In any serious discussion about online betting brands, Stake.com and Bet365 rarely sit far from the centre. Stake.com built the modern crypto casino blueprint after launching in 2017, while Bet365 has spent more than two decades doing the same for the regulated fiat side. The pair gets compared often, even though they cover different ground. What’s changing is how often other brands now show up alongside them — and ZunaBet, launched in 2026, has become one of the names doing it with real momentum.
This piece looks at where Stake.com and Bet365 stand today, and what makes ZunaBet able to hold its own in that same conversation.
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The Two Leading Reference Points
Stake.com launched in 2017 and quickly became one of the most recognised names in crypto gambling. Built around crypto from day one, the platform supports a wide list of currencies and pairs its casino with a full sportsbook. UFC and football sponsorships have given the brand mainstream visibility, even though it doesn’t operate inside the regulated US market.
Bet365 has been running since 2000. Starting from the UK, it grew into one of the largest privately owned betting brands worldwide, offering sportsbook, casino, poker, and bingo from a single account. Banking moves through cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets, with active licensing in every region it serves.
Both lead in their own areas. Stake.com sits at the front of crypto-first operators, while Bet365 anchors the fiat side. Both also share their own constraints. Bet365 is tied to fiat banking and region-by-region regulation. Stake.com is restricted in some markets and now operates against a growing class of newer crypto-first rivals.
ZunaBet’s Entry Point
ZunaBet went live in 2026 under Strathvale Group Ltd, holding an Anjouan gaming license. The clearest difference from the older brands sits at the foundation. ZunaBet was built around crypto from the start and positions itself as a fresh entry on the crypto-first side, designed to attract both crypto natives and players new to the space.
The casino library covers more than 11,000 titles from over 60 providers, including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Yggdrasil, BGaming, and Evolution. That depth puts it among the larger crypto-focused libraries currently available, beyond what Bet365 carries in most of its licensed regions. Slots, table games, and live dealer rooms all run from one account.
The sportsbook fills out the lineup. Football, basketball, tennis, NHL, and other major sports sit alongside CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant. Virtual sports and combat sports complete the menu. The hybrid arrangement mirrors what Stake.com and Bet365 offer, packaged into one product.
Banking: Two Operating Philosophies
The clearest split between these brands shows up in how money moves. Bet365 mainly handles fiat. That comes with processing times, possible holds, and withdrawal speeds shaped by player choice at deposit. The setup works for players who prioritise the familiar comfort of banking-based platforms — but speed isn’t its advantage.
Stake.com and ZunaBet both operate on crypto. ZunaBet supports more than 20 currencies, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT across multiple chains, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, and XRP among them. No platform fees apply, and withdrawals settle quickly. For players already comfortable with crypto, that removes the friction associated with bank-routed payments.
Geographic reach is the other separator. Crypto-first operators don’t sit inside the region-by-region licensing model fiat brands work within. ZunaBet’s full platform is accessible across regions where Bet365 can’t legally operate. For players already moving in digital, crypto-friendly contexts, that aligns with how they expect any modern platform to behave.
Welcome Offer Comparison
Bet365 builds welcome offers around region-specific deposit matches or new-player bonuses, with wagering rules that often need close reading on the casino side. Stake.com runs promotions too, but its welcome offer carries less weight than some newer crypto rivals push, with more focus on reload bonuses and rakeback for active players.
ZunaBet’s welcome package totals up to $5,000 plus 75 free spins across three deposits. The first matches 100% up to $2,000 plus 25 spins. The second adds 50% up to $1,500 plus 25 spins. The third closes with 100% up to $1,500 plus another 25 spins. Marketed as a 250% bonus across three deposits, the structure gives new players more depth to explore the platform than a single-deposit format does.
Three Routes to Loyalty
Bet365 keeps loyalty quiet, with personalised offers reaching player accounts based on activity rather than a defined tier setup. Stake.com runs a strong VIP program built around rakeback, reloads, and milestone bonuses — a structure that’s worked well for retaining long-term players. Both function reliably, but Bet365 stays close to the conventional loyalty card model while Stake.com leans heavily on rakeback as the main pull.
ZunaBet rebuilds the format by mixing rakeback with gamified progression. The program runs on a dragon evolution theme, with a mascot named Zuno guiding players through six tiers. Squire begins at 1% rakeback, then Warden at 2%, Champion at 4%, Divine at 5%, Knight at 10%, and Ultimate at the top with 20% rakeback.
Tier movement unlocks more than rakeback. Free spins scale with tier — up to 1,000 spins at the highest level — alongside VIP club access and double wheel spins through the journey. The format reads more like in-game progression than chasing rakeback or collecting points. For players already drawn to that kind of mechanic, the system creates engagement a traditional VIP or plain rakeback program doesn’t reach.
Why ZunaBet’s Place Is Settling In
Bet365 remains a dependable choice for players who value the security of a long-running, well-regulated brand. Stake.com continues to hold its place as a leading name in the crypto space. Both have earned their positions. But the standards players bring to these platforms keep moving forward. Quick withdrawals, deep libraries, and engaging loyalty mechanics are turning into starting points rather than premium features.
ZunaBet was designed around those starting points from day one. The crypto-first core delivers fast payments and minimal fees. The library reaches beyond what most established brands carry. The sportsbook covers traditional sports and esports together. The dragon loyalty program brings direction and progression to regular play.
For players who want speed, variety, and a more modern feel, ZunaBet sits among the more interesting platforms in the market right now. The brand is still in its early growth phase, but the direction is clear. A new generation of players treats crypto support, gamified rewards, and global access as defaults rather than features to ask for.
Stake.com and Bet365 built the online betting world that exists today. ZunaBet is one of the platforms working on what comes next — and the players watching it now are getting the earliest read on that shift.
