From Internet Beginnings to the Poker Business
Alex entered the online realm as early as 1996, creating websites, installing modems, and testing initial internet projects. After facing bankruptcy, he shifted to an industry he anticipated would soon be regulated —online betting and poker. This led to the creation of Winamax, which he built with partners even before official regulation in France.
After selling his stake, he invested €200,000 in the new brand Chili Poker and later acquired Hendon Mob and Global Poker Index. “These projects are my last link to poker. I’m not actively playing, but they keep me connected to this amazing community,” he explains.
From Poker to Crypto and Fan Tokens
Dreyfus once believed poker needed to be closer to sports. The Global Poker League project brought a unique show to Las Vegas, but suffered from a lack of investment and poor timing. Despite this, he sees poker still growing, especially the live scene and new online formats. “Ten years ago, people said poker was dying. Today, I see it holding strong and even growing,” he asserts. According to him, Hendon Mob and GPI prove that players play not just for money but for recognition and prestige.
In 2017, he became intrigued by the crypto scene, introduced to him by poker friends. A year later, the Chiliz project and Socios platform emerged, focusing on selling fan tokens for sports clubs. Today, the company has partnerships with over 80 teams, including PSG, Barcelona, and Arsenal, and employs hundreds worldwide. “The biggest sensation was Messi signing with PSG — tokens were trading for a billion dollars daily, directly helping cover his transfer,” he reveals.
Business Mindset and Life Philosophy
Alex speaks openly about the luck in business: “It’s like poker — you have to chase coin flips and hope they fall in your favor.” He has never consumed alcohol or coffee, claiming it helps him focus and maintain energy. He doesn’t read books to avoid being influenced by others’ ideas and admits to being impulsive: “When I want to do something, I must do it immediately.”
He travels frequently but prefers unique destinations over big cities — mentioning Marrakesh, Saudi Arabia, and the Himalayas. He shares his experiences on Instagram, which he opened to the public in September 2024. “It’s the price I pay — less privacy. But traveling is my passion, and I love inspiring people to visit the places I’ve seen.” His personal goal for 2025 is to take his son to a major football match.
According to Dreyfus, fan engagement will increasingly move into the digital world over the next decade. Globalization will strengthen big brands like Real Madrid and Barcelona, but clubs will need to find new ways to involve fans beyond stadiums. “I don’t have all the answers, but I know that innovations in digital products will be crucial. That’s where the money will go.”
Other Episodes of the Olga Poker Podcast
Daniel “Jungleman” Cates: When You Stop Clinging to Money, the Pressure Eases
Adam McKola: How I Went from Manchester United to the Poker Tables
Patrick Leonard: “I See Problems in Poker and Life as Puzzles to Be Solved”
Joe Stapleton: The Voice That Prefers Talking to Playing
Eugene Katchalov: Why Online Poker is Dying?
Source – YouTube, PokerNews, IQ.wiki, Socios.com
