In today’s modern world of iGaming, companies are continually looking for new technology to utilize and different means to attract new customers. One area that is seeing development around the world and including the USA is the use of instant messenger apps and services to improve players’ casino experience.
One such well-known app is Telegram and in this article, we look at Telegram casinos including what they are, how they work, the benefits they provide, and potential areas of concern for US customers.
Telegram is a cross-platform instant messaging service that was originally founded in Russia in 2013. It is a similar app to Whatsapp but has numerous benefits and additional features that make it better suited for online casinos and mobile gambling.
Firstly, the end to end encryption is a brilliant feature and makes sure that your messages and any personal data sent are protected from hackers. This also gives you full anonymity and a level of privacy that simply isn’t available with other messengers.
Aside from instant messaging, Telegram also offers VoIP, file sharing, video calling, and group chats. One of the main benefits is that an iGaming platform can also set up automatic AI bots to send out messages and links to customers or potential new clients.
From a cost point of view, Telegram is free to use and you can download the app on your iOS or Android smartphone, and on desktop computers and laptops. You have to register a profile and your Telegram application will include authentication using your mobile device.
How to Install Telegram
So you can see what Telegram is about. It’s a great idea to install it and register an account. As stated above, you can download Telegram for free on your mobile device, desktop computer, or laptop.
Once you have downloaded and installed the app you will have to register an account. This is a quick process too but you must provide your mobile number for authentication so that others can contact you (this works in a similar way to Whatsapp and Skype).
Telegram Online Casino Platforms – The Basics
So what is a Telegram casino? Well, this is quite a murky area and there is a lot of confusion as many people believe that you can actually play online casino games through Telegram and that the casinos are directly accessible via the app.
This is generally not the case. There are some companies that claim to use the multi-platform application directly but the truth is that currently, Telegram is used in the following ways for mobile gambling:
Promotional messages: The main way Telegram is used is as a promotional tool. It offers an innovative solution where a casino platform can send out links to their welcome offers and new customer promotions with minimum effort. Using AI and features on the Telegram app they can easily spread their user base and potentially attract a large number of new customers.
Customer support: Many companies are moving away from traditional frontend systems and customer support in favor of automated AI chat bot support and Telegram allows for this. A casino platform can create its own bots and program automated responses to different customer queries. This helps reduce the overhead and staffing requirement of customer support.
Telegram Bot Chats: As mentioned, due to the open-source nature of Telegram, there have been various automated tools developed for it including chat bots. These give casinos great flexibility and the ability to offer more than most standard online platforms in terms of automation and potential customer reach.
So to reiterate, the main way Telegram is used in the gambling industry is for communication, to give constantly available customer support, and to automate promotion distribution.
Some casinos may claim that you can play casino games directly through Telegram or navigate their platform via Telegram on mobile devices but this isn’t the case. At the time of writing this there is no such technology and Telegram hasn’t developed to this level.
The Benefits of Telegram Casino Apps
So what’s the point of Telegram if it can’t be used directly to access online casinos or play games? That’s a good question! This could be how Telegram evolves in the future, but for now, it can essentially enhance your online casino experience in the following ways.
Constantly Available Customer Support
There are some US online casinos that utilize Telegram to provide customer support. Typically this is done initially via an automated chatbot.
For example, you could open a new message with the customer support bot and it could ask for your personal details like username and D.O.B. This is typically cross-referenced automatically with their customer database.
You can then ask questions and depending on what you ask the chatbot will respond with advice or help links. This is one of the most successful new solutions and makes customer support much quicker. In the event that the AI bot can’t provide an answer, you may get the option to connect to an actual customer support rep.
The benefit for you is that this Telegram communication channel is available 24/7 so you can always get the bare minimum of help. Additionally, a great advantage is that you can get immediate customer support via mobile devices instead of having to log on to your computer or laptop.
Quick Access With Smartphones
Telegram is a multi-platform application and thus you have instant access wherever and whenever. This makes it an incredibly convenient communication channel as you can use it on your smartphone, tablet, desktop computer, or laptop.
You can simply open the messenger app and get the latest news, and receive bonuses, and promotion info from online casinos instantly. It also means that if you do need help you can contact the customer support team via your smartphone which is a big advantage compared to traditional frontend systems.
Encrypted Messages
Security is always a concern for US customers when accessing most standard online platforms and there is always the chance that hackers could intercept your data or commit identity fraud.
Telegram messengers use a high level of encryption and thus any information you are privy to or send is transformed into an unreadable form so hackers can’t access it. This is fantastic peace of mind and also makes Telegram chats ideal for business use too.
Innovative Use of AI Bots
Telegram bots are big business and they are continually evolving in their complexity and design. These are automated systems that customers can interact with to start gambling or find links to the things they need such as sign-ups and promotions.
In this rapidly changing world things like bots are becoming increasingly common and they make for an improved customer service experience, accessible navigation, and an improved flow of information for customers.
Easy Distribution of Promotional Offers
Arguably the best way that Telegram is used is to send customers promotional material including links to receive bonuses and welcome offers. Telegram bots can be used to create chat groups and send out promotional offers to hundreds of new customers instantly.
Here, the online casino benefits because the operators attract new customers, but players also benefit because they can receive promotions without even doing any work! Due to the easy-to-understand interface of Telegram, customers without much tech know-how should also be able to still benefit.
Group Messaging for Tournaments and Competitions
A potential area for development is the use of group messages for tournaments and competitions. Telegram allows users to create group chats with hundreds of participants and this could be used to improve communication and make online gambling more of a social experience.
For example, group chats could be created before poker tournaments or prize giveaways so that users can talk and have fun while they wait.
Are Telegram Casinos a Good Idea for US Players?
This all looks fantastic and the easy-to-understand interface, automated features, and security of Telegram certainly make it seem like the way forward.
However, there are some drawbacks and how Telegram is currently used in the online gambling world does need improvement.
Oftentimes, Telegram is simply used to spam unwitting people with links to casinos and sportsbooks. Firstly, this can be incredibly annoying – I’ve had to turn off notifications or block messages multiple times!
Secondly, the links and info provided usually aren’t fact-checked so what’s being offered or promoted could be completely inaccurate; it’s similar to Reddit betting app suggestions and promo codes by Redditors that are expired. Therefore, you have no way of knowing if a casino or sportsbook is legal to play in the USA or even legitimate without fact-checking yourself. This defeats the purpose of Telegram in the first place.
This leads us to the last point. Unfortunately, due to the open-source nature of Telegram, it is often used nefariously and there are people who try to commit fraud and scams on the platform. Sure, the messages are encrypted and there is a level of security, but that doesn’t affect the content people share.
You have to be incredibly careful when clicking on any links from Telegram chats as they could be scams or even contain viruses. Furthermore, under no circumstance should you give out your personal details – people asking for this who are posing as an online casino are probably out to scam you.
The Best Telegram Online Casinos and Sportsbooks
We have years of experience in the iGaming industry and thus only recommend the best online casinos. Before we recommend a platform we do a thorough check of its legitimacy, features, and legal status for US customers.
This includes how quickly they payout withdrawals, the different payment methods you can use, and promotional offers available for US residents. We also look at the gaming content to make sure the gambling platform will give you a fun time.
Currently, most people use Telegram to find the best promotions and bonuses but we can do that for you. Below is a list of some useful links to the different types of promotions available for US customers, and the best online casinos for legal casino states:
GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, PA, WV) or call 1-800-270-7117 (MI) for confidential help. Must be 21+. MI, NJ, PA, and WV only. Please gamble responsibly. Visit BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Rewards issued as non-withdrawable site credit unless otherwise provided in the applicable terms. Rewards subject to expiry.
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (MI/NJ/PA/WV). Help is available for problem gambling, call (888) 789-7777 or visit ccpg.org (CT). 21+. Physically present in CT/MI/NJ/PA/WV only. Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Please play responsibly. 1 per new Casino customer. Min. $5 wager req. Max. $50 issued in Casino Credits for select games that are non-withdrawable and expire in 7 days (168 hours). Terms: casino.draftkings.com/get50. Ends 11/24/24 at 11:59PM ET.
21+ and present in CT, NJ, PA, MI or WV. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable casino credits. Restrictions apply. See full terms at fanduel.com/casino. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (NJ, PA, MI), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV) or https://ccpg.org/chat (CT).
Treat Telegram Gambling With Caution And Always Check Sources
To summarize, there is no such thing as a Telegram casino. Telegram cannot be used to directly play online casino games. Nor can it be used to gain instant access to an online casino. With the current technology, Telegram serves as an information portal – a messaging system where you can get LINKS to promotions, casino games, and new online casinos.
If you join any Telegram group chats or use it to find information relating to online casinos, please do so carefully. As Telegram is unregulated there is a large number of scammers and people who do not have your best interests at heart. Before you click any link or join any chat, find as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision.
Please remember that we have a wealth of casino reviews and guides on promotions and bonuses. If you are looking for an easy and safe way to find the best online gambling experience then our services could be preferable to the potential unknown quality of Telegram.
No. Many platforms and casinos claim this is the case but currently the technology is not available. You cannot play casino games directly through Telegram. All you can do is click on links to games which would then be opened in a web browser or a separate mobile casino app.
No. Again, this is a feature that some platforms claim to provide but it's not yet a reality. Telegram is a messaging app available for desktop computers, laptops, and smartphones. You can click on links to online casinos and promotional pages only, or interact with AI Telegram bots.
Yes! One of the advantages of Telegram is that it is open-source and free to download. You can register an account for free too. It is currently available to download on smartphones, tablets, desktop computers, and laptops.
Yes. Telegram registration works in a similar manner to WhatsApp and you do have to provide a telephone number for authentication. Also, the number you provide is one of the means of communication and how other users can send messages to you.
Not directly, no. Links can be sent to online casinos, games, and promotional content, but you cannot directly engage in gambling activities on Telegram. The only way you could do so would be group chats with friends where you are making bets with each other for example.