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Why Gamification Is Reshaping Online Poker
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Online poker’s not the sleepy mix of static cash tables and rinse-repeat tourney grids it used to be. Business Wire predicts that by 2030, the market will hit $11.4 billion, fuelled by cross-platform play and new competitive formats. But here’s the catch: growth brings noise. And in 2025, grabbing attention is only half the game — keeping it has become just as critical. And we all know that retention is the table you can’t afford to fold.
Over the recent years, gamification has turned into one of poker’s strongest retention plays. When it’s done right, it keeps players around, sparks repeat visits, and forges loyalty. They come back tomorrow, next week, next month — and your competitors can’t pry them away. The idea sounds simple enough — weave in game-style mechanics to make poker richer and more engaging, without killing the skill game underneath.
EvenBet Gaming’s research breaks it into three targets:
- Give players more reasons to return.
- Make onboarding smooth and rewarding.
- Build loyalty with experiences that feel personal, competitive, and worth bragging about.
Churn burns profit. Gamification done right is an infrastructure that breeds loyalty. Done wrong? You’re just another site with flashing badges that no one cares about.
Gamification, Not Gamblification
Before diving into mechanics, it is important to set one thing straight. Gamification boosts engagement — leaderboards that show you who’s climbing, missions that push you to try new formats, achievement badges you actually want to unlock. It challenges players, rewards skill, and deepens the game. “Gamblification” is where it all turns sour. That’s when mechanics push for profit at the expense of player wellbeing — pressure-loop rewards, unclear payout systems, anything designed to keep people clicking long after the fun’s gone. These tactics can backfire, invite regulatory attention, and eat away at players’ trust.
Gamification should make the player-platform bond stronger. It’s open, skill-focused, and it stays within responsible-gaming boundaries. Otherwise, you’re just playing short-term roulette with your long-term survival.
Core Gamification Mechanics in Poker
Here’s the thing — gamification works best when it’s layered, not just thrown on top of the existing game. You’ve still got poker at the centre, but now there’s more to play for. EvenBet Gaming’s toolkit has a bit of everything, with a mix of proven features that operators need to keep players active and returning.
Leaderboards
People like to see where they stand, and a good leaderboard hits that primal “beat the other guy” instinct. Doesn’t matter if it’s hands played, rake pulled, or weird challenges only five people care about. Timeframes can be daily, weekly, or monthly, ensuring fresh challenges and preventing leaderboard fatigue. Players stick around to climb, rivals get personal, and your community gets tighter.
To avoid burnout and excessive gamblification, EvenBet’s customer success department doesn’t recommend creating only leaderboards based on pure game volume. As a flexible tool, leaderboards have a better use for boosting attention to specific game or tournament types (for example, hands played in 5-card Omaha), creating targeted demand.
Missions, Quests, and Challenges
Give a player a target and they’ll chase it. Win with pocket sevens, log 50 games, or try that Sunday knockout tourney — whatever keeps them moving. Segment it: beginners get gentle ramps; grinders chase big targets. Toss in tickets, cash, or even just brag-worthy status bumps — and suddenly, casual play has a storyline. This meta-layer adds structure to casual play, nudging players into consistent engagement.
“Different mission types work specifically on various segments of a poker room audience”, explains Nikita Golodaev, Business Account Manager at EvenBet Gaming. “For example, guided missions targeted to explore poker room features and game types keep new players on the platform and decrease early churn. Soft streaks (3-5 days) encourage regular sessions without burnout”.
Achievements and Badges
First win, first deep run, first time they actually fold kings preflop — badges give players proof they’re climbing. Badges make progress visible, they’re milestones and conversation starters. This visual recognition encourages players to develop their skills and makes long-term goals more tangible.
Progressive Systems
Experience points (XP) and rakeback have always been staples in poker loyalty systems. They’re poker loyalty basics. EvenBet’s Progressive Rakeback with a tiered, time-limited structure turns the game into a race — 6 tiers from Aluminium all the way up to Platinum. Every tier gives you a little more, but fall behind — and you drop. The gamified progression adds urgency, encouraging regular play to maintain or advance the level.
According to Nikita Golodaev, clear and balanced progressive systems work best for projects with an existing core of regular mid-core players: they are already investing significant time into the game and are still tempted by rewards provided in the progressive tracks, unlike VIP and high-stakes players who are more interested in recognition of their status.
Put it together, and you’ve got a cycle: play, check your rank, tick missions, unlock the badge, check the board, eye the next tier. And then do it again tomorrow. It’s sustained engagement without sacrificing poker’s competitive core.
Advanced Applications — Tournaments and Hybrid Formats
Think of tournaments not as one-off events, but as frameworks. They aren’t just a product — they’re an engagement machine. You can hang all sorts of engagement hooks on them — the kind that keep players checking in and keep them motivated from registration to the final hand. Layer in gamification, and you have a retention funnel operators dream about.
Formats with a Twist
EvenBet’s flexible setup allows operators to launch virtually any format: high-GTD marathons, Spin&Go sprints with random multipliers, quick-fire Sit & Gos for casuals, and velvet-rope VIP tables for the whales. Add Mystery Bounty, Progressive Knockout, or Multi-flight qualifiers, and you’ve got unpredictability on tap. Which means the game always stays interesting.
Linking Tournaments to Gamification Layers
Hybrid play is where tournaments meet missions, leaderboards, and badges:
- “Climb the Ladder” challenges that pay points for each event played.
- Leaderboards stretching over weeks and sparking long grinds.
- Achievements for milestones like “Final Table Three Times in a Week” or “Knock Out 10 Players in a PKO.”
This crossover keeps casual players chasing goals and competitive players grinding for prestige — all while strengthening retention loops. When you nail it, tournaments become recurring, gamified events that handle acquisition, retention, and loyalty in one package.
Why It Works for Operators
Gamification in online poker is not just a UX add-on — it moves numbers if done properly.
- Retention and monetisation: longer sessions, more logins, bigger rake, and better LTV. Plus, new players convert faster when there’s a mission to chase.
- Skill development: challenges teach strategy, confidence, and adaptability without feeling like homework.
- Audience segmentation: freerolls for newbies, high-stakes bounties for veterans. You serve each player just the right challenge without losing focus.
Risks and Implementation Challenges
Gamification’s upside is clear — but mess it up, and it quickly becomes a liability. When these risks are managed, gamification pays off big time. Treat it with respect and care like a strategy, not a shortcut or gimmick.
Over-Gamification
Stack too many overlapping mechanics, and the gaming experience turns into a mess. Players get overwhelmed, quit the game altogether, or even fall into unhealthy patterns. The balance is in adding enough variety to motivate, without creating constant pressure to act. It’s a fine line between motivation and overload.
Regulatory Compliance
Operating inside responsible gaming guidelines is a must. Rewards should be transparent, achievable, and not designed to exploit compulsive tendencies. As noted by Dmitry Starostenkov, regulators are increasingly wary of features that blur the lines between skill-building and pushing players too hard.
Technical Complexity
Integration has to be smooth. If missions lag, leaderboards glitch, progression breaks, or interfere with core poker gameplay, this erodes trust. EvenBet’s modular system gives control, but operators still need rigorous testing, UX tweaks, and performance checks.
Building Gamification That Lasts
When done right, gamification in online poker isn’t just bells and whistles. It’s a full-on retention driver. Mix leaderboards, missions, badges, and tiered rewards right into the core game, and you create a cycle that hooks players, grows skill, and boosts revenue.
The winning formula is balance: enough variety to keep things fresh. Clarity so players aren’t guessing. Responsibility so the game stays ethical. Data-driven personalisation ensures that every segment — from first-timers to VIP grinders — finds a reason to return.
Our research at EvenBet Gaming is clear: sustainable gamification is a long game. Set measurable goals and transparent rewards, enhance the poker spirit — never overshadow it. Attention is the rarest currency these days. Platforms that get this balance don’t just hold players — they win the loyalty battle.
The post Why Gamification Is Reshaping Online Poker appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
Jackpot Digital Inc. has announced that it has been granted a Manufacturer and Distributor License by the Mississippi Gaming Commission. This approval authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply gaming equipment to licensed casino operators throughout Mississippi. This marks the Company’s second state-level manufacturer’s license in the US. Additional licensing applications are currently pending in other jurisdictions as part of the Company’s ongoing growth strategy. Mississippi is one of the nation’s premier destination gaming markets, generating over $2.4 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2023. The state’s Gulf Coast and Biloxi regions are particularly well known for their vibrant casino tourism and established gaming brands.
iDEA (iDevelopment and Economic Association), the leading trade association representing the U.S. online gaming industry, launched the definitive online destination for all things online gambling: ideagrowth.org. The new website provides the media, and U.S. legislators and regulators, a comprehensive resource for data-driven research, policy insights, and responsible gaming resources. The new website provides the industry’s most vital statistics and research — from consumer protections to economic development — in an engaging, accessible format designed for maximum impact.
CT Interactive has further strengthened its international presence by expanding its certified game portfolio on the regulated Peruvian market with 20 new titles. This milestone underscores the company’s commitment to delivering high-quality, engaging gaming content tailored specifically to regional markets. The newly certified portfolio features titles from CT Interactive’s popular Buy Bonus product line, including fan favorites such as Duck of Luck, Fruits & Sweets, Doctor Winstein, and Nanook the White Ghost. These enhanced editions deliver dynamic gameplay with one- or three-level Buy Bonus options, giving players new tools for diverse strategies and greater control over the game’s pace and excitement. A highlight of the newly certified titles is the launch of Lucky Clover 10, the latest addition to the acclaimed Clover-themed series.
Partnerships
CT Interactive has entered a new phase of its Latin American growth by launching its complete portfolio of games on Rushbet in Mexico and Peru. This collaboration with Rush Street Interactive—one of the region’s leading online casino and sportsbook operators—marks a significant step in the company’s international expansion. Players on Rushbet now have access to proven favorites like Lucky Clover, 40 Treasures, Win Storm and Big Chilli, along with the engaging Hot Luck three-level jackpot, designed to enhance player excitement and retention. This partnership underscores CT Interactive’s commitment to long-term collaboration and delivering tailored gaming solutions across diverse Latin American markets.
Hard Rock International has announced its 26th annual PINKTOBER campaign in partnership with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ahead of this Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a global entertainment and hospitality brand guided by the principle “All is One,” Hard Rock is leveraging every touchpoint to support the cause throughout October, from a limited-edition retail collection to special menu items and events. A portion of proceeds from PINKTOBER sales each year are donated to the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock, to support breast cancer awareness and research worldwide. The program has raised over $13 million for breast cancer research since its inception.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – September 29-October 5 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Emilia Kurzynska Team Lead of Responsible Gambling
SOFTSWISS Handles 16,000 Responsible Gambling Cases in 2025
Reading Time: 2 minutes
SOFTSWISS, a global tech provider of iGaming software solutions, reports strong results from its Responsible Gambling team for 2025, helping operators strengthen compliance, protect players, and adapt to evolving regulatory demands.
In the first half of 2025, the SOFTSWISS Responsible Gambling team reviewed around 16,000 cases, including self-exclusion requests, proactive interventions, and behavioural checks. Beyond measurable cases, the team continued to support ongoing monitoring and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
Key initiatives of the team’s 2025 work included:
- The launch of a Responsible Gambling Video Digest, a monthly animated series explaining RG policies and updates for operators and internal teams
- Bilingual training modules for First Line Support and CRM teams, improving collaboration and consistency
- Active cooperation with AML, Legal, and Complaints teams to ensure a unified approach to player protection
- Participation in external training programmes, with certified learning for employees across departments
The Responsible Gambling team continues to enhance its Risk Scoring Tool in collaboration with the Research and Development unit. The tool applies machine learning algorithms to detect risky behaviour more effectively, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Emilia Kurzynska, Team Lead of Responsible Gambling, comments: “Our mission is to ensure that player well-being is always a priority embedded in every process. The growing number of Responsible Gambling cases shows that awareness is rising, and we meet this demand with reliable tools and timely interventions to effectively support every operator.”
SOFTSWISS places responsible gambling at the heart of its approach, enabling operators to enhance compliance, protect players, and adapt to regulatory changes. With rising awareness and increasing Responsible Gambling cases, the company provides reliable tools and timely interventions to ensure player well-being remains a top priority.
Partners and visitors are welcome to the SOFTSWISS Stand 4016 G at the SiGMA Central Europe Summit 2025 on 3–6 November to explore collaboration opportunities and share industry best practices, as well as take part in the live car assembly experience, explore innovative solutions, and discuss the key findings of the 2026 iGaming Trends Report.
About SOFTSWISS
SOFTSWISS is an international technology company with over 15 years of experience in developing innovative solutions for the iGaming industry. SOFTSWISS provides comprehensive software for managing iGaming projects. The company’s product portfolio includes the Casino Platform, the Game Aggregator with over 35,000 casino games, Affilka Affiliate Platform, the Sportsbook Platform and the Jackpot Aggregator. The expert team, based in Malta, Poland, and Georgia, counts over 2,000 employees.
The post SOFTSWISS Handles 16,000 Responsible Gambling Cases in 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: 2 minutes
GR8 Tech is stepping into SiGMA Central Europe 2025 with a new playbook for iGaming leadership: The Heavyweight Rulebook. Built on the code of champions, the Rulebook defines the discipline, consistency, and relentless drive it takes to dominate the toughest arenas in iGaming. To create it, GR8 Tech gathered insights directly from iGaming’s top performers—the industry’s real heavyweights—turning their winning principles into a set of Champions’ Rules.
From November 3–6 in Rome, operators will find GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2, ready to share the rules and the technology that makes champions.
The Champion’s Rules: Heavyweight Results, Proven Standards
Attendees will see Heavyweight rules in action through demos, experiences, and conversations designed for operators who refuse to settle for average. Every Champion’s Rule translates into measurable business results with GR8 Tech.
- Champions don’t wait. They launch first, and it shows: ULTIM8 Sportsbook can go live in as little as 7 days via iFrame integration.
- Technology is the champion’s armor. Strong tools deliver strong results: +30% engagement uplift powered by AI-driven personalization, +50% GGR uplift with advanced sportsbook features and cross-vertical engagement tools.
- Success belongs to the consistent. Resilience is built in with 99.99% uptime across global markets and the biggest world events, ensuring performance under pressure.
- Partnership multiplies strength. With a revenue-share alignment model, GR8 Tech’s success is directly tied to that of its clients.
“In an industry as volatile as ours, no one wins alone. Champions don’t let one crisis consume everything—they keep moving, adapting, and performing under pressure. At GR8 Tech, we see partnership as the ultimate rule of the game: it multiplies strength, resilience, and results. That’s how real champions are made and that’s exactly what we’re bringing to SiGMA this year,” said Yevhen Krazhan, CSO at GR8 Tech.
ULTIM8 Sportsbook: Two Paths to Victory
At the center of GR8 Tech’s SiGMA Central Europe showcase is the ULTIM8 Sportsbook, a high-performance solution designed to help operators rule new markets and dominate existing ones. In Rome, attendees will see the dual power of its integration modes:
- iFrame — For lightning-fast launches with customizable branding. Get to market in days without compromising speed or margin.
- API — A new addition for operators who want to build their own champion’s frontend. Unlock maximum flexibility with GR8 Tech’s rock-solid trading, risk, and data systems.
No matter the path, the result is the same: precision, performance, and profitability at scale.
The next chapter of iGaming is written by champions who play by the Rulebook.
Meet GR8 Tech at booth 5028-2, SiGMA Central Europe 2025 in Rome, November 3–6. Discover how the Heavyweight Rulebook can help you scale, localize, and dominate with confidence—and add your own Champion’s mark to the hall of fame.
The post Redefine the Rules: GR8 Tech’s Heavyweight Rulebook Lands at SiGMA Central Europe 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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