Sam Kiki Pivots from MonkeyTilt to Tilt Rips
The founder is shutting down his gambling platform to focus exclusively on his growing digital trading-card marketplace.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Gambling
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Sam Kiki is winding down the gambling platform MonkeyTilt to dedicate his efforts to his trading-card venture, Tilt Rips. MonkeyTilt, which previously secured $30 million in funding, stopped accepting wagers on October 13 and is slated to close permanently on November 9.
Why it matters
Kiki views the collectibles market as having a more sustainable future than crypto casinos. By consolidating his focus, he aims to eliminate bandwidth distractions and fully commit to the expansion of his digital pack-opening platform.
Tilt Rips offers users an instant sellback option at 90% of current live market value. This move follows a record-breaking $12.18 million trading-card-games sale at Heritage Auctions, highlighted by a single Pikachu Illustrator card fetching $5 million.
The players
Sam Kiki
He is the founder of both the gambling platform MonkeyTilt and the trading-card company Tilt Rips.
Kevin Hart
He is a prominent comedian and actor who previously competed against Sam Kiki in a high-stakes poker match.
The details
Tilt Rips allows collectors to open digital packs that are backed by physical trading cards, which can be stored for free or shipped to the owner. Kiki, known for winning a $424,500 poker pot against Kevin Hart, is shifting his focus entirely to this business model.
Timeline
Tilt Rips launched in May 2026.
MonkeyTilt stopped accepting bets on October 13, 2026.
Sam Kiki posted about the transition on X on October 17, 2026.
MonkeyTilt is scheduled to close on November 9, 2026.
Culture Shift
The transition reflects a broader movement where entrepreneurs are abandoning the volatile crypto-gambling sector for the high-growth collectible asset class. By pivoting to Tilt Rips, Kiki is capitalizing on the same market momentum that recently saw rare trading cards command record prices.
Users of the MonkeyTilt platform must finalize any account activities before the November 9 shutdown date. Meanwhile, collectors using Tilt Rips gain a streamlined exit strategy through the 90% instant sellback feature on their digital and physical assets.
The takeaway
Collectors should carefully evaluate the terms of digital pack-opening services to ensure they understand the asset ownership rights. Utilizing instant sellback options can provide immediate liquidity, but users should compare these rates against broader market values.
What happens next
MonkeyTilt is officially scheduled to cease operations on November 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the state of the local industry, visit our Gambling section.
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