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These Are The Top Customer Acquisition Tactics for iGaming Startups
In a new report, emerging iGaming companies share their strategies for acquiring their first customers.
Industry investor Waterhouse VC engaged with a spectrum of companies, both B2C and B2B, to unearth the most effective customer acquisition methods for new startups.
Key insights
- Seven strategies account for every start-up securing their first customers.
- 50% of surveyed startups credited only a single strategy for their early traction.
- High-touch customer engagement is the go-to tactic.
- Paid ads absent in the list of top tactics for customer acquisition.
- Tactics deployed to attract initial customers are often significantly different from those used in scaling customer acquisition.
“High-touch customer engagement emerged as the clear front-runner,” says Tom Waterhouse, Chief Investment Officer at Waterhouse VC. “It reinforces the idea that in the early stages, doing things that don’t easily scale can be the key to building a solid customer base.”
Incentivizing early adopters came in as the second most popular tactic, highlighting the significance of immediate customer rewards and recognition.
| Tactic | B2B Company Examples | B2C Company Examples |
| Leverage Your Network | Low6, Circle Squared | Sisu Group |
| Targeted Influencer Marketing | Shuffle, Invincible GG | |
| Strategic Partnerships | Caerus Risk Solutions, Low6, Circle Squared | |
| High-Touch Customer Engagement | Kinectify, Circle Squared | BetDex, Betting Hero |
| Incentive-Driven Acquisition | Voxbet | Novig, BetDex, Invincible GG, Sisu Group (ReSpin) |
| Market-Specific Localization | Checkd Group, Simplebet | |
| Strategic PR | Octoplay, FBastards, Checkd Group |
A notable trend observed in the study indicates that B2B startups typically concentrated on one or two strategies, in contrast to B2C startups which tended to adopt two to three approaches. For instance, Shuffle, an online crypto casino, led the way for B2C startups by employing four distinct tactics to achieve their initial growth.
Ishan Haque from Shuffle describes their novel approach: “Instead of participating in traditional acquisition channels like streaming or traditional affiliate marketing, we recognized our edge in finding influencers with a small following, but that following consisted of 1000 true fans.”
In the realm of B2B startups, Checkd Group particularly stood out. Callum Broxton, Head of US Operations, remarks, “For our US launch … we were able to leverage our established UK business to build relationships with North American operators.”
Dublin-based ‘speak-to-bet’ technology company Voxbet focused on offering incentives, in the form of exclusivity, as a way to acquire their first customers.
Jonathan Power, Founder & CEO, remarks, “Typically, we have used exclusivity as the reward for an early adopter. I think this is now more important than ever because if you look at innovation over the last 15 years – betting in-running, cash out and bet builders – in each case once 1 operator proved demand every operator copied within months.”
Tom Waterhouse further comments, “The absence of paid advertising in these early stages reflects a strategic shift towards more organic and relationship-driven growth methods. It’s a reminder that understanding your audience and directly engaging with them is a precursor to scaling acquisition through paid channels.”
About Waterhouse VC
Launched in August 2019 by Tom Waterhouse, Waterhouse VC specializes in global publicly listed and private businesses within the wagering and gaming sectors. The fund offers wholesale investors access to the Waterhouse family’s extensive experience spanning over a century in the industry. Since its inception, the fund has delivered performance of over 27x, with a return of +39.5% in 2023.
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G2’s 10yr Anniversary Celebrations Continue with their First-Ever Anime Capsule Collaboration with Solo Leveling
Reading Time: 3 minutes
- The limited-edition G2 x Solo Leveling capsule collection launches November 14, featuring streetwear pieces that capture the spirit of a generation raised on anime, gaming, and fashion, with quiet confidence stitched into every piece
- The capsule marks G2’s first-ever anime collaboration and Solo Leveling’s debut entry into the world of esports
- The collection will be available for purchase exclusively via G2’s shop front
- Solo Leveling took the anime world by storm becoming the most-rated series ever on Crunchyroll
G2, one of the world’s leading entertainment and esports brands, is proud to unveil its first-ever anime collaboration with Solo Leveling, the globally acclaimed anime phenomenon, for the launch of a limited-edition capsule collection. With gaming and anime blurring the lines more than ever, this new collaboration unites the worlds of competitive gaming, anime and street fashion, and continues to disrupt the esports fashion space.
Inspired by Solo Leveling’s signature dark visuals and its powerful, underdog narrative, the collection channels the spirit of transformation that defines both the anime and G2’s competitive ethos. The design direction is deliberately dark and understated, with flashes of lightning and sparks that echo Solo Leveling hero Jin-Woo’s bursts of power as he levels up in the shadows of underground dungeons and daily grinds. Each item in the drop balances minimalist silhouettes and tonal palettes with refined visual cues – subtle details that speak volumes to those who IYKYK.
This collaboration is more than merchandise; it is a wearable narrative, tapping into the mindset of a generation raised on glow-ups, grind culture, and story-driven self-expression. Crafted for people who exist online and offline simultaneously, the G2 x Solo Leveling capsule fits seamlessly into the language of modern high-low streetwear, designed for everyday wear while remaining rooted in story and symbolism.
Solo Leveling has quickly become one of the most successful anime series of recent years. Since its premiere in early 2024, it has built a devoted global fanbase and earned nine awards at the 2025 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, including Anime of the Year. The series tells the story of Sung Jin-Woo, a once-weak hunter who rises in secret to become the most powerful player in a gamified world, a character arc that strongly aligns with G2’s own “zero to hero” journey. The first two seasons are available to stream exclusively on Crunchyroll.
The capsule collection is the latest in a line of exclusive drops from G2, following high-profile collaborations with Ralph Lauren, Warner Bro’s Batman, and iconic lifestyle brand Smiley. It’s another step forward in G2’s journey as a cultural leader, redefining what it means to be an esports organisation.
“We’ve wanted to release an anime collaboration for the longest time so we’re more than excited to kick off our first ever anime drop with Solo Leveling. It feels like the perfect fit for G2’s story – relentless, transformative, and built from the grind up.” says Sabrina Ratih, COO of G2 Esports. “This is more than a fashion drop, it’s a statement of where gaming, anime, and street culture are headed. We’re not just celebrating a shared story of power and perseverance, we’re inviting fans to wear that story, live it and own it. This collection continues our quest to reshape esports fashion and create subtle statement pieces that bridge the gap between fandom and lifestyle.”
Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the organisation continues to evolve from an elite competitive force into a global lifestyle brand. With over 40 million fans worldwide and entering into new ventures such as its own media house, 62, and a recent expansion into traditional sports via Gerard Piqué’s Kings League.
The G2 x Solo Leveling Capsule Collection will be available for purchase exclusively through G2’s online store g2esports.com from November 14.
The post G2’s 10yr Anniversary Celebrations Continue with their First-Ever Anime Capsule Collaboration with Solo Leveling appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Clever Advertising opens new Malta office, launches fully paid work experience programme for young local talent
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Clever Advertising, a performance marketing agency for tier one iGaming operators and Fintechs, has today officially launched its new strategic office in Malta, reinforcing the island’s growing reputation as a European hub for digital and technology-driven industries.
The new office, located over two floors at the Wembley Business Centre in Msida, will serve as the company’s main base outside Portugal. Its opening marks an important step in Clever Advertising’s global expansion and will bring new career opportunities to Malta’s digital sector.
From Portugal to the world
Founded in Porto, Portugal, in 2007, Clever Advertising has grown into a global leader in affiliate and performance marketing, specialising in the iGaming and Financial Services industries. The company helps international brands attract new customers through a mix of digital advertising, SEO, mobile campaigns, influencer partnerships, and other online marketing channels. Clever Advertising operates on a partnership model – investing its own resources upfront to acquire customers for its clients and earning revenue only when those campaigns succeed.
Silvio Schembri, Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects commented “Clever Advertising’s decision to expand in Malta is another proof of the confidence investors continue to place in our country. Their growth reflects the direction we are taking through Malta Vision 2050, strengthening high-value sectors and creating quality careers for our youths. I particularly welcome their commitment to developing local talent through the Clever Launchpad, which aligns perfectly with our efforts to equip our youths with valuable skills in this fast-evolving sector. As a government, we will keep fostering the right environment for innovative companies to grow.”
Ivan Filletti, CEO of Gaming Malta commented: “Today, we are not only celebrating the inauguration of new offices, but also the continued strengthening of Malta’s gaming ecosystem. We are delighted to welcome Clever Advertising — a company whose energy, values, and investment in both people and interactive entertainment align with the Malta Vision 2050 framework, our roadmap for sustainable growth and resilience.”
“This is an exciting milestone for Clever Advertising,” said Alberto Simões, Managing Director for Malta. “Malta was a natural strategic choice for us. The island offers a thriving talent pool, close proximity to key clients, and a solid regulatory environment in both the Gaming and Financial Services sectors – all of which make it one of the best places in Europe to grow a tech business.
“Our company operates on a true partnership model. We invest upfront to acquire new customers for our clients and share in the resulting revenue. This success-based structure means that when our clients grow, we grow. It’s a win–win model that will directly contribute to the Maltese economy, help generate sustainable jobs, and build long-term partnerships rather than short-term campaigns.
“We’re here to be part of Malta’s business community for the long term, not only as employers, but as partners helping to advance innovation and professional skills on the island.”
Creating jobs and developing skills
The company today also announced its intention to invest in local talent development through the Clever Launchpad, a paid work experience initiative designed for Maltese youth who have recently finished school and are not yet in work or further education.
The programme offers hands-on experience, mentorship, and international exposure within the fast-growing digital sector. Participants will also have the opportunity to spend time at Clever Advertising’s headquarters in Porto. The scheme will be fully funded by Clever Advertising.
“We believe opportunity should be accessible to everyone,” added Simões. “The Clever Launchpad scheme tackles the misconception that digital jobs at international companies in Malta aren’t for the local residents. It’s designed to open doors for young people, even those without a university degree, and give them the chance to build a global career from right here in Malta.”
The post Clever Advertising opens new Malta office, launches fully paid work experience programme for young local talent appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Reading Time: < 1 minute
StarLadder is proud to welcome Blacklyte as the Official Furniture Partner of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, bringing premium-grade desks and chairs to support the world’s best Counter-Strike players during one of the biggest esports events of the year.
All player setups at the Major – including on-stage booths and backstage practice areas – will be equipped with Blacklyte’s high-performance gaming furniture, including the Blacklyte Athena Pro Gaming Chair and the Blacklyte Atlas Lite Standing Desk, designed specifically for professional esports environments.
“Comfort and stability are crucial in high-pressure matches,” said Alex Liu, Founder and CEO of Blacklyte. “We’re excited to support the players at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 with gear that’s built for champions.
The partnership ensures that every pro player competing from December 11 to 14 will have the ergonomic support and functionality required to perform at their highest level — whether in practice or under the spotlight on stage.
“Blacklyte’s dedication to quality, design, and player comfort makes them the ideal partner for the Major,” said Viacheslav Shcherbakov, Head of Sales & Partnerships at StarLadder. “We’re proud to showcase their products on the biggest stage of the CS2 season.”
Fans attending the event will also be able to visit the Blacklyte PlayZone, where they can experience the same chairs and desks used by the pros, participate in giveaways, and take home exclusive merch.
For more information about Blacklyte and their activation at the event, follow us on social media or visit major.starladder.com
The post Blacklyte Joins StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 as its Official Furniture Partner appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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