Industry News

What Advertising Channels Are Most Profitable for iGaming Operators?

Published

6 years ago

February 10, 2020

When budding entrepreneurs start to fret over the costs of getting their business off the ground and growing it, chances are somebody will try to encourage them by offering the famous saying “You must spend money to make money.” This gem of wisdom is attributed to Plautus, an influential comic playwright of ancient Rome.

Enterprising individuals come to learn that it is impossible to build a successful business without investment. One could even argue that modern-day entrepreneurs have no choice – they operate in a globalized, technologically advanced business landscape where competition is fierce and the battle for customers merciless.

Perhaps it is no coincidence that advertising has been around for as long as the concept of commercial activity has existed. By informing people of new products or services and persuading them to buy, ads have kept the engine of business running for millennia. Advertising remains as potent a tool as ever, proving indispensable for raising brand awareness, attracting new customers, and growing revenues.

In the case of iGaming, these rules also apply, but the industry also has unique challenges to overcome. For one thing, it is a strictly regulated one, and online gambling remains prohibited in many countries. On the other hand, the market is expected to grow at a healthy rate as the regulatory grip relaxes in new jurisdictions and disposable incomes increase.

While the opportunities are there, iGaming operators still need to make an effort to seize them. Since the primary goal is to expand customer bases, online gambling providers should make the most of advertising, carefully crafting their strategies and prioritizing channels that deliver the desired return on investment.

The advent of digital platforms has created numerous options for advertising, but several choices have proved to work best for iGaming operators when it comes to player acquisition. Given that no strategy is perfect, the best course of action is to opt for an integrated approach.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

This is not an advertising channel per se, but no digital strategy can hope to succeed without incorporating SEO. Search engines keep the wheel of internet activity turning, and constantly improving algorithms make search results increasingly accurate.

On the other hand, the deluge of online data has become a serious challenge for marketers, requiring a laser-sharp focus to create campaigns that work. SEO is critical for achieving a prominent ranking in search results, and by optimizing their website content, iGaming companies can put their brand on the map and attract traffic, potentially converting visitors to players.

The good thing about SEO is that it is basically free if one does not count the cost of hiring experts to handle this part of the customer acquisition process. However, this is unlikely to deliver optimal results on its own.

Affiliate Marketing

Provided they secure the right partners, iGaming companies may derive the greatest benefits from affiliate marketing. Simply put, it involves the use of third parties to promote products and services in exchange for a commission. According to some estimates, affiliate programs account for between 15% and 30% of sales for advertisers. Here’s an example of content based online gambling affiliate website – best online casino sites for real money at SlotsUp.com.

The enduring appeal of affiliate marketing has to do with its cost-effectiveness as a result of its performance-based model, meaning that payment is made only for converted players. In addition, this approach ensures highly relevant traffic, further enhancing the prospects for customer acquisition.

Paid Search Marketing

iGaming businesses can step up their ad game with paid search marketing, which might be better known as pay-per-click (PPC). The success of such campaign hinges on extensive keyword research and the selection of just the right one(s).

This approach is the most certain way of ensuring that a company product or service gets top ranking on a search engine results page. Another advantage is that a PPC campaign requires little time and effort to launch while offering one of the easiest and most accurate ways of tracking return on investment.

Social media

It is no longer possible to imagine the internet without search engines, and the same has come to be true of social media platforms. They have taken over personal communication but also provided brands with an advertising channel of tremendous power.

With about 3.5 billion people (45% of the global population) actively using social media, iGaming operators have an exceptionally valuable tool for acquiring new customers. These platforms are communication hubs where a website link, an announcement, a positive review, or a brand-related image can reach a staggering number of people.

Given the nature of their business, online gambling companies cannot advertise with absolute freedom, but they can still tap the immense potential of social networks by providing high-quality, relevant content and engaging their audience. As brand recognition grows and visitors start to associate the name with a worthwhile experience, the conversion rate is bound to accelerate.

These player acquisition strategies and some other suggestions are explored in depth in an e-book published by BetConstruct, a company offering technology and services to gaming operators. Ultimately, it is up to iGaming providers to experiment with various options, analyze the outcomes, and create a combination that maximizes conversion rates while reducing customer acquisition costs.

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Gaming

Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention

Published

13 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

soft2bet-launches-mega-islands,-a-new-gamification-engine-designed-to-increase-player-retention

Soft2Bet has unveiled MEGA Islands, the latest addition to its MEGA Suite, designed to enhance player engagement and retention across both casino and sportsbook offerings.

The new engine introduces a persistent progression system that carries over across sessions, giving players an ongoing reason to return. Through island-building, resource collection, and continual advancement, players embark on a long-term journey that transforms short play sessions into sustained engagement.

First previewed in Soft2Bet’s recent Lodur release, the MEGA Islands system allows players to develop their own islands over time. Resources earned through gameplay can be used to construct new buildings, upgrade existing structures, and unlock further stages of progression. Each upgrade opens new goals, creating a loop of continuous advancement that keeps players invested.

The engine also incorporates plundering mechanics, giving players an additional path to gather resources by raiding other islands. This feature not only accelerates growth but also maintains a dynamic and engaging progression loop. With no fixed endpoint, MEGA Islands is built to encourage repeat play through a satisfying cycle of building, collecting, and advancing.

“MEGA Islands is designed to make retention feel natural by providing players with a progression journey they want to return to,” said Yoel Zuckerberg, CPO at Soft2Bet. “By building islands, collecting resources, and unlocking upgrades—including through plundering—each session becomes part of a longer experience. It gives players a clear reason to come back while providing operators with a retention tool that integrates seamlessly across casino and sportsbook.”

The launch of MEGA Islands underscores Soft2Bet’s commitment to gamification as a driver of long-term growth. As part of the MEGA Suite, the new engine offers operators a powerful tool to extend player journeys, increase engagement cycles, and deliver consistent value in competitive markets.

The post Soft2Bet launches MEGA Islands, a new gamification engine designed to increase player retention appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

European CEO magazine

GR8 Tech CEO Named CEO of the Year for Second Consecutive Year

Published

15 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

gr8-tech-ceo-named-ceo-of-the-year-for-second-consecutive-year

GR8 Tech CEO Oleksandr Feshchenko has been named Global CEO of the Year 2026 in the Technology Industry by European CEO magazine—the second consecutive year he has received the honour. The judging panel’s decision was unanimous.

The award recognised Feshchenko’s leadership across three areas the panel identified as defining:

• Track record of turning technological strategy into scalable commercial outcomes;

• Focus on building an organization designed to last, not just perform;

• Consistent investment in people and culture as core business levers rather than afterthoughts.

What distinguished Feshchenko from a competitive field, according to the panel, was the combination of all three. Individual strengths are common at the CEO level, but the consistency across strategy, execution and organisational health is rare.

Under Oleksandr Feshchenko’s leadership, GR8 Tech has grown into a recognised provider of technology solutions for the iGaming sector, with an approach that the panel described as forward-looking without sacrificing operational discipline.

“Receiving this recognition two years in a row means a great deal, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that success is most dangerous when it makes you comfortable. This award belongs to the team at GR8 Tech as much as it does to me, and what it really does is raise the bar. The technology industry doesn’t stand still, and neither do we. There’s a lot we’re building toward, and that’s exactly where our focus stays,” Oleksandr Feshenko said.

The Global CEO of the Year award is presented annually by European CEO magazine following an evaluation of international candidates across various industries.

The post GR8 Tech CEO Named CEO of the Year for Second Consecutive Year appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Augmented Reality

XR Global Launches World’s First Augmented Reality Online Casino Games Across iOS, Android and Immersive Web

Published

15 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Wladimir P.

xr-global-launches-world’s-first-augmented-reality-online-casino-games-across-ios,-android-and-immersive-web

XR Global Inc, the first Extended Reality (XR) technologies casino games developer with Patent Pending Technology on its Cross-XR Platform, announced the official launch of the world’s first Augmented Reality (AR) online casino games available across iOS, Android and the Immersive Web. This groundbreaking milestone positions XR Global at the forefront of innovation in the global iGaming industry, delivering a next-generation gaming experience that goes far beyond traditional 2D online casino platforms.

By leveraging cutting-edge Extended Reality (XR) technologies—including Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), Virtual Reality (VR) and 3D immersive environments—XR Global enables players to step into fully interactive casino worlds from their mobile devices or web browsers, without the need for specialised hardware.

Unlike conventional online casino games confined to flat, 2D interfaces, XR Global’s platform allows users to engage with games such as slots, roulette, blackjack and crash games in a real-world environment. Players can place games on their tables, walk around them, interact with live elements and experience a level of realism and immersion previously only possible in physical casinos or high-end VR setups.

“XR Global is redefining what online gaming looks and feels like. We are bridging the gap between physical and digital entertainment by bringing casino experiences into players’ real-world environments. This is not just an evolution—it’s a transformation of the entire gaming paradigm,” said Dan Martinez, Founder & CEO of XR Global.

The launch marks a significant leap forward for player engagement, retention and monetisation. XR Global’s immersive experiences are designed to increase session times, deepen emotional connection and create highly differentiated offerings for operators in an increasingly competitive market.

The company plans to license its XR-enabled gaming portfolio globally, enabling partners to integrate immersive gaming into their existing platforms and attract a new generation of players seeking more interactive and engaging experiences.

The post XR Global Launches World’s First Augmented Reality Online Casino Games Across iOS, Android and Immersive Web appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.