Interview: Julien Déléan, Winamax
Julien Déléan, head of mobile for Winamax, discusses how the Paris-based poker operator caters for todayâs mobile player
Almost 35% of our users are currently playing via our mobile applications. The opportunity to play any time and any place, coupled with the already significant and ever increasing usage figures, makes mobile poker an area of great strategic importance for Winamax. These are just additional opportunities to play, however, which do not replace computers as a means to play. In fact, switching between our different platforms is easy, by simply logging in on a different device, players can begin a tournament on their mobile phone, grind through the bubble on their PC and then use a tablet to play the final table from the comfort of their bed.
Cash games represent a significant part of our mobile activity, as available playing time when out and about is unpredictable. As for changing practices (smartphone users switching to tablets), this entirely depends upon the development of new technology. And as the number of tablet users increases, more players will naturally use these devices to play.
It is important not to confuse mobile use and use on the move. Even if we have certain tools that help manage disconnection problems (without penalising the players), current networks donât always allow good playing conditions (particularly in public transport). The evolution of networks and technological advances in public facilities will resolve this problem in the short term. Contrary to popular belief, players on mobile devices are not strictly recreational. From our mobile applications, it is possible to play up to four tables at once, which is largely sufficient for regular players.
On a broader scale it is our belief that mobile applications create an additional way to play and do not cause players to stop using their computers. Players that use one platform exclusively are few and far between. We have always worked on the idea of convergence. Each platform of play adds to our overall product, allowing players a different way to use our service depending upon the time, place and the technology available to them.
Unlike owners of iPhones, many Android users seem to use their smartphones less. This is particularly with regard to the number of applications downloaded. Also, fragmentation of stores and devices is a problem for development and distribution of applications. The use of applications is not always common among smartphone users, but is much more natural for tablet users. And, logically, the increase in Android tablets at competitive prices will significantly influence poker activity in the months and years ahead.
Looking ahead, it’s not a question of promoting some platforms over others. Rather, the idea is to offer a global product that adapts to players and their lives. We donât want to force players to adapt to any particular platform. This is why after being the first in the world to launch an application on both iOS and Android, it will soon be possible to connect to Winamax via Windows Phone. It’s the same player that will use each different device at the end of the day, so they must enjoy all the same benefits (fluidity, ergonomics, and so on), just adapted to the new technology available.
It is this deep understanding of the players and their needs, combined with a mastery of the features of the available technology that explains the appeal of our product. This approach comes naturally to us here at Winamax, and we are always surprised when other operators seem to be content simply providing a mobile âpresenceâ without really considering how their applications are used by their players. But hey, each to their own.