It shouldn’t be surprising that Custom Market Insights thinks that the global online casino industry has already exceeded $19.7 billion and is on its way to hitting $56.8 billion within the next few years. This very innovative industry has been taking advantage of different opportunities to improve its appeal to as many people as possible.
One good example is payment methods. By incorporating advanced options like NodaPay, players can quickly and safely access their funds, improving the appeal of online casinos. But that’s not all. Popular sports like wrestling offer a unique opportunity that can help these companies advance even more. And if you want to know just how possible that is, continue reading.
Why wrestling?
Just recently, the Sportster released a report claiming that about 89.9 million Americans identified as WWE fans. According to the research, this was the highest number recorded since their first research in the 1990s. This, combined with those in other nations supporting the sport, makes wrestling fans a huge number to ignore.
Of course, the casino industry by itself is already super competitive. In fact, some studies suggest that you might need at least five times more to attract new players than retain existing ones. So, partnering with wrestling brands allows you to reach new audiences you wouldn’t have reached otherwise.
The WrestleMania 40 event is believed to have welcomed more than 145,000 attendees. As if that’s not enough, 2024’s viewership for the yearly two-night WWE WrestleMania increased by 41% compared to the previous year, highlighting an increasing fan interest. For casinos seeking to reach new audiences, this can be a good opportunity to get ahead.
The power of partnerships
Let’s assume you want to buy an item and are stranded about which brand to transact with. Amid the confusion, a trusted friend recommends one. Most people would go for the recommended option just because they trust their friends. It’s a similar thing when a casino company partners with a reputable wrestling company.
According to WiserNotify, 88% of consumers trust such recommendations, and about 13% of all customer sales happen because of them. Therefore, to take advantage of such statistics, casino platforms can partner with top wrestling promotions to improve their reputation.
The good thing is that wrestling promotions are usually open to sponsorships, and online casinos can take advantage of that to stay ahead. Plus, you may want to host a casino-themed event where players can bet on scripted wrestling outcomes with unique rewards or a virtual wrestling slot game where players can interact with their favorite superstars.
For wrestling promotions, such partnerships imply improved event production quality, better fighter pay and coverage, as well. And for smaller promotions facing challenges of insufficient resources, this is definitely good news. On top of that, funding can also help combat sports organizations to innovate their venues and advanced broadcasting technologies.
Improving player experience
In their efforts to reach many people, online casinos have been broadening their portfolios. Remember, gamblers have varying preferences, and catering to them can really improve your edge. There are those who love gambling and still love watching wrestling. If they find both services on your platform, they will likely remain loyal.
After all, finding a suitable gambling platform is already a hassle by itself. But if fans can seamlessly switch between live streaming and gambling on the same platform, they may become more connected because of the improved experience. And you may be surprised that such experiences can really improve business performance.
According to Zendesk, companies that focus on providing top customer experiences can experience revenue increases of up to 80%. Plus, this area has become the primary focus of 90% of businesses, putting pressure on brands to find ways of improving CX. Thankfully, by integrating options like live streaming and even betting, casinos position themselves rightly to take advantage of these statistics.
On top of that, they can improve their appeal to wrestling fans, especially newbie gamblers, by adopting wrestling-themed slot machines. Imagine a slot game featuring The Rock, John Cena or Hulk Hogan, complete with signature move animations and jackpot bonuses. These elements add familiarity and can encourage exploration. Good enough, some casinos are already doing that.
Don’t forget that storytelling is an important aspect of these two industries. And since story-driven casino games provide a more compelling gaming journey, developers can draw upon wrestling to tighten their storylines. Think of it as a player helping their loved wrestler to win a contest in a Royal Rumble-themed bonus round.
What is our final word?
Well, as you can see, wrestling sports can actually benefit the casino industry. Millions upon millions of fans support this sport, and partnering with it allows you to reach many more people. We have already hinted at how the casino sector is super competitive and how acquiring new players can be hectic.
Consider the effort you may need to put in to differentiate yourself in an industry worth more than $19.7 billion. Good enough, targeting sports like wrestling, which have an already established and growing customer base, can really help.
But not just casinos stand a chance to benefit – these sports organizations can also reap a lot. The resources they receive from the partnerships and sponsorships can help improve their facilities, salaries and so on.
