For most of the past two decades, Bet365 and 888casino have been near the top of any list covering online betting. They’ve expanded across regulated markets, built loyal player bases, and stayed consistent in a space that’s seen plenty of operators come and go. The market they helped define, though, is changing. A new wave of crypto-first casinos is starting to find its footing, and ZunaBet — launched in 2026 — is among the names putting itself forward.
This piece breaks down how the two veterans stand today, and where ZunaBet’s approach takes a different path.
Contents
The Long Game of Bet365 and 888casino
Bet365 opened in 2000. Starting from the UK, it grew into one of the largest privately owned betting brands in the world, running sportsbook, casino, poker, and bingo from a single account. Funds move through cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets, with the brand holding active licenses in each market it operates.
888casino started even earlier, in 1997. As part of 888 Holdings, it ranks among the original online casinos and still holds firm positions across European regulated markets and select North American ones. The casino runs slots, table games, and live dealer rooms, operating on fiat banking with regional licenses in each operating territory.
Both deliver what time-tested brands tend to offer: reliability, regulation, and a clear track record. But that profile also brings limitations. Banking moves at the pace of banking. Withdrawals depend on the chosen method. Game libraries sit smaller than what crypto operators stock. Loyalty programs haven’t moved far from the model they’ve used for years.
How ZunaBet Joins the Picture
ZunaBet went live in 2026 under Strathvale Group Ltd, holding an Anjouan gaming license. What makes it stand apart from older brands starts with its design — built from the ground up for crypto, not adapted from a fiat-based foundation.
The game catalogue exceeds 11,000 titles from more than 60 providers, including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Yggdrasil, BGaming, and Evolution. That places ZunaBet among the larger crypto-focused libraries on the market and well beyond what Bet365 or 888casino offer across their licensed regions. Slots, table games, and live dealer rooms all run from a single account.
The sportsbook arm rounds out the platform. Football, basketball, tennis, NHL, and other major sports share space with CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant. Virtual sports and combat sports close out the lineup. ZunaBet’s hybrid structure parallels Bet365’s, with a broader spread of markets in one place.
Banking: Two Different Worlds
The separation in operating models comes through clearly here. Bet365 and 888casino move money through traditional banking. That means processing times, possible holds, and withdrawal speeds shaped by whichever method players chose.
ZunaBet’s payment side runs entirely on crypto, with support for more than 20 currencies — Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT on multiple chains, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, and XRP all included. No platform fees apply, and withdrawals process quickly. For players already comfortable with crypto, the experience strips away the friction of bank-driven payments.
Reach is another factor. Crypto-first operators aren’t tied to regional licensing in the same way fiat brands are. ZunaBet’s full platform is accessible across many regions that older operators can’t easily serve. That alignment fits how a new generation of players already moves online.
Welcome Packages Compared
Bet365 and 888casino build their welcome offers around region-specific deposit matches or new-player bonuses. Wagering rules on the casino side typically need careful reading.
ZunaBet’s welcome offer reaches up to $5,000 plus 75 free spins, distributed 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 time to navigate the platform than a single-bonus model would.
Loyalty Approaches Side by Side
Bet365’s loyalty model leans quiet, with personalised offers reaching player accounts based on activity rather than a structured tier setup. 888casino runs a more formal tiered VIP system featuring points, free spins, and bigger promos for upper tiers. Both function well, but both stay close to the loyalty card model the industry has worked with for years.
ZunaBet rebuilds the framework. The program runs on a dragon evolution theme, guided by a mascot called Zuno across six tiers. Squire starts at 1% rakeback, followed by Warden at 2%, Champion at 4%, Divine at 5%, Knight at 10%, and Ultimate at the top with 20% rakeback.
Each tier unlocks more than rakeback. Tier-based free spins scale up to 1,000 spins at the highest level, with VIP club access and double wheel spins layered through the climb. The setup feels more like climbing through a game than chasing the next loyalty reward. That kind of progression mechanic lands differently with players who already engage with similar systems elsewhere.
Why ZunaBet Is on the Rise
Bet365 and 888casino remain trustworthy choices for players who prioritise regulation and longevity. Their place isn’t slipping. But the standards players bring to these platforms keep climbing. Fast settlement, deep libraries, and engaging loyalty mechanics are turning into expectations rather than premium add-ons.
ZunaBet was designed around those expectations from the start. The crypto-first core delivers fast payments and minimal fees. The library reaches further than what most established brands offer. The sportsbook covers traditional sports and esports together. The dragon loyalty program adds direction and progression to regular play.
For players who want speed, variety, and a more current feel, ZunaBet sits among the more interesting platforms in the market right now. The brand is still in its early phase, but the direction is clear. A new generation of players treats crypto support, gamified rewards, and global access as starting points rather than features that need asking for.
Bet365 and 888casino built the online betting market that exists today. ZunaBet is one of the platforms working on what comes after it.
