With the rapid development of the internet and the widespread use of smartphones, the internet has become an indispensable part of people's lives. At the same time, more and more people are turning to digital platforms for entertainment and leisure. One key aspect of this shift is Gaming, which is closely connected to iGaming. Although Gaming and iGaming differ in format and target audience, they share significant similarities that iGaming platforms cannot overlook. Today, TC-Gaming White Label will dive into the differences and commonalities between Gaming and iGaming users.

What Is Online Gaming?

iGaming, to put it simply, is all about playing various games together online—whether it’s competitive shooting matches or classic mobile Tetris. The main goal is to have fun while also sharpening your thinking and reaction speed. Some people enjoy chatting with teammates, making friends along the way. Spending money is entirely up to you—things like buying skins or premium memberships are optional. As for regulations, different countries require iGaming providers to apply age ratings to their platforms. For example, the ESRB in the U.S. and PEGI in Europe assess game content for violence, language, and other factors before assigning an appropriate rating for users to reference.

Differences between Online Gaming and Online Gambling

Differences In Game Types

As long as we define Gaming and iGaming separately, the difference becomes clear. Let’s start with iGaming: the core principle is placing money on an uncertain outcome. Three key elements must be present: the money wagered, the element of luck or risk, and the possibility of winning a prize or bonus.

Then, let’s talk about iGaming. It basically involves playing interactive computer or video games, which may require some skills and strategies or could simply be for entertainment.

Simply put, gambling is about placing money on uncertain outcomes, taking risks to win prizes. Meanwhile, gaming refers to playing video or computer games, mainly for fun or challenge.

Game Types of Online Games:

• video games;
• role-playing video games;
• online multiplayer games;
• Tabletop games (board games).

Types of Gambling Games:

• slot machines;
• card games;
• baccarat;
• Lottery;
• poker;
• Roulette;
• Bingo;
• place a bet;
• Lucky wheel and more.

Differences in user motivations and psychological needs

Recreation vs. Financial Reward

Gaming: Typically revolves around leisure, adventure, or competition. Players seek enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment through storylines, social interactions, or competitive rankings.

Gambling: Focuses more on monetary returns. Users aim to make a profit in a short period by placing bets or winning card games. Some players see gambling as a mix of excitement and entertainment, driven by the “thrill of betting” or a preference for risk-taking.

Accomplishment vs. Investment Mindset

Gaming players feel accomplished when leveling up, unlocking new items, or achieving high rankings.

Gambling users derive satisfaction from fluctuations in their betting chips. They tend to seek an “investment rush” through wagers and predictions, often dedicating significant time and money to studying odds and strategies.

Risk and Regulatory Differences

In-Game Purchases vs. Real Money Betting

Gaming: While in-game purchases and paid items exist, the financial risk is relatively lower compared to gambling. Spending in gaming is primarily to enhance the experience rather than for direct financial gain—it’s more about personal satisfaction.

Gambling: Players stake real money, and outcomes can change instantly, making it riskier. Moreover, gambling is subject to varying legal regulations across different countries.

Market and policy supervision

The iGaming industry generally operates under relaxed yet continuously improving regulatory policies both domestically and internationally. Government regulations primarily focus on responsible gambling measures, particularly protecting minors and ensuring content remains appropriate.

On the other hand, gambling carries higher risk factors, leading to stricter legal regulations in most countries. Some regions even prohibit iGaming entirely. Additionally, platform licensing and legitimacy are key concerns for regulatory authorities.

Social and Interactive Experience Differences

Gaming: Offers various interactive features like chat, team play, and in-game trading. Players can build strong community ties through guilds, clubs, and teams, fostering teamwork and social connections.

Gambling: Has a lower level of interaction. Most players engage in virtual rooms or betting tables, competing against other players or the “house” with limited social bonding. While features like live dealer games and competitive poker rooms exist, interactions are typically centered around betting and game outcomes.

Player Loyalty and Engagement

Gaming players often develop emotional attachment to their in-game characters and communities. Game operators retain engagement through frequent updates and in-game events, ensuring sustained player loyalty.

Gambling players prioritize odds fairness, platform reputation, and financial security. If a platform has poor reviews or players experience frequent losses, they are more likely to switch to other iGaming platforms quickly.

The Commonalities Between iGaming and Gambling

The Shared Future Development

Digitalization and Mobile Trends

Both Gaming and Gambling are rapidly expanding in the mobile sector. With the widespread adoption of smartphones and advancements in network technology, more players and gambling users can now enjoy entertainment anytime, anywhere through mobile apps.

Immersive Experience and Technology-Driven Growth

Advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Live Streaming are continuously shaping the entertainment industry. Both Gaming and Gambling leverage these innovations to create more realistic environments and smoother interactions, enhancing user engagement and retention.

User Behavior and Data Analytics

Both industries rely on big data and algorithms to understand user preferences, delivering personalized recommendations and optimized services. For instance, data analysis is used to adjust game difficulty in Gaming and to optimize betting odds and promotional offers in Gambling, enhancing user experience through behavioral insights.

Shared Satisfaction and Experience

Focus on Interactivity and Immersion

• Both industries emphasize interactive and immersive experiences to retain users:
• Gaming: Multiplayer battles, voice chat, team missions, level progression, and in-game events keep players engaged.
• Gambling: A variety of betting options, real-time odds, and live dealer streams create an equally engaging environment.

Psychological Stimulation and Achievement

• In Gaming, players level up, collect gear, and unlock achievements, creating a sense of pride.
• In Gambling, winning a bet brings instant gratification, encouraging players to try "one more round."

Social Elements

• Gaming: Guilds, teams, and voice chat enable community engagement.
• Gambling: Chat rooms and forums allow players to exchange strategies and experiences.

Commonalities Between Gaming and Gambling

The core of considering how to convert online game users into online gambling users lies in smooth guidance, effective incentive mechanisms, and solid security and compliance guarantees. In this process, first of all, the conversion strategy needs to be based on a deep understanding of user behavior patterns. Secondly, we must fully understand the differences in psychological needs and behavioral habits between game users and gambling users. Integrate game fun and gambling excitement, and tailor progressive gambling experience paths for users at different stages. (Of course these are some basic ideas. How to convert online game users into gambling users more deeply is still a subject of continued exploration).

Differences in user experience and value orientation

• Gaming users primarily seek entertainment, social interaction, and a sense of achievement, with relatively lower interest in direct financial gains (or at least, financial gain is not their primary motivation).
• iGaming users, on the other hand, are more focused on competitive excitement, monetary rewards, and betting odds.
• When converting gaming users into iGaming users, it is crucial to balance the appeal of entertainment and financial incentives in both product design and promotional content. This allows gaming users to gradually and naturally transition into entertainment experiences that incorporate financial returns or betting elements.

Compliance and Legal Safety Awareness

Regulations and legal requirements for iGaming vary across different countries and regions. iGaming platform operators must invest significant effort in researching and understanding local laws to ensure all iGaming activities remain legally valid.

Product Strategy for User Guidance

Integrated Gameplay Design

Introducing a light "guess" or "lottery" element:

Incorporate gacha mechanics, raffles, or prediction-based features into existing gaming experiences, allowing users to gradually engage with luck- or strategy-based iGaming elements.

Combining virtual currency with real rewards:

Virtual points or tokens can be set up in the game, so that players can obtain "points" after playing the game and exchange the points for some physical goods or benefits. This model, similar to the "points mall", not only retains the attributes of the game, but also provides a certain "value return", allowing players to understand the concept of "profit" and paving the way for subsequent gambling conversions.

Linked games and gambling activities:

In game operation activities, moderately introduce guessing, prediction or competition mechanisms. For example, holding events or rankings in the game allows players to obtain in-game rewards by predicting outcomes and rankings, further allowing players to become familiar with concepts such as betting and odds.

Hierarchical experience and guidance

Beginner experience: free trial or simulation mode

Provides "free trial" or "virtual currency mode" online gambling modules, allowing game users who are interested in gambling to experience the gameplay and rules first and lower their psychological threshold.

Intermediate experience: low risk/micro bets

When players are familiar with the rules of the game, they can set up a "low amount" or "micro bet" room, allowing users to experience the real gambling process by paying only a small fee.

Advanced experience: upgrade rewards and VIP system

For players who are highly active and have stable paying ability, guide them into more professional and exciting gaming channels, and provide exclusive customer service, VIP level benefits, personalized discounts and other services to enhance their retention and investment willingness.

Focus on social interaction guidance

Group or team play

Online gambling tends to be "isolated", while game users are highly social. In the betting module, try to introduce gameplay such as "team betting" or "friends helping each other". For example, friends can analyze events together and share betting strategies to increase fun and cohesion.

Community Content

Establish a community or forum and invite experienced gamblers to share "experiences, techniques, stories", etc., so that pure game users can become interested in and understand the gambling process, and gradually become familiar with the logic and entertainment behind "gambling".

Guidance at the marketing and promotion level - (In fact, these current gambling platforms are basically doing this)

Refined user portraits

Analyze game users' activity, payment ability, and entertainment preferences (competitive, casual, etc.), and target "online gambling" related content within a reasonable range. For example, reach potential target users through in-game pop-ups, emails, event push, etc. According to the growth cycle of players, from novice to experienced players, the exposure frequency of gambling concepts will be gradually increased, and corresponding product or activity recommendations will be provided.

Discounts and reward mechanisms

Registration/first deposit gift package

Provide benefits such as “first deposit bonus, commission-free, discount bonus” to game users who participate in gambling for the first time to help them “cross the threshold” and increase their willingness to try.

Recruitment/promotion activities

Activities such as "inviting friends to experience gambling together" or "receiving game props after completing a certain task" can be set up to allow existing gambling users to drive more game users to participate, forming a fission in the gambling cycle.

Joint activities

Cooperate with well-known e-sports or sports events and use event betting to attract game users to pay attention to the betting gameplay. For example, during popular game competitions, "spectating and guessing" is launched, allowing players to obtain double rewards inside and outside the game by guessing the results of the event.

Cross-border publicity and brand endorsement

If the region allows legal promotion of gambling business, it can be linked with popular IPs such as sports, e-sports, entertainment, etc. to enhance brand credibility and influence through sponsorship or joint activities.

With the help of KOLs, anchors or high-level players, we can reduce users’ unfamiliarity with gambling through methods such as “game play explanations” and “practical demonstrations” and bring more traffic to the platform.

Summary

With the popularization of the Internet and smart devices, people's entertainment methods are no longer limited to traditional scenes. Online platforms have become the main way for most people to spend time and seek happiness. Although online games and online gambling are different in form, gameplay and user motivation, they have similar logic to attract users in terms of digitalization, mobile development, interactivity and immersion.

Main Differences

• Online gaming focuses on leisure, entertainment and social interaction, while online gambling has financial rewards as its core motivation.
• Investments in games are mainly in-app purchases and props, which are less risky; gambling requires real money, which is more risky.
• Gaming regulations are relatively loose, while gambling is subject to strict legal regulations and regional restrictions.

Common features

• Both are moving towards mobile.
• Both focus on interactivity and immersion, and keep users active through diverse functions.
• All rely on big data analysis to understand user preferences and provide personalized services.

User conversion strategy

• By introducing light guessing and lottery elements, game users are gradually introduced to gambling gameplay.
• Offering a tiered experience, from free trials to micro-bets and finally leading to big stakes bets.

By integrating "gamification thinking" into online gambling, gamers who originally only pursued entertainment can gradually experience the strategic fun and benefits of gambling. In conjunction with big data analysis and precise delivery, we can start with "micro-gaming" forms such as lottery and guessing, such as the early "one-yuan purchase" model.

Although online games and online gambling are both two major sectors in the online entertainment field, gamers pay more attention to a sense of accomplishment, social interaction and entertainment, while gambling users pay more attention to risk-return, financial security and stimulating experience. To transform game users into gambling users, the key is to integrate game fun and gambling excitement in product design, guide them step by step, and at the same time strengthen platform compliance and security construction to enhance user trust. Learning from each other's operating experience between the two fields will help the gaming market open up a broader space for development.

TC-Gaming White Label is an established white label iGaming service provider, specializing in delivering efficient, stable, and comprehensive iGaming platform solutions to global iGaming operators. With its advanced technology and extensive experience, it has earned the trust of clients within the white label iGaming sector. Additionally, the platform can be set up within 10 minutes, offering 24/7 technical support to ensure that operators receive professional assistance whenever they face technical or operational challenges.