Jan 20, 2026 Interviews

Poker at Gamingtec: Bringing Poker into the Platform Ecosystem

John Jacobs, Poker Product Manager at Gamingtec, shares how Poker fits into the platform and adds long-term value for operators.
Poker at Gamingtec: Bringing Poker into the Platform Ecosystem

Poker is often treated as a secondary product in iGaming, but when it’s done properly, it can have a clear impact on player loyalty and platform performance. Unlike casino games, Poker depends on liquidity, community, and long-term engagement, which makes the product and network setup especially important.

We spoke with John Jacobs, Poker Product Manager at Gamingtec, about how Poker complements the casino offering, what operators should consider when adding Poker to their platform, and how Gamingtec approaches network partnerships and product support.

“Poker helps brands become a destination, not just a place to play a few games.”

— John Jacobs, Poker Product Manager at Gamingtec

1. What role does Poker play in Gamingtec’s overall product portfolio, and how does it complement the casino offering?

John: Poker is Gamingtec’s newest product vertical, and a very exciting one. Sitting alongside Casino, Poker offers players something different: a genuine skill-based game where they can take on other players in real time and win money. Poker brings a different type of experience to our players. Their knowledge, combined with a little bit of luck, can help them make money at the game in the long term.

This complements our casino offering because research shows that poker players are ideal customers to cross-sell to. Players can use their skills to win at Poker and then try their luck at a jackpot win on our casino games.

2. What makes Gamingtec Poker stand out from other network-based poker solutions on the market?

John: Gamingtec Poker plugs into the WePlay Network. Those who follow the poker industry will have heard about this up-and-coming network. We have a great relationship with WePlay, and there are some big advantages to working with them compared to some of the more established networks.

Firstly, with a newer network, we have a lot of input into the direction of operations. In addition, Gamingtec is a key part of the network, and as such, we work directly with WePlay to improve solutions such as promotions, games, and fraud prevention.

Network choice directly affects player experience, liquidity, and long-term engagement.

3. How does being part of the WePlay Network strengthen what operators can offer to their players?

John: Being part of a network gives Gamingtec Poker an incredible platform to build upon. One of the key things for poker players is having opponents to play against and fun games to enjoy. Our network provides this, with a wide range of cash games in different formats and engaging features such as Bomb Pots and Bad Beat Jackpots.

They’ve also recently revamped their tournament schedule, offering over $500,000 in guarantees every month, as well as Spins tournaments with a 10,000x multiplier. In addition, the network runs regular promotions that our brands can take part in at no extra cost. Player safety is also a priority, with a dedicated fraud team and advanced tools monitoring for any unwanted behaviour.

Beyond product setup, Poker’s real value appears once players start returning regularly.

4. How can Poker help operators improve player retention and engagement?

John: Poker is a fantastic tool for operators looking to improve player retention. In a competitive landscape, and in an industry where player loyalty is low, Poker becomes a key product for brands.

Almost all operators now offer a strong casino and sportsbook product, with access to top games, providers, and major sporting events. Adding Poker on top of this can help brands become the go-to destination for all of their customers’ iGaming needs.

One global iGaming brand revealed last year that over 30% of their poker players became multi-product players. Poker players who deposit and play Poker with our brands are also much more likely to engage with our Casino and Sports products. Combined with a strong community and the opportunity to genuinely win at Poker over the long term, this keeps players engaged and more likely to reinvest their winnings with our brands.

Adding Poker also raises practical questions for operators without internal poker expertise.

5. For brands without in-house Poker expertise, how does your team support them in managing and promoting the product?

John: I personally handle the full lifecycle of all brands that use Gamingtec Poker. With over 18 years of experience as a poker player and more than 10 years in the iGaming industry, focused specifically on Poker, I support our teams on a day-to-day basis with all their poker-related needs.

All of our onboarding documentation is designed for brands without poker expertise. It breaks down the unique aspects of Poker and explains how we manage them. We understand that Poker operates differently when it comes to player rewards, revenue tracking, and many other nuances, and we have established processes and reporting to address this.

Whether brands already have a core group of poker players or want to introduce Poker to a new audience, we’re here to help them build and grow their poker player base.

Not every operator approaches Poker in the same way, which raises the question of fit.

6. What type of operator benefits the most from adding Poker to their platform?

John: Any operator looking to increase customer loyalty and acquire players in a cost-effective way can benefit from adding Poker to their product offering. Our research shows a clear improvement in both loyalty and player value once players start engaging with Poker on the Gamingtec platform.

In addition, using network-wide promotions to reward and acquire players at no additional cost has proven to be an effective customer acquisition strategy for our brands.

7. What’s next for Gamingtec Poker in 2026?

John: We’re really pleased with how Poker is developing at Gamingtec. In 2026, the focus is on building on that momentum, welcoming more players, supporting additional brands as they join the network, and rolling out new promotions that keep the experience engaging and fresh for our poker community.

Poker at Gamingtec is designed to function as a reliable, long-term vertical. Integrated into the platform and supported operationally, it gives operators a Poker product they can depend on to keep players engaged over time.

Operators interested in adding Poker to their platform can contact the Gamingtec team to understand how the Poker vertical fits within their existing setup.

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