4 Innovations to Cut Costs & Increase Conversions – Interview with LalaStars CEO Mares Shamzhy

Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Mares Shamzhy, CEO and partner at LalaStars. The main topic of our conversation was how the company leverages innovations to increase player engagement, strengthen loyalty and improve operational efficiency. Mares, drawing from recent events, shared valuable insights and the four key innovations, and we’ve carefully noted them down to share with you.

Mares, we’ve already gotten hooked on the number 4. Let’s dive right in. What’s the first secret?

The welcome bonus!

That’s it? So simple?

Well, let me put it this way... (laughs) It’s more about the issue at hand. In the fast-paced world of online gaming, hesitation can be costly. Research reveals that players typically decide whether to make their first deposit within the first few minutes of signing up (35 seconds to 7+ minutes on average). If they delay, the likelihood of them leaving "to think about it" and never returning increases significantly.

It’s a real battle for player attention! So, the first few minutes after registration are that critical?

Exactly. Our team addresses this challenge with a Time-Sensitive Welcome Bonus, offering players an enhanced wager-free bonus if they make their first deposit within 15 minutes of registration.

So, you’re laying all your cards on the table — new players get a limited-time offer after registration like “Make a deposit within 15 minutes to unlock an enhanced wager-free bonus.”

The countdown creates urgency and motivates players to act quickly. We’re building excitement, so to speak.

Is this all just for improving conversion?

Partly. The process itself is faster, the player experience improves, and, of course, conversion rates from registration to deposit rose by 24.6% in Tier-1 markets.

24.6% — wow, that’s impressive! You’re clearly experts at this. What other steps help boost conversion? The welcome bonus can’t be everything, right?

No, there’s also a Risk-Free Bonus. This is another interesting approach, as the fear of losing their first deposit can be a significant barrier to entry. This uncertainty often prevents players from fully engaging with the platform. So, at LalaStars, we’ve introduced a Risk-Free Bonus inspired by betting models, but adapted for casinos.

Interesting. Could you elaborate on how this bonus works in practice?

Upon their first deposit, players are reassured with a guarantee: if they don’t double their funds within 24 hours, they get their money back. This eliminates the fear of loss, encouraging players to try the casino and engage with games confidently.

And everyone benefits, not just the players! Operators and affiliates as well, since this feature bridges the gap between hesitation and action, building trust and engagement with new players. For operators, it reduces overall costs compared to traditional first-deposit offers, and for partners, it makes traffic acquisition easier and reduces costs.

Alright, now it’s definitely time to talk about AI, right?

Exactly, AI and personalization. We use AI-powered game recommendations to deliver a personalized gaming experience tailored to each player’s preferences and behavior. The AI analyzes player preferences — like favorite themes, stakes, or game styles — and recommends games that match their interests. For example, a fan of high-stakes fruit slots might be shown a progressive jackpot game with a similar theme, and so on.

Okay, AI really is everywhere now as an innovation that enhances all processes. But what does this mean for operators?

AI is the powerhouse of the 21st century, no doubt about it! For operators, it’s all about promoting games with the best conditions or RTP/volatility, as well as cost optimization and boosting profitability.

Sounds impressive! But you promised another secret :) What’s the last one?

It’s also AI, but now we’re talking about an AI-driven call system (laughs). Many players register but fail to deposit within the first 24 hours, leaving potential revenue on the table. Manually reaching out to these users is both time-consuming and costly, especially at scale. So, LalaStars uses an AI-driven call system to re-engage these players with personalized offers such as enhanced bonuses or assistance in making their first deposit.

Wow, haven’t heard of something like that before! How does it work in practice?

Here’s how it works: if a player doesn’t deposit within 24 hours, an AI system triggers an automated call. The AI offers tailored incentives or guidance to simplify the deposit process. If the player has additional questions, the AI seamlessly transfers them to a live operator for further support.

This sounds like the exact kind of "wow" method we’ve discovered ourselves.

AI support boosts first deposits from inactive users by 13%. Automated calls reduce costs by over 3000% compared to live operators outreach. The system handles large volumes of calls without additional staffing, and overall, this feature converts passive interest into active participation.

The future is all about innovation, as always, right? :)

Of course. Innovation is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity and a benchmark in online gaming. We’ll continue to dedicate resources to stay ahead in this dynamic industry.

We’re not stopping here. We’re leaders in driving change and innovation in our field, and we look forward to welcoming you to our team to work together. Join us on our website and become a partner of the LalaStars team!

These are just a few of the innovations introduced by LalaStars this year. With 2025 on the horizon, the team is committed to further investments in groundbreaking features that will set new standards in the online gaming industry.