Online gambling — from poker to horse racing — is a rapidly growing industry. In 2021, it generated $59 billion globally, and forecasts show it could reach $100 billion by 2026.
Powering this massive sector are numerous platforms that must support millions of concurrent users. The most successful sites, like Spin Samurai Casino, not only provide a stable backend and secure money transfers but also replicate the exciting atmosphere of an in-person casino, often through in-game chat.
In-app messaging adds a crucial social element to the user experience. But not all chat solutions are created equal. Here are the top features gambling and digital casino platforms should look for when evaluating in-app chat.
1. Mobile-ready interface
More than half of online gamblers use mobile devices, so a mobile-ready messaging function is crucial for boosting engagement. Look for an in-app chat solution with SDKs for both Android and iOS to support users on any device.
2. Operate at scale
1.8 billion people gamble worldwide, and 17% of them do so exclusively online. As this number grows, your app must be able to operate at scale without latency. When adding a chat API to your tech stack, examine each provider’s concurrency limits to ensure your site can reliably support more users as you grow.
When evaluating third-party chat providers, look at their benchmarks for concurrent connections in a single channel. This is especially important for livestream events like high-profile poker or sports games, where even a minute of downtime can disrupt the experience.
A platform like SpinSamurai, for instance, thrives on providing a seamless, high-engagement experience, and any disruption could be detrimental. Stream Chat, for example, has supported 5 million concurrent connections in a single channel, making it a preferred provider for large enterprise platforms.
You should also examine the global infrastructure of your chat API provider’s cloud servers to avoid outages. If your platform supports users across different continents, it’s vital to mitigate connectivity issues. Stream’s edge API infrastructure reduces latency by up to five times and eliminates timeout errors, regardless of a user’s proximity to a data center.
3. Group chats
In addition to one-on-one messaging, consider a chat API/SDK that supports group chats. In an online casino, group channels can mimic a “casino lounge” where players can discuss games, share strategies, and get to know one another. Features allowing users to send small virtual gifts, like “buying a drink,” can further increase engagement.
4. Moderation features
A fun and social environment is key to a successful gambling platform. If bullying or toxic comments become common, it can damage your platform’s reputation and user experience. Robust moderation capabilities in a chat API/SDK are essential for ensuring every user has a positive experience.
Seek a chat solution with built-in moderation tools. For instance, Stream’s moderation suite includes features like flagging and banning users, muting, and even shadow banning, which is effective in high-volume livestreams.
Block lists can also prevent certain words from appearing in chat. Stream’s pre-built block list contains over 1,000 common profane words and is easily customizable to help mitigate issues like fraud and collusion. You can also create or upload your own lists.
5. Gamification features
Gamification has been shown to increase user engagement. Adding game-like elements to your chat can keep users on your platform longer and encourage them to return frequently. A successful chat solution should be able to incorporate a ranking system into user profiles, rewarding them with points or badges for logging in, interacting in chat, or performing well in games.
6. Customizable UI
Online casinos and betting apps should feel fun and engaging. A vibrant and strategic UI can add visual interest to your in-app chat. Building this from scratch can be time-consuming and expensive.
Choose an in-app chat provider that offers well-designed UI kits you can customize to match your brand’s colors, fonts, and overall feel. Stream provides expertly designed UI kits for various use cases, including gaming, which allows your team to quickly create a custom chat experience.