Constantly evolving as game developers utilise emerging technologies and innovations, the online casino industry is currently thriving. Millions of players around the world regularly log on to enjoy the wide range of high quality games now available on the internet.
There are a variety of factors that have influenced the rise of this industry. One for, smartphone penetration rates have climbed dramatically over the past decade or so as devices have become more affordable. Aside from this, internet connections have become faster and much more stable, providing casino gamers with a seamless, uninterrupted gaming experience both at home and on the go.
While land based casinos still have their place, online platforms are highly accessible and provide all variations of popular games, such as poker, slots, roulette and blackjack.
As demand for these online games has skyrocketed, the number of operators online has quickly grown too. This has created a highly competitive market with online casinos needing to take careful measures to attract and retain players. Let’s take a look at some of the most common strategies that online casinos use to retain their players:
Offering generous bonuses and promotional offers
One of the most common ways that online casino sites will attract new players is by offering some sort of welcome bonus. Most sites now offer this in some form, you can find these on comparison sites such as casino bonus at Bonus.ca.
One example is the deposit bonus, which is where the player will get money deposited into their casino account after they sign up and deposit cash for the first time. There are wagering requirements that must be met before they can withdraw any winnings.
Promotions are not just for new players, they are also used to create customer loyalty and encourage players to return. This could involve signing them up to a VIP scheme with access to exclusive content or the provision of a player referral scheme. Such measures encourage players to return to the site and help that casino stand out from others.
Personalised notifications for players
As the market becomes increasingly saturated for casino gaming online, personalising the customer experience has become even more important as players raise their expectations higher.
Online casino operations are able to use artificial intelligence and analytics data to gather in depth insights into player behaviour. This could include the types of games they most like to play, betting styles, how often they play and when they most often play.
By collecting and analysing this data, the online casino is able to generate more personalised content, such as game recommendations of promotional offers.
These insights can even inform the casino’s future strategy and the types of games that they choose to add to their libraries.
New game releases
Players now expect new casino games to be released on a regular basis. In order to retain they customers, the casino must be able to deliver on this and prevent players from getting bored of playing the same old games.
Online casinos that offer newer gaming formats, such as live streamed games may find they
have more success in keeping their players interested in the site.
Top notch customer services
Online casino gamers expect to have their queries answered quickly and be able to get in touch with customer support easily if and when required.
The site should offer multiple contact methods, such as a support email address and a telephone line. This helps the player feel more comfortable and looked after, increasingly the likelihood that they will return in future,
Some casinos now utilise AI chatbots to answer queries and reduce the reliance on a
customer service team.
Choice in payment methods
Players want choice in how they can deposit and withdraw cash from their online casino account. This could be via card, bank transfer or a third party service like PayPal.
High level security
Internet users are becoming more clued up about cybersecurity and so they take notice of the measures online casinos use to prevent financial fraud and to protect their sensitive personal data.
Complying with security regulations is imperative for casinos to stay licenced and retain their player base.
Multi-channel marketing campaigns
Lastly, online casino sites utilise well planned and well executed marketing casinos to keep players informed about the latest game offerings and promotions.
This often involves a combination of channels, such as social media , search engines, television advertising and even traditional print advertising. Utilising different channels helps to reach players at multiple touch points and keep the casino in mind.
Competition in the online casino is fierce and will continue to be so in the years ahead. Online casinos that run promotions, regularly update their game offering and use effective marketing campaigns are the ones best placed to retain their player base.