The poker environment in Asia is unique due to the cultural and legal dynamics of the region. Poker, originating from the United States, continues to attract diverse audiences and provides new methods for traditional games. This is why game operators need to be aware of how technology meets the ever-changing player needs.
EvenBet Gaming combines twenty years of industry experience with cutting-edge technology to provide top-tier online poker solutions for the competitive Asian market. The company's experts have shared how Asian operators can generate substantial revenue from online poker in the region's most challenging jurisdictions.
The Birth of Asian Poker Clubs
The modern history of online poker in Asia began with poker clubs, originating in China. In the Asian region, poker clubs are a microcosm of the gaming experience. They utilize the social elements of Eastern culture and offer competition sometimes absent in other games.
Korea views poker as a game of skill, with variants like Badugi particularly popular. The number of online poker sites in India has surged, especially for Rummy-style games. The Philippines has a relatively relaxed attitude towards gambling and has become a venue for many international poker tournaments, as well as the location for several online poker companies. Despite Japan having one of the strictest gambling laws in the world, live poker has been legalized in Japan. The game is gradually becoming popular, especially among the youth, with poker clubs and small-stakes tournaments now common in most cities.
In Asia, poker clubs are not just places to play cards but also venues for social activities. For operators, these clubs represent a lower-risk B2B opportunity than large online platforms. They provide a stable source of income and meet players' needs for social connections and local engagement.
For poker platform operators, Asia represents both opportunities and challenges. Due to differences in regulatory systems, payment processing methods, and cultures, each country needs its own profitable approach. EvenBet Gaming's solutions are highly customizable to adapt to different market conditions, helping operators succeed in Asia's evolving poker environment.
Poker Games Bring Profit to Businesses
Finding the right poker game profit model is crucial for maintaining and expanding your business in the Asian market. As the game becomes increasingly popular, operators must devise various profit strategies to attract audiences.
To stay competitive, Asian poker operators now employ multiple profit strategies. These strategies include poker clubs, in-store purchasing features, and additional games. Each has its own advantages, designed to meet the specific needs of poker players.
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Poker Clubs
As we have noted, poker clubs have emerged in this region and are one of the pillars of Asian gambling. This model originated in China and is very popular throughout the region because Asian poker clubs are usually organized in ways that support community building and monetization:
App owners: Provide the basic framework and tools needed for creating and operating a poker club.
Club owners: Responsible for recruiting players and coordinating specific club matches.
Players join these clubs and buy virtual currency (usually "chips" or "rubies") from club owners to participate in games. This setup creates a sense of unity, in line with the highly social interactive culture valued in the country.
For operators, poker clubs have several advantages:
Poker clubs are popular with players because they create a closely-knit community and foster loyalty among players. This sociability can increase player retention and engagement.
Compared to traditional online poker platforms, poker clubs adopt a lower-risk B2B model. Operators only need to have the club owner operate the entire club's financial system, thus dealing with fewer transactions and counterparties, which helps manage operational risks.
Operators can derive stable income from club memberships and local events, without the fluctuations that come with larger-scale platforms.
In-store Purchasing Features
Club owners and players can buy rubies or other virtual currencies in bulk and use them to organize club games or participate in virtual currency games and tournaments. Additionally, exclusive in-game rewards sold in these stores, such as "rabbit hunting," can enhance player engagement and satisfaction. This feature meets the needs of the Asian market, which thrives on community and reward-based experiences. The in-store feature is compatible with existing poker solutions (such as real-money games), thereby increasing the product's versatility.
Subscription Profit Model
This model is common in both virtual and traditional gambling. It creates a closed group where players pay for game rights instead of risking money during the game. Thus, poker game access becomes a subscription-based service, similar to video on demand or paid fitness apps. This method provides operators with a stable revenue stream and enhances player retention.
Additional Games
Additional games like roulette, blackjack, and slot machines also add more fun and extra income to casinos. These games are conveniently accessible at the poker table, for example, in a separate window, allowing simultaneous play of multiple games. These games complement regular poker games and appeal to a broader audience.
Why Clubs are Favored by Asian Players
Asian culture highly values social connections and group activities, and online payment processing is extremely cumbersome throughout the region. Therefore, poker clubs are in high demand among Asian players. These clubs create a sense of community and belonging, allowing players to interact with friends in a familiar environment. This sociability is one of the reasons why poker clubs are popular in Asia.
The poker market in Asia offers limitless opportunities, and learning how to commercialize poker games to fully capitalize on this market is crucial. With poker clubs, in-store features, additional games, and other commercialization models, operators can enhance revenue potential and meet the diverse needs of Asian players.
