DeFi Casinos: Why the Next Wave of Gambling DApps Are Integrating Layer-2 Rollups

Decentralised Finance (DeFi) is going through a transformative change as we move through 2025. It’s said that this has progressed because of the rise of layer-2 rollups, the scaling solution built on top of a main blockchain. As Ethereum’s mainnet remains comparatively expensive and becomes more congested, decentralised casinos are migrating to Arbitrum or Optimism, which are more scalable. This doesn’t just provide backend benefits but reshapes how users can play with lower fees, faster gameplay and overall integration with the broader DeFi ecosystem.

Performance and Cost Advantages of Layer-2 Rollups

When it comes to Ethereum, gas fees can be costly and reach up to $50 during network spikes. However, Layer-2 rollups Arbitrum and Optimism may be able to reduce transaction costs to under $0.05. These rollups work by batching and processing these costs off the Ethereum main chain, and they then anchor proofs back to it. Data from Dune Analytics shows that Arbitrum processed over three million transactions in May 2025. These were mainly driven by gambling DApps like Rollbit and SlotFi and emphasised how crucial cost-efficiency is for DeFi casinos, where high-frequency bets and microtransactions are standard. Now platforms such as these can not only offer provably fair gaming but also at high speed with low costs.

Composability with the Broader DeFi Ecosystem

For those who may not be aware, composability is crucial in the world of systems and software, referring to building systems independently but in a way where they can be easily combined to serve new functionalities. This approach encourages adaptability and reusability and is a major reason DeFi casinos are moving to Layer-2.
These networks allow gambling DApps to interact with DeFi protocols that have been implemented on the same chain and casinos are now creating environments that are blurring lines between gaming and DeFi investing. Users can take advantage of integrated lending facilities, token swaps, or hedge bets using decentralised derivatives, where all of these functions have allowed the total value locked in DeFi blockhains to surpass $87.5 billion in recent years. Some Layer-2 networks, like Base, have gained popularity due to built-in wallet support and their low fees.

Faster Settlements and Regional Onboarding Trends

In emerging regions, where ease of entry is an important priority, we see solutions that are solving the problem of transitioning to Layer-2. GT Payments, a gambling payment gateway in India, is one such service that enables smooth deposits in local currency as well as offering autoreconciliation, reliability, and pay-by-link. These tools help platforms integrate a number of different parts of the payment process, which can otherwise be complex. Low latency on Layer-2s improves the experience in this respect, helping with payments and delivering within seconds compared to up to 30 seconds on Ethereum, a time frame that may not seem like a lot but can be important with high usage and short attention spans.

Layer-2 rollups will become the foundation for the next generation of DApps. With millions of transactions occurring on rollup networks and the user experience improving, the shift away from Ethereum should continue. Decentralised casinos are focused on growth and innovation, so Layer-2 is the best option and fast becoming the standard.