AI is reshaping how iGaming operators secure first-time deposits (FTDs). Traditional methods like paid ads, email campaigns, and affiliates are expensive and slow. Enter AI agents on Telegram: they reduce costs, speed up onboarding, and boost conversions by engaging users directly in their messaging app.

Key takeaways:

• Cost Advantage: Enreach AI tools achieved a $3.50 average cost per FTD in 2025, compared to $40+ with older methods.

• Faster Engagement: AI agents operate 24/7, handling thousands of users daily without manual effort.

• Simplified Process: Players can register and deposit within Telegram, skipping lengthy website funnels.

• Scalability: Operators can expand by adding Telegram accounts, bypassing infrastructure challenges.

This approach modernizes user acquisition, making it faster, cheaper, and more efficient for iGaming operators.

Can artificial intelligence truly transform iGaming operations?

1. Traditional iGaming User Acquisition Methods

iGaming operators often rely on paid ads, affiliate networks, and email campaigns to attract new players. While these strategies can reach a broad audience, they frequently face major hurdles during onboarding and payment processes. This friction causes a significant number of potential players to drop off before making their first deposit.

Conversion Rates

Traditional acquisition funnels are lengthy and complicated. Players must click on an ad, navigate a website, create an account, verify their identity, and make a deposit. Each step creates opportunities for users to abandon the process, dragging down conversion rates. For example, Cotera founder Ibby Syed ran a campaign between October 2025 and February 2026 using manual optimization methods. The team reviewed data weekly and conducted just one test per week, resulting in a 34% email open rate and a low 1.8% reply rate. Only after adopting faster iteration cycles did open rates rise to 68%.

These inefficiencies directly contribute to higher costs per deposit.

Cost Per Deposit (CPD)

Traditional methods also come with hefty costs. In August 2024, Maria Gaming ran a campaign in Romania using Adsterra's popunder ads. With a $3,000 monthly budget, they aimed for a $40 cost per acquisition, capping it at $72. While they successfully increased monthly deposits from 42 to 93, the overall cost remained high compared to newer approaches.

User Acquisition Speed

Manual optimization slows the process significantly. Traditional campaigns often allow for only one test per week, limiting operators to about 16 tests over four months. This slow pace delays improvements in conversion rates and keeps costs high for longer. Meanwhile, search trends reveal a shift in player behavior. Searches for "Telegram Casino" have surged 1,840%, and "Telegram Casino Bot" searches have skyrocketed by nearly 4,900%. Denis Kosinsky, COO at NuxGame, explains this shift:

"We're watching the center of gravity shift from websites to chats in iGaming. Telegram bots let you meet players in their most natural everyday habits instead of forcing them into your funnel."

This slow optimization process makes it even harder to scale operations effectively.

Scalability

Scaling traditional platforms is a resource-intensive challenge. Building and maintaining gambling websites or native apps requires significant infrastructure, including complex navigation, logins, and downloads. These barriers are increasingly off-putting to modern players who expect near-instant access. By 2026, the demand for speed and simplicity has grown, leaving traditional methods struggling to keep up. This infrastructure-heavy approach not only slows expansion into new markets but also adds to the overall cost of scaling. It’s clear that traditional methods are no longer aligned with modern player expectations.

2. Enreach AI Agents on Telegram

Enreach takes a different route by placing AI agents directly on Telegram, where players are already active. Instead of pushing users through long and tedious website funnels, Enreach meets them in their preferred messaging environment. The platform scales efficiently by operating 300–500 Telegram accounts at the same time, bypassing restrictions while keeping interactions personalized. A dedicated team manages the system's complexity, ensuring campaigns run smoothly. This approach directly tackles the limitations of traditional user acquisition methods.

Conversion Rates

Enreach simplifies the conversion process by enabling seamless in-app interactions. With conversational AI, players can register and make deposits directly within Telegram - no need to navigate external websites, create separate accounts, or download apps. The system leverages a database of over 500 million contacts, allowing for precise targeting based on player interests, language preferences, and location. This level of accuracy ensures messages reach players who are genuinely interested, improving conversion outcomes.

Cost Per Deposit (CPD)

By automating personalized outreach, Enreach significantly reduces CPD. The financial benefits are clear. For example, in 2025, Lucky Bet adopted Enreach AI Agents and saw outstanding results. Filipe from Lucky Bet shared that their average cost per first-time deposit was just $3.50 across Tier 1, 2, and 3 markets during the first year. This reduction is achieved by automating lead sourcing, qualification, and messaging, all without increasing staffing or ad budgets.

User Acquisition Speed

Enreach also speeds up the entire user acquisition process, enhancing first-time deposit rates. The AI agents operate autonomously, managing everything from initial contact to deposit confirmation. Working across hundreds of accounts, these agents engage thousands of potential players daily without any manual effort. Lorenzo, Head of Business Development at an iGaming operator, highlighted this efficiency:

"Enreach makes it easy for our BD team to hit target consistently".

This rapid pace allows operators to test and refine campaigns in real time, eliminating the delays typically associated with traditional methods.

Scalability

Scaling with Enreach is straightforward - no need for additional infrastructure or staff. The platform expands by adding more Telegram accounts to its network. Each account can send 20 cold messages daily, meaning 100 accounts can reach 60,000 users in a month. This distributed approach overcomes infrastructure constraints, enabling operators to quickly enter new markets and adjust to regional opportunities with ease.

Pros and Cons

Traditional vs AI Agent User Acquisition Costs in iGaming

When comparing traditional user acquisition methods to Enreach AI Agents, the differences in efficiency, cost, and scalability are stark.

Traditional methods often struggle with labor and time limitations. They require significant resources, with as many as 77% of inbound leads left unanswered due to limited availability. These methods also demand higher ad spend, additional staffing, and weeks of manual setup, making them both costly and slow.

On the other hand, Enreach AI Agents offer a round-the-clock solution, operating 24/7 across all time zones to engage potential players. For instance, during Lucky Bet's first year in 2025, the platform achieved an average cost of just $3.50 per first-time deposit (FTD) across Tier 1, 2, and 3 markets. Enreach AI Agents streamline operations by automating tasks like data entry, CRM updates, and lead scoring, saving approximately 12 hours per week compared to manual processes. Moreover, campaigns can be launched 70% faster than with traditional methods, thanks to AI-driven natural language processing that tailors messages to real-time prospect data.

However, there are considerations to keep in mind. Enreach’s approach is platform-specific, functioning exclusively on Telegram. This means outreach is limited to users active on that platform. Teams may also need an initial adjustment period to familiarize themselves with the AI-driven workflow, though much of the campaign complexity is handled by a dedicated support team.

Conclusion

Enreach AI Agents provide a budget-friendly, always-on solution for acquiring users in the iGaming industry. Traditional approaches often falter due to high advertising costs, limited working hours, and slower campaign rollouts. In contrast, Enreach achieves an average cost of $3.50 per first-time deposit (FTD) across all market tiers, operates 24/7, and uses automation to boost user engagement.

By automating repetitive tasks, Enreach allows teams to focus on strategic priorities and connect with users instantly. For teams grappling with rising acquisition costs and workforce challenges, the platform's metrics speak for themselves. Its AI-driven personalization tailors messaging to individual player behaviors, moving beyond generic email or web templates to deliver real-time, customized interactions.

"$3.5 avg cost per FTD across tier 1, 2 and 3 markets in the first year." - Filipe, Lucky Bet

For iGaming teams looking to cut FTD costs and scale acquisition efforts, Enreach AI Agents offer a compelling alternative to traditional methods. With its cost efficiency, 24/7 availability, and AI-powered campaign support, the platform addresses key industry challenges, reducing manual processes and infrastructure expenses in a highly competitive space.

FAQs

How do Telegram AI agents reduce FTD drop-off?

Telegram AI agents help tackle FTD (First-Time Deposit) drop-offs by automating personalized outreach and maintaining user engagement effortlessly. These agents keep potential users interested, boosting the chances of securing first-time deposits in iGaming campaigns. By running automatically, they ensure consistent and timely interactions, delivering impactful results without manual effort.

What setup is needed to launch Enreach on Telegram?

To get started with Enreach on Telegram, you'll need access to their outreach tools, which include AI Agents, automated campaigns, and a database of over 500 million Telegram leads. The process kicks off by scheduling a call with their team. During this call, their experts will assist in tailoring the platform to align with your specific campaign objectives. This direct collaboration ensures that your AI-powered outreach is set up and ready to deliver results effectively.

How do you stay compliant with KYC and deposits in-chat?

Before users can make deposits, it's crucial to verify their identity to meet Know Your Customer (KYC) and deposit regulations. This involves using secure data handling methods and automated checks to align with policies like Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and KYC requirements.

Enreach’s AI Agents on Telegram play a pivotal role in this process. They help manage user verification and ensure deposit compliance efficiently. By automating these steps, the system simplifies verification while maintaining strict adherence to regulatory standards.

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