Yolo Group is turning the page on its grey market past with a strategic shift to regulated markets under a single brand, Yolo.com.
The cryptocurrency-focused betting and gaming operator announced the move on Tuesday, stating that its future lies in tier-1 regulated markets, including the United Arab Emirates, where it is in the final stages of being awarded two B2B Vendor licenses by the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA).
Having started out as a Curaçao-licensed operator of brands such as Sportsbet.io and Bitcasino.io, Yolo is now looking to continue its rapid growth under a single regulated brand.
The company said that Curaçao was one of the only jurisdictions in the world where crypto gaming was possible when it launched but noted that the world has moved on.
“Crypto is no longer niche. Regulators and financial institutions are finally recognising the transformative role it plays. Players everywhere expect speed, accessibility and inclusion as standard. What was once radical is now becoming mainstream.
The announcement continued: “Furthermore, it has become abundantly clear that domestic regulators who are offering licenses are not keen on other group operations continuing to operate in pre-regulated markets. In other words, you cannot be white and grey; you have to pick a side.
“This means a crossroads has been reached, and a decision must be made. Do we go left or do we go right? Throughout our history at Yolo, we have always tried to do the right thing, which usually doesn’t mean the easier route – but in this case, the choice, albeit difficult, was relatively clear for us.”
The company added: “That’s why we’ve decided it’s time for our next chapter: to bring the best of what we’ve built into Tier-1 regulated markets. This isn’t about walking away from the past. It’s about taking everything we’ve learned, everything we’ve pioneered, and applying it in environments where operators, regulators and players can work together, creating a stronger and more sustainable ecosystem for everyone.”
The new strategy will see Yolo.com launch as the digital arm of the company’s Estonian land-based casino, Bombay Club, “connecting land-based excellence with digital innovation: from seamless wallet experiences across physical and online play, to MiCA-compliant cryptocurrency payments in regulated land-based and online casinos.”
Yolo.com is also targeting the regulated markets of Canada and Sweden, and the re-regulating market in Finland.
The announcement concluded: “I couldn’t be prouder of how far we’ve come, and I couldn’t be more excited about where we’re going. I want to sincerely thank everyone who has been part of Sportsbet.io and Bitcasino.io – it’s been a crazy ride to the moon. I am, however, very much looking forward to Yolo’s next chapter.”