It’s been a while since we had the pleasure of talking to an influencer or executive in the Bitcoin gambling industry. Luckily we had the honor of talking to Krasimir Popov last week. Krasimir is the founder and CEO of one of the most popular esports gambling sites: BUFF.bet! We spoke about the site, life as a CEO and Krasimir also shared his views on the future of cryptocurrency!
By the way, if you are interested in previous parts in this series:
Read part 1 with Phil Nagy, WPN CEO here.
Read part 2 with Nick Garner, Oshi Casino CEO here.
Who is Krasimir Popov? Please tell us something about your background.
My passion for betting started around a decade ago when I launched an affiliate marketing company in the iGaming industry. Since then, I’ve created numerous betting affiliate marketing websites. With the expansion of my expertise and the growing number of users trusting my brand, I felt it’s the thing I want to commit over the long term and elevate it into something bigger as a sportsbook. It was my dream to be in charge of a betting brand and BUFF.bet was the perfect match. I joined in 2018 when there were some fundamental changes. We rebranded to BUFF.bet, consolidated few other eSports betting operators and upgraded the front-end design so that it aligns with the latest UX/UI trends to answer customers’ requirements for the next level of betting entertainment.
How and when did you come up with the idea for BUFF.bet?
BUFF.bet is the product of a decade of collective experience, hard work, and dedication, of a team, united by one common vision. Nowadays, BUFF.bet is already well developed and highly performing online betting operator, with a serious history of operations, management, and marketing. The brand is well-known in the gambling circles for allowing players to bet with cryptocurrencies and choose from the widest options of eSports events on the market. In the near future, I am determined to further consolidate the brand’s positioning online by activating the affiliate program to the maximum, enlarging our super creative marketing team, as well as increasing our overall efforts to deliver a superb betting experience.
What’s the story behind the name BUFF.bet?
BUFF.bet was rebranded two times. Its previous names were Vitalbet and Buff88, and soon after I joined, we decided to change the name to BUFF.bet, so that it connects with the eSports fans and enthusiasts worldwide. If you are betting on eSports, you most probably know that the term “buff” means a positive effect, which increases the performance of certain skill or power. Our huge variety of eSports specific bet options comes as a perfect match with the brand name.
How does an average working day look as BUFF.bet CEO?
With BUFF.bet’s expansion on a global scale, and its leadership position in key gambling verticals, my role as a CEO involves a wide array of managerial work and strategies to optimize our presence online and elevate the overall end-user experience. Relationship with the team is key, so I am always open to face-to-face interactions.
How do you unwind from a busy day at the office?
I love playing football (soccer) with the team and enjoy some quality time with my friends.
What is driving you? What motivates you?
When I see the increased numbers of people who trust us, stay with us, and enjoy our betting website. That’s what makes me motivated to keep on offering the highest-quality gambling entertainment and expand our product to the widest coverage of eSports events.
Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Why and how did this person impact your life?
I have always been a team player. This is a quality I value most in my colleagues who are willing to go the extra mile to deliver exceptional results as a team. When everyone is valued and ideas are heard and implemented professionally is what makes me greatly enjoy what I’ve been doing in the last few years.
How do you differentiate BUFF.bet from your competitors?
If you are an eSports bettor and you open BUFF.bet, you cannot help but notice the difference from all the rest. Its fundamentals are created with the mindset of a true gamer. A fact worth mentioning is that we are powered by UltraPlay – a seven-times award-winning iGaming provider for its eSports betting platform and odds provision.
Moreover, we love crypto and offer it to our players since the very beginning of the brand. With UltraPlay’s reputation of being among the first to adopt Bitcoin as a wagering method in 2012, we experience our great advantage and reputation as a leading crypto betting website. Esports and cryptocurrencies are the perfect match and I believe we are about to witness their great synergy and potential in the coming years.
Looking back, what has been the highlight of last year?
For us, it was definitely the launch of our new front-end design, specially tailored to eSports punters worldwide. We received incredibly positive feedback from the iGaming industry’s leaders during its premiere presentation at ICE London – the biggest iGaming exhibition we participated in together with our partner UltraPlay this year. It is even more exciting to witness the growing number of players on our website, as well as the increased conversion and retention rates.
What are your future plans for BUFF.bet?
To penetrate new and exciting markets, enlarge our core community of eSports bettors, and expand the other gambling verticals on the website – our world-class sports betting section and thrilling online casino. We are going to ease even further the communication with our users as we are launching our live chat very soon.
What and how was your first experience with cryptocurrency?
That’s a funny story. I first heard about crypto, namely Bitcoin, from a taxi driver in 2010. He was already thinking of investing in miners with a friend of his.
What is your opinion about the current state of cryptocurrency?
Cryptocurrencies are evolving at a stellar pace, forming one of the most dynamic sectors at the moment. The market and cryptocurrencies are still at an infancy stage and more innovations are yet to come. From our point of view, betting with Bitcoin attracts more and more players worldwide as it’s fast, easy, and secure. We are planning to expand our crypto betting more in the following months by accepting more digital currencies. That’s what will attract the next generation of bettors.
What is your favorite cryptocurrency? Can you explain why?
It’s not surprising to say Bitcoin. It has already 10 years behind its back and is ranked up on the list of the top 10 cryptocurrencies for a long-term investment. It’s been proved over the years by allowing many exciting uses that could not be covered by any other cryptocurrencies.
How do you see cryptocurrency in 5 years?
As the next generation comes of betting age, they are going to look for wagering connected to the growing industry of video games. Esports and cryptocurrencies seriously thrive in the next generation. Basically, I see their great potential, which is going to be further enhanced in the iGaming industry.
Is there anything else you would love to share with us?
The eSports world will be on fire in August, with the largest DotA 2 tournament which is approaching – The International. The 9th edition prize pool already broke the records by surpassing $31 million – the biggest in the history of eSports. Of course, we are totally prepared for it with the widest betting options players can fully enjoy. So don’t miss out.
You also need to keep an eye on our Affiliate program, which is expanding very quickly, attracting the leading names in the field. Check it out here: https://buffaffiliates.com/.
About BUFF.bet:
BUFF.bet offers the entire range for a world-class betting brand and widest selection of eSports and crypto options for wagering, as well as sports, slot games, live casino, and virtual sports. Its modern design, complying with the latest web UI/UX trends, gives a premium players’ betting experience. Created with the mindset of a true eSports warrior, BUFF.bet is the perfect place for betting online using cryptocurrencies or fiat money. Discover more about it here: https://buff.bet/
About BUFFbet Affiliates:
Using the world’s leading affiliate platform, we offer you to join the program and monetize your sports, eSports, and casino traffic. Check the program here: https://buffaffiliates.com/
