Tristram Bates

Head of Engineering

Using the live activities feature in iOS 16 for iGaming

20230413

In recent weeks we’ve seen sporting apps across North America adopt the iOS 16 Live Activities feature; including the NCAA March Madness app and more recently the NBA app has followed suit. 

 
Live Activities officially launched back in October with iOS 16.1. They are a type of interactive push notification which enable iOS apps to push convenient, real-time updates to users iPhone lock and home screens. 

 
Rather than overwhelming the user with push notifications through this new feature will show event data in real-time, making for a much smoother and more enjoyable UX. The information is time-sensitive and will only remain for the duration of an event.  

 
This tool could be ideal for a number of iGaming verticals - below are some use cases: 

 

• Online casinos could use the new live activities feature to notify players when their favourite dealer or host is live and at what table

• iOS lottery apps could share information and a live countdown to a lottery ball draw with their users

• Sportsbook iOS apps can, for example, use this new feature to show event data in real-time such as scores, odds and bets placed 


 
As briefly mentioned above there are a number of benefits to the live activities feature for iGaming iOS apps: 

 

Engagement

The Live Activities feature can keep users engaged in the app by offering them a chance to participate in interactive activities during live events. This can enhance the user experience and keep users coming back to the app 
 

Social Interaction

Live Activities can encourage social interaction between users by allowing them to compete against each other or discuss the event. This can increase user engagement and provide a sense of community within the app 
 

Personalisation

Live Activities can be personalised based on user preferences, which can provide a more tailored experience and keep users interested in the app. As demonstrated by the online casino use case 
 

Revenue

Live Activities can generate revenue for iGaming apps through increased app engagement and in-app purchases 
 

Overall, the iOS 16 Live Activities feature has the potential to be one of the best features to come from the 2022 software upgrade, particularly for iGaming apps. The feature can provide a fun and engaging experience for users and help iGaming apps stand out in an increasingly crowded market. 

 
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