Bulk SMS vs. Push Notifications: Which Works Best for Gambling Promotions?

The online gambling industry is highly competitive, and operators need fast, direct, and effective communication tools to engage players. Two of the most widely used channels are Bulk SMS and Push Notifications. Both have unique strengths, but which one delivers better results for gambling promotions? Let’s dive deeper.

1. Open Rates: Reliability Matters

• Bulk SMS: With an impressive 98% open rate, almost every message sent via SMS gets read within minutes. This makes SMS the most reliable tool for urgent promotions such as deposit bonuses, free spins, or time-limited offers.

• Push Notifications: Average open rates range from 30–40%, depending on the platform. Many users disable push notifications due to spam fatigue, reducing their effectiveness.

2. Conversion Potential

• Bulk SMS: SMS is personal and direct, landing in the customer’s inbox. Campaigns often see click-through rates between 10–20%, much higher than other digital ads. Gambling operators report strong ROI when sending personalized bonus codes or tournament invites via SMS.

• Push Notifications: While push messages can drive engagement, they depend heavily on user opt-in. If a player has uninstalled the app or disabled push, the operator loses reach.

3. Cost Efficiency & Scalability

• Bulk SMS: Sending messages in bulk can be extremely cost-efficient, especially in emerging markets like Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. Operators can scale campaigns quickly without needing players to install an app.

• Push Notifications: The cost per message is close to zero, but it requires users to download and keep the gambling app. This limits scalability when targeting new audiences.

4. User Experience & Flexibility

• Bulk SMS: Offers broad flexibility—operators can send promotions, reminders, payment confirmations, or personalized offers. SMS also works without internet, ensuring reach in regions with limited connectivity.

• Push Notifications: More interactive, with rich media (images, buttons, app deeplinks). Push is excellent for in-app engagement but less effective for acquisition.

5. Best-Use Cases for Each Channel

• Bulk SMS Works Best For:

  • Attracting new players in emerging markets

  • Sending promotional offers like “Deposit $10 and get $50 bonus”

  • Delivering urgent updates (e.g., live betting alerts, tournament reminders)

• Push Notifications Work Best For:

  • Retaining existing app users

  • Driving in-app actions such as deposits or spins

  • Providing personalized engagement within the gambling app

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📊 Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Bulk SMS 📩	Push Notifications 🔔
Open Rate	98%	30–40%
Conversion Potential	High	Medium
Cost per Campaign	Low (scalable)	Very Low (requires app)
Reach	Any mobile user	App users only
Best For	Acquisition & promotions	Retention & app engagement

Conclusion

Both channels have their place in gambling marketing. However, when it comes to scalability, reliability, and higher ROI, Bulk SMS outperforms Push Notifications—especially in emerging markets where mobile penetration is high, but app usage is fragmented.

For gambling operators who want maximum impact, the best strategy is often a combination of SMS for acquisition + push for retention.

👉 At Texcell Messaging, we provide optimized bulk SMS solutions for gambling operators worldwide. Learn more at www.texcellsms.com.