an upgrade.
Traditional platforms like DraftKings benefit from strong consumer protections and brand recognition. US players in regulated states know exactly what they are getting.
But that regulation also limits reach. State-by-state licensing means DraftKings cannot serve large parts of the global market. Players outside eligible US states often have no access at all.
ZunaBet operates under an international licence and is available to a far broader audience. For players locked out of US-regulated platforms, that matters a great deal.
There is also a generational angle. Younger players who already manage crypto wallets are not looking for a PayPal option. They want fast, low-cost transactions that fit how they already handle money.
Platforms built for that from the ground up have a real advantage over those trying to add crypto to a legacy system.
Loyalty Programs: Points vs Rakeback
DraftKings uses Dynasty Rewards, a points-based system where players earn crowns through wagering and redeem them for credits and free bets. It works, but it follows the same formula most major operators have used for years.
ZunaBet does something different. Its loyalty program is built around a dragon evolution system with a mascot called Zuno, running across six tiers: Squire, Warden, Champion, Divine, Knight, and Ultimate.
Each tier comes with direct rakeback — starting at 1% for Squire and rising to 20% at Ultimate. Rakeback means a percentage of every wager comes straight back to the player, with no points conversion or redemption required.
Additional rewards include up to 1,000 tier-based free spins, VIP club access, and double wheel spins. The whole system is more transparent and more rewarding than a standard points program.
For regular players, knowing exactly what percentage of their wagers comes back is a big deal. It removes the guesswork that makes most loyalty programs feel less valuable than they appear.
Where ZunaBet Stands Out
Most new casino platforms launch with a limited library, a basic sportsbook, and a generic bonus structure. ZunaBet launched with over 11,000 games, 63 providers, full esports coverage, dedicated apps across four operating systems, and a structured rakeback loyalty program.
That is a complete platform from day one, not a work in progress.
It sits in a smart strategic position — crypto-native enough to appeal to digital asset users, but broad enough in its game library and sportsbook to compete with established operators on content alone.
The welcome bonus adds to that. New players can claim up to $5,000 plus 75 free spins across three deposits: 100% up to $2,000 plus 25 spins on the first deposit, 50% up to $1,500 plus 25 spins on the second, and 100% up to $1,500 plus 25 spins on the third.
That is a generous offer spread across multiple deposits, designed to keep players engaged well beyond the first session.
The Bottom Line
DraftKings is the right fit for US-based players in regulated states who want a familiar platform with mainstream payments and strong consumer protections. It has earned its reputation and continues to serve that audience well.
ZunaBet is built for a different kind of player. Someone who holds crypto, wants a massive game library, bets on esports alongside traditional sports, and expects a loyalty program with real, calculable value.
DraftKings represents where online gambling has been. ZunaBet represents where it is going.
For anyone open to something new in 2026, ZunaBet is the most complete and most exciting platform to emerge this year. The library, the sportsbook, the crypto infrastructure, and the rakeback loyalty system all point to a team that understands exactly what modern players are looking for.
It is only just getting started, and that might be the most interesting thing about it.
The post ZunaBet vs DraftKings: The Crypto Challenger Taking On a Giant appeared first on Blockonomi.
Source: https://blockonomi.com/zunabet-vs-draftkings-the-crypto-challenger-taking-on-a-giant/