CAPITALIZING ON CODE | Non-Negotiable Hosting Must-Haves for U.S. Online Sports Betting & Casino

In the dynamic U.S. landscape, online casino & sports betting companies face an array of intricate technological challenges, making hosting and infrastructure pivotal to their success. This article aims to delve into the complex tech requirements for U.S. online casino & sports betting companies, emphasizing the significance of reliable hosting solutions.

Scalability and Performance

The foundation of any prosperous iGaming operation lies in its ability to handle substantial traffic volumes, particularly during peak hours.

Whether it involves hosting an online casino, a sports betting platform, or a poker room, meeting the demands for seamless performance and scalability is of paramount importance. To stay competitive in an industry where user expectations are soaring, iGaming companies must invest in hosting solutions that can accommodate fluctuating traffic levels without compromising speed or reliability.

To achieve this, iGaming companies frequently turn to cloud-based hosting solutions that offer the flexibility to scale resources up or down on-demand. Cloud platforms, such as Internet Vikings in-state cloud or Amazon Web Services (AWS) provide the infrastructure needed to handle sudden surges in traffic, delivering a seamless and responsive user experience.

According to Kristoffer Ottosson, COO at Internet Vikings,

Scalability is not just an option but an absolute necessity for businesses. The infrastructure must seamlessly handle thousands of concurrent players, ensuring minimal latency and uninterrupted gameplay.

With the increasing number of online gambling entities, competition is driving innovation as consumers now have more options than ever when it comes to placing their bets.

As the technology described below develops further, it is expected to be swiftly integrated into the rapidly growing online gambling industry.

Cloud Gaming

Applying this technology would address several challenges for both players and casino operators. Online casinos have experienced a surge in new signups and concurrent player activity, which has the potential to cause performance issues during peak times. This can be achieved by partnering with cloud computing providers that operate large server farms with substantial computing power. Major companies in this field have an infrastructure in multiple regions, reducing response times for players located near specific clusters.

For sportsbooks that offer real-time betting, the technology is crucial as website crashes can result in significant revenue losses, especially during major events like the NBA Finals or the Super Bowl. Additionally, player security is enhanced as the back-end shifts to industrial-grade cloud computing providers that have made substantial investments in security and data integrity.

It is important to note that on mobile devices, this differs from closed ecosystems such as the iOS App Store and OpenSource systems as Android Google Play Store. Although both platforms now allow real-money gambling apps, developers are constrained by each operating system's software development kit and are susceptible to removal according to the distribution agreements of each store. Cloud gaming on mobile devices would emulate the full web-based experience within the user's browser.

Mobile Gaming

To follow on from the previous point, the emergence of cloud computing has significantly simplified the landscape of mobile gaming, leading to an expansion in its reach and profitability for providers. With cloud computing, the heavy computational tasks and storage requirements of mobile games are offloaded to powerful remote servers, relieving the burden on the limited processing power and storage capacity of mobile devices. This means that even lower-end smartphones and tablets can access and play graphically-rich, resource-intensive games that were previously only available on high-end devices.

Additionally, cloud-based gaming services enable players to seamlessly access their games and progress across multiple devices, allowing for a more flexible and immersive gaming experience. The scalability of cloud infrastructure also allows game providers to easily accommodate a growing number of players, ensuring smooth gameplay and minimizing latency issues. Ultimately, the adoption of cloud computing in mobile gaming has not only simplified the gaming experience for users but has also opened up new markets and revenue streams for providers, leading to increased player engagement and profitability.

Data Security and Compliance

As the iGaming industry deals with sensitive customer information and financial transactions, ensuring robust data security and compliance with regulations is of utmost importance. iGaming companies must ensure their hosting infrastructure is secure, protecting user data and guarding against potential cyber threats.

Elena Kvakova, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Internet Vikings, emphasizes,

As the industry grows this market is going to get even more regulated, and the best thing you can do is adapt and prepare for this in all aspects, but especially within hosting and data compliance.

Hosting providers that offer cutting-edge security measures, such as advanced encryption protocols, firewalls, and proactive intrusion detection systems, are vital for iGaming companies. Additionally, regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and compliance certifications such as ISO 27001 provide a solid foundation for trust and confidence among players and regulatory authorities.

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)

In a fiercely competitive iGaming landscape, delivering a superior user experience is paramount. Slow page load times or laggy gameplay can lead to user frustration and abandonment, directly impacting the bottom line. This is where CDNs play a pivotal role.

By caching and delivering content from the nearest server to the user's location, CDNs significantly reduce latency and Improve site and game loading times.

CDNs, being globally distributed, possess the capability to effectively manage sudden increases in traffic directed towards game servers and seamlessly handle overwhelming requests while maintaining optimal performance. This aspect holds immense significance, especially during game launch days or when fresh content and resources are made available.

It is highly advisable for game companies to pay attention to the geographical placement of servers, ensuring their proximity to target markets.

The industry faces security challenges due to the sensitive nature of transactions and personal information involved. CDNs often include security features such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection, SSL/TLS encryption, and web application firewalls. These measures safeguard the iGaming platform against cyberattacks, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of user data. Choosing the right CDN can indeed save you money through various factors such as bandwidth optimization and compression. It's important to be aware of potential additional costs when selecting a CDN. Some CDNs may charge more fees for specific services, such as SSL certificates, API requests, custom rules, or additional security features. These costs can add up, so it's essential to carefully review the pricing structure and service offerings of different CDN providers to ensure that you choose one that aligns with your budget and requirements. Moreover, keep in mind that CDNs may have different pricing tiers based on the amount of bandwidth consumed or the number of requests made. It's crucial to accurately estimate your expected traffic and choose a CDN plan that accommodates your needs without incurring unnecessary expenses.

By considering these factors and selecting a CDN provider that offers efficient content optimization, bandwidth management, and transparent pricing, you can maximize your cost savings and ultimately increase your profits.

Localization

Hosting providers that offer a wide range of data center locations across different states can facilitate compliance by enabling companies to host their platforms closer to their target markets. This localization not only helps meet regulatory requirements but also improves performance by reducing network latency and optimizing data transfer speeds.

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As the industry continues to flourish in the U.S., the technical requirements for iGaming companies become increasingly complex. From scalability and performance to data security, disaster recovery, and regulatory compliance, the hosting and infrastructure choices made by iGaming companies play a critical role in their success.

In the words of Kristoffer Ottosson,

Choosing the right hosting provider and infrastructure is fundamental to success. It's not just about technology; it's about the partnership and expertise that ensure we can provide a seamless, secure, and engaging experience to the players, turning pixels into profits.

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internetvikings.com

Internet Vikings is a leading provider of first-to-market licensed in-state hosting for the sports betting and iGaming sector in the U.S., serving solutions in 23 states. The company, founded in 2008, offers dedicated servers, co-location, and cloud hosting with a premium status proven by its ISO 27001 certification and intensive DDoS protection.