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Betr Arcade Brings Skill-Based Gaming to 29 States

Jake Paul’s Betr Arcad debuts skill-based games in 29 states, offering legal, p2p real-money play where online casinos aren’t allowed.
Jake Paul's Betr Arcade Launch
Caleb Tallman Avatar
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When you think of Jake Paul, you probably picture boxing rings, viral YouTube stunts, or maybe his growing influence in the sports world. Now, he’s betting on something a little different: peer-to-peer, skill-based gaming.

Alongside co-founder Joey Levy, Paul has helped launch Betr Arcade, a new vertical within the Betr Picks app that’s aiming to shake up the US gaming market.

This isn’t your traditional online casino. Betr Arcade is positioning itself as a fun, competitive alternative in states where iGaming isn’t legal. With four games live from day one and plans to add plenty more, the company is setting itself up to capture players who want the thrill of real-money gaming without the complexity of casino regulations.

 

What Exactly Is Betr Arcade?

Betr Arcade is housed inside the existing Betr Picks daily fantasy sports app, which already operates in 32 jurisdictions. The Arcade portion is now available in 29 states, giving users a fresh way to compete in real-money games.

At launch, the platform rolled out four titles:

  • 21 – A twist on the classic card game, focused on skill.
  • Fruit Match – A puzzle-style matchup game.
  • Crossout 21 – A spin on 21 with new strategy layers.
  • 5 Across – A competitive grid-based challenge.

Each contest requires a minimum wager of $1.25. For those not ready to dive in with cash, practice modes are available so players can sharpen their skills before entering real-money matchups.

Unlike real money online casinos, where players face off against the house, Betr Arcade emphasizes peer-to-peer competition. You aren’t trying to beat the platform itself—you’re playing against other real people. That distinction matters a lot legally, since it allows Betr to operate in states where traditional iGaming is off-limits.

 

Why This Launch Matters

Betr logo

Online casino gambling is only legal in seven U.S. states. That leaves a massive portion of the market untapped. Betr Arcade is designed to fill that gap. By leaning on skill-based formats instead of pure chance, the company has sidestepped many of the rules that typically block casino-style games.

This approach gives Betr access to key markets like California, Florida, and Texas—states with huge populations but no regulated online casinos.

In California, fantasy operators have already had to adjust due to pressure from the state’s attorney general and tribal gaming groups. Florida is locked up by the Seminole Tribe’s gambling monopoly. Texas doesn’t allow commercial gambling at all. Yet Betr Arcade is live in all three, carving out space by staying in the “skill gaming” lane.

For players in those states, the Arcade offers something new. It’s not sports betting, and it’s not a casino, but it scratches the same itch: competitive, real-money gaming that feels fresh, interactive, and legal.

 

Kicking Off the NFL Season with Revamped Betr Picks

Today, the company announced a major revamp of its daily fantasy sports pick ‘em product, Betr Picks, along with the official launch of Betr Arcade, just in time for the 2025 NFL season. Betr Picks is currently live in 33 U.S. states plus Washington, D.C., reaching approximately two-thirds of the U.S. population.

To celebrate the Arcade’s launch, all new users will receive $10 to play for free, no deposit required, during the first two weeks of the NFL season. Additionally, new users will also be eligible for a 50% deposit match up to $200, and all existing users will receive a deposit match for each of the first two weeks of the NFL season.

With over $250 million already won on Betr, these updates are designed to bring an elevated experience to both new and existing users.

Up to $200 In Bonuses
  • Up to $200 in No Sweat Entries + A Free Pick

  • Higher Payouts & No Pushes

  • Use Bonus Code: GTODAY

  • Up to $200 in No Sweat Entries + A Free Pick

  • Higher Payouts & No Pushes

  • Use Bonus Code: GTODAY

 

Joey Levy’s Vision for Betr

Joey Levy, Betr’s CEO, is quick to frame Betr Arcade as just the beginning.

“Today Betr launched Betr Arcade, our skill games product, live in 29 states. We plan on releasing several new games over the coming weeks and months, and we also plan on launching multiple additional new gaming verticals within our single Betr app over the next few months.”

In other words, Arcade is a stepping stone toward building a full ecosystem inside the Betr app. The vision is to combine daily fantasy, skill-based games, and eventually other types of entertainment under one umbrella.

Levy’s strategy looks clear: reach underserved states, build a loyal audience, and then expand the content library as laws evolve. With the rapid changes in sports betting and iGaming legislation across the country, Betr is betting that flexibility will be its biggest advantage.

 

Jake Paul’s Role in the Spotlight

Of course, it helps when your co-founder is one of the most recognizable influencers on the planet. Jake Paul isn’t just a figurehead here—he’s actively promoting Betr Arcade, even showing himself playing the launch title 21 in promotional videos.

His presence brings visibility that most gaming startups could only dream of. Millions of fans follow Paul across platforms, many of whom overlap with the target audience for online gaming. By blending influencer marketing with a sleek new product, Betr Arcade is set up to generate buzz far beyond traditional gambling circles.

Paul’s reputation as both a risk-taker and an entrepreneur also fits well with the Arcade’s branding. It’s not about faceless corporate casinos. It’s about real competition, one-on-one matchups, and personality-driven hype.

 

Filling the Gap Left by Online Casinos

The genius of Betr Arcade is its positioning. Traditional operators like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM dominate sports betting and online casino markets where they’re legal. But in states without those options, players often feel left out.

That’s where Betr steps in. By creating skill-based titles that qualify as legal in more states, the company is addressing a group of players that big-name operators aren’t prioritizing. In a way, Betr Arcade is less about competing with online casinos and more about creating an entirely new category.

For players, the appeal is obvious:

  • Legal where casinos aren’t – You can play in 29 states today.
  • Low entry point – Just $1.25 to join a contest.
  • Practice first – Free versions give new players a chance to try before spending.
  • Peer-to-peer format – It’s always you versus another real person.

 

Expansion on the Horizon

If Betr’s rollout strategy sounds ambitious, that’s because it is. The company has been vocal about its goal of adding new games quickly, alongside multiple new verticals. While it hasn’t revealed what those verticals will be, it’s clear that this is not a one-off experiment.

There’s also plenty of room for partnerships. With Jake Paul’s reach and the company’s willingness to innovate, expect to see crossovers with popular influencers, new game modes, and maybe even tournaments that look more like esports than traditional gambling.

The platform has already rejected offers to sell shares in other companies, signaling its confidence in building something big on its own terms.

 

What It Means for the Gaming Landscape

Betr Arcade might not look like a casino, but it could have a casino-level influence on the industry. If it succeeds, other operators will likely follow the same path, pushing into skill-based gaming as a way to bypass slow-moving legislation.

The model also raises questions.

Will states eventually tighten regulations around peer-to-peer skill games if they become too popular, just like with social casinos?

Could traditional casinos push back against products like this, viewing them as competitors in disguise?

For now, the market is wide open, and Betr is moving quickly to capitalize.

About the Author
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Caleb Tallman is a Journalist working with Gaming Today and has been writing sports and sports gambling content since 2019. Caleb has also written for various other publications, mainly as a ghostwriter. With solid experience and a wealth of sports gambling knowledge, whether legal information or betting predictions, Caleb provides everything sports bettors could be looking for.

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