The world of betting has changed significantly over the last decade because of the advancements in mobile technology, making betting easier and more accessible.
One of the most exciting innovations in this space is betting via text– where players can place their bets via standard SMS messages or through popular messaging applications on their phones, even if they do not have a high-end smartphone or fast internet connection.
This convenient way of betting is taking off across the world as the betting industry continues to develop new ideas. It is particularly gaining popularity in parts of the world where there is little or no infrastructure in place to support traditional online betting.
What is Text Betting and Why is It Growing?
Betting via text allows players to place bets through SMS, WhatsApp, or Telegram using text messages instead of apps and websites. A player would send a text message with their bet to a certain number or contact, then receive a confirmation, updates, and winning notifications all through text messages.
The primary reason for this popularity is the 98% open rate of text messages, which provides a way to reach and engage more people than any other type of communication.
Modern gamblers increasingly want to wager quickly and easily, so this betting allows them to avoid all the hassles associated with finding an app to download, creating an account, and navigating through an app or website. This is simply betting in its purest form, and this simplicity is what makes it effective.
Message betting’s growth is supported by the increased interest of iGaming operators looking for ways to reach users in emerging markets or those who prefer the streamlined experience text betting provides.
As a result, operators have an opportunity to grow through expanded access to new players beyond those who own smartphones and are internet users. As more and more operators gain exposure to this betting market, they will see the enhanced capability of attracting players that other forms of online gaming may never have been able to reach.
How Does Betting Via Text Actually Work?
Betting through text is a very simple process with very few restrictions for users to get started:
Registering & Setting Up an Account: Users typically sign up for a betting company, verify who they are, and link a payment method to their account, so that they can complete secure transactions.
Receiving Betting Options: After registering, users receive texts from the betting company, which provide them with various betting options for upcoming sporting events, odds, special events, and other information, as well as instant notification of the availability of these options.
Placing Bets in Text Betting: Users reply back to the betting company with a specific code or format defined in the text by the betting company, along with the amount of money they are betting. Example: "MATCH123 $50 HOME WIN".
Confirming Bets and Results: You will receive a confirmation via return text message indicating that you wagered on the above event, what the odds were, and what your potential payout will be. The winner will be notified of their winning bet after the conclusion of the event with a return text.
Withdrawing Winnings: Your winnings will be credited to your account with the betting company and may be withdrawn using various methods that are available. Some betting companies will allow you to withdraw your winnings via text message.
The process of betting via text is a seamless experience for anyone who has a mobile phone and does not require technical skill or internet access.
The Strategic Advantage for iGaming Operators and Affiliates
The emerging text betting market offers iGaming operators and affiliates the chance to enhance and differentiate their products and to reach new customer segments. It provides the potential for entry into:
- Rural and underserved segments where internet access is limited
- Demographics that like to keep things simple over overly complicated applications
- Live betting scenarios that require speed
- Users who are concerned with privacy and prefer not to download apps
Texting integrates cleanly with many affiliate marketing strategies.
iGaming affiliates can promote these types of services and expect to see higher conversion rates due to the relatively low barriers to entry. When a potential customer does not need to download an application or rely on having a fast internet connection, the likelihood that they will convert increases.
Regularly scheduled SMS notifications containing offers, promotions, and odds changes will keep users engaged with the brand without being perceived as intrusive. This will ultimately create stronger relationships between the iGaming operators and their users.
Messaging Platforms: WhatsApp and Telegram
Text betting has been enhanced by modern messaging applications, which provide a better experience than traditional SMS.
WhatsApp supports over 2 billion users, end-to-end encryption, unlimited character counts, and group chats, providing all the features necessary for community betting.
Telegram has an advanced bot API to allow for automated betting, anonymous accounts to provide privacy, and instantaneous updates, which are suitable for enforcing regulations in relation to gambling.
Both of these apps support rich media, making it easier to create engaging promotional content through rich media than through plain SMS.
Understanding Net Gaming Revenue Impact
Operators can evaluate profitability from this type of betting by ascertaining its impact on net gaming revenue. Net gaming revenue is the amount an operator retains after providing a payout but before incurring operating or other expenses. Using a platform, like Affnook, that automates payout calculation can help make this easier for operators
Betting via text generates additional net gaming revenue for an operator due to the advantage of lower development costs, a reduction in customer support costs, and increased frequency of bets as a result of instant access to their accounts.
What the Future Holds
AI chatbots, cryptocurrency integration & use of 5G technology will greatly affect how sports betting is conducted using text messaging & will make it more available to the masses who previously were not able to participate.
For both operators and affiliates, there are many advantages, including increased volume at lower costs, increased customer numbers for a wider reach & increased engagement with their customers. Ultimately, text betting demonstrates that very simple solutions can produce great results!
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