The NEXT Summit in New York was a great chance to dive into the latest in betting and gaming. Representing The Unit were our Co-Founder Paddy Casey and VP Sales, Americas, Mark O’Hare, getting stuck into discussions on everything from shifting regulations to emerging tech. Plenty of valuable conversations and a few ideas to take home with us.
iGaming Industry Trends & Insights
One of the biggest themes was the shift in the US from aggressive acquisition strategies to a focus on retention and reactivation. Operators have spent big on marketing in recent years, and now the challenge is keeping players engaged for the long haul. Speakers highlighted free-to-play (F2P) models and other engagement tools as key strategies for keeping players engaged and driving long-term retention.
There was also a lot of buzz around startups bringing new data and analytics solutions into the space. With AI and machine learning improving at pace, operators are looking at more sophisticated ways to personalise user experiences and optimise decision-making.
Legislative Changes & Market Shifts
Regulatory changes were, as always, a major talking point. With different states in the US at various stages of regulation, brands need to stay on top of shifting requirements. There’s a real demand for scalable bespoke solutions that can adapt to multiple jurisdictions, and those who can stay ahead of the curve will be in the best position moving forward.
iGaming Software Development
It’s no secret that a seamless user experience is key to conversion and retention, but the summit reinforced just how much room there is for improvement. Many operators are still web-based, even in markets where mobile-first should be the priority. That’s where iGaming app development comes in, and it’s an area where The Unit can add real value. The move towards dedicated apps not only improves UX/UI but also unlocks new advertising opportunities that web-based platforms can’t tap into.
Panel Discussion: Mastering Paid Media, Data, and CRM for Market Success
Our very own Mark O’Hare, VP Sales, Americas, took to the stage at the Social Casino Summit to share insights on ‘Mastering Paid Media, Data, and CRM for Market Success.’ The discussion focused on the key strategies for leveraging paid media effectively, making the most of data-driven insights, and optimising CRM for sustained growth.
The Unit doesn’t focus on paid acquisition campaigns, but we see strong potential for app development in the social casino space. Many of these brands in the US are still operating web-only, but with mobile-first experiences becoming increasingly important, there’s a real opportunity to help them expand into app-based platforms. This shift would not only improve user experience but also open up new advertising channels that aren’t accessible via web. The feedback on this was positive, and it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
Networking & Key Connections
Beyond the panels, the summit was a great opportunity to connect with both existing and potential clients. We caught up with partners like Xtremepush and XCLSV while also having some interesting conversations with new prospects.
We’ll be attending SBC Summit Americas in Florida from May 13th-15th. If you’re going to be there and want to chat about how The Unit can support your business, let’s arrange a meeting!
