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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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GAMOMAT unleashes Dead Legion – brought to life by live orchestra
GAMOMAT, one of the leading independent German software developers for slot games, is raising the stakes again with the release of its horror-themed Dead Legion.
Set on a war-torn battlefield that’s shrouded in mist, Dead Legion unfolds within a macabre world where the dead legions have risen. An epic, dark live orchestral soundtrack intensifies the atmosphere across the 5×3 reels. A skeletal Roman legionary with glowing blue eyes represents the Wild and substitutes for all symbols except Scatters.
Free Games will be triggered with three shown Scatters, which are represented by an undead Roman centurion on horseback. Once Free Games are underway, any undead Roman legionnaire that lands on the reels becomes sticky – haunting red eyes confirm the change – and adds to the final winning total at the end of the round.
GAMOMAT is releasing Dead Legion via its Remote Gaming Server, G‑RGS, and through the Bragg HUB. Dead Legion joins an epic horror-themed line-up featuring Xploding Pumpkins, Book of Madness, and its bold new chapter — Book of Madness 2.
Check out a preview of the game by following this link: https://vimeo.com/1105798819/feb2c9d247
GAMOMAT Distribution GmbH Lead Game Composer Iris Wallner said: “Dead Legion will always be one of those projects I’ll never forget. Standing in front of a 64‑piece live orchestra and hearing that first dark swell of sound was pure magic. Every musician brought their own energy, creating something powerful and raw that no sample can match. Bringing this vision to life isn’t just about adding music – it’s raising the bar for how immersive our games can be. It’s a statement that kicks off our horror-themed line-up in unforgettable style.”
The post GAMOMAT unleashes Dead Legion – brought to life by live orchestra appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Endorphina Launches New Brand for Crash and Instant Games – Klikz
The leading slot game provider, Endorphina, has announced the launch of Klikz, a separate new brand specializing in crash and instant games. This marks a significant new chapter in Endorphina’s history and a bold move forward in the iGaming industry. With the launch of Klikz, Endorphina aims to expand its portfolio and reach a brand-new audience.
Through its innovative slot games and player-centered approach to game development, Endorphina has established itself as a leading player in the world of online entertainment. Over the past few years, the company has remained focused on innovation, expressing its growing interest in creating memorable gaming experiences for players worldwide. With the launch of Klikz, Endorphina continues to raise the bar in game development, providing a fresh and dynamic experience designed for a completely new audience.
While the global trend in slots is moving toward more advanced visuals and new mechanics, the trend for crash and instant games is simplicity. Klikz is a next-generation iGaming brand specializing in Instant Win and Crash-style games, focused on delivering thrilling mechanics, visually captivating design, and scalable iGaming solutions. The appeal of Klikz crash games lies in their fast-paced and straightforward gameplay, making them suitable for every player.
With the launch of Klikz, players can expect games like:
* AceX – a high-flying crash action game with an increasing multiplier, featuring a provable fair algorithm, real-time multiplayer betting, mobile-optimized and seamless gameplay, and a possibility for customization with branded planes and customizable skins.
* DiceX – a pure probability Instant Win game with an intuitive and simple UI, flexible volatility, and super-fast rounds for high engagement. In DiceX, players win when the dice is rolled within their selected winning range.
* Tower of Squeaks – an Instant Win game where risk meets strategy. In Tower of Squeaks, players win by climbing the tower when they select a safe tile on each floor. With its addictive “just one more step” feel and adjustable difficulty level, this game is designed to keep retention high.
“Slots will always be at the heart of Endorphina, but Klikz is our way to play in a new arena. Crash and instant games are simple, quick, and engaging — and we know that’s exactly what a lot of players are looking for today. With Klikz, we’re opening the door to a whole new audience and showing that Endorphina can innovate far beyond slots,” said Artyom Moskvin, COO of Endorphina.
With the launch of Klikz, Endorphina aims to reach a completely different audience and expand its presence in the dynamic iGaming world. What makes Klikz instant games stand out is their instant gratification through minimal waiting, constant engagement, and potentially high wins. Klikz games offer a mobile-first experience and are built for replayability, featuring high RTP and session stickiness.
The post Endorphina Launches New Brand for Crash and Instant Games – Klikz appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money
Hydro was crowned the tournament’s MVP with 27 finishes, while TraceGod received the TVS Most Wicked Player award for his 113 finishes across the season
The three-day LAN finals garnered over 10 million views on YouTube and more than 500k views on JioHotstar across the Hindi, English, and Gujarati live streams.
The curtains have come down on the OnePlus Android Battlegrounds Mobile India Masters Series (BGMS) Season 4, with Team K9 Esports emerging as the undisputed champions of India’s most-watched esports tournament. After three days of high-octane LAN action at the NODWIN Gaming Arena in Chhatarpur, New Delhi, the champions walked away with the coveted BGMS trophy and the lion’s share of the INR 1.5 crore prize pool.
The grand finals, held from September 12 to 14, brought together the top 16 teams in the country for 12 intense matches and were broadcast live on NODWIN Gaming’s YouTube channel as well as on Star Sports Khel and JioHotstar, making it the only esports tournament in India with a national television presence. On YouTube, the finals drew more than 10 million views across Hindi, English, and Gujarati broadcasts over the three days, while on JioHotstar, they registered over 500k views during the same period, surpassing 200k on the final day alone.
OnePlus K9 Esports, led by in-game leader (IGL) Sahil Jakhar (Omega) and comprising Akshit Kumar (Arclyn), Harshit Yadav (Beast), Tanjot Singh (NinjaBoi), and Raghuraj Singh (Slug), dominated across all three days of competition. After topping the table on both Day 1 and Day 2 with consistent performances, the team carried their momentum into the final day to finish with a total of 107 points and three Winner Winner Chicken Dinners, claiming the BGMS Season 4 championship and securing INR 60 lakh in prize money.
They were followed closely by Sinewy Esports, who had qualified through the Battlegrounds Mobile India Challenger Series (BGCS), finishing second with 96 points and earning INR 22.6 lakh. iQOO SouL also ended with 96 points but were placed third on tiebreakers, recording 53 finishes compared to Sinewy’s 54. Infinix True Rippers and iQOO Revenant XSpark rounded off the top five with 93 and 89 points, respectively.
The MVP of the tournament was awarded to TRHydro of Team True Rippers, whose 27 finishes stood out as the highlight of the grand finals. The TVS Most Wicked Player award went to Joel Thomas (TraceGod) of Team Revenant XSpark for his remarkable tally of 113 finishes throughout the tournament.
When asked about their hard-fought victory, Sahil Jakhar, aka Omega, IGL of OnePlus K9 Esports, summed up the team’s emotions perfectly: “One in the bag, more to go!”
Organised by NODWIN Gaming, South Asia’s leading gaming and esports company, the fourth season of BGMS spanned over 28 days in its innovative dual-format structure. This season marked a significant evolution with the introduction of the BGCS as the official feeder league, giving grassroots talent the chance to rise to the professional stage. Through partner-led qualifiers such as OnePlus Campus Dominate and TVS Raider Wicked Battles, new teams and young players earned the opportunity to compete alongside India’s top-tier squads. In a historic step towards inclusivity, all-women rosters also took part in BGCS, breaking barriers and inspiring a new generation of female gamers to envision a future in competitive esports.
“BGMS Season 4 has truly set new benchmarks for esports in India. From the introduction of the dual-format league and the inclusion of all-women teams to welcoming new brands into the fold, this season has been about opening doors and broadening horizons for the entire ecosystem. Congratulations to K9 Esports for delivering an outstanding performance that defined this season. What makes me especially proud is that we continue to bring this action into Indian homes on national television and OTT platforms, ensuring that the very best of esports reaches the masses and cements its place in the mainstream. This journey was also strengthened by the trust and commitment of our Title Sponsor, OnePlus, along with all our partners whose support has helped BGMS evolve from a tournament into a movement that truly resonates across the country,” commented Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.
BGMS Season 4 was powered by an exceptional lineup of partners, each playing a vital role in making the tournament a success. OnePlus returned as the Title Sponsor and Official Smartphone Partner, while Android continued its association as the Co-Title Sponsor.
TVS Motor Company marked its third consecutive year of partnership, and Red Bull returned for the second year to energise players throughout the competition. Duolingo English Test made its debut as the Official Learning Partner, promoting accessibility and global opportunities for India’s youth. Swiggy came on board for the first time as the Official Food Delivery Partner, keeping players and crew fuelled, while Bisleri joined as the Official Hydration Partner. In a landmark moment, Tesla also made its esports debut in India by showcasing its Model Y cars at the BGMS Grand Finals.
With BGMS Season 4, NODWIN Gaming has not only redefined the scale of competitive gaming in the country but also cemented the tournament’s status as a cultural phenomenon that embodies the energy and aspirations of India’s youth.
The post Team K9 Esports crowned champions of BGMS Season 4; secure INR 60 lakh in prize money appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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