Ed Craven
Edward Craven | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of online casino Stake.com and live-streaming platform Kick |
Edward Craven (born 1995) is an Australian billionaire businessman. He is primarily known for co-founding the online casino Stake.com and the live-streaming platform Kick.[1][2][3]
Career[edit]
Pre-Stake[edit]
After experimenting together with Bijan Tehran with virtual gambling in RuneScape, Craven and Tehran created Primedice, a cryptocurrency-based online dice game in 2013.[4][5] In 2016, they launched Easygo, a company specializing in online casino games.[6]
Stake.com[edit]
In 2017 the Stake.com brand debuted, operating through a license in Curaçao. The company maintains offices in Serbia, Australia, and Cyprus. It became one of the world's largest gambling companies due to its user-friendly interface, innovative betting options, the integration of cryptocurrency transactions and collaborations with celebrities.[7]
Stake.com expanded to the UK in December 2021 through a partnership with TGP Europe. It serves as the main shirt sponsor for Everton FC and Watford FC, and also backs the Alfa Romeo Formula One team.[8][9]
From 2022, Canadian musician Drake was paid $100 million annually to endorse Stake on social media.[10][11]
Kick[edit]
Launched in 2022 by Craven and his business partner, Bijan Tehrani, Kick as a competitor to Amazon's Twitch. Kick, an online live-streaming platform, was launched in Melbourne in 2022 by Craven and his business partner, Bijan Tehrani.[12] The platform provides an alternative to the popular streaming service Twitch, as it provides a 95-5% split of revenues to content creators.[13]
According to the Australian Financial Review, Kick, under the management of Craven, has increased its visibility and appeal through sponsorships with well-known organizations, including the Alfa Romeo F1 Team and Everton Football Club. These sponsorships reflect Craven’s strategic efforts to establish a prominent presence for Kick in the live-streaming industry.[14]
In January 2024, Kick and Stake became the title sponsors of the Sauber F1 team[15] for the 2024 and 2025 seasons ahead of Audi taking control of the team in 2026.[16]
Personal life[edit]
Craven plays online games and livestreams his gameplay on Kick. He has streamed alongside celebrities including Drake.[17]
In October 2022, Craven debuted on Australia's Young Rich List[18] and in March 2023 was included in the Richest 250 issued by The Australian,[19] with a reported net worth of $2.01 billion.[20] In 2021 he donated $10m to GiveWell.[21]
Craven resides in Melbourne. In 2022 he purchased the most expensive house in Toorak, Victoria.[22]
References[edit]
- ^ Begley, Patrick (2024-02-21). "The private chat messages from inside an Australian billionaire's 'money machine'". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Bucci, Nino (2022-08-16). "High stakes: the cryptocurrency casino king who bought the most expensive house in Victoria". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Rich Lister accused of encouraging 'incredibly inappropriate' behaviour". Australian Financial Review. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Stake.com: the Aussie gambling minnow that made it big on crypto". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
- ^ "The men conquering crypto … but are the stakes too high?". The Australian.
- ^ "The secret Australian origins of the world's biggest crypto casino". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 December 2021.
- ^ "No room at the inn for Stake.com crypto billionaires". theaustralian.
- ^ "Alfa Romeo F1 team announce co-title partnership with Stake". Reuters. 27 January 2023.
- ^ "Everton FC - News, pictures and video". The Mirror US. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Stake.com: the Aussie gambling minnow that made it big on crypto". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "📰 Why Isn't Drake Playing High Stakes Poker?". HighStakesDB. 2023-11-21. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Top Twitch creator endorses platform connected to crypto gambling site". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Kick Vs. Twitch: Choosing the Right Platform for Live Streaming". OBSBOT - The Best Auto-Tracking Webcam. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Rich Lister accused of encouraging 'incredibly inappropriate' behaviour". Australian Financial Review. 2023-10-12. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ "Sauber's new team name unveiled after Alfa Romeo departure". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ "Audi expands commitment to Formula 1 with 100% takeover of Sauber | Formula 1®". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ "Drake and crypto betting site Stake officially announce partnership: 'It was inevitable'". USA Today. 4 March 2022.
- ^ "Meet this year's 26 Young Rich List debutants". Australian Financial Review. 25 October 2022.
- ^ "'We've had to forge our own path'". The Australian.
- ^ "Ed Craven Net Worth | Stake.com & Kick Founder". www.slotsup.com. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Martinez, Olivia (2024-02-09). "The 5 Richest Gamblers and Their Net Worth – Who They Are and How They Accumulated Their Billions". Bettors Insider. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- ^ Bucci, Nino (16 August 2022). "High stakes: the cryptocurrency casino king who bought the most expensive house in Victoria". The Guardian.