Matt Duea, one of the co-founders of Roobet, recently sat down with Matt Zahab, host of the Cryptonews Podcast, to discuss various aspects of the blockchain and crypto gambling industry. Duea highlighted the difference between Web2 and Web3 gambling, the partnerships Roobet has formed with Snoop Dogg and UFC, and the entertainment value of influencer gambling streams.
Duea began his journey into the world of blockchain and crypto while working on a marketing team, where he had the opportunity to learn about the technology and its convergence with video games. Being a gamer himself, Duea was familiar with the concept of digital currencies. In 2017, he became increasingly interested in blockchain, crypto, tokenization, and NFTs, and began exploring the industry and its community.
Roobet, according to Duea, was founded with the online community in mind. It started as a small, quiet platform with a few house games but has since grown to become an active space for all involved. Duea emphasized that Roobet aims to be the best and most fun casino, and the integration of crypto into the platform provides a provably fair mechanism that ensures outcomes cannot be manipulated.
When discussing the difference between Web2 and Web3 gambling platforms, Duea highlighted that the major distinction is the inclusion of crypto support in Web3 platforms like Roobet. He acknowledged that not many operators share Roobet’s fascination with crypto and blockchain, and licensing restrictions often prevent them from adopting these technologies. However, Duea believes that as adoption increases, more licenses will support innovative brands like Roobet.
Duea also addressed the entertainment value of gambling content and the rise of streaming platforms where streamers gamble in front of a captivated audience. He compared it to watching a favorite streamer play a video game, stating that it provides a dopamine hit and creates a parasocial relationship with viewers. Duea believes that gambling and sports betting will continue to gain popularity and that content creators can monetize it effectively.
Roobet has secured partnerships with notable figures such as Snoop Dogg and UFC. Duea described Snoop Dogg as having an old-school approach to business and emphasized that the collaboration goes beyond a simple betting sponsorship. He believes that Snoop Dogg connects with the crypto and entertainment industry’s values, which include supporting creators and allowing them to build platforms under themselves.
In July 2023, Roobet.fun became the official social casino of the UFC in a multi-year deal. Duea explained that Roobet finds the combination of the sport’s brutality and its origin stories intriguing, as the fighters are like real-life action figures. Making partnerships is an important aspect of Roobet’s growth, but Duea emphasized that it is ultimately the product that speaks for itself and builds trust with customers.
Overall, Duea’s interview highlighted the growing influence of blockchain and crypto in the gambling industry, the entertainment value of gambling content, and the importance of partnerships in establishing trust and expanding the reach of platforms like Roobet.