MonkeyTilt to Close as Founder Pivots to Cards
The gambling site stops operations on November 9 as the company shifts focus to the digital-backed trading-card market.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Gambling
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Local gambling platform MonkeyTilt is closing its doors on November 9 as founder Sam Kiki pivots full-time to his digital trading-card venture, Tilt Rips. The platform ceased accepting new bets on October 13 to focus on the collectibles market.
Why it matters
The closure marks a shift in the local tech scene as Kiki abandons the crypto-casino model for a collectibles space he believes holds more long-term potential. Investors and early employees are following the transition, with their equity stakes shifting over to the card-trading business.
Heritage Auctions recently logged a record $12.18 million in two-day trading-card-games sales, highlighting the sector's growth. Tilt Rips now offers collectors an instant sellback option at 90% of live market value.
The players
Sam Kiki
The Las Vegas-based founder who is transitioning from the gambling platform MonkeyTilt to the card-trading venture Tilt Rips.
MonkeyTilt
A gambling platform that secured $30 million in funding before deciding to close its operations.
Tilt Rips
A digital trading-card marketplace that allows users to buy packs backed by physical assets.
Heritage Auctions
An auction house that recently reported a record $12.18 million in trading-card sales.
The details
Tilt Rips allows collectors to open digital packs that are backed by physical cards, which can be stored, sold on the marketplace, or shipped home. The venture, which launched in May, aims to capture interest in the high-end collectibles market. The platform's closure of MonkeyTilt follows the brand securing $30 million in previous funding.
Timeline
Tilt Rips launched in May 2026.
MonkeyTilt stopped accepting bets on October 13, 2026.
MonkeyTilt is scheduled to close on November 9, 2026.
Beyond the Strip
This transition tracks with the record-breaking interest in the trading card market, exemplified by the $12.18 million Heritage Auctions sale. Kiki is betting this trend will yield more long-term growth than the crypto-casino business.
MonkeyTilt users should ensure they settle any outstanding accounts or balances before the site officially shuts down on November 9. Current users will see the site functionality cease entirely after that date.
The takeaway
Collectors interested in digital-backed card markets can explore the Tilt Rips marketplace for its instant sellback features. Monitor the platform's updates as it scales following the final closure of the MonkeyTilt betting site in November.
Further reading
For more on the changing landscape of local wagering, see Gambling.
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