Email vs. SMS: Which Works Better for iGaming Marketing?

Want to know whether email or SMS works better for iGaming marketing? Here’s what you need to know:

Quick Answer: Use both channels – SMS for urgent messages and email for detailed content.

Here’s how they compare:

When to Use Each:

SMS works best for:

• Bet confirmations
• Win notifications
• Security codes
• Deposit alerts
• Game start reminders

Email works best for:

• Tournament schedules
• Game guides
• Monthly statements
• VIP program updates
• Welcome series

Key Stats:

• SMS messages get read 30x faster than emails
• Players are 47.7% more likely to convert when you use both channels
• 52% of players buy from SMS offers
• 85% of emails end up in spam folders vs. 3% of SMS

Bottom line: Don’t pick one over the other. Use SMS for time-sensitive messages and email for detailed content. Combining both channels gives you the best results.

iGaming Marketing Channels Explained

COVID-19 changed how online gambling companies talk to players. Let’s see how email and SMS work in iGaming marketing now.

Direct Communication: Email vs. SMS

Here’s a quick look at how these channels stack up:

The UK market shows how operators use both channels based on:

• How urgent the message is
• What’s in the message
• What players like
• What the law says

Playing by the Rules

The FCC has some strict guidelines. Here’s the scoop:

The TCPA and CAN-SPAM Act say you must:

• Have a clear opt-in process
• Make it easy to stop messages
• Be honest in your content
• Avoid spam tactics

For iGaming operators, this boils down to:

• Getting clear player consent
• Keeping good records
• Sticking to allowed times
• Always including an opt-out
• Using only approved content

These rules protect players and build trust. Break them, and you’re looking at fines and a damaged reputation.

Email Marketing Basics

Email marketing in iGaming packs a punch. Here’s what you need to know:

Main Features

Success Measurements

What’s a good email in iGaming? Let’s break it down:

Following the Rules

Play by the rules:

Tools for compliance:

• SendGrid: 98% delivery rate
• Mailshake: Cold email outreach
• ActiveCampaign: Automation and tracking
• NeverBounce: List cleaning

Pro Tips:

• Test on different devices
• Short subject lines for mobile
• Clean your list every 3-6 months
• Track email-to-deposit conversions
• Set up win-back campaigns

Here’s a kicker: transactional emails get 8x more opens than promos. Focus on:

• Account activity
• Game results
• Deposit confirmations
• Withdrawal status
• Bonus qualifications

And remember: $100-$200 monthly ARPU is standard for online casinos. Smart emails can help hit these targets.

SMS Marketing Basics

Main Features

Success Measurements

Following the Rules

SMS marketing packs a punch. It’s fast, direct, and gets results. But you’ve got to play by the rules.

Key tools? Twilio for API integration, MessageBird for global reach, Mitto for verification, and Sinch for 2FA support.

In iGaming, SMS shines for:

• Bonus alerts
• Deposit confirmations
• Game results
• Betting deadlines
• Account security

Take Betmaster. They added SMS verification and saw conversions jump. Now they use SMS for bet confirmations, win alerts, withdrawal notices, deposit confirmations, and security updates.

Here’s the kicker: 52% of players buy from SMS offers. So focus on:

• Time-sensitive deals
• Account updates
• Security alerts
• Payment confirmations
• Bonus deadlines

For iGaming, SMS is your go-to for urgent updates and quick actions. Keep it short, clear, and stick to one call-to-action per text. It’s that simple.

Email vs. SMS: Direct Comparison

Let’s break down the key differences between email and SMS for iGaming operators:

Cost Comparison

Email’s cheaper, but SMS packs a punch. You’ll spend more on SMS, but it might be worth it for time-sensitive messages.

Player Response Rates

SMS crushes email in every category. It’s like comparing a sports car to a bicycle when it comes to speed and engagement.

Technical Setup Needs

Email gives you more bells and whistles, but SMS keeps it simple and fast.

So, what’s the bottom line for iGaming operators?

1. Use SMS for:
   • Bet confirmations
   • Win alerts
   • Security codes
2. Stick to email for:
   • Tournament schedules
   • Game releases
   • Monthly statements

The secret sauce? Mix both channels based on your message’s urgency and content type. Don’t blast SMS just because it has sky-high open rates. Use it when speed is king.

Remember: SMS messages get read 30 times faster than emails. That’s huge when you’re dealing with time-sensitive bets and promos.

When to Use Each Channel

Best Uses for Email

Email works great for iGaming content that doesn’t need instant attention. Here’s when to use it:

Send iGaming emails between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM on weekdays. That’s when most players check their inbox.

Best Uses for SMS

Use SMS for urgent iGaming messages. Here’s when to text:

For SMS campaigns:

• Morning promos: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Best engagement: 12:00 PM and 8:00 PM
• Max 1 SMS per day per player
• Target Tuesdays and Saturdays

Here’s a fact: People read SMS 30x faster than emails. That’s why it’s perfect for time-sensitive iGaming messages.

Pro tip: Check your SMS delivery times. If they take over 3 minutes, get a new provider. In iGaming, every second counts for bets and wins.

Using Both Channels Together

Running Multiple Channels

iGaming operators need email and SMS to reach players effectively. Here’s how to combine them:

For multi-channel campaigns:

• Use the same brand voice
• Match bonus codes and terms
• Track channel responses
• Set clear message priorities

MGM Resorts saw 47.7% more conversions after adding SMS to their email campaigns. Players now get instant win texts, followed by detailed payout emails.

Required Tools

Choose tools that handle both channels:

Pro tip: Link your SMS system to email opens. If a player doesn’t open a bonus email in 24 hours, send a text reminder.

“Caesars saw a 494% higher order rate by merging SMS and email marketing compared to single-channel campaigns. Their Total Rewards program uses both channels to boost player engagement online and offline.”

Message flow for a new slot launch:

1. Email: Game preview (3 days before)
2. SMS: Launch reminder (2 hours before)
3. Email: Strategy guide (after first play)
4. SMS: Quick bonus (if no play in 48 hours)

How to Choose the Right Channel

Picking the right channel for your players is key. Let’s break it down:

Player Groups

Different players need different approaches:

Message Types

Some messages fit email, others SMS:

Timing and Frequency

For SMS:

• Send 10 AM – 8 PM local time
• Max 4 texts/week
• 24+ hours between messages

For Email:

• Welcome series within 48 hours
• 2-3 emails/week
• Test morning vs evening

Tracking Results

Watch these numbers:

Tips:

• Test subject lines
• Track deposits
• Watch unsubscribes
• Check delivery rates
• Compare conversion costs

For both:

• Get consent
• Keep records
• Follow laws
• Update lists weekly

What’s Next in iGaming Marketing

The iGaming marketing world is changing fast. Let’s look at what’s coming:

New Tools and Features

Here’s how new tech is shaking things up:

Marketing Channels: By the Numbers

Check out these stats:

Industry Shifts

iGaming marketing tools are changing:

Popular platforms:

Big growth ahead:

• iGaming market: $88.65B now → $133.9B by 2028
• AI marketing: $11.3B now → $51.8B by 2028
• Live streaming: $1.2B now → $6.5B by 2030

Regional growth:

What does this mean? Email and SMS need to work together better. Players want faster responses and personalized experiences across all channels.

Conclusion

Email and SMS are both powerful tools for iGaming marketing. But how do they stack up? Let’s break it down:

So, which one should you use? It depends on your goals:

• Need to send time-sensitive offers? Go with SMS. 95% are read within 3 minutes.
• Want to share detailed promotions? Email’s your best bet.
• Launching a welcome series? Use both. Start with SMS, then follow up with email.
• Trying to recover abandoned carts? Combine SMS alerts with email reminders.

Ready to get started? Here’s a quick setup guide:

1. Build your list: Website opt-ins for email, mobile number collection for SMS.
2. Set up your platform: Integrate an ESP for email, set up an SMS gateway for texts.
3. Plan your content: Aim for 2-3 emails per week and 2-4 texts per month.
4. Test and improve: A/B test email subject lines and SMS message timing.

To boost your results, keep an eye on these metrics:

Want to crush it in 2024? Here’s what to do:

• Use automation for welcome messages and cart recovery
• Combine channels to boost conversion rates by 47.7%
• Check your metrics monthly and adjust as needed
• Follow iGaming regulations for both channels

As Greg Zakowicz, Senior E-commerce Expert at Omnisend, puts it:

“More brands are recognizing the value that opt-in channels hold, even more so when they’re combined to work in conjunction with one another.”

So don’t choose between email and SMS – use both to supercharge your iGaming marketing.

FAQs

Is SMS marketing more effective than email marketing?

Let’s look at the numbers:

SMS crushes email in every category. For iGaming operators who need quick player action and time-sensitive offers, SMS is the clear winner. People read and act on SMS messages WAY faster than emails.

Which is better: SMS or email?

It depends on what you’re trying to do:

SMS shines for:

• Quick bonus offers
• Deposit reminders
• Game start alerts
• Balance updates

Email works best for:

• Welcome series
• Monthly newsletters
• Game guides
• In-depth promotions

Bottom line: Use SMS for urgent, short messages. Stick with email for longer, more detailed content.