ONLINE CASINO MARKETERS EYE CHATROULETTE

New social networking concept has promotional possibilities
 
The runaway success of speed-discussion site Chat Roulette.com has prompted wide awake industry marketers to check out the new social networking phenomenon as a possible promotional vehicle.
 
The brainchild of a 17-year-old Russian named Andrei Ternovskiy, Chat Roulette requires the user to have only an internet connection and a webcam to interact with complete strangers across the world in what the New York Times characterises as a conversational version of “online speed dating”. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/weekinreview/21bilton.html
 
Users are faced with a screen for themselves and one for a random selection of other users, and there’s a ‘switch-to-next-stranger’ button available to each, providing the user with a constant stream of diverse and occasionally way-out company.
 
There’s only one rule – nothing illegal, backed by the threat that illegal or obscene conduct will be reported to the authorities.
 
Some operators have seen more possibilities in the concept than others, and there have been reports that a dedicated online gambling website based on the Chat Roulette concept is being developed with all the promotional ingenuity and technology that is so abundant in the internet gambling business.  Think live dealer, for one.
 
Quite how such a site will negotiate the often rocky rapids of international legality remains to be seen, but clearly there will be a need for precautions against the under aged and the provision of responsible gambling facilities, along with the sensitive issue of secure payment processing.
 
Other operators have explored the ancillary SEO and advertising opportunities inherent in the Chat Roulette format and some have joined the membership of the original site.