Industry News
What Advertising Channels Are Most Profitable for iGaming Operators?
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.
NuxGame, the experienced betting and casino software provider, has been recognised at this year’s EGR B2B Awards, receiving a nomination for its Aggregation Platform.
The EGR B2B Awards is one of the most esteemed events in the industry and this shortlisting solidifies NuxGame’s status as a leading casino software supplier and a one-stop shop for casino operators.
Winners are to be selected by a panel of industry experts ahead of the ceremony at The Roundhouse in London on 13th June.
NuxGame’s aggregation platform boasts over 13,600 slots titles from 135 leading providers, which has recently been bolstered thanks to partnerships with the likes of 3 Oaks Gaming, Vivo Gaming and Hacksaw Gaming.
The nomination follows a strong year for the provider, which has made strides in player retention and acquisition tools for its aggregation platform customers with features such as free spins, network tournaments, live streamer promotions and custom thumbnails.
This latest development for NuxGame serves as a testament to its philosophy of staying ahead of the tech curve and harnessing the latest technologies to provide a bespoke and customer-centric service.
Denis Kosinsky, Chief Operating Officer at NuxGame, said: “The EGR B2B Awards is one of the most important dates in the iGaming calendar, so we are honoured that our leading casino aggregation platform has been shortlisted.
“It’s fantastic to be recognised in these prestigious awards, as we are dedicated to delivering the most innovative casino game aggregation platform for our customers.”
The post NuxGame’s Aggregation Platform shortlisted in EGR B2B Awards appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Betsson AB has published its interim report for the first quarter of 2024.
Highlights
- Group revenue was EUR 248.2 (221.9) million, an increase of 12%. Organic increase of 25%.
- Casino revenue increased by 19%. Sportsbook revenue decreased by 3% and the sportsbook margin was 6.6% (8.0%).
- EBITDA was EUR 71.6 (54.3) million, an increase of 32%. The EBITDA margin was 28.8% (24.5%).
- Operating income (EBIT) was EUR 57.9 (43.0) million, an increase of 35%. The EBIT margin was 23.3% (19.4%).
- Net income was EUR 42.8 (36.6) million, corresponding to EUR 0.30 (0.28) per share.
- Operating cash flow was EUR 50.0 (48.8) million.
- Net debt was EUR -68.1 (-104.5) million.
- Active customers increased by 15% to 1,281,267 (1,115,641).
CEO’s Comments
“Positive start to the year for Betsson – continued high customer activity and the highest ever operating income”
For Betsson, the first quarter of 2024 was characterised by a continued positive development with high customer activity, good growth and strengthened profitability, as well as new growth-oriented initiatives. Revenue was up 12 percent year over year, and operating income (EBIT) increased as much as 35 percent to a new record level, while the operating margin strengthened to 23.3 (19.4) percent.
After the new president in Argentina took office, a devaluation of the Argentine peso of more than 50 percent was carried out in December, which had a negative effect on reported revenue for the Group in the first quarter. Organically, revenue increased by 25 percent compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
The high customer activity drove strong growth in gaming turnover for both casino and sports betting, with year-over-year increases of 14 and 25 percent, respectively. Casino revenue increased by 19 percent year over year. The sportsbook margin amounted to 6.6 (8.0) percent, which was lower than the average margin for the past two years and meant that the high activity and increased turnover in sports betting was not fully reflected in revenue for the quarter. The lower sportsbook margin particularly impacted revenue in Latin America.
Betsson’s ambition is to generate stable earnings growth in the long run. The strategy to achieve this is based on geographic diversification and growth investments within existing markets, new markets, B2B and M&A. Within existing markets, it can be mentioned that the Betsson brand was introduced on the Italian market in March, at the same time as a collaboration was started with the former superstar of Italian football, Francesco Totti. Italy remains an important market with great potential for Betsson. In addition, Betsson went live in Cordoba, Argentina during the quarter, which means that the Group now offers games under local gaming licenses in three Argentine provinces. In new markets, a new online casino offering was launched in Belgium through the acquired company betFIRST, based on the category A+ license. The license enables a complete online casino offering including slots, table games and live casino. B2B continues to be an important strategic area where previous years’ investments continue to bear fruit and continued to perform strongly during the quarter. In terms of M&A, a gaming operator licensed in the Netherlands that offers casino games via the websites www.goldruncasino.nl and www.goldruncasino.com, and a game studio that develops casino games, were acquired in February. The transaction is subject to an approval from the Dutch gambling authority before the integration work can begin.
Sustainability is an important part of Betsson’s strategy and for the second year in a row Betsson sponsored the Consumer Protection Zone at the ICE gaming fair in London. This part of the fair aims to increase knowledge about responsible gambling and all proceeds from this part go to organisations that work with responsible gambling.
After the positive start to the year, we now look forward to following the final rounds of the European football leagues and cups, before it is time for the best national football teams to measure their strengths in the UEFA Euro 2024 and Copa America in June and July. There is football fever out there and within the entire organisation a number of activities are already underway to ensure that Betsson will be able to deliver a powerful player offering for new and existing customers during these major championships. See you this summer!
The post Betsson Publishes its First Quarter 2024 Interim Report appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
This month The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise (Navajo Gaming) honored 186 of its total 1200 team members for reaching significant employment milestones including 15, 10, and 5 years of service for the enterprise. The event at Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort in Flagstaff, Ariz. showcased the impact and journey of each hard-working team member, with a special highlight for 29 employees who have served for 15 years.
Less than 10 years after Navajo Gaming was created by the Navajo Nation and charged with the mission of creating jobs, increasing revenues, and stimulating incremental economic development within the Navajo Nation, the gaming enterprise created over 7425 direct, indirect and induced jobs with an overall economic output of over a billion dollars.
“Navajo Gaming employs 1200 people, 85 percent of whom are Navajo citizens. The award-winning AAA’s coveted Four Diamond Twin Arrows Casino Resort shares Navajo Culture through architectural nuances and local artists. Each of the property dining eateries feature ‘Navajo Beef,’ and traditional cuisine of the Navajo people, and our invitation to stay, play and relax at one of our four properties or Travel Center is an open welcome to the Navajo Nation’s beautiful scenic transformation,” Matthew Shunkamolah, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Navajo Gaming, said.
Team members recognized for 15 years of services have worked their way up to a wide variety of position within the enterprise from General Manager and Executive Director of Slots, to Director of Security, Food and Beverage Supervisor and Executive Director of Government Affairs.
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