Asia is a uniquely diverse region and adapting to its complexities can be a real challenge for many operators. Understanding this, we at GR8 Tech are committed to the geo-specific approach – basically, localisation, but cool. The GR8 Tech Platform’s geo-specific presets enable quicker brand launches in Asia, and higher engagement and retention with local audiences – twice as high compared to global setups. But it’s not something that can be achieved overnight. We’ve spent countless hours researching and adjusting our platform to ensure it runs smoothly across Asia and meets the needs of its incredibly varied player base. Along the way, we’ve learned that succeeding in this market is about getting the details right.
What do Asian players like?
Live casino games dominate the Asian market, with baccarat, dragon tiger, sic bo and fan-tan being the top choices. Players expect a highly immersive experience, which is why localised live dealers speaking many languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai and Vietnamese, are crucial.
Slot games in Asia need to truly resonate with local players. Japan favours anime-themed slots and pachinko-style games, while China, Vietnam and Thailand prefer designs featuring lucky symbols like dragons, gold and the number eight. Incorporating cultural elements into slot offerings increases engagement and retention.
Asia has unique and sometimes unconventional gambling formats. Cockfight betting (e-Sabong) was a billion-dollar industry in the Philippines before its ban in 2022, and offshore operators still attract bettors with live-streamed events. In Thailand and Vietnam, players engage in beetle fights, while Cambodia and Myanmar feature spider, frog and scorpion racing as betting options.
What can operators do to be attractive in Asia?
To succeed in Asia, operators must go beyond offering popular games or sports and localise their platforms. That means adjusting everything from language settings and odds formats to sportsbook layouts highlighting the right games, sports and tournaments for each market.
Asian players have clear preferences when it comes to promotions, too. Cashback offers of 0.5-1% on bets perform far better than traditional deposit bonuses, especially in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. High rollers expect VIP treatment with personal managers and exclusive takeback deals, while gamification tactics like “Spin the Wheel” mechanics are becoming a standard in VIP programs across Thailand and China.
Technology also plays a crucial role in delivering a smooth user experience. The absence of local servers often causes delays for global operators, impacting performance. To address this, GR8 Tech began migrating to local servers in Asia, where a frontend migration alone delivered a 25% performance boost.
Operators also need to stay competitive with pricing – Asian markets tend to run on lower margins compared to Europe or LatAm, making aggressive odds a must.
What a geo-specific solution looks like in practice
We can discuss the features and essentials of Asian markets all day, but we all have things to do – so let’s get more practical. How would a geo-specific solution look for, say, India? A truly localised platform would be cricket-first, with kabaddi also having visibility. The casino section would highlight Teen Patti, Rummy and Bollywood-themed MegaWays slots to appeal to local preferences.
Payments would be optimised with UPI, Paytm and NetBanking for smooth transactions, while multi-language support (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali) ensures accessibility. Retention efforts would focus on personalised promotions, gamification and a strong CRM strategy to prevent churn after major cricket events. Festival-driven marketing campaigns and tailored cricket season offers would complete a competitive, market-fit approach.
Now, let’s take South Korea as another example. A fully localised platform would prioritise sports betting, especially football (K League, Korea Cup), baseball, basketball and horseracing. Given the country’s passion for esports, major League of Legends, StarCraft and Valorant tournaments should also be included. The casino section would focus on hold’em poker variations and traditional Korean card games like go-stop and hwatu.
South Korean players expect gamification elements that enhance engagement and reward loyalty. For transactions, the platform would integrate local payment options like KakaoPay and Toss, as well as cryptocurrency, ensuring easy deposits and withdrawals.
The key to long-term success lies in understanding market nuances and providing a world-class user experience. The examples above are just the beginning of what a geo-specific solution can achieve – and, more importantly, how it can transform iGaming operations. Connect with us at GR8 Tech to unlock Asia’s full potential with tailored solutions that would take your iGaming business to the next level.
