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Cross-Selling and Upselling in Poker Stores: How to Increase the Average Check
Revenue optimization has emerged as one of the key success factors in the highly competitive online poker industry. With the growing costs of acquiring players and the challenge of retaining them, poker operators need more ways of generating revenue. In this light, the In-Store feature developed by EvenBet Gaming has brought a new change in the industry: boosting the operator’s revenue while offering engaging game perks for the players.
The mechanics of online poker rooms
Historically, online poker rooms have been able to attract a variety of players with diverse games, starting from the more common Texas Hold’em to the less known Razz. In the past, poker platforms have depended on rake, which is a small percentage of every pot, or tournament fees as their main sources of income.
However, nowadays, these models have become less dependable as poker operators face a number of challenges. They are always torn between the need to meet regulatory requirements, maintain their profit margins, and keep the players happy. This has led to the need to increase the average revenue per user (ARPU) without losing customers in this competitive environment.
Welcome cross-sell and upsell — two effective techniques successfully implemented in niches like e-commerce and are now actively used in the poker segment. These strategies have been effective in increasing the LTV and customer retention rates. For poker rooms, this could mean the difference between going bust and holding out for the long term.
Cross-selling in poker
Cross-selling is the practice of selling related products or services to existing customers. In the poker context, this could take several forms:
- Basic cross-sell: advertising casino games to sports bettors and the other way around. For example, a poker room may recommend slot games to the players who frequently play Texas Hold’em.
- Intermediate cross-sell: the use of player data to develop more specific campaigns. For instance, if data reveal that poker tournament players like to play blackjack, the room may target blackjack to tournament players.
- Advanced cross-sell: a more complex approach that employs dynamic and data-driven models to provide the player with customized suggestions. For example, when a player’s activity and their preferences are used to recommend new games or tournaments that may be interesting.
Upselling in poker
Upselling persuades the customer to choose a better version of the product they are already using. In poker rooms, this might involve:
- Providing VIP tournament seats to the ordinary cash game participants.
- Offering higher risk and reward tables to players who play at lower limits.
- Offering additional services such as higher level statistics or time bank top-up.
Through these strategies, poker operators can develop multi-players — customers who interact with several products. Multi-players have higher retention rates and an average future value of 50% higher than that of single-product players.
For poker room operators, understanding these cross-sell and up-sell strategies might be the only way to not only survive but prosper in the highly saturated online gaming market. It’s about the long-term perspective and the audience that will provide constant revenues.
Applying cross-selling and upselling to poker platforms
The poker industry is one of the most suitable for cross-sell and upsell strategies. The EvenBet Gaming In-Store feature is a game-changer for operators as it provides a range of virtual items that can improve the players’ experience.
Items available for cross-selling include:
- Play money packages: for those who wish to play or warm up with other games without staking their real money.
- Time bank extensions: allowing the players to spend more time making strategic moves over the course of the game.
- Rabbit hunting feature: enabling the players to see the cards that would have been dealt in the next round once a round is over.
- Opponent game statistics: informing the players about the actions and strategies of their opponents during the game.
Upselling opportunities in the store include:
- VIP cards with bundled perks: EvenBet store offers customisable sets of benefits that come at a lower price when bought together.
Yet another option are loyalty programme incentives that can come in different styles:
- Premium tournament entries: as players accumulate cash game points or achieve a certain hand count, they can unlock access to exclusive tournaments.
- Exclusive game access: higher-tier loyalty members might gain entry to special cash games or tables not available to the general player base.
These features are beneficial for the platform’s revenue, and they also boost the gaming experience and bring greater satisfaction to the players.
Strategies for increasing the cash flow
To optimize revenue in online poker stores, operators should implement a comprehensive strategy that encompasses several key elements:
- Strategic offer placement: display relevant promotions in the lobby and during the game, so that they do not interfere with the gameplay. This approach keeps the audience interested in your offer without being annoying.
- Personalized marketing: use player data to create specific promotions that will appeal to the players’ preferences and activities.
- Value-driven bundles: offer appealing promotional offers like “two for the price of one” and combo packages. Such offers have high perceived value for the players, as in a bundle they receive more than each separate item’s worth.
- Time-sensitive promotions: take advantage of the FOMO effect by offering time-sensitive products or services. This creates urgency, which in turn leads to faster buying decisions.
- Integrated loyalty schemes: integrate cross-selling and upselling opportunities in the loyalty programme. This helps retain the players for a long time and makes them use the platform more frequently.
By implementing these strategies, poker room operators can create a more engaging and profitable store environment. This holistic approach not only drives revenue but also enhances the overall player experience, fostering loyalty and sustained growth in the competitive online poker market.
Seizing the opportunity
Well-adopted cross-sell and upsell strategies can greatly improve both the cash flow and the players’ experience. This way, operators can increase their user lifetime value while enhancing the quality of the game. If you want to transform your poker platform’s monetisation model, learn more about EvenBet Gaming’s advanced store options and find out how these enhancements can help you increase player worth and involvement. The operators able to balance the revenue targets and player satisfaction will be in good standing to succeed in this competitive market.
The post Cross-Selling and Upselling in Poker Stores: How to Increase the Average Check appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Akshat Rathee
Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone
The Indian esports landscape is transitioning from a period of rapid “spectacle” growth to a phase defined by lasting institutional structure. Following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), 2026 is set to be the year where regulatory clarity, international competition, and domestic grassroots development converge.
The Impact of PROGA: Policy into Practice
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), signed into law in August 2025, has officially moved from policy to practice. Its primary contribution to 2026 is the explicit separation of esports from money-based gaming.
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Legitimacy: By categorizing esports as a legitimate competitive pursuit, PROGA has unlocked state-level adoption and cleared the way for schools and colleges to integrate gaming into their sports frameworks.
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Commercial Confidence: With a clear regulatory environment, brands in sectors like FMCG, automotive, and BFSI are now viewing esports as a stable, long-term youth engagement platform rather than a risky experiment.
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Athlete Pathways: PROGA facilitates the creation of standardized national registries for athletes, ensuring that competitive integrity is maintained across grassroots and professional tiers.
The Asian Games 2026: A Global Stage
The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, serves as the most critical milestone for the ecosystem this year.
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Medal Status: Esports will feature as a full medal event with 11 confirmed titles, including League of Legends, PUBG Mobile (Asian Games Version), and Pokémon UNITE.
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Indian Prospects: India’s best historical result (quarter-finals in League of Legends at Hangzhou) has set a high bar. For 2026, the focus has shifted toward high-performance training camps and long-term athlete mentorship to secure a podium finish.
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Multi-Sport Integration: Participation alongside traditional athletes reinforces the narrative that esports is a viable professional career, further encouraging government investment through schemes like Khelo India.
Market Evolution and Key Trends
The Indian gaming market is projected to reach approximately $5.02 billion in 2026, driven by a massive player base exceeding 500 million gamers.
| Trend | Impact in 2026 |
| Mobile Dominance | Over 95% of the market remains mobile-first, fueled by 5G expansion and affordable hardware. |
| Beyond BGMI | 2026 is seeing a push to diversify the market into fighting games, sports simulations, and PC titles to avoid “one-title dependency.” |
| Monetization Shift | Revenue is shifting from pure advertising toward battle passes, subscription models, and in-game progression. |
| Tier II & III Growth | Most new user acquisition is coming from smaller cities, demanding more vernacular and localized content. |
The post Indian Esports 2026: Strategic Growth and the Asian Games Milestone appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Bison Strike
ENJOY Boosts Global Distribution with Strategic EveryMatrix Deal
ENJOY, the fast-rising iGaming content developer, has secured a significant distribution agreement with EveryMatrix. The deal will see ENJOY’s full suite of video slots and next-generation live casino game shows integrated into the SlotMatrix aggregation platform, making them available to an expansive network of tier-one global operators.
This partnership marks a critical milestone for ENJOY as it enters its primary phase of commercial expansion. By joining the SlotMatrix ecosystem—one of the industry’s largest content hubs—ENJOY gains immediate access to regulated markets worldwide and a streamlined path to brand visibility.
Bison Strike and Innovation in the Spotlight
The integration includes ENJOY’s most recent flagship launch, Bison Strike, alongside a curated library of high-performing titles. ENJOY is carving out a reputation for “indie-style” creative flair combined with technical reliability, focusing on two core verticals:
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Video Slots: High-volatility titles with immersive storytelling and meticulously crafted art.
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Live Game Shows: 24/7 interactive experiences streamed from a purpose-built studio, designed to drive player retention through next-gen engagement mechanics.
Leadership Insights on Global Scalability
The agreement follows a string of successful partnerships for ENJOY, which has already established links with platforms like SoftGamings and Gamingtec under the leadership of its new CCO.
“This partnership with EveryMatrix gives us a launchpad that, as a newcomer, we are privileged to access,” said Christos Zoulianitis, Chief Commercial Officer at ENJOY. “EveryMatrix’s reputation as a trusted aggregator and its global distribution power allow us to accelerate our growth significantly. We’re bringing fresh ideas to both the slots and live casino verticals, and EveryMatrix gives us the reach to put that innovation in front of the right operators immediately.”
Bjorn Sjoberg, CCO at SlotMatrix, added: “ENJOY has shown real ambition and creative flair with its early releases. Our mission is to connect high-quality, forward-thinking studios with operators who value fresh content, and ENJOY fits that brief perfectly.”
The post ENJOY Boosts Global Distribution with Strategic EveryMatrix Deal appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Blask Index
Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines Lead iGaming’s Rising Markets in 2025
Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines have emerged as the most significant rising markets of 2025, according to a comprehensive year-end analysis from the market intelligence ecosystem Blask.
The findings are based on the proprietary Blask Index, a real-time tracking tool that monitors player attention and search volumes across 107 countries. While established markets like the United Kingdom maintained the top spots, these three jurisdictions saw the most aggressive climbs in global rankings.
2025 Market Movers: The Biggest Climbers
The global iGaming landscape experienced a shift in 2025 as emerging interest in the Middle East and regulatory overhauls in Asia-Pacific redirected player attention.
| Market | Index Rank Change | 2025 Position | Key Growth Driver |
| Saudi Arabia | +9 Places | 20th | High youth demographics & digital adoption |
| Philippines | +4 Places | 12th | New PAGCOR B2B licensing framework |
| Greece | +4 Places | 17th | Robust online growth from operators like OPAP |
Saudi Arabia: The Surprise Performer
Saudi Arabia was the year’s most improved market, breaking into the Global Top 20 for the first time. Despite strict local prohibitions, the market saw a sharp uptick in interest driven by a young, mobile-first population (over 70% under age 35) and a massive shift toward digital entertainment under the Vision 2030 initiative. The growth reflects an “underground” surge in demand typically seen in restricted but hyper-connected markets.
Philippines: Regulatory Modernization
The Philippines climbed to 12th place, fueled by the PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) decision to formalize the iGaming supply chain. The introduction of the B2B Accreditation Framework in October 2025 forced game developers, aggregators, and payment providers to undergo formal probity checks, bringing the region in line with mature jurisdictions like the UK and Ontario.
Greece: Digital Transition
Greece’s ascent to 17th place was largely attributed to the performance of its largest operator, OPAP. The company reported double-digit growth in its iGaming and sports betting divisions throughout 2025, with online GGR surging nearly 20% in the first half of the year. This success underscores the Greek market’s successful transition from a retail-heavy model to a digital-first ecosystem.
“The global iGaming landscape is shifting faster than ever,” said Max Tesla, CEO and co-founder of Blask. “Operators that can spot emerging trends early, and understand what is actually driving interest on the ground, are far better positioned to capture new growth opportunities as they appear.”
The post Saudi Arabia, Greece, and the Philippines Lead iGaming’s Rising Markets in 2025 appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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