Cryptocurrency betting platform DirectBet has suddenly shut down its operations without explanation, leaving an ample amount of Bitcoin gamblers in limbo. Growing Bitcoin transaction fees are being speculated as the reason for the abrupt closure, which came just hours after the company was running promotions on its website.
DirectBet has developed a fledgling reputation in the online sports betting space in recent years thanks to its unique service offering, which encompassed a wide-ranging sportsbook that accepted payments in both Bitcoin and altcoins such as Dash, Dogecoin and Litecoin. Like many online gambling companies that accepted cryptocurrency, DirectBet offered complete anonymity for users, allowing customers to gamble via their platform without having to create accounts nor provide sensitive data.
DirectBet has developed a fledgling reputation in the online sports betting space in recent years thanks to its unique service offering, which encompassed a wide-ranging sportsbook that accepted payments in both Bitcoin and altcoins such as Dash, Dogecoin and Litecoin. Like many online gambling companies that accepted cryptocurrency, DirectBet offered complete anonymity for users, allowing customers to gamble via their platform without having to create accounts nor provide sensitive data.
The company also offered novel features such as the ability to negotiate odds, whereby users could attempt to try and convince DirectBet to adjust their odds on specified markets. Its reputation was excellent among cryptocurrency bettors, with no reports of a failure to pay out winning bets. That reputation has now been thrown into jeopardy, however, as users have been left in the dark as to the reasons for the sudden shut down, which DirectBet has hitherto failed to explain.
The company website is not taking anymore bets, although a statement on the site explains that all pending bets stand and will be settled at the completion of the event.