Fanatics Casino continues to spin up success, cementing its position as the fastest-growing online casino in America. To capitalize on this explosive growth, the brand has launched its new high-profile campaign: “Explained by Patrick Schwarzenegger.” This integrated effort focuses entirely on the platform’s signature innovation, FanCash Spins, the daily free-to-play game that offers over $100,000 in rewards each day and has already distributed more than $23 million to players.
The center of this push is the :30 “Spinning Explained” spot, where the White Lotus actor breaks down the game’s mechanics. The ad sparked plenty of curiosity and helped the FanCash Spins offer stand out from the competition.
Here’s what iSpot’s Creative Assessment platform revealed about response among online casino intenders to the first :30 spot.
The Details:
- 46% of viewers seeing “Spinning Explained” described themselves as online casino intenders (those extremely to somewhat likely to play in the next 3 months):
Among online casino intenders (extremely to somewhat likely to play within 3 months):
- Among online casino intenders, “Spinning Explained” successfully conveyed information about the product and its offer to create desire, especially with an older audience:
- The new creative overall met online betting advertising norms (past year), with benchmarks met in breakthrough (Attention and Likeability), Watchability, and Relevance.
- Above-norm success was achieved in Information delivery and Change (something new), with the deal/offer standing out as more impressionable vs category norms (at nearly twice the rate). This reflects the strong value proposition and suggests the deals were a key hook for this audience. Unaided recall also outpaced the average online casino ad by +7 pts.
- While the ad sparked high levels of Curiosity, some Dishonest signal was also measured (not uncommon for the category). This concern was not an overly detrimental aspect however, given that two in three online casino intenders reported positive/increased intent (to reach benchmark levels).
- The creative was most effective with the 50+ age group but performed at-norm among younger intenders.
- The new creative overall met online betting advertising norms (past year), with benchmarks met in breakthrough (Attention and Likeability), Watchability, and Relevance.
- Male casino intenders connected with this creative at a stronger rate than females, but broad reach to this target is justified (particularly to those with incomes below $75K):
- Sentiment on the new :30 among category intenders highlighted the financial incentives in “Spinning Explained” as key motivators. These viewers often specifically cited the prize amounts as the most compelling aspect and were encouraged by potential earnings.
- This audience also noted the high production value and visual appeal of the spot, mentioning the luxurious pool setting, vibrant colors, and tropical scenery and vibe while Patrick Schwarzenegger’s presence was generally well-received among those who recognized the celebrity – as well as a ‘regular’ guy among those who didn’t.
- The creative concept worked for some but the metaphor appeared to create confusion for others, potentially diluting the core message a bit.
- Sentiment on the new :30 among category intenders highlighted the financial incentives in “Spinning Explained” as key motivators. These viewers often specifically cited the prize amounts as the most compelling aspect and were encouraged by potential earnings.
Online Casino Intenders on “Spinning Explained” :30
“I like how he was spinning in the pool, talking about spending on the casino reels, but I really liked how it offered 4 million dollars in October to all the people playing. That got my attention.”
Female 21-35
“Love how the umbrellas were spinning to relate to how roulette spins as well when gambling. The scenery is the best part easily. I love the pool and house in the back.”
Male 21-35
“It made me wonder who Patrick Schwarzenegger is and how exactly online casinos work.”
Female 36-49
“The ad had a feel-good vibe to it. That is good for a casino commercial.”
Male 36-49
“I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand why the guy twirling in the pool was talking about Fanatics or maybe I was distracted by him twirling in the pool.”
Male 36-49
“I enjoyed the colors in the ad as well as the man talking. He was able to communicate the message without being boring or repetitive.”
Female 21-35
“Not relatable at all. I’m struggling to understand how a celebrity spinning in a pink float in a pool is relatable at all to men who gamble.”
Male 21-35
“It was an enticing ad. It made me very curious to try the product.”
Male 50+
“The way he threw big numbers in, like the $4 million jackpot. None of the online casino apps pay remarkably well.”
Male 50+
“It looks like an online casino I could actually get behind. The award amounts seem worth the gamble.”
Female 36-49
“I think it is an ad that introduced me to something new and grabbed my attention and is interactive.”
Male 21-35
“I liked the ad because of the pool and the food and the scenery and how it was all about a game. It was very catchy to me and it seemed luxurious to me and it made me want to try the new game.”
Female 36-49
- “Spinning Explained” earned at- to above-norm response across viewers who indicated they were watchers and/or followers of most pro and college sports:
- This allows for media flexibility to achieve broader reach while managing/optimizing budgets, if desired.
- Benchmarking against other :30 online casino ads recently released, “Spinning Explained” was the most informative and offered new Change to online casino intenders; however, several competitive ads drew stronger breakthrough (Attention and Likeability):
- The saliency of the promotions in Fanatics Casino’s spot was reflected in the strong intent rate vs the competitive set.
Across the full gen pop audience:
- Objections to gambling were seen as expected across the wider gen pop audience, but the informative “Spinning Explained” still persuaded at a normative level, and enjoyed an above-norm audience in M21-35:
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Creative Agency: Anomaly and OBB Media