I was curious the other day if anyone else feels this way. Every time I hear about “proven strategies” in iGaming advertising, I wonder if they really work anymore or if they’re just old playbook stuff people keep repeating.
I mean, think about it. Ads and player behavior change so fast. One year it’s all about social ads, the next year influencers are ruling the space, and then suddenly retargeting feels like the big thing again. It almost feels like by the time you figure something out, players have already moved on.

The struggle with getting new players
One of the biggest headaches I’ve faced is actually turning people who click an ad into real depositors. You can throw money on campaigns, target audiences as much as you want, but there’s still this gap. People browse, they even sign up, but they don’t always stick around. And when you’re in a field where player acquisition is everything, that gap hurts.
I’ve tried some of the “common” advice out there like banner ads or even bonus-led creatives. Sometimes it pulls attention, but more often than not, it feels like noise. The cost adds up while the returns are shaky. I’ve seen others say the same thing in different forums, so I know it’s not just me.

What actually worked for me
Here’s where I’ll be honest. I don’t have some magical fix. What I do have is small wins that started adding up. For example, I realized that instead of blasting ads everywhere, focusing on fewer channels but really tailoring the message to the audience worked better.
One test I did was running a retargeting campaign only on players who had interacted with a specific game type, not just any visitor. The difference? Way higher deposit conversions because the ad actually connected with what they cared about. It sounds obvious now, but I used to treat all traffic the same.
Another thing that surprised me was the role of content. Instead of pushing just bonuses in ads, adding a little storytelling or fun facts about the games actually held attention better. Players are smart; they’ve seen every flashy bonus ad under the sun. What keeps them interested is when the ad doesn’t feel like an ad.

A softer way to look at it
I’m starting to think there isn’t one secret formula that’s going to guarantee player acquisition. It’s more about experimenting with small strategies and stacking the ones that work for your specific audience. What works in sports betting ads may not do well in casino games.
I came across a breakdown online that put together different ways to look at this, and it kind of confirmed what I was already testing. If anyone else is struggling with this or wants to compare notes, here’s something I found useful: 10 Proven iGaming Advertising Strategies That Boost Player Acquisition.
I’m not saying this is the final answer, but it gave me a fresh perspective and a couple of new angles to try.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, iGaming advertising isn’t about copying someone else’s formula. It’s about testing things that make sense for your audience, noticing the small signals, and being willing to adjust quickly.
If I had to give one piece of advice to anyone reading this, it’s to not get discouraged when a campaign flops. It happens. Try breaking things down into smaller tests instead of going all-in at once. Over time, those tests build into a strategy that feels less like guesswork and more like a system.

So yeah, to answer my own question from the start, I think some strategies are still working, but only if you’re willing to adapt them. What worked two years ago won’t work today without tweaking. That’s just how fast the space moves.

Would love to hear if anyone else here has run into the same walls or found something that really clicked.