Stake.com and Bet365 cover two different sides of online betting and do it about as well as either side can be done. Stake.com has been defining what a serious crypto casino looks like since 2017, while Bet365 has spent decades building one of the most reliable names on the regulated fiat side. The pairing makes for a useful benchmark — and lately, players have been measuring newer crypto-first brands against that benchmark too. ZunaBet, which launched in 2026, sits among the names doing that comparison well.
This piece walks through where Stake.com and Bet365 stand today, and how ZunaBet’s setup is starting to fit comfortably into the same conversation.
A Look at the Two Veterans
Stake.com launched in 2017 and rapidly became one of the most recognized crypto casinos on the planet. The platform was built around crypto from the start, supports a wide range of currencies, and combines its casino with a full sportsbook. Sponsorship deals across UFC and football have given the brand mainstream visibility, though it doesn’t operate within the regulated US market.
Bet365 traces back to 2000. From its UK base, it grew into one of the largest privately owned betting brands worldwide. The product covers sportsbook, casino, poker, and bingo from a single account. Banking moves through cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets, with active licensing in every market the operator serves.
Each leads its own side. Stake.com sits at the top of crypto-first operators. Bet365 anchors the fiat-based, regulated market. Both also have limitations attached. Bet365 is tied to fiat payments and region-by-region rules. Stake.com is restricted in some markets and now competes with a growing list of newer crypto-first brands.
How ZunaBet Joins the Mix
ZunaBet launched in 2026 under Strathvale Group Ltd with an Anjouan gaming license. The clearest difference between ZunaBet and the older operators is structural. Crypto sits at the foundation of the platform rather than being added later, and ZunaBet is positioning itself as a fresh crypto-first option built to appeal to both crypto-native and crypto-curious players.
The casino library exceeds 11,000 titles from over 60 providers, including Pragmatic Play, Hacksaw Gaming, Yggdrasil, BGaming, and Evolution. That places it among the more substantial crypto-focused libraries available, and beyond what Bet365 carries in most of its licensed regions. Slots, table games, and live dealer rooms all share a single account.
The sportsbook is part of the same platform. Football, basketball, tennis, NHL, and other major sports cover the standard ground, while CS2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and Valorant fill out the esports side. Virtual sports and combat sports finish the menu. The hybrid setup fits the same category as Stake.com and Bet365.
How Payments Compare
The operating split shows up most clearly in banking. Bet365 mainly handles fiat. That brings processing times, possible holds, and withdrawal speeds shaped by player choice at deposit. The model works for players who value the familiarity of regulated, banking-based platforms — but the pace lags behind crypto.
Stake.com and ZunaBet both operate on crypto. ZunaBet supports more than 20 currencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT across multiple chains, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano, and XRP. No platform fees apply, and withdrawals settle quickly. For players already comfortable with crypto, the experience strips out the friction tied to bank-driven payments.
Geographic reach is the other separator. Crypto-first operators don’t sit inside the region-by-region licensing structure fiat brands operate within. ZunaBet’s full platform is accessible across regions where Bet365 isn’t licensed to operate. For players already moving in digital, crypto-friendly contexts, that matches what they expect from a modern platform.
Welcome Offer Differences
Bet365 builds welcome offers around region-specific deposit matches or new-player bonuses, with wagering rules that need close reading on the casino side. Stake.com runs promotions too, but its welcome offer is lighter than what some newer crypto operators 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 25 more spins. Marketed as a 250% bonus across three deposits, the structure gives new players more depth to explore than a single-deposit format does.
Three Loyalty Styles
Bet365 takes a quiet approach to loyalty, with personalised offers landing in player accounts based on activity rather than a structured tier system. Stake.com runs a strong VIP program built around rakeback, reloads, and milestone bonuses — a setup that has worked well for keeping long-term players engaged. Both function effectively, but Bet365 stays close to the traditional loyalty card layout while Stake.com leans heavily on rakeback as the central pull.
ZunaBet builds the structure differently by combining 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 climb. 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 that a traditional VIP setup or a flat rakeback program doesn’t match.
Why ZunaBet Fits the Conversation
Bet365 remains a solid choice for players who value the security of a long-running, well-regulated brand. Stake.com continues to hold its place as a major name in crypto. Both have earned their positions. But what players want from these platforms keeps moving forward. Quick payments, deep libraries, and engaging loyalty mechanics are turning into starting features rather than premium upgrades.
ZunaBet was built around those starting features from day one. The crypto-first core delivers fast payments and minimal fees. The library outpaces what most established brands carry. 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 ranks among the more interesting platforms in the market right now. The brand is still in its early growth phase, but the trajectory is clear. A new generation of players treats crypto support, gamified rewards, and global access as starting points rather than features to ask for.
Stake.com and Bet365 built the online betting market that exists today. ZunaBet is one of the platforms working on what comes next — and players following it now are getting the earliest read on where the industry is moving.
