Numbers, numbers, numbers. It’s the thing that’s been revolutionising industries and sectors for decades now. Getting a more detailed and informed view of something gives you access to confirm the things you know and surprise you with the things you didn’t or expected to see.

Numbers (and their processed form: data) are making their way into online gaming.

Data-driven strategies are helping iGaming operators take their services and products to that next level by making gaming experiences more personalised, immersive, and secure. It follows a growing trend in wider consumer culture: everything has to come and be changed by way of an individual’s preferences and choices.

AI-powered tools, machine learning (ML), and big data help attract new players and increase retention by keeping existing players more engaged in their websites over longer periods.

Here is a closer look at how platforms use big data to improve and make their businesses more successful.

Data-driven decisions and the pursuit of better

Operators who control brand new sweepstakes casinos, for example, are now able to obtain more raw numbers than ever, thanks to AI-powered machine learning (ML) technology. ML is essentially a subset of AI (artificial intelligence) that can help enhance a player's experience and make it more personalised.

It uses a range of algorithms and statistical models to allow the systems used by gambling sites to carry out various background tasks without being asked.

For example, it can monitor things like player behaviours and how they interact with the website. It can also monitor mobile applications, services, features, and products.

ML sees which games players prefer playing and the ones they never play, what parts of games players enjoy the most, how long they play those games for, at which point of the games they normally switch off, and so on.

It then uses that information to tailor the experience on an individual level by offering more relevant game suggestions in the future. This information can also help studios produce better games.

Machine learning tools can also enable brands to provide more relevant promotional offers and bonuses a player is more likely to claim.

Thanks to machine learning and artificial intelligence, players now receive a more personalised experience than ever on today's best sites.

Players who enjoy playing an online gambling with the best games and bonuses are more likely to spend money on that site and not have to look elsewhere to play their favourite games.

Are we in the golden age of online casinos? Possibly. Online gambling and sweepstakes sites have never had more traffic and users. Anyone aged 18 or above using any modern Wi-Fi/internet-connected smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer can play.

Are regular online casinos better than sweepstakes casinos?

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Some people prefer the thrill of gambling real money at 'regular' online casinos, and others prefer playing at risk-free sweepstakes platforms (aka social casinos) where no real money gambling is involved.

Although players are not required to make a deposit at a real money casino, they will have to at some point if they want to play games for the chance to win real money; otherwise, there's no point in signing up in the first place.

With sweepstakes, no deposit is necessary because you get to use the FREE native/digital currency that you initially received when you signed up to that brand to play their games.

You can receive extra free coins whenever you want, either by asking the player support to top up your account, via newsletters, social media promotions, on-site slot tournaments, or daily login bonuses.

Therefore, these coins have no monetary value in the real world and cannot be transferred to other players, withdrawn, or exchanged for real money.

However, the thing about sweepstakes platforms is that you can also win real money prizes, and any cash prizes you win can be withdrawn onto your preferred online payment method (e.g., PayPal (News - Alert) or Visa).

The coins that you can buy at sweepstakes casinos come in packages/bundles and are often referred to as Sweeps Coins, Gold Coins or Fortune Coins. These coins can be used to play games where you can win redeemable real-world prizes.

They are basically the same as regular real-money sites but without the real-money gambling part. Most people enjoy playing at sweepstakes because there's no risk involved.

In what other ways is technology helping the iGaming industry reach new heights?

Aside from big data gathering and AI-powered machine learning tools that are helping to personalise users’ experiences on an individual level, many other technological trends are also helping to shape the future of the industry.

Examples include:

• Faster (5G) internet speeds with zero latency, which eliminates lagging and buffering issues, and can connect more devices in a much smaller area
• Faster and more efficient web browser to allow for a smoother experience on the website
• More intuitive website designs
• Cloud computing/gaming allows operators to offer more games to their players
• Improved computer programming software allows for better games to be made
• Enhanced website and mobile app security
• Faster transaction processing times across highly encrypted networks

The industry doesn’t stand still – nor can it afford to. Data lays that bare – while giving it the chance to move forward, stronger and better.