Connect with us

Latest News

These Are The Top Customer Acquisition Tactics for iGaming Startups

Published

on

In a new report, emerging iGaming companies share their strategies for acquiring their first customers.

 

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.

With an experience of over 8 years in the online gambling industry, as an affiliate, later affiliate manager and consultant, I consider myself a veteran of the industry and can guarantee that you will be served with the most accurate information.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Prague Gaming & TECH Summit 2025 (25-26 March)

Latest News

Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License

Published

on

Arena Racing Company (ARC) has been granted a Gaming-Related Vendor license from the United Arab Emirates’ General Commercial Gaming Authority (GCGRA), an independent entity of the UAE Federal Government with exclusive jurisdiction to regulate, license, and supervise all commercial gaming activities.

The license, operational with immediate effect, affords ARC the opportunity to provide its products and services to licensed operators in the region. Notably, the Racing1 Markets service, an all-in-one horse and greyhound racing solution delivered in conjunction with Racing1 alliance media rights partners at 1/ST CONTENT, Racecourse Media Group (RMG), and Tabcorp, alongside technical partner Pythia Sports. ARC has been added to the list of licensed vendors as per the GCGRA website.

Jack Whitaker, Commercial Manager at ARC, said: “Obtaining this license is a great achievement for ARC and its Racing1 partners. The emerging regulated UAE market is incredibly exciting, and we look forward to showcasing our innovative products and services in the region.”

The post Arena Racing Company awarded United Arab Emirates Gaming-Related Vendor License appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK

Published

on

Swedish gaming giant’s industry signals commitment to the UK regulated market by launching it leading portfolio of games with Ivy Casino 

Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, has today announced that its industry leading portfolio of games is now live with Ivy Casino in the UK. 

Ivy Casino’s players in the United Kingdom can now access global smash hits from Play’n GO, including Book of Dead, Legacy of Dead, and Rise of Olympus 100 among many others. 

Ivy Casino is a UK-facing online casino brand that launched in 2024 with a focus on delivering a premium, player-centric experience tailored specifically for the UK market. 

The brand operates alongside two sister sites, Rose Casino and O’Reels, which also serve UK audiences and share the same commitment to high-quality entertainment, strong user experience and robust responsible gaming standards. 

Play’n GO has been one of the leading game suppliers in the UK for many years and is steadfast in its commitment to regulated markets globally. 

Magnus Olsson, Chief Commercial Officer of Play’n GO, said:

“We are delighted to launch with Ivy Casino in the UK who, like us, are focused on all the key elements of operating within a regulated market framework. I’m sure this is just the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership.” 

Mark Good, representing Ivy Casino, said:

“This partnership with Play’n GO forms part of Ivy Casino’s ongoing strategy to enhance its content offering for UK players by collaborating with leading studios known for creative, engaging gameplay.” 

Play’n GO is a proud sponsor of the Moneygram Haas Formula 1 team, and recently launched a fashion brand, Play’n GO Shop, to sit alongside its existing Play’n GO Music brand to give fans more ways to connect with Play’n GO. 

In October, Play’n GO set a world record by launching everyone’s favourite slot character, Garga, into space reaching a height of over 35,500m as part of the launch campaign for Reactoonz 100 which instantly became one of the biggest game launches of the year for the company. 

The post Play’n GO games now live with Ivy Casino in the UK appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals

Published

on

Esportes da Sorte, one of Brazil’s leading online betting platforms, will be the official sponsor of New Year’s Eve celebrations in four Brazilian capitals: Salvador, Recife, Natal and Maceió. The initiative reinforces the brand’s growing presence in the national cultural calendar and its strategy to connect with large-scale public celebrations beyond the digital environment.

New Year’s Eve is one of Brazil’s most significant annual moments, marked by intense domestic travel, international tourism and mass public participation. By supporting celebrations in four key destinations, Esportes da Sorte aligns its brand with tradition, culture and shared experiences that resonate deeply with local communities.

“Sponsoring New Year’s Eve celebrations in four capitals reflects our commitment to being present in moments that bring people together,” said Marcela Campos, Vice President of the Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, owner of the Esportes da Sorte brand. “Supporting these cities means valuing their cultural identity, strengthening local ecosystems and celebrating the people who keep these traditions alive year after year.”

Across all four capitals, the brand will activate its presence through immersive experiences, public-facing activations and the distribution of branded giveaways — a hallmark of Esportes da Sorte’s engagement strategy at major events. The activations are designed to enhance the festive atmosphere while reinforcing the brand’s connection with culture, entertainment and responsible enjoyment.

The New Year’s Eve sponsorships build on Esportes da Sorte’s broader cultural engagement strategy, which includes long-standing support for large-scale events such as Carnatal, in Rio Grande do Norte — a key fixture in the state’s tourism and cultural calendar. Together, these initiatives reflect the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in cultural sponsorships nationwide.

Esportes da Sorte’s participation also mirrors a wider trend within Brazil’s regulated betting market, as operators increasingly diversify their sponsorship portfolios beyond football. Music, festivals and cultural celebrations have become strategic platforms for brands seeking broader visibility, deeper community ties and more sustainable engagement with the public.

The post Esportes da Sorte strengthens brand presence during New Year’s Eve celebrations across four Brazilian capitals appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry Newsroom.

Continue Reading

Trending

EEGaming.org is part of HIPTHER, parent brand of various prominent news outlets and international conferences. These platforms and events span a wide range of industries, including Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports, and several others. This indicates that EEGaming.org is part of a larger network that focuses on a diverse array of sectors, particularly those related to cutting-edge technology and modern lifestyle trends.

Contact us: [email protected]

Editorial / PR Submissions: [email protected]

Copyright © 2015 - 2025 HIPTHER. All Rights Reserved. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605. Office address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Targu Mures, Romania

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.