Following in the footsteps of bitcoin, NFTs have gained a place in mainstream consciousness. Axie Infinity is a play-to-earn game that gives people an opportunity to create and cultivate in-game characters and collectibles, which they can sell on cryptocurrency exchanges and use to earn a living.

Non-fungible tokens offer a way for people to digitally own everything from a tweet to a GIF of an NBA play via blockchain technology. How might they forge meaningful connections between fans and their idols? And how can brands sustain engagement with the tech beyond the initial hype?

Crypto assets are finding fans in gamblers, whose low risk-aversion makes the unpredictability of digital currencies part of the thrill. As gambling enthusiasts and financial traders become increasingly overlapping audiences, brands can move with the digital tide to remain relevant.

The Las Vegas Strip turned into a ghost town as COVID-19 swept across the US. However, for most gamblers across the US, the closure of this entertainment hub was no major loss. How has the pandemic impacted betting behaviors? And has it encouraged or inhibited problem gambling?