Crash games are having a moment in the US real-money online casino market, with FanDuel being the latest operator to embrace the trend with an in-house exclusive game. This relatively recent form of casino game has its origins in the shadowy corners of offshore cryptocasinos, but has begun to make its way into the US mainstream.
FanDuel recently released Take-Off!, its own spin on the genre. It’s not hard to see why.
This month, analyst group Eilers & Fantini estimated that Rocket, a custom crash game developed by DraftKings, now makes up an impressive 20% of the company’s betting volume. That kind of stat is hard to ignore. It’s a signal that players are embracing this fast-paced, high-risk, high-reward format in a big way. The interactive and social elements may help to make these games particularly popular among the sports bettors who form these two companies’ base.
That forces us to ask: who’s next? BetMGM would be the likely pick as the final member of the “Big Three,” but it targets a more traditional casino audience, so it’s hard to guess how its players would respond. You might guess that the next one will come from another more sports-centric brand like Fanatics or Hard Rock Bet.
Either way, it’s impressive how quickly crash games have crossed over into the regulated US market, a space usually slow to adopt anything too edgy or unfamiliar. With two of the biggest names in the industry investing in their own unique crash games, it feels like we’re at the start of a trend that could reshape the way Americans think about online casino gaming.
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What are crash games, anyway?
If you haven’t played a crash game yet, imagine a digital rocket ship soaring higher and higher, collecting value as it climbs. The catch? You have to cash out before the rocket inevitably crashes. Wait too long, and you lose everything. Bail out too early, and you might miss out on a bigger multiplier.
It’s not always a rocket ship, of course. That’s what DraftKings Rocket uses, but other games have featured balloons, airplanes, or any number of flying contraptions. Some games—including the very first in the genre—don’t involve flight at all. Originally “crash” referred to cryptocurrency prices, and the game was a trading simulator.
Those differences are all cosmetic, though. Whatever the theme, crash games are a simple concept, but tap into a surprisingly intense mix of guts and strategy. There’s no bluffing, no reels to spin—just a single decision: when to get out.
For players used to slots or table games, crash games offer something refreshing: direct control over the outcome, combined with a fast pace that doesn’t require deep rules knowledge. It’s easy to see why they’re catching on.
Crash games: from crypto curiosity to casino staple
The origin of crash games goes back to crypto casinos, where they first emerged as a novelty that felt a bit like a hybrid between day trading and gambling. Bustabit, launched in 2014, is often credited as the first true crash game. It was minimalist but addicting, and quickly gained a cult following among crypto users looking for something different from traditional casino fare.
The appeal was clear: real-time action, transparent provably fair mechanics (a staple in crypto gaming), and a strong social element. Players could see each other’s bets and cash-outs, adding a layer of camaraderie and competition.
As regulated online casinos in the US started looking for ways to differentiate themselves, crash games were a natural candidate. They offered a fresh experience, and with the crypto stigma fading, games like Rocket and Take-Off! have begun to provide an enticing avenue of expansion for the more forward-looking US operators.
Crash games beyond Rocket and Take-Off!
While DraftKings and FanDuel have grabbed headlines for their exclusive crash games, they’re not the only ones bringing the format to US players. Other online casinos offer them, but only generic games from third-party suppliers.
Evolution, best known for its live dealer games, has entered the space with its own crash-style offering. Like the Bustabit original, its Stock Market uses a trading theme, rather than aviation. There’s even a live dealer gameshow version of Stock Market, though it isn’t available in North America at present.
1×2 Network and Buck Stakes are other examples of third-party developers contributing to the growing menu of games available at regulated operators. These versions might not have the same brand-specific polish as Rocket or Take-Off!, but they deliver the same core excitement.
The presence of multiple suppliers means players can try different variations and themes, and operators that don’t have the resources to develop in-house games can still offer crash experiences to their users. It also opens the door for innovation and competition, which usually leads to better games overall.
Given how quickly things are moving, it wouldn’t be surprising if other major US operators launch their own signature crash games in the near future. With player interest climbing and early adopters seeing success, the sky (or maybe the stratosphere) seems to be the limit.
This blog post was written with AI assistance, using human observations, input and editing.
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