As the iGaming industry in Malta continues to grow, many companies are turning to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for their cloud computing needs. With this operational transition comes a set of unique billing challenges that can impact both profitability and operational efficiency.
Below are the three biggest AWS billing challenges faced by iGaming companies such as casino and sportsbook operators and affiliates, and useful insights into how to navigate them effectively.
Complex Pricing Models
AWS offers a wide range of services, all having their own pricing structure. This complexity can be overwhelming for iGaming companies, especially those new to cloud computing or with very small DevOps teams. The various pricing models including pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, and spot instances, often lead to confusion and unanticipated costs. Our suggested strategies to mitigate complexity include the use of cost management tools such as AWS’ own AWS Cost Explorer and AWS Budgets, which are an integral part of Cost Saver, to help track spending and forecast future costs. Education is key. Teams go educated and trained on AWS pricing models to ensure better budgeting and cost management practices.
Resource Overprovisioning
Many iGaming companies tend to overprovision resources in an effort to handle peak loads during busy gaming periods such as during a World Cup Final. This often results in paying for unused capacity, leading to inflated bills. To refine resource optimisation, implement Auto-Scaling. Use AWS Auto Scaling to adjust resources automatically based on demand, ensuring that you only pay for what you need. A best practice we adhere to with all our clients in the iGaming sector, is to regularly review usage and to conduct periodic audits of resource usage to identify and eliminate underutilised services.
Data Transfer Costs
Data transfer fees can quickly accumulate, particularly for iGaming companies that handle large volumes of players’ and punters’ data. Understanding the nuances of data transfer pricing is crucial to avoid unexpected charges. As part of our Cost Saver solution we optimise data transfer paths, by extensively using AWS services like Amazon CloudFront to reduce data transfer costs by caching content closer to users. Moreover, we monitor data transfer usage by regularly reviewing data transfer metrics and subsequently adjusting strategies accordingly to minimise costs.
Address these challenges proactively. Keep your AWS costs under control at all times. Learn More about our Cost Saver solution.
