As the world’s leading cryptocurrency Bitcoin continues to flourish. While it is yet to impact on the lives of a huge chunk of society, it is becoming more and more prevalent and accepted in far great places than ever before.
One of the most interesting industries accepting Bitcoin is the online gambling sector. Not in the UK yet, where the regulations surrounding betting accounts, payments and money laundering are far stricter than other jurisdictions. But worldwide.
Here in the UK, the Gambling Commission have put in strict regulations that bookmakers and betting sites must abide by. The KYC (Know Your Customer) rules means that identity, payment methods and authenticity are a must if customers are to be allowed to place a bet.
Bitcoin
As a result, betting with Bitcoin – or other cryptocurrencies for that matter – isn’t yet possible on these shores. And that is unlikely to change any time soon unless the crypto world can dovetail with the UK Gambling Commission regulations.
Elsewhere, however, bookmakers and betting sites around the world are accepting bets and deposits via ewallets and in cryptocurrencies from Bitcoin to ZCash and Ethereum to TRON.
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Some of the leading global bookmaking brands like Betwinner, 1xBet, Melbet and 888Starz, all accept deposits in cryptocurrencies, which is bet in BTC or converted into a currency to bet with online or via their betting apps.
One that has taken things even further is 1xBit, which offers the 1xBit promo code NEWBONUS. They are a sportsbook and online casino that only deals with crypto currencies and particularly Bitcoin. No surprise where the name came from.
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It isn’t something new either, because 1xBit saw this coming some time ago having been formed and founded in 2007. They are a traditional bookmaker in every sense other than the accepted payment methods of initially Bitcoin and now a wider array of cryptos.
What 1xBit saw about cryptocurrencies was the benefits of withdrawing winnings instantly. The experience mimicked that of a betting shop, collecting hard cash as soon as the bet was won. There was no three or five day delay for winnings to appear into a bank account.
Now it is possible to bet online using Bitcoin far widespread than just via 1xBit, although they do remain one of the leading betting sites for crypto customers.
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Is Bitcoin about to become the best way to bet online? Not every bookmaker will ultimately accept it as a payment method, particularly when the regulations governing them are tight. But the list of those that do is growing weekly and monthly worldwide.
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Betting via BTC is beneficial on both sides of the wagering fence, because it is easier for both customer and bookmaker to process payments and get their hands on the money quickly and easily.
As a currency that transcends countries, regions and continents, it is a global player and undoubtedly here to stay. While the online gambling sector can be accused of being slow to react from time to time, this is one area where innovation is leading the way.
Expect other industries like online shopping to learn from how bookmakers have adapted and added cryptocurrencies to their offering and business model. Bitcoin is set to boom in online betting and as it paves the way for a far wider impact.
Business
Salford City FC have been bought out by a new consortium
Danny Jones
Another era beckons for Salford City as a buyout of the Greater Manchester football club by a new consortiumhas been announced.
Well, sort of.
Salford City FC were famously the subject of a joint takeover by Singaporean businessman Peter Lim and members of Manchester United’s Class of ’92 over a decade ago, and now 11 years on from that last milestone moment in their history, the local side has a new administration once again.
It is a fresh chapter for the club, but supporters will be glad to hear that there will also be some continuity and key throughline of consistency among some of those at the top.
Salford City announces that the Club has been acquired by a new ownership group led by David Beckham and Gary Neville, and includes US-based businessman Declan Kelly and Lord Mervyn Davies who will both serve as new Co-Chairs of the Club’s board.
Led by Man United legends Gary Neville and David Beckham, who have been involved with Salford since 2014, the new nine-member consortium consists of the Dream Sports Group – a leading sports technology company based in India – along with a number of other key figures.
One of those is Lord Mervyn Davies, a former Labour MP and Minister of State for Trade, Investment and Small Business, who still serves as a trade envoy between the UK and Sri Lanka.
Another is Irish-American entrepreneur Declan Kelly, who is Chairman and CEO of The Consello Group, a global advisory and investing firm.
While the previous co-owners and fellow Class of ’92 United graduates are no longer shareholders at Moor Lane, it is said they will still play important roles at the club.
As the official statement reads, “The acquisition includes a commitment by the new shareholders to invest significantly in the Club, the team and its facilities”, meaning there will funds will likely be sweet aside not only for some healthy transfer business but more updates to the Peninsula Stadium.
Commenting on the announcement, Neville said: “I’m passionate about Salford City. This is a unique partnership with a diverse range of minds and expertise, held together by a love of football.
“Football will come first, however, it’s critical that we drive the Club towards sustainability in the next 4-5 years. I can’t wait for the next part of this journey.”
Meanwhile, Beckham went on to add in the excitable Instagram post seen above: “Salford played such an important role in my life growing up… It’s where I trained with United alongside my best mates every day, it’s where I bought my first house and where me and Victoria lived.
“I’m so proud to be part of a new ownership group alongside my mate [Neville] as we begin the next chapter of Salford’s journey. Football is at the heart of this community and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Ammies.
Deliveroo is set for a multi-billion dollar buyout from a takeaway rival
Danny Jones
UK takeaway service Deliveroo is set for a massive takeover by a fellow delivery business rival, said to be worth several billion.
The British multinational is known nationwide, occupying one of the biggest market shares alongside competitors Just Eat and Uber Eats, but now the takeaway delivery service is set to be swallowed up by an even bigger brand based in the US.
As reported on Tuesday, 6 May, American delivery firm DoorDash – the biggest of its kind in the States – looks set to complete an estimated £2.9 billion buyout, which will see Deliveroo folded into their growing global portfolio.
This massive deal will see the company’s presence in more than 40 countries further consolidated, already serving somewhere in the region of 50 million customers every month.
US meal delivery firm DoorDash will buy British rival Deliveroo for $3.85 billion. The acquisition will help DoorDash grow its market share in Europe and compete against Just Eat and Uber Eats. Read more: https://t.co/x4dSgRp8Flpic.twitter.com/oeE44CjMYN
According to the likes of Reuters, Bloomberg and BBC, DoorDash is offering 180p per share, which is a 44% increase on Deliveroo’s share price from the point when initial takeover talks were made public in April 2025.
Founded by chief executive Will Shu back in 2013, Deliveroo is now considered one of the big three in the food delivery industry’s UK scene, but is set to get much bigger under the DoorDash umbrella.
As for DoorDash, CEO and co-founder Tony Xu went on to add: “Coming together with teams that have similar visions and values accelerates our work to achieve that mission. Deliveroo is just such a team and one that I have long admired.
“Like DoorDash, Deliveroo is obsessively focused on their customers – consumers, merchants, and riders. They work day in and day out to improve their consumer value proposition, bring new services to local businesses, and offer flexibility and support to riders.”
The Manc -
13th May 2021 
