Why Payments Matter More Than Ever

At CasinoRIX, we’ve been closely watching how payments have become one of the most important factors shaping player behavior in 2025. To dig deeper into what’s changing and what still isn’t working, we asked our long-time partners at 13Aff to share their experience on the ground.

Here’s what they told us.

Why Payments Matter More Than Ever

Fast. Secure. User-friendly. That’s what players expect from payment systems in 2025.
13Aff understands just how critical this part of the player journey is. Payments are no longer just an operational detail, they’re a core pillar of conversion, retention, and overall NPS.

For operators, one of the main priorities today is a well-structured cashier. It must be fully optimized for the GEOs you’re targeting. A low number of available methods, just a few APMs and crypto options, means only highly motivated players will complete deposits. And getting those players to return? That’s an even greater challenge.

Players want deposit methods that feel familiar, fast, and trustworthy. No hidden fees. No extra verification steps. No red flags. They also expect to see their favorite or most reliable payment method available otherwise, many simply won’t deposit at all.

Crypto in iGaming: Accessible, But Not Always Motivating

Most of 13Aff casinos are built for players who prefer fiat deposits, so crypto isn’t our primary focus. That said, like any serious operation, we do support crypto deposits in a wide range of currencies.

Of course, MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation) has impacted how USDT is handled in Europe. But for players who already use TRC-20 and acquire their crypto outside of major exchanges, regulation hasn’t been a major deterrent. Most Binance or Crypto.com users have smoothly transitioned to USDC. Bitcoin and Litecoin deposits remain active, too.

That said, we haven’t seen strong correlation between crypto-specific bonuses and an increase in crypto usage. In other words, offering higher bonuses doesn’t necessarily motivate players to deposit in crypto. Still, 13Aff actively explores ways to deliver real value to crypto players, aiming for solutions that are easy, familiar, and truly convenient.

What Operators Are Dealing With in 2025

Operators are facing more challenges than ever and not just from players. Fraud is a growing concern on both sides of the transaction process.

There have been increasing reports of unreliable payment systems failing to pay out operator funds, which directly impacts withdrawal speeds for players. Card fraud is also rising, where bad actors try to deposit using stolen cards. Thankfully, modern anti-fraud tools are catching more of these cases and blocking accounts before damage is done.

Affiliate fraud has become more common, too. In many cases, crypto is used to fund fake accounts, with the intent of triggering commission payouts. Unfortunately, the gambling industry still has its fair share of bad actors trying to exploit the system.

And not all fraud comes from users. Rogue operators without licenses. Unfair account blocks. Unpaid commissions to affiliates sending legitimate traffic. These practices still exist.

Since 2021, the 13Aff team has worked hard to build a reputation for honesty both with our players and our partners. We believe sustainable growth only happens when trust is at the center of everything we do.

What’s Next: A Changing Landscape

A few years ago, our team asked a simple question: What happens if fiat payments become impossible for non-local-license projects, and crypto becomes even more regulated?

One possible future? The rise of in-game crypto tokens, currencies built specifically for gambling. Regular crypto could be exchanged for gambling tokens, which would then be used to deposit and play. But we don’t believe that shift is coming in the next five years.

Instead we expect more rules, more regulations, and more pressure on compliance.
And that means operators should stay focused on the core promise. Give players what they came for: a fun, safe, high-adrenaline experience. Let them win. Let them withdraw easily and quickly. Do that right and they’ll return.