{"investigation":{"slug":"duelbits","entity_name":"DuelBits","trust_score":20,"severity_base":null,"score_modifier":-12,"confidence":0.72,"status":"published","content_type":"investigation","summary":"DuelBits is a Curacao-licensed crypto casino and sportsbook operated by Liquid Entertainment N.V., launched in 2020. The platform suffered a confirmed $4.6 million private key compromise on February 13, 2024, affecting wallets on both the Ethereum and BNB Chain networks. DuelBits has also been flagged in broader contexts related to unlicensed gambling promotion, Twitch's 2022 ban on unlicensed gambling streams, and mixed user reports of withdrawal delays and account-closure disputes.","sections":[{"content":"On February 13, 2024, blockchain security firm Cyvers detected multiple suspicious transactions draining approximately $4.6 million from DuelBits wallets on the Ethereum and BNB Chain networks. Security firm CertiK confirmed the likely root cause as a private key compromise, meaning the attacker gained unauthorized control over platform wallet credentials. Stolen assets — including USDT, APE, and SHIB tokens — were swapped into ETH before being bridged from BNB Chain to Ethereum. The attacker used the FixedFloat exchange service to acquire gas fees required for the cross-chain bridge, a step necessitated by insufficient funds after swapping BNB to BSC-USD. The suspicious address associated with the theft was identified on-chain as 0x3933924faf011ae8d24e44bee450b3d78e46a666. DuelBits acknowledged the exploit and paused operations while implementing updated security measures for its hot wallets. No official post-mortem was published at time of investigation.","heading":"Security Breach — February 2024 Private Key Compromise","sources":[{"url":"https://www.web3isgoinggreat.com/?id=duelbits-hack","name":"web3isgoinggreat.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://crypto.news/blockchain-duelbits-crypto-heist/","name":"crypto.news","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://x.com/CyversAlerts/status/1757478985561206945","name":"x.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://x.com/CertiKAlert/status/1757681640384381238","name":"x.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://coinpaper.com/3345/crypto-crooks-celebrate-valentine-s-day-duelbits-casino-and-miner-exploited","name":"coinpaper.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://www.halborn.com/blog/post/month-in-review-top-defi-hacks-of-february-2024","name":"halborn.com","type":"other","credibility":3}],"severity":"critical"},{"content":"In September 2022, Twitch announced a ban on streaming unlicensed gambling content, explicitly naming DuelBits alongside Stake.com and Rollbit.com as sites prohibited from being streamed on the platform. The policy took effect October 18, 2022. Twitch stated that these sites lacked licensing in the U.S. or jurisdictions providing sufficient consumer protection. The ban followed significant streamer backlash after a prominent Twitch streamer known as 'Sliker' allegedly misled community members into lending him at least $200,000 to fund gambling activities. DuelBits holds a Curacao Gaming Authority license (GLH-OCCHKTW076092020) but is geo-blocked from users in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and numerous other major markets, which factored into the unlicensed classification in those jurisdictions.","heading":"Twitch Ban — Unlicensed Gambling Classification (2022)","sources":[{"url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/21/twitch-announces-ban-on-unlicensed-gambling-livestreams-after-backlash-.html","name":"cnbc.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/twitch-announces-will-ban-users-streaming-unlicensed-gambling-content-rcna48663","name":"nbcnews.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/twitch-bans-gambling-sites-unlicensed-poker-sports-betting-1235378706/","name":"variety.com","type":"other","credibility":3}],"severity":"high"},{"content":"Multiple user complaints filed with AskGamblers and Trustpilot document alleged withdrawal failures, account bans following KYC review, and fund confiscation without explanation. Reported cases include a withdrawal of approximately $253,290 in ETH requested in June 2024 that allegedly remained unprocessed for an extended period, an $18,000 account balance zeroed upon account closure, and a user claiming $15,000 in deposits was not returned after an unexplained ban. DuelBits holds a Trustpilot rating of approximately 2.9 out of 5, reflecting mixed user experiences. Casino.guru awarded DuelBits a Safety Index of 8.6 out of 10, indicating that the operator engages with and resolves a share of player complaints through that platform. These consumer-level reports are Tier 3 sources and should be treated as low-to-medium confidence without corroboration.","heading":"User Complaints — Withdrawals and Account Closures","sources":[{"url":"https://www.trustpilot.com/review/duelbits.com","name":"trustpilot.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://www.askgamblers.com/online-casinos/reviews/duelbits-casino/complaints","name":"askgamblers.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://casino.guru/duelbits-casino-review","name":"casino.guru","type":"other","credibility":3}],"severity":"medium"},{"content":"DuelBits is operated by Liquid Entertainment N.V. (Registration No. 153298), incorporated in Curacao with a registered address at Zuikertuintjeweg z/n (Zuikertuin Tower), Willemstad, Curacao. The platform holds a Curacao Gaming Authority license under number GLH-OCCHKTW076092020. Management, payment processing, and support services are provided by Herpestidae Services Limited, a Cyprus-based subsidiary of Liquid Entertainment N.V. The platform launched in 2020 and offers over 5,000 casino games plus a sportsbook and prediction markets section. Jurisdictions where the platform is geo-blocked include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and several others. No SEC, CFTC, DOJ, or other Tier 1 regulatory action against DuelBits or Liquid Entertainment N.V. was identified at time of investigation.","heading":"Operator Background and Licensing","sources":[{"url":"https://duelbits.com/en/tos","name":"duelbits.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://www.sportsgambler.com/review/duelbits/allowed-countries/","name":"sportsgambler.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://bitedge.com/crypto-sports-betting/duelbits/","name":"bitedge.com","type":"other","credibility":3}],"severity":"low"},{"content":"In November 2025, Team Liquid announced DuelBits as the title sponsor for its Counter-Strike 2 roster. Team Liquid co-founder Victor 'Nazgul' Goossens issued a public letter acknowledging the controversial nature of gambling sponsorships in esports and stated the partnership would include responsible-betting commitments and community activations that do not require users to create a DuelBits betting account. In December 2025, Birmingham City FC named DuelBits as its official Asian betting partner, replacing God55 — a prior partner that had falsely claimed to hold a Malta Gaming Authority licence. The Birmingham City announcement coincided with the club's broader strategy to expand commercial revenues in Asian markets.","heading":"Sports and Esports Sponsorships","sources":[{"url":"https://teamliquid.com/news/duelbits-esports-betting-letter-victor","name":"teamliquid.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://dotesports.com/gambling/news/team-liquid-nazgul-responsible-betting-duelbits","name":"dotesports.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://tribuna.com/en/casino/news/2025-12-29-birmingham-city-name-duelbits-as-official-asian-betting-partner/","name":"tribuna.com","type":"other","credibility":3},{"url":"https://insidersport.com/2025/12/19/birmingham-city-asian-betting-fiasco/","name":"insidersport.com","type":"other","credibility":3}],"severity":"low"}],"timeline":[{"date":"2020","event":"DuelBits launches as a crypto casino and sportsbook operated by Liquid Entertainment N.V. under a Curacao Gaming Authority license.","source":"","date_original":"2020-01-01"},{"date":"2022-09-21","event":"Twitch announces a ban on streaming unlicensed gambling sites, explicitly naming DuelBits alongside Stake.com and Rollbit.com; ban takes effect October 18, 2022.","source":""},{"date":"2024-02-13","event":"Cyvers and CertiK detect a private key compromise draining approximately $4.6 million from DuelBits wallets on Ethereum and BNB Chain. Stolen funds converted to ETH; attacker bridges assets cross-chain using FixedFloat for gas. Suspicious address: 0x3933924faf011ae8d24e44bee450b3d78e46a666.","source":""},{"date":"2024-02-13","event":"DuelBits acknowledges the exploit, pauses operations, and announces updated hot wallet security measures.","source":""},{"date":"2025-11-28","event":"Team Liquid names DuelBits as title sponsor for its Counter-Strike 2 roster; Team Liquid publishes responsible-betting commitments alongside the announcement.","source":""},{"date":"2025-12-29","event":"Birmingham City FC names DuelBits as its official Asian betting partner, replacing God55 after that operator was found to have falsely claimed an MGA licence.","source":""}],"sources_used":[{"url":"https://www.web3isgoinggreat.com/?id=duelbits-hack","name":"Web3 Is Going Just Great — Duelbits crypto casino exploited for $4.6 million","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260307051006/https://www.web3isgoinggreat.com/?id=duelbits-hack","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2026-03-07T05:10:06+00:00"},{"url":"https://crypto.news/blockchain-duelbits-crypto-heist/","name":"crypto.news — Blockchain analysts detect $4.6m from Duelbits crypto heist","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260510150801/https://crypto.news/blockchain-duelbits-crypto-heist/","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2026-05-10T15:08:01+00:00"},{"url":"https://x.com/CyversAlerts/status/1757478985561206945","name":"Cyvers Alerts on X — Initial suspicious transaction alert","type":"social_media","archive_url":null,"credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":null},{"url":"https://x.com/CertiKAlert/status/1757681640384381238","name":"CertiK Alert on X — Private key compromise confirmation","type":"social_media","archive_url":null,"credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":null},{"url":"https://coinpaper.com/3345/crypto-crooks-celebrate-valentine-s-day-duelbits-casino-and-miner-exploited","name":"CoinPaper — Duelbits suffered a hack that led to $4.6 million in damage","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260508083841/https://coinpaper.com/3345/crypto-crooks-celebrate-valentine-s-day-duelbits-casino-and-miner-exploited","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2026-05-08T08:38:41+00:00"},{"url":"https://www.halborn.com/blog/post/month-in-review-top-defi-hacks-of-february-2024","name":"Halborn — Month in Review: Top DeFi Hacks of February 2024","type":"research","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260210144212/https://www.halborn.com/blog/post/month-in-review-top-defi-hacks-of-february-2024","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2026-02-10T14:42:12+00:00"},{"url":"https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/21/twitch-announces-ban-on-unlicensed-gambling-livestreams-after-backlash-.html","name":"CNBC — Twitch announces ban on unlicensed gambling livestreams","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20250829192437/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/21/twitch-announces-ban-on-unlicensed-gambling-livestreams-after-backlash-.html","credibility":1,"archive_timestamp":"2025-08-29T19:24:37+00:00"},{"url":"https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/twitch-announces-will-ban-users-streaming-unlicensed-gambling-content-rcna48663","name":"NBC News — Twitch announces it will ban users from streaming unlicensed gambling content","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260724173943/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/twitch-announces-will-ban-users-streaming-unlicensed-gambling-content-rcna48663","credibility":1,"archive_timestamp":"2026-07-24T17:39:43+00:00"},{"url":"https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/twitch-bans-gambling-sites-unlicensed-poker-sports-betting-1235378706/","name":"Variety — Twitch Bans Streaming of Gambling Sites That Aren't Licensed","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20250809042229/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/twitch-bans-gambling-sites-unlicensed-poker-sports-betting-1235378706/","credibility":1,"archive_timestamp":"2025-08-09T04:22:29+00:00"},{"url":"https://www.trustpilot.com/review/duelbits.com","name":"Trustpilot — DuelBits user reviews","type":"community_report","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20251005054119/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/duelbits.com","credibility":3,"archive_timestamp":"2025-10-05T05:41:19+00:00"},{"url":"https://www.askgamblers.com/online-casinos/reviews/duelbits-casino/complaints","name":"AskGamblers — Duelbits Casino Complaints","type":"community_report","archive_url":null,"credibility":3,"archive_error":"error:no-request","archive_status":"unarchivable","archive_timestamp":null},{"url":"https://casino.guru/duelbits-casino-review","name":"Casino.guru — Duelbits Casino Review","type":"research","archive_url":null,"credibility":2,"archive_error":"error:no-job","archive_status":"unarchivable","archive_timestamp":null},{"url":"https://duelbits.com/en/tos","name":"DuelBits Terms of Service — Operator and license details","type":"official","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260603155949/https://duelbits.com/en/tos","credibility":1,"archive_timestamp":"2026-06-03T15:59:49+00:00"},{"url":"https://teamliquid.com/news/duelbits-esports-betting-letter-victor","name":"Team Liquid — Letter from Victor about Duelbits and esports betting","type":"official","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260509132400/https://teamliquid.com/news/duelbits-esports-betting-letter-victor","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2026-05-09T13:24:00+00:00"},{"url":"https://dotesports.com/gambling/news/team-liquid-nazgul-responsible-betting-duelbits","name":"Dot Esports — Team Liquid founder Nazgul highlights responsible betting focus in Duelbits partnership","type":"news_article","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20251216214105/https://dotesports.com/gambling/news/team-liquid-nazgul-responsible-betting-duelbits","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2025-12-16T21:41:05+00:00"},{"url":"https://tribuna.com/en/casino/news/2025-12-29-birmingham-city-name-duelbits-as-official-asian-betting-partner/","name":"Tribuna — Birmingham City name Duelbits as official Asian betting partner","type":"news_article","archive_url":null,"credibility":2,"archive_error":"error:no-request","archive_status":"unarchivable","archive_timestamp":null},{"url":"https://insidersport.com/2025/12/19/birmingham-city-asian-betting-fiasco/","name":"Insider Sport — Birmingham City moves on from failed Asian betting deal","type":"news_article","archive_url":null,"credibility":2,"archive_error":"error:unauthorized","archive_status":"unarchivable","archive_timestamp":null},{"url":"https://www.sportsgambler.com/review/duelbits/allowed-countries/","name":"SportsGambler — Where Is Duelbits Legal","type":"research","archive_url":"http://web.archive.org/web/20260314123255/https://www.sportsgambler.com/review/duelbits/allowed-countries/","credibility":2,"archive_timestamp":"2026-03-14T12:32:55+00:00"}],"source_tags":["defillama"],"addresses":[],"reviewed":false,"reviewed_by":null,"model_used":"claude-sonnet-4-6","created_at":"2026-05-04T02:54:35.44745+00:00","updated_at":"2026-08-29T01:33:59.853+00:00"}}