Can you believe that, according to Energy for Growth Hub, California gamers alone will soon consume more electricity than 100 million people in Ethiopia? Behind the flashy websites and spinning slots of the iGaming industry is a digital infrastructure that eats up energy fast. And with more users logging in and innovative games like live-streaming titles becoming popular, energy demand is expected to increase.
Realizing that, platforms like Jackpot City have been doing what is needed to stay ahead, including cutting waste and slashing electricity bills. Remember, the future of online gaming significantly depends on operating sustainably. With more people becoming sustainability-conscious, appearing indifferent could make you less competitive.
BusinessDasher recently reported that more than six in ten consumers are ready to change their purchasing habits to help minimize environmental impact. PwC also noted that consumers are willing to pay more than 9% more for sustainably sourced goods. Given the iGaming sector’s competitiveness, it makes sense to see operators like Jackpot City turning to more innovative solutions that improve energy consumption.
The shift to greener data centers
Studies show that the annual energy consumption of an average iGaming operator can power up to 15,000 homes. If you multiply that by the thousands of operators worldwide, you find a carbon footprint equal to that of small nations. Of course, this consumption begins with the massive farms that run the games, host accounts, process transactions, and stream live content.
In the past, many operators didn’t prioritize energy efficiency. So long as the games were performing well, everything was good to go. But times have changed, and sustainability has become a hot topic. As such, many iGaming companies are moving their services to green-certified data centers to reduce wastage. And at the center of this transition are solar-powered data centers, which are helping casinos reduce emissions by up to 40%.
According to findings by NREL, newer data centers using best practices in energy efficiency can operate with a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.2 or less, compared to older models that operate closer to 2.0 or higher. A lower PUE indicates that a higher percentage of the total energy consumed by the data center is used by the IT equipment itself, meaning less energy is wasted on cooling and other overhead.
Embracing renewable energy
Another headache for this industry is the need for constant cooling for gaming servers. To prevent hardware meltdowns, the servers need massive air conditioning systems operating 24/7. And if your server is located in a hot area, you may spend up to 40% of a data center’s cumulative energy consumption on managing the cooling process.
Then there’s electronic waste, where many companies dump old servers rather than properly recycling them. This wastes precious metals that would have otherwise been recovered for other uses. But thanks to environmentally conscious brands like Jackpot City, the push for more sustainable practices has only increased.
Consider virtualization technologies like server virtualization, for instance. This technique ensures multiple servers can run on a single server, improving hardware efficiency. Interestingly, a report by Storware shows server virtualization can save energy consumption by up to 80%.
The transition to sustainable practices has also been evident in live casino providers, where studios run constantly, relying on camera equipment and lighting. Some are adopting LED lighting to shrink their carbon footprint. According to a Tara Energy report, implementing LED lamps can offer 80-90% energy savings compared to incandescent options.
To further ensure transparency and accountability, companies like Jackpot City can consider disclosing their sustainability efforts through annual reports and dedicated CSR pages.
Eco-friendly payment experiences
If you think payments have little to do with energy efficiency, you may have to reconsider your thoughts. Every transaction, whether a deposit or a withdrawal, requires computational power. That’s why casinos like Jackpot City must collaborate with eco-friendly payment providers to ensure sustainable gambling.
Thankfully, platforms like PayPal are already ahead of the game with their eco-conscious initiatives. A few years ago, PayPal pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. It also allows paperless transactions, reducing physical documentation.
Stripe is another payment provider that has adopted environmentally friendly approaches. Through its Stripe Climate programme, the company ensures businesses can contribute part of their revenue to carbon removal innovations.
Revolut and Bunq app-based banks allow players to use cards made from recycled plastics. Bunq, in particular, boasts the ‘Green Card’ that plants a tree for every 100 pounds spent. Apple Pay and Google Pay have also become popular ways for casinos like Jackpot City to reduce reliance on plastic cards and encourage easy, paperless interactions.
With rising electricity costs and growing consumer awareness, it’s becoming almost impossible for iGaming companies to ignore their environmental impact if they are to remain competitive. This is why brands like Jackpot City have implemented robust measures to maintain relevance. And if the momentum continues, this industry might just become one of the more unexpectedly responsible players in the digital economy.
