June 18, 2025

Integration Process: How We Handle and Protect Your Data

IntegrationAutomationAI
Integration Process: How We Handle and Protect Your Data
The Playa powers iGaming with AI-driven
personalization to boost player
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Integration with a new solution can seem complicated, time-consuming, or overwhelming – especially if your team is already juggling a lot. That’s why at The Playa, we made it simple from the start — quick to set up, and easy on your internal resources. What we need from you is just one thing: an access point to a regularly updated data source with a one-time snapshot of the last three months’ history. After that, everything else — ETL, data transformation, model training, and more — is on us. We adapt to your existing setup – not the other way around. No extra work. No interruptions. Just a clear, flexible process that fits your team and schedule.

How does integration work?

Once we agree on the integration approach and data you will provide, our team meets with your technical expert — usually a data engineer or the specialist responsible for managing your data infrastructure.

The goal is simple: we offer three main integration methods and choose the one that best fits your system and resources.

Option 1: Database Replica (Our Top Recommendation)

This is the most popular and easiest way.

Instead of copying the entire database, you create a replica of only the specific parts containing the data we need for our models — excluding any personal user data.

What it means?

➤ You set up a partial mirror of your database with just the necessary tables and fields.

➤ We don’t access any personal user data, and your original database remains unchanged.

➤ After the replica is set up, we pull the data to our secure environment for processing.

➤ We handle all ETL: transforming, analyzing, and modeling on our side.

➤ Your tech team does a one-time setup (usually a few hours), then we take it from there.

➤ Next, we work closely with a person from your team to validate and reconcile the data together.

Option 2: File Transfer (Batch Data Sharing via S3 Bucket)

If setting up a replica isn’t an option, this method lets you keep full control on your side. Instead of giving us direct access, your team uploads the necessary data files regularly to a secure S3 bucket we provide.

You handle the ETL process internally — preparing, transforming, and loading the data before uploading — so it requires more involvement from your data engineers.

What it means?

➤ You control exactly what data you share and when, by uploading files on your schedule.

➤ No direct connection to your system is needed — just secure access to the S3 bucket.

➤ Your team owns the ETL process: preparing and transforming the data before upload.

➤ This method requires dedicated data engineers on your side familiar with file management and ETL.

➤ Ideal if you already have or prefer internal processes for batch data preparation and sharing.

Option 3: Kafka (or Similar Solutions) Integration (Real-Time Data Streaming)

We support direct integration with Kafka data streams. You only need to provide access to the specific topics containing the data we require for modeling and analysis.

➤ Historical data is transferred separately to get the process started.

➤ Your engineering team handles setting up access, but no extra ongoing support specific to us is typically needed, since Kafka is likely part of your existing infrastructure.

➤ This option works best if you handle large volumes of data and want real-time insights.

What About Security?

➤ We do not collect or access any personal user data.

➤ All data exchanged between us and your team is encrypted in transit.

➤ Any data shared between us and a person from your team is also exchanged only in encrypted form.

(By the way, to learn more about how we secure your data — check out our post)

What Happens After Integration?

Data Validation & Reconciliation (Your Final Check)

Once we receive your files or establish the connection, we thoroughly verify:

➤ All agreed tables and fields are present

➤ Data formats are correct

Then we collaborate with your analyst to cross-check key business metrics — like monthly deposits, unique users, GGR, and more — to make sure our numbers match yours.

Minor gaps or missing data at this stage are completely normal. We fix and finalize everything together until the data aligns perfectly.

What Happens After Data Validation?

➤ We run discovery analytics to understand your product’s current state, trends, and growth opportunities

➤ Prepare the data for modeling (feature engineering) — like tracking how often players play, how much they bet, and their win/loss patterns

➤ Train custom models — for example, game recommendations, churn prediction, or next-best-offer

➤ Deliver results and help you decide on the best next step:

✔️ Test launch (e.g., A/B testing)

✔️ or full rollout straight away (for the bravest)

We understand how it feels to start sharing internal data.

Even the idea of opening access or preparing files can be stressful — especially when the information is sensitive.

That’s exactly why we designed the process to be clear, respectful, and low-effort on your side. You stay in control of what’s shared and when. The Playa adapt to your structure, so you don't need to stretch your team with extra work.

Our role is to make integration smooth and safe. To keep things simple and secure. To take the complexity off your plate, so your team can stay focused on your work.

We’ll also walk you through each of these steps in more detail in our upcoming blog and LinkedIn posts — with real examples, practical tips, and detailed explanations to make everything simple and transparent.

Transform your iGaming platform

with The Playa

Transform your iGaming platform

with The Playa