Payments in Online Gaming’s Growth: What Industry Experts Revealed
Andrew Lambert, Senior Product Director, Cross River
Key Takeaways
Ask any payments product lead what industry is pushing the boundaries of real-time money movement, and their first answer probably won’t be gaming. But it probably should be.
Embedded finance is quietly transforming one of the largest—and most complex—consumer markets in the U.S. To unpack this industry, I sat down with industry veterans, Josh Champman, COO of Aeropay, and Omer Sattar, Founder & CEO of Sightline Payments.
Some key takeaways from my discussion with Omer and Josh in under 60 seconds:
Online gaming is quietly becoming one of fintech's most exciting playgrounds. Commercial gaming revenue reached $72 billion in 2024. For an industry growing nearly 30% YoY1, the opportunities are vast, including a major shift from cash to digital. Within this shift, we must keep in mind the top priorities for players: fund safety, quick access, loyalty rewards, and convenience.
- According to Omer, about half of the $200 billion in annual casino cash is expected to go digital within five years. This change will drive unique payment challenges as frequent deposits and withdrawals drive payment costs to 9% of revenue (versus 2-3% in traditional retail).
- Pay-by-bank solutions are gaining traction by focusing on approval rates and speed, while omni-channel payment options that work everywhere from casino floors to betting apps represent a massive opportunity.
- Real-time payment innovations are changing the economics for everyone involved, with cashless casinos already seeing double-digit play increases.
- And how might crypto factor in? Omer and Josh believe it's coming! – just as soon as compliance security protocols are established.
Watch our full conversation here:
