diff --git a/html/admin.html b/html/admin.html
index 2b39305..0c5d425 100644
--- a/html/admin.html
+++ b/html/admin.html
@@ -446,7 +446,7 @@
 
     <script>
         // State
-        let apiKey = localStorage.getItem('adminApiKey') || '';
+        let apiKey = sessionStorage.getItem('adminApiKey') || '';
         let currentTab = 'overview';
         let usersOffset = 0;
         let outcomesChart = null;
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@
 
                 if (res.ok) {
                     apiKey = key;
-                    localStorage.setItem('adminApiKey', key);
+                    sessionStorage.setItem('adminApiKey', key);
                     verifyAndShowDashboard();
                 } else {
                     document.getElementById('loginError').style.display = 'block';
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@
 
         function logout() {
             apiKey = '';
-            localStorage.removeItem('adminApiKey');
+            sessionStorage.removeItem('adminApiKey');
             document.getElementById('loginModal').classList.remove('hidden');
             document.getElementById('dashboard').classList.add('hidden');
             document.getElementById('apiKeyInput').value = '';
diff --git a/src/config/paymentConfig.js b/src/config/paymentConfig.js
index 2e6c719..cf09b9d 100644
--- a/src/config/paymentConfig.js
+++ b/src/config/paymentConfig.js
@@ -293,11 +293,9 @@ class PaymentConfigManager {
         if (creditsPayoutEnabled !== undefined) {
             config.payouts.rules.credits.enabled = creditsPayoutEnabled;
         }
-        console.log(`🔧 ENV CREDITS_PAYOUT_BASE = "${process.env.CREDITS_PAYOUT_BASE}" (raw)`);
         config.payouts.rules.credits.multipliers.escape = parseFloatValue(process.env.CREDITS_PAYOUT_ESCAPE, config.payouts.rules.credits.multipliers.escape);
         config.payouts.rules.credits.multipliers.escapeWithTreasure = parseFloatValue(process.env.CREDITS_PAYOUT_TREASURE, config.payouts.rules.credits.multipliers.escapeWithTreasure);
         config.payouts.rules.credits.baseValue = parseAtomicValue(process.env.CREDITS_PAYOUT_BASE, config.payouts.rules.credits.baseValue);
-        console.log(`🔧 Parsed credits baseValue = ${config.payouts.rules.credits.baseValue}`);
 
         config.payouts.processing.batchInterval = parseInteger(process.env.PAYOUT_BATCH_INTERVAL, config.payouts.processing.batchInterval);
         config.payouts.processing.maxRetries = parseInteger(process.env.PAYOUT_MAX_RETRIES, config.payouts.processing.maxRetries);
diff --git a/src/db/databaseManager.js b/src/db/databaseManager.js
index 480aa54..b8f54e7 100644
--- a/src/db/databaseManager.js
+++ b/src/db/databaseManager.js
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class DatabaseManager {
                 database: process.env.DB_NAME || 'wownerogue',
                 user: process.env.DB_USER || 'wownerogue',
                 password: process.env.DB_PASSWORD,
-                max: 20, // Maximum number of clients in the pool
+                max: 40, // Maximum number of clients in the pool
                 idleTimeoutMillis: 30000,
                 connectionTimeoutMillis: 2000,
             });
diff --git a/src/game/gameModeManager.js b/src/game/gameModeManager.js
index 7f44827..79478b9 100644
--- a/src/game/gameModeManager.js
+++ b/src/game/gameModeManager.js
@@ -1214,13 +1214,26 @@ class GameModeManager {
         this._isBatchProcessing = true;
 
         try {
-            // Gather all pending payouts with no tx_hash (not yet attempted)
-            const pending = await this.db.query(`
-                SELECT id, user_id, game_id, payout_address, amount, multiplier, reason
-                FROM payouts
-                WHERE status = 'pending' AND tx_hash IS NULL
-                ORDER BY created_at ASC
-            `);
+            // Gather pending payouts inside a transaction with row-level locks.
+            // FOR UPDATE SKIP LOCKED prevents the retry service from grabbing the same rows.
+            const pending = await this.db.withTransaction(async (client) => {
+                const result = await client.query(`
+                    SELECT id, user_id, game_id, payout_address, amount, multiplier, reason
+                    FROM payouts
+                    WHERE status = 'pending' AND tx_hash IS NULL
+                    ORDER BY created_at ASC
+                    FOR UPDATE SKIP LOCKED
+                `);
+                // Mark as 'processing' so retry service won't touch them even after this tx commits
+                if (result.rows.length > 0) {
+                    const ids = result.rows.map(r => r.id);
+                    await client.query(
+                        `UPDATE payouts SET status = 'processing' WHERE id = ANY($1)`,
+                        [ids]
+                    );
+                }
+                return result;
+            });
 
             if (pending.rows.length === 0) return;
 
@@ -1247,17 +1260,11 @@ class GameModeManager {
                         multiplier: p.multiplier
                     });
 
-                    if (result.success && result.txHash) {
-                        await this.db.query(
-                            `UPDATE payouts SET tx_hash = $1, fee = $2, batch_id = $3 WHERE id = $4`,
-                            [result.txHash, result.fee || null, batchId, p.id]
-                        );
-                    }
-
+                    // Store tx_hash + status + user stats atomically in one transaction
                     await this.db.withTransaction(async (client) => {
                         await client.query(
-                            `UPDATE payouts SET status = 'completed', processed_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1`,
-                            [p.id]
+                            `UPDATE payouts SET tx_hash = $1, fee = $2, batch_id = $3, status = 'completed', processed_at = NOW() WHERE id = $4`,
+                            [result.txHash || null, result.fee || null, batchId, p.id]
                         );
                         await client.query(
                             `UPDATE users SET total_amount_won = total_amount_won + $1, total_payouts_received = COALESCE(total_payouts_received, 0) + 1 WHERE id = $2`,
@@ -1283,18 +1290,12 @@ class GameModeManager {
                         ? Math.ceil(result.totalFee / pending.rows.length)
                         : null;
 
+                    // Store tx_hash + status + user stats atomically for each payout
                     for (const p of pending.rows) {
-                        // Store tx_hash immediately for each payout
-                        await this.db.query(
-                            `UPDATE payouts SET tx_hash = $1, fee = $2, batch_id = $3 WHERE id = $4`,
-                            [txHash, feePerPayout, batchId, p.id]
-                        );
-
-                        // Update status and user stats atomically
                         await this.db.withTransaction(async (client) => {
                             await client.query(
-                                `UPDATE payouts SET status = 'completed', processed_at = NOW() WHERE id = $1`,
-                                [p.id]
+                                `UPDATE payouts SET tx_hash = $1, fee = $2, batch_id = $3, status = 'completed', processed_at = NOW() WHERE id = $4`,
+                                [txHash, feePerPayout, batchId, p.id]
                             );
                             await client.query(
                                 `UPDATE users SET total_amount_won = total_amount_won + $1, total_payouts_received = COALESCE(total_payouts_received, 0) + 1 WHERE id = $2`,
diff --git a/src/index.js b/src/index.js
index 310d068..fa36ff4 100644
--- a/src/index.js
+++ b/src/index.js
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ gameModeManager.io = io;
 // Initialize remaining components
 const activeGames = new Map(); // Maps socketId to Game objects
 let alertService = null; // Initialized later when payment system starts
+let payoutRetryService = null; // Initialized later when payment system starts
+let batchPayoutInterval = null; // Initialized later when payment system starts
 const socketHandlers = new SocketHandlers(io, activeGames, broadcastManager, debugManager, gameModeManager, walletRPCService);
 // Configure static file serving
 const htmlPath = path.join(__dirname, '../html');
@@ -628,12 +630,28 @@ app.get('/api/auth/smirk/status', asyncHandler(async (req, res) => {
 const adminAuth = (req, res, next) => {
   const adminKey = process.env.ADMIN_API_KEY;
   if (!adminKey) {
-    return res.status(503).json({ 
+    return res.status(503).json({
       error: 'Admin API not configured',
       message: 'Set ADMIN_API_KEY environment variable to enable admin endpoints.'
     });
   }
-  
+
+  // Origin check — reject cross-origin requests to admin endpoints
+  const origin = req.headers.origin || req.headers.referer;
+  if (origin) {
+    try {
+      const allowedOrigins = process.env.ALLOWED_ORIGINS
+        ? process.env.ALLOWED_ORIGINS.split(',').map(o => o.trim())
+        : [`http://localhost:${process.env.PORT || 3000}`, `http://127.0.0.1:${process.env.PORT || 3000}`];
+      const requestOrigin = new URL(origin).origin;
+      if (!allowedOrigins.includes(requestOrigin)) {
+        return res.status(403).json({ error: 'Forbidden', message: 'Origin not allowed.' });
+      }
+    } catch (e) {
+      return res.status(403).json({ error: 'Forbidden', message: 'Invalid origin.' });
+    }
+  }
+
   const providedKey = req.headers['x-admin-key'];
   if (!providedKey ||
       providedKey.length !== adminKey.length ||
@@ -643,7 +661,7 @@ const adminAuth = (req, res, next) => {
       message: 'Invalid or missing X-Admin-Key header.'
     });
   }
-  
+
   next();
 };
 
@@ -1783,7 +1801,7 @@ async function startServer() {
             const payoutConfig = paymentConfigManager.getConfig().payouts?.processing || {};
             const payoutIntervalSeconds = Math.max(1, Number(payoutConfig.batchInterval || 300));
             const payoutIntervalMs = payoutIntervalSeconds * 1000;
-            setInterval(async () => {
+            batchPayoutInterval = setInterval(async () => {
                 try {
                     await walletRPCService.processBatchPayouts();
                 } catch (error) {
@@ -1804,7 +1822,7 @@ async function startServer() {
             // Make alertService available to gameModeManager/paymentHandlers for balance checks
             gameModeManager.alertService = alertService;
 
-            const payoutRetryService = new PayoutRetryService({
+            payoutRetryService = new PayoutRetryService({
                 db: databaseManager,
                 walletService: walletRPCService,
                 debugManager,
@@ -1834,3 +1852,41 @@ app.use((req, res, next) => {
 app.use(createErrorMiddleware({ logger: console }));
 
 startServer();
+
+// Graceful shutdown — clean up timers, wait for in-flight payouts, close DB pool
+async function gracefulShutdown(signal) {
+    console.log(`\n${signal} received. Shutting down gracefully...`);
+
+    // Stop accepting new connections
+    http.close();
+
+    // Stop scheduled timers
+    if (batchPayoutInterval) clearInterval(batchPayoutInterval);
+    if (gameModeManager._batchPayoutTimer) clearTimeout(gameModeManager._batchPayoutTimer);
+    if (payoutRetryService) payoutRetryService.stop();
+    if (alertService) alertService.stopPeriodicChecks?.();
+
+    // Wait for in-flight batch processing to finish (up to 10 seconds)
+    let waitMs = 0;
+    while (gameModeManager._isBatchProcessing && waitMs < 10000) {
+        await new Promise(r => setTimeout(r, 500));
+        waitMs += 500;
+    }
+    if (waitMs > 0) {
+        console.log(`  Waited ${waitMs}ms for in-flight payout processing`);
+    }
+
+    // Close database pool
+    try {
+        await databaseManager.close();
+        console.log('  Database pool closed');
+    } catch (err) {
+        console.error('  Error closing database pool:', err.message);
+    }
+
+    console.log('Shutdown complete.');
+    process.exit(0);
+}
+
+process.on('SIGTERM', () => gracefulShutdown('SIGTERM'));
+process.on('SIGINT', () => gracefulShutdown('SIGINT'));
diff --git a/src/network/socketHandlers.js b/src/network/socketHandlers.js
index e02fd4e..212ebd6 100644
--- a/src/network/socketHandlers.js
+++ b/src/network/socketHandlers.js
@@ -752,6 +752,11 @@ class SocketHandlers {
             if (this.paymentHandlers && typeof this.paymentHandlers.stopMonitoringForSocket === 'function') {
                 this.paymentHandlers.stopMonitoringForSocket(socketId);
             }
+
+            // Clean up wallet Maps to prevent memory leaks (addressToUser, addressToSocket)
+            if (this.walletService && typeof this.walletService.cleanupUserPayments === 'function') {
+                this.walletService.cleanupUserPayments(socketId);
+            }
             
             // Clean up movement timestamps
             this.playerMoveTimestamps.delete(socketId);
diff --git a/src/network/spectatorManager.js b/src/network/spectatorManager.js
index 13899e0..eb55967 100644
--- a/src/network/spectatorManager.js
+++ b/src/network/spectatorManager.js
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ class SpectatorManager {
             playerId: socketId.substring(0, 6), // Anonymized player ID
             startedAt: game.startedAt,
             moveCount: game.moveCount || 0,
-            hasTreasure: game.player?.hasTreasure || false,
+            hasTreasure: game.isComplete ? (game.player?.hasTreasure || false) : undefined,
             spectatorCount: spectatorCount,
             // Don't expose exact positions - let spectators get that when they join
             dungeonSize: {
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ class SpectatorManager {
             player: game.player ? {
                 x: game.player.x,
                 y: game.player.y,
-                hasTreasure: game.player.hasTreasure
+                hasTreasure: undefined // Hidden from spectators during live games
             } : null,
             monster: game.monster ? {
                 x: game.monster.x,
diff --git a/src/payments/payoutRetryService.js b/src/payments/payoutRetryService.js
index 2cebb22..1bf95a4 100644
--- a/src/payments/payoutRetryService.js
+++ b/src/payments/payoutRetryService.js
@@ -66,17 +66,21 @@ class PayoutRetryService {
             // 1. Status is 'pending' (stuck - RPC may have succeeded but DB update failed)
             // 2. Status is 'failed' with retry_count < maxRetries
             // Exclude very recent failures (wait at least 1 minute before retry)
-            const result = await this.db.query(`
-                SELECT p.*
-                FROM payouts p
-                WHERE (
-                    (p.status = 'pending' AND p.created_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '2 minutes')
-                    OR (p.status = 'failed' AND p.retry_count < $1 AND (p.last_retry_at IS NULL OR p.last_retry_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '1 minute'))
-                )
-                AND p.status != 'permanently_failed'
-                ORDER BY p.created_at ASC
-                LIMIT 10
-            `, [this.maxRetries]);
+            // FOR UPDATE SKIP LOCKED prevents race with batch processor in gameModeManager
+            const result = await this.db.withTransaction(async (client) => {
+                return await client.query(`
+                    SELECT p.*
+                    FROM payouts p
+                    WHERE (
+                        (p.status = 'pending' AND p.created_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '2 minutes')
+                        OR (p.status = 'failed' AND p.retry_count < $1 AND (p.last_retry_at IS NULL OR p.last_retry_at < NOW() - INTERVAL '1 minute'))
+                    )
+                    AND p.status NOT IN ('permanently_failed', 'processing')
+                    ORDER BY p.created_at ASC
+                    LIMIT 10
+                    FOR UPDATE SKIP LOCKED
+                `, [this.maxRetries]);
+            });
 
             if (result.rows.length === 0) {
                 if (this.debugManager?.CONSOLE_LOGGING) {
diff --git a/src/payments/walletRPCService.js b/src/payments/walletRPCService.js
index 091dc93..ec8cbc4 100644
--- a/src/payments/walletRPCService.js
+++ b/src/payments/walletRPCService.js
@@ -572,11 +572,17 @@ class WalletRPCService {
     }
 
     cleanupUserPayments(userId) {
+        const addressesToRemove = [];
         for (const [address, userInfo] of this.addressToUser.entries()) {
             if (userInfo.userId === userId || userInfo.socketId === userId) {
-                this.stopPaymentMonitoring(address);
+                addressesToRemove.push(address);
             }
         }
+        for (const address of addressesToRemove) {
+            this.stopPaymentMonitoring(address);
+            this.addressToUser.delete(address);
+            this.addressToSocket.delete(address);
+        }
     }
 
     // Get service health status
diff --git a/test/gameModeManager.test.js b/test/gameModeManager.test.js
index 99f69dd..1c8e285 100644
--- a/test/gameModeManager.test.js
+++ b/test/gameModeManager.test.js
@@ -4,8 +4,14 @@
  */
 
 // Mock the database
+const mockClient = {
+    query: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ rows: [] })
+};
 const mockDb = {
-    query: jest.fn()
+    query: jest.fn(),
+    withTransaction: jest.fn().mockImplementation(async (callback) => {
+        return callback(mockClient);
+    })
 };
 
 // Mock wallet service
@@ -48,6 +54,7 @@ describe('GameModeManager', () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
         jest.clearAllMocks();
         mockDb.query.mockReset();
+        mockClient.query.mockReset().mockResolvedValue({ rows: [] });
         gmm = new GameModeManager(mockDb, mockWalletService, mockDebugManager, mockPaymentConfigManager);
     });
 
@@ -176,12 +183,15 @@ describe('GameModeManager', () => {
 
     describe('processCreditsPackageConfirmation', () => {
         test('adds correct credits from package info', async () => {
-            const user = { id: 1, credits: 0 };
-            mockDb.query
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [user] }) // getOrCreateUser - first lookup
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // getOrCreateUser - update last_active
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 15 }] }) // UPDATE users
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE payments
+            // Step 1: db.query — SELECT payment lookup
+            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+                rows: [{ user_id: 1, description: '', status: 'pending' }]
+            });
+
+            // Step 2: withTransaction — client.query calls
+            mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ id: 123 }] }) // UPDATE payments SET status='confirmed'
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 15 }] }) // UPDATE users SET credits = credits + 15
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm.processCreditsPackageConfirmation('socket1', 123, { credits: 10, bonus: 5 });
@@ -190,13 +200,15 @@ describe('GameModeManager', () => {
         });
 
         test('falls back to default credits when package info missing and no description', async () => {
-            const user = { id: 1, credits: 0 };
-            mockDb.query
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [user] }) // getOrCreateUser - first lookup
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // getOrCreateUser - update last_active
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // SELECT payment - no description
+            // Step 1: db.query — SELECT payment lookup with no credits in description
+            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+                rows: [{ user_id: 1, description: 'Some payment', status: 'pending' }]
+            });
+
+            // Step 2: withTransaction — client.query calls
+            mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ id: 123 }] }) // UPDATE payments SET status='confirmed'
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 10 }] }) // UPDATE users
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE payments
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm.processCreditsPackageConfirmation('socket1', 123, null);
diff --git a/test/payment_payout_comprehensive.test.js b/test/payment_payout_comprehensive.test.js
index 5da3394..75c42c1 100644
--- a/test/payment_payout_comprehensive.test.js
+++ b/test/payment_payout_comprehensive.test.js
@@ -6,16 +6,20 @@
 const GameModeManager = require('../src/game/gameModeManager');
 
 // Mock dependencies
-const createMockDb = () => ({
-    query: jest.fn(),
-    // Mock withTransaction to execute the callback with a mock client
-    withTransaction: jest.fn().mockImplementation(async (callback) => {
-        const mockClient = {
-            query: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ rows: [] })
-        };
-        return callback(mockClient);
-    })
-});
+const createMockDb = () => {
+    const mockClient = {
+        query: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ rows: [] })
+    };
+    return {
+        query: jest.fn(),
+        // Mock withTransaction to execute the callback with a shared mock client
+        // so tests can set up client.query expectations
+        withTransaction: jest.fn().mockImplementation(async (callback) => {
+            return callback(mockClient);
+        }),
+        _mockClient: mockClient // Expose for test setup
+    };
+};
 
 const createMockWalletService = () => ({
     createPaymentRequest: jest.fn(),
@@ -91,13 +95,14 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
             const user = { id: 1, credits: 1 };
             gmm.creditsPerGameCost = 1;
 
-            // UPDATE returns the new balance of 0
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 0 }] }); // UPDATE succeeds
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // UPDATE games
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
+            // All queries inside withTransaction go through client.query
+            mockDb._mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 0 }] }) // UPDATE users ... WHERE credits >= 1
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE games
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm._processGameStartWithCredits(user, 'socket1', 'game123');
-            
+
             expect(result.success).toBe(true);
             expect(result.creditsRemaining).toBe(0);
             expect(result.creditsSpent).toBe(1);
@@ -107,12 +112,14 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
             const user = { id: 1, credits: 5 };
             gmm.creditsPerGameCost = 2;
 
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 3 }] }); // UPDATE succeeds
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // UPDATE games
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
+            // All queries inside withTransaction go through client.query
+            mockDb._mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 3 }] }) // UPDATE users
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE games
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm._processGameStartWithCredits(user, 'socket1', 'game123');
-            
+
             expect(result.success).toBe(true);
             expect(result.creditsRemaining).toBe(3);
             expect(result.creditsSpent).toBe(2);
@@ -228,52 +235,56 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
 
     describe('Credits Package Confirmation', () => {
         test('adds credits from package info correctly', async () => {
-            const user = { id: 1, credits: 0 };
-            
-            mockDb.query
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [user] }) // getOrCreateUser
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // update last_active
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 15 }] }) // UPDATE users
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE payments
+            // Step 1: db.query — SELECT payment lookup (has user_id, status='pending')
+            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+                rows: [{ user_id: 1, description: '', status: 'pending' }]
+            });
+
+            // Step 2: withTransaction — client.query calls:
+            mockDb._mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ id: 123 }] }) // UPDATE payments SET status='confirmed' RETURNING id
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 15 }] }) // UPDATE users SET credits = credits + 15
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm.processCreditsPackageConfirmation('socket1', 123, { credits: 10, bonus: 5 });
-            
+
             expect(result.success).toBe(true);
             expect(result.creditsAdded).toBe(15);
             expect(result.newBalance).toBe(15);
         });
 
         test('parses credits from payment description as fallback', async () => {
-            const user = { id: 1, credits: 5 };
-            
-            mockDb.query
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [user] }) // getOrCreateUser
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // update last_active
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ description: 'Wowngeon 25 credits package (WOW)' }] }) // SELECT payments
+            // Step 1: db.query — SELECT payment lookup with description
+            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+                rows: [{ user_id: 1, description: 'Wowngeon 25 credits package (WOW)', status: 'pending' }]
+            });
+
+            // Step 2: withTransaction — client.query calls:
+            mockDb._mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ id: 123 }] }) // UPDATE payments SET status='confirmed'
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 30 }] }) // UPDATE users
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE payments
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm.processCreditsPackageConfirmation('socket1', 123, null);
-            
+
             expect(result.success).toBe(true);
             expect(result.creditsAdded).toBe(25); // Parsed from description
         });
 
         test('defaults to 10 credits when no info available', async () => {
-            const user = { id: 1, credits: 0 };
-            
-            mockDb.query
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [user] }) // getOrCreateUser
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // update last_active
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ description: 'Some payment' }] }) // SELECT payments - no credits pattern
+            // Step 1: db.query — SELECT payment lookup with non-matching description
+            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+                rows: [{ user_id: 1, description: 'Some payment', status: 'pending' }]
+            });
+
+            // Step 2: withTransaction — client.query calls:
+            mockDb._mockClient.query
+                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ id: 123 }] }) // UPDATE payments SET status='confirmed'
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ credits: 10 }] }) // UPDATE users
-                .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }) // UPDATE payments
                 .mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // INSERT credit_transactions
 
             const result = await gmm.processCreditsPackageConfirmation('socket1', 123, null);
-            
+
             expect(result.success).toBe(true);
             expect(result.creditsAdded).toBe(10); // Default fallback
         });
@@ -287,12 +298,6 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
         });
 
         test('processes winning game with payout correctly', async () => {
-            mockWalletService.processPayout.mockResolvedValueOnce({
-                success: true,
-                txHash: 'abc123',
-                fee: 1000000
-            });
-
             // Game record lookup
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
                 rows: [{ id: 1, payment_mode: 'direct' }]
@@ -309,30 +314,20 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
                 rows: [{ id: 999 }]
             });
-            // UPDATE payouts (store tx_hash)
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] });
 
             const result = await gmm.completeGame('socket1', 'game123', true, false, { moves: 50 });
 
             expect(result.success).toBe(true);
             expect(result.payout).toBeDefined();
+            expect(result.payout.status).toBe('queued');
+            expect(result.payout.payoutId).toBe(999);
             expect(result.payout.amount).toBe(200000000000);
             expect(result.payout.multiplier).toBe(2);
-            expect(mockWalletService.processPayout).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
-                expect.objectContaining({
-                    amount: 200000000000,
-                    address: 'wow1testaddress'
-                })
-            );
+            // processPayout is NOT called directly — payout is batched via _scheduleBatchPayout
+            expect(mockWalletService.processPayout).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
         });
 
         test('treasure bonus applied correctly to payout', async () => {
-            mockWalletService.processPayout.mockResolvedValueOnce({
-                success: true,
-                txHash: 'abc123',
-                fee: 1000000
-            });
-
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
                 rows: [{ id: 1, payment_mode: 'direct' }]
             });
@@ -345,11 +340,10 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
                 rows: [{ id: 999 }]
             });
-            // UPDATE payouts (store tx_hash)
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] });
 
             const result = await gmm.completeGame('socket1', 'game123', true, true, { moves: 30 });
 
+            expect(result.payout.status).toBe('queued');
             expect(result.payout.amount).toBe(300000000000); // 3x for treasure
             expect(result.payout.multiplier).toBe(3);
             expect(result.payout.treasure).toBe(true);
@@ -412,14 +406,8 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
             gmm.creditsPayoutBaseValue = 50000000000;
             gmm.creditPayoutMultipliers = { escape: 1.5, escapeWithTreasure: 2 };
 
-            mockWalletService.processPayout.mockResolvedValueOnce({
-                success: true,
-                txHash: 'xyz789',
-                fee: 1000000
-            });
-
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
-                rows: [{ id: 1, payment_mode: 'credits' }] // Game was started with credits
+                rows: [{ id: 1, game_mode: 'PAID_CREDITS' }] // Game was started with credits
             });
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // game update
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // no existing payout
@@ -430,12 +418,11 @@ describe('Payment & Payout Comprehensive Tests', () => {
             mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
                 rows: [{ id: 999 }]
             });
-            // UPDATE payouts (store tx_hash)
-            mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] });
 
             const result = await gmm.completeGame('socket1', 'game123', true, false, {});
 
             // Should use credits multipliers, not direct
+            expect(result.payout.status).toBe('queued');
             expect(result.payout.amount).toBe(75000000000); // 50000000000 * 1.5
             expect(result.payout.multiplier).toBe(1.5);
         });
@@ -622,20 +609,20 @@ describe('Edge Cases and Error Handling', () => {
         gmm = new GameModeManager(mockDb, mockWalletService, createMockDebugManager(), createMockPaymentConfig());
     });
 
-    test('handles wallet service error during payout', async () => {
+    test('handles payout insert failure gracefully', async () => {
         gmm.gameMode = 'PAID_SINGLE';
-        
-        mockWalletService.processPayout.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('Wallet unavailable'));
 
         mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [{ id: 1, payment_mode: 'direct' }] });
         mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // game update
         mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ rows: [] }); // no existing payout
-        mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({ 
-            rows: [{ id: 1, payout_address: 'wow1testaddress' }] 
+        mockDb.query.mockResolvedValueOnce({
+            rows: [{ id: 1, payout_address: 'wow1testaddress' }]
         });
+        // INSERT payout fails
+        mockDb.query.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('Database connection lost'));
 
         const result = await gmm.completeGame('socket1', 'game123', true, false, {});
-        
+
         expect(result.success).toBe(true);
         expect(result.payout).toBeNull();
         expect(result.payoutError).toBeDefined();
@@ -643,8 +630,9 @@ describe('Edge Cases and Error Handling', () => {
 
     test('handles database error during credits deduction', async () => {
         const user = { id: 1, credits: 5 };
-        
-        mockDb.query.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('Database connection lost'));
+
+        // _processGameStartWithCredits uses withTransaction, so error must come from there
+        mockDb.withTransaction.mockRejectedValueOnce(new Error('Database connection lost'));
 
         await expect(gmm._processGameStartWithCredits(user, 'socket1', 'game123'))
             .rejects.toThrow('Database connection lost');
diff --git a/test/walletRPCService.test.js b/test/walletRPCService.test.js
index 84c984c..cb7e8fa 100644
--- a/test/walletRPCService.test.js
+++ b/test/walletRPCService.test.js
@@ -13,17 +13,16 @@ describe('WalletRPCService interface', () => {
     expect(typeof svc.checkPaymentStatus).toBe('function');
     expect(typeof svc.startPaymentMonitoring).toBe('function');
     expect(typeof svc.stopPaymentMonitoring).toBe('function');
-    expect(typeof svc.processBatchPayouts).toBe('function'); // newly added stub
+    expect(typeof svc.processBatchPayout).toBe('function');
     expect(typeof svc.processPayout).toBe('function');
     expect(typeof svc.normalizeAtomicAmount).toBe('function');
     expect(typeof svc.cleanupUserPayments).toBe('function');
     expect(typeof svc.getHealthStatus).toBe('function');
   });
 
-  test('processBatchPayouts stub returns processed:0', async () => {
+  test('processBatchPayout validates destinations', async () => {
     const svc = new WalletRPCService(debugManagerMock);
-    const res = await svc.processBatchPayouts();
-    expect(res).toEqual({ processed: 0 });
+    await expect(svc.processBatchPayout([])).rejects.toThrow(/destinations/i);
   });
 
   test('rpcCall wraps failures in ExternalServiceError', async () => {
@@ -150,14 +149,14 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
     })).rejects.toThrow(/amount/i);
   });
 
-  test('calls transfer RPC with correct parameters', async () => {
+  test('calls transfer_split RPC with correct parameters', async () => {
     // Mock validateAddress to return valid
     svc.validateAddress = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ valid: true });
     svc.rpcCall = jest.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce({
       result: {
-        tx_hash: 'abc123def456',
-        tx_key: 'key789',
-        fee: 1000000
+        tx_hash_list: ['abc123def456'],
+        tx_key_list: ['key789'],
+        fee_list: [1000000]
       }
     });
 
@@ -167,7 +166,7 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
       userId: 'user1',
       gameId: 'game123'
     });
-    
+
     expect(result.success).toBe(true);
     expect(result.txHash).toBe('abc123def456');
     expect(result.txKey).toBe('key789');
@@ -175,8 +174,8 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
     expect(result.userId).toBe('user1');
     expect(result.gameId).toBe('game123');
     expect(result.amount).toBe(100000000000);
-    
-    expect(svc.rpcCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith('transfer', {
+
+    expect(svc.rpcCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith('transfer_split', {
       destinations: [{
         amount: 100000000000,
         address: 'wow1testaddress123456789'
@@ -190,7 +189,7 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
   test('includes subaddr_indices when subaddressIndex specified', async () => {
     svc.validateAddress = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ valid: true });
     svc.rpcCall = jest.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce({
-      result: { tx_hash: 'xyz', tx_key: 'key', fee: 100 }
+      result: { tx_hash_list: ['xyz'], tx_key_list: ['key'], fee_list: [100] }
     });
 
     await svc.processPayout({
@@ -198,8 +197,8 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
       amount: 100,
       subaddressIndex: 5
     });
-    
-    expect(svc.rpcCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith('transfer', 
+
+    expect(svc.rpcCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith('transfer_split',
       expect.objectContaining({
         subaddr_indices: [5]
       })
@@ -209,7 +208,7 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
   test('does not include subaddr_indices for invalid index values', async () => {
     svc.validateAddress = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({ valid: true });
     svc.rpcCall = jest.fn().mockResolvedValueOnce({
-      result: { tx_hash: 'xyz', tx_key: 'key', fee: 100 }
+      result: { tx_hash_list: ['xyz'], tx_key_list: ['key'], fee_list: [100] }
     });
 
     await svc.processPayout({
@@ -217,8 +216,8 @@ describe('WalletRPCService.processPayout', () => {
       amount: 100,
       subaddressIndex: -1
     });
-    
-    expect(svc.rpcCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith('transfer', 
+
+    expect(svc.rpcCall).toHaveBeenCalledWith('transfer_split',
       expect.not.objectContaining({
         subaddr_indices: expect.anything()
       })