How Funstage and Platogo Use 1M+ Deep Links a Month To Drive Unmatched Player Loyalty

About Funstage

Funstage, a publisher of social casino games, operates some of the top free-to-play gaming apps in Europe, including Slotpark and Gaminator, developed by Platogo; GameTwist; Diamond Cash Slots; Abzorba skill games; and Bloom Boom Casino.

With millions of players spinning reels every month, Funstage is committed to delivering frictionless and engaging experiences. Its apps prioritize usability, deep engagement, and long-term player retention.

A key factor in its success? Ensuring every touchpoint — whether a login, a bonus offer, or a social share — keeps players connected to the app.

Challenge: Make every player interaction effortless

Slotpark and Gaminator needed a way to engage players at every interaction, no matter the platform or device. But achieving this came with key challenges:

• Simplifying logins: Traditional password authentication created unnecessary friction for players.
• Driving engagement through incentives: Bonus campaigns needed a reliable way to distribute and track rewards.
• Encouraging organic growth: Players wanted an easy option to share game moments, invite friends, and connect through social features.

Solution: A fully integrated deep linking strategy

The apps’ developer, Platogo, integrated deep linking into every aspect of its player engagement strategy. Whether for passwordless authentication, engagement campaigns, peer-to-peer sharing, or partner programs, every link generated is a Branch deep link.

Passwordless email login: Simplifying authentication

Before implementing passwordless email login, Slotpark and Gaminator relied on Facebook login for players who wanted to access their accounts across multiple devices. To improve the user experience on the apps, the product team introduced Branch-powered passwordless login, allowing players to authenticate via email instead of creating and remembering passwords.

By default, Slotpark and Gaminator log players in automatically using a device identifier. This allows for a seamless experience without requiring manual authentication. If a player wants to log in with their email to use multiple devices, the apps generate a token, embed it in a Branch deep link, and email it to the player. When they click the link, they’re instantly logged in — no password needed.

Voucher codes: Engaging players through targeted and shareable offers

Slotpark and Gaminator generate thousands of automated voucher codes daily, all powered by Branch links and generated at scale using the Branch API. These cross-platform links ensure a reliable and trackable experience, whether shared broadly on social media or sent directly to individual players.

Funstage’s social media team generates shareable voucher codes, allowing any player to click and instantly redeem bonuses. And because the links are universal, they work whether the player is on iOS or Android.

Meanwhile, the Funstage CRM team uses Branch deep links for targeted player engagement. It sends personalized bonus offers — such as anniversary rewards and loyalty incentives — via email, ensuring that long-time players feel recognized and valued.

Social sharing: Turning players into advocates

Platogo has built sharing directly into the player experience, using Branch deep links to make every interaction an opportunity for organic growth. Whether inviting friends, building teams, or sharing wins, players can seamlessly bring others into the game — boosting engagement at no additional cost.

Friend sharing and team invites: Players can easily invite friends or recruit teammates using Branch links. These deep links create a frictionless onboarding experience by ensuring that new players land directly in the app.

Screenshot sharing: When players hit a big win, they can capture a screenshot that’s saved in their “Screenshot Pinwall.” With a Branch deep link, they can easily share their success on social media and fan pages. Friends can then tap the link to jump into the game and play the same slot.

Gamified social contests: Funstage’s social media team runs screenshot contests, rewarding players with in-game bonuses for the most-voted screenshots. This boosts engagement and motivates players to share even more.

By embedding sharing into gameplay, Platogo has created a system where players don’t just engage with the app — they help grow it.

App-to-app linking: Connecting partner apps

With Funstage’s vast game offering, making it easy for players to move between partner apps is essential. Branch links take them exactly where they want to go, ensuring smooth app-to-app transitions while automatically applying incentive bonuses and benefits.

And unlike other solutions, Branch lets Funstage create long links without a network call, reducing server load and making partner programs more efficient. With a simple link template, partners can easily move players between apps without added complexity.

Results

By integrating Branch deep links across every key touchpoint, Funstage has strengthened player engagement, streamlined organic acquisition, and reinforced long-term retention. As a Branch partner for over a decade, the company continues to see the impact of deep linking across its campaigns:

• Higher player engagement and retention: Funstage’s smart deep linking strategy has helped it achieve industry-leading retention rates. Plus, Branch links drive over 200 million app opens annually.
• Stronger organic growth: Social sharing features like referral links and screenshot contests drive new installs without added marketing costs.
• Scalable automation: Funstage runs high-volume campaigns effortlessly, generating over 1 million deep links per month — all without manual work.

With deep linking at the heart of its strategy, Funstage makes it easy for players to stay connected — whether they’re just getting started or have been spinning for years.