12 Tips for a Successful Online Poker Room Launch

If you have been in the poker business for dozens years, there is only one piece of advice for you — don’t waste time on this article and instead explore our products straight away. However, if your experience in iGaming  is limited to casino games or sportsbooks, or if you are only now considering investing in the online gambling industry, then this article is written specifically for you.

At EvenBet Gaming, we provide operator team onboarding, offering in-depth training on how to set up and manage a poker platform powered by our software. With 20 years in the iGaming industry, particularly in the online poker sector, we have observed that the challenges operators face in the early stages of launching their poker rooms often stem from the same underlying causes. In this article, I will share a series of recommendations that will help operators avoid at least 95% of potential issues and successfully launch their project within the desired timeframe.

Understand the Specifics of P2P Games

Poker is a multiplayer game, which makes it significantly different from the rest of the iGaming industry. To successfully launch a poker room, you need to understand the specifics of P2P games, how revenue is generated, and how to interact with players.

Operators sometimes try to apply solutions from casino products to poker, which does not always work. For example, elements typical of casino games — such as fixed bets or certain types of bonuses — may not be suitable for poker. It is also important to consider that poker has its own unique types of fraud, requiring special security measures to protect players.

Solution:

• Understanding the nature of the game: Prepare your team for the specifics of poker, where players compete against each other rather than against the casino. These games involve different mechanics and strategies, requiring dedicated efforts in matchmaking and stake level adjustments. They also demand enhanced security measures, player activity monitoring, and fraud prevention.
• Choosing the right business model: Success in the poker business depends on unique factors that differ from online casinos with slots and roulette. In poker, players do not lose money to the platform owner but to each other, which means the revenue model is entirely different. Align your resources with your desired outcomes and choose a suitable business mode — whether launching a standalone poker room or joining a poker network.
• Build relationships with players: Poker has a strong social element, and the player base functions as a community. Take this into account when developing your communication strategy. Additionally, poker is a game of skill. Players can improve their abilities, and the game becomes more enjoyable as they develop their skills. Therefore, incorporating an educational aspect into your communication with the gaming community can be highly beneficial.

Treat Poker as a New Product

If you already operate an online casino, you should treat poker as a separate product within your offering. It is not just another casino game! Like any project, poker needs dedicated stakeholders and decision-makers. It will continuously require your attention and development.

• Appoint a project owner: The client’s team must include a person responsible for the strategic development of the poker project, someone who understands its specifics and is capable of making informed decisions. This ensures clear communication with the supplier’s team and reduces uncertainty risks.
• Develop a clear project vision: If the client lacks a well-defined end goal, it can be shaped based on industry best practices that have already proven successful. The EvenBet Gaming team can offer suitable options tailored to the operator’s needs, drawing over 200 launched projects. This helps select the optimal solution and avoid wasted efforts on implementing unsuitable ideas.
• Implement a structured approach to idea management: All ideas and changes should first be discussed in workshops or strategic sessions and then formalised into clear requirements. We strongly advocate this approach, as our experience shows it is the only way to prevent continuous project launch delays caused by the development team having to react to every spontaneous idea.
• Define and document requirements from the outset: We recommend presenting the product vision in a document outlining all requirements. Such a document should be agreed upon by all decision-makers on the operator’s side.

Consider All Key Factors Before Launching Your Project

More often than we would like, situations arise where a critical issue is overlooked during the project planning phase. This can complicate the preparation process, likely delay the launch timeline, and, in some cases, even jeopardise the entire project.

Below is a list of commonly forgotten aspects based on our experience.

Consider Legal Status of the Poker Room

A software provider does not supply an operator with a gambling licence. EvenBet Gaming’s products come with the necessary certifications, confirming that the software meets the legal requirements of various jurisdictions. However, all procedures related to the legal operation of the poker room are the operator’s responsibility and must be addressed in advance.

Consider Payment Methods

EvenBet Gaming software currently supports around 140 different payment systems, including various fiat and cryptocurrencies, with new options added monthly. There is also the option to integrate a payment system upon the operator’s request.

However, the list of required payment methods should be determined before the project begins to avoid launch delays. The payment system integration process involves:

• Selecting suitable providers and signing agreements.
• Completing regulatory compliance checks.
• Configuring and testing payment methods.

Even if a payment system is already integrated into the platform, obtaining the necessary accounts and completing operator-side procedures can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Delays at this stage can significantly impact the launch timeline.

Consider KYC for Players

For your poker room to operate, you may need KYC (Know Your Customer) tools. As with payment solutions, it would be better to decide in advance whether to integrate the necessary services, as the contract signing, configuring, and testing processes will also take time.

Optimise the Design Customisation Process

Some operators request a fully unique design without realising that it can take up to six months and require significant financial investment.

We recommend the following approach:

• Start with minimal customisation: Adjusting the colour scheme and logos allows for a faster launch.
• Assess the profitability of the poker offering: After launch, evaluate whether deeper customisation is a justified investment.
• Gradually enhance the design: If poker generates stable revenue, invest in a unique UI/UX over time without delaying the initial launch.

This strategy enables a quicker market entry, product testing, and avoids unnecessary expenses in the early stages.

Don’t Delay the Development of Retention Tools

Many operators start thinking about promotional mechanics too late — sometimes just two days before launch. However, in-game marketing tools require time for development and testing.

It is crucial to plan ahead for:

• Loyalty programmes and bonuses: deposit bonuses, rakeback, freerolls, rake races.
• Retention mechanics: missions, jackpots, spins, VIP programmes.
• Referral systems: rewards for inviting friends.

These tools are essential for player retention. It’s always better to include them in the initial plan rather than scrambling to implement last-minute solutions before launch.

Prepare Your Team for Poker

Without proper setup and tournament management, there can be a mismatch between the number of available tables and actual player demand. This leads to either empty tables or, conversely, a shortage of tables, negatively affecting player engagement. Additionally, ensuring player security against fraud is a continuous task. To manage all these aspects, a dedicated team is essential.

Solution:

• Form the right teams: Ensure you have qualified specialists to manage operations, set up tournaments, configure table settings, and provide player support. Dedicated support and anti-fraud teams are also necessary.
• Train your teams: Your specialists should understand poker specifics, including table and tournament setup, rake configurations, and more. It’s important to note that while automated fraud prevention systems help, some incidents require manual review. A separate team should be trained to handle this. Additionally, all team members must understand the communication protocol with the provider and be able to prepare the necessary information for tickets to ensure quick request resolution.

If your provider offers assistance in preparing teams for poker room management, it’s best to take advantage of it. EvenBet Gaming, for instance, provides:

• Training sessions for operator employees.
• Documentation and video materials.
• Consultations on working with operational tools.

It’s also recommended to assign a training lead to onboard new employees efficiently.

Ensure Continuous Attention and Development of the Project

A fundamental rule in business is that a project either grows or declines — there is no standing still. The same applies to a poker room. Continuous development is necessary, and for that, you need a team dedicated to ongoing improvements. Without such a team, growth becomes unstructured or stagnates entirely.

Solution:

• Keep a project owner: Poker is not a business that can be launched and left unattended. It requires constant oversight, so you need someone responsible for the room’s development.
• Monitor room performance and gather feedback: You need to assess the effectiveness of your table and tournament settings. EvenBet Gaming software includes tools for generating detailed reports. Additionally, monitoring player behaviour and gathering feedback will help identify growth opportunities.
• Experiment with settings: Continuously test new features such as Bomb Pot or Mystery Bounty, and introduce new game formats to keep player interest high. Try adjusting rake levels and betting limits to find the optimal balance.
• Leverage promotional tools: Run promotions, create challenges, and use leaderboards to boost player retention and engagement.

Keep Your Provider Informed About Marketing Campaigns

A common mistake iGaming operators make when working with software providers is failing to communicate planned marketing campaigns effectively. This is particularly important for large-scale promotions that can significantly impact server load. Operators do not always notify providers in advance, leading to unexpected traffic spikes that the system may struggle to handle efficiently.

Potential issues:

• Performance drops: EvenBet Gaming software does not impose limits on the number of simultaneous active players. However, the server infrastructure is configured for a specific expected load. If the load suddenly and unpredictably exceeds expectations, the technical team may not have enough time to adjust the server configuration, which could negatively impact performance.
• Negative user experience: Performance issues can disrupt gameplay, leading to lag and processing delays, ultimately damaging player perception of the platform.

Solution:

• Notify your provider in advance: Operators should inform software providers about major marketing campaigns, such as live streams, promotional events, and special offers, that could lead to a significant increase in player activity. This allows for timely preparation of the server infrastructure.
• Assess server load: Providers should collaborate closely with operators to estimate the expected server load and adjust server configurations accordingly. Understanding which activities may trigger peak traffic ensures proactive optimisation of hardware and software components.
• Testing and scaling: Conduct stress tests to analyse system performance under extreme loads. For large-scale promotions, plan ahead for server capacity expansion or use cloud-based solutions for flexible scaling.
• Distribute traffic over time: If possible, schedule marketing campaigns so that traffic is spread out rather than concentrated within short timeframes. This helps maintain system stability and prevents overloads.

Use Tournaments as a Marketing Tool

Some operators view poker tournaments primarily as a source of profit. While they can generate revenue, their main value lies in player engagement and retention. We recommend to consider it as a cost-effective tool that attracts players, encourages repeat visits, and boosts overall activity.

Key considerations when planning tournaments:

• Make tournaments a part of your acquisition and retention efforts, using formats like tournament series, satellites, and freerolls.
• Plan budgets carefully, taking into account marketing efforts and potential contributions to prize pool guarantees.
• Balance expectations on revenue generation — while tournaments can contribute to overall profitability, their greatest strength is in driving player activity and loyalty.

A well-designed tournament approach will create an engaging player experience while supporting long-term growth and sustainability for your poker room.

By the way, the Rebuy, Add-On, and Re-Entry options can help you increase your tournament revenue.

The Most Universal Advice – Communicate with Your Provider

Almost all potential issues in the early stages of launching a poker room can be avoided by establishing strong communication with your provider. This communication should be:

• • Close-knit
  • Systematic
  • Ongoing
  • Trust-based
  • Transparent

You either trust your provider, or you shouldn’t work with them at all. Your relationship with your provider should be similar to that with a doctor — you must be honest about your challenges, opportunities, and specific needs so they can offer the most suitable and effective solution for your business. Ultimately, both of you share the same goal: to make your poker project successful and thriving.

Get in touch with our team to learn more about EvenBet Gaming’s products and solutions — we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your project.

We also recommend reading our free eBook on this topic: 10 Expert Tips for Success: Launch Your Online Poker Room Smoothly.