Chariot Solutions is a dedicated partner to operators in the gaming industry, including the social sweepstakes category. We empower our clients to innovate and thrive in a competitive market. This is achieved through our tailored services in custom software development, cloud infrastructure, and data engineering. To gain deeper insights into the technical challenges facing this segment of the industry in 2025, we reached out to Matt Kaufman, Managing Director of Digital & Interactive Gaming at Eilers and Krejcik Gaming (EKG).
Through his work at EKG and his regular industry reports, Matt has consulted with numerous social sweepstakes operators, making him an exceptional subject matter expert to provide commentary on the industry. He shares his perspectives on the key hurdles operators may encounter and the strategies needed to overcome them.
What are the most pressing technical challenges social sweepstakes operators will need to overcome in 2025, and how can they prepare to address these effectively?
One of the biggest challenges right now is maintaining differentiation over competitors in an increasingly crowded market. Operators that are innovative in their product offerings are more likely to develop significant market share. In contrast, those relying on platforms or game content that other operators can also use may find it challenging to gain a competitive edge. Owning proprietary tech is typically very worth the investment in this space, as it has a direct and material impact on profitability.
What are the critical technical factors new social sweepstakes entrants must prioritize to ensure a successful and compliant product launch in 2025?
Prioritizing marketing attribution and granular user behavior tracking is essential. In general, many new market entrants in this space prioritize A) the player experience from a qualitative perspective and B) making sure operations related to maintaining compliance with relevant sweepstakes laws and tax codes are in place – but they often view developing sophisticated user behavior tracking as a lower-priority item that can be dealt with later. However, after a product launches, this lack of planning can leave operators flying blind, reducing their ability to continuously improve the product. Additionally, it results in a shortage of usable early-stage data for customers who join before the introduction of enhanced user tracking. It can save some post-launch headaches to view this as important early on.
What innovations do you predict social sweepstakes operators will adopt in 2025 to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market, and which technologies will drive these changes?
I think the biggest differentiation will come in the form of entirely new game categories utilizing similar promotional models as we’re seeing in the social casino space today. In order to create new product types with similar models, social game designers will need technology that allows their native apps to interface with tools that social sweepstakes compliance vendors offer. They’ll also need to consider whether their particular execution of integrating social sweepstakes contests makes participation ineligible for residents of any particular jurisdictions, and to utilize geolocation technology when necessary to prevent participation in those regions.
How can social sweepstakes operators effectively leverage their data to enhance customer experiences and drive long-term retention in an increasingly competitive market?
The best-performing social games in any genre are ones that make customers feel like they’re VIPs who are receiving a catered experience. LiveOps, which refers to the changes that are made to a game while it’s already live on the market, help operators manage a game’s relationship with its players. This includes the timing and content of messages to users, running events to keep users engaged, offering promotions, and anything else that allows the operator to positively impact the player’s experience beyond the core game offering. A game with excellent LiveOps can feel like the game is directly interacting with you as you play. LiveOps quality can have a big impact on game performance, and in most social game genres it’s a significant factor towards determining market share winners. As the social sweepstakes gaming market gets increasingly saturated, operational areas like this will become more and more important to drive a positive customer experience and retention rates.
In conclusion, as the social sweepstakes industry continues to grow and evolve, operators will need to prioritize innovation, compliance, and data-driven strategies to maintain a competitive edge. Matt’s insights emphasize the importance of owning technology, advanced user tracking, and exceptional Live Operations as keys to driving success. Chariot Solutions leverages its technical expertise to advise operators on these key initiatives, providing a highly skilled U.S. based team to ensure their effective implementation. By partnering with Chariot, social sweepstakes operators can effectively navigate challenges and capitalize on new opportunities, ensuring sustained growth and leadership in a dynamic market.
About Eilers and Krejcik Gaming
Eilers & Krejcik Gaming is a boutique research and consulting firm focused on servicing the gaming equipment, interactive gaming, and sports betting sectors within the global gaming industry. Our products and services include market research, company research, and consulting & advisory services designed specifically for land-based and online casino operators, equipment & technology suppliers, social gaming operators and suppliers, gaming regulators, and investors.
About Chariot Solutions
Chariot Solutions is a trusted partner for operators in the gaming industry, including social sweepstakes operators. We offer specialized services in custom software development, cloud infrastructure, and data engineering—essential for navigating challenges and seizing emerging opportunities. By partnering with Chariot, operators can ensure they are well-equipped to deliver unique, compliant, and engaging social sweepstakes experiences that resonate with users and sustain long-term growth. To learn more please send us a note.