Explainer: What Is An API And What Does It Do?

Within the digital world, the exchange of data between services and platforms is heavily relied upon, with a number of essential tools that make sure these transfers occur effectively and efficiently.?

Application Programming Interfaces, APIs for short, play a significant role in ensuring smooth interactions and seamless user experiences are possible, and are widely employed in the iGaming space.

However you may be wondering how does an API work. Thankfully, we here at LuckyStreak are experts when it comes to this technology.?

Here we break down all there is to know about APIs, how they operate and how they impact the online casino space as a whole.

30-Second Summary

• APIs are now commonplace and critical in the iGaming industry, and power the businesses and user experiences
• They are a set rules that allow different software and applications to communicate, defining data exchange requests, content, format, permissions and responses
• They can relate to many things including account registration, payments and wagering, games content, betting options and actions, outcomes and validation
• Key API components include: the endpoint, request, response and authentication
• A "good" API will be secure, be efficient and effective at handling requests, and be scalable to volumes and demand, seamlessly supporting iGaming user experience
• As a content provider, LuckyStreak employs APIs to support efficient game performance, customer betting activity and user experience, with the highest levels of security available

What Is An API?

Before getting into any intricate detail, we must first explain what an API is in a literal sense.

An API is a set of specified rules that allow different pieces of software and applications to communicate with one another.?

It defines how requests for information are made, what specific data are required, and how exactly this is returned.?

These act as intermediaries between different systems, facilitating data exchanges in a manner that is both structured and secure.

Using a situation from the iGaming world as an example: when you log into an online casino an API is used to authenticate the credentials that are input by a user.?

This is done by connecting to a separate server dedicated to authentication, all fully behind the scenes, with the user not noticing various services working together whatsoever.

The History Of APIs

Now that you know what an API is, let’s understand where they come.?

The general concept has been around since the early days of computing’ however, they have dramatically evolved over the years. Originally, APIs were primarily used for internal communication between different software applications.?

However, as the world became more interconnected, it saw them play key roles in enabling external integrations between external platforms.

The 2000s saw a dramatic milestone forAPIs, with these interfaces being able to communicate over the internet. Since then, APIs have become a fundamental aspect of arguably every piece of modern software, with this being no exception when it comes to online casino software.

What Does An API Do?

As we have explained earlier, APIs serve as bridges between different pieces of software and other applications.?

They do this by initially sending a request from one to the other. The request in question is then formatted according to the API's specifications, identifying what data is needed or what type of action needs to be performed.?

Following the receiving application processing the request, an appropriate response is sent back by the API to the originator.

In the iGaming world, this could be the exchange of data between different systems such as the result of a game or payment transactions requested by a user, all taking place in real-time.

An API can automate these processes by enabling such interactions without the need for human intervention. Validating bets is a prime example of this, ensuring real-time information is used to update results as they play out.?

In addition, APIs also provide a framework for data exchanges that is extremely secure, particularly important when it comes to iGaming security. Thanks to strict protocols, things such as payment information and personal details are transmitted securely between communicating systems.

Components Of An API

Although their function appears relatively straightforward in a holistic sense, there are actually several different components to the operation of an API, which we break down.

Endpoint: this is the specific URL at which the API interacts with another system. Within each API, there are generally a number of endpoints, each relating to different actions, such as determining results or retrieving user information.

Request: the action or data that the client system sends over to the recipient system, and often includes the method of the response and any parameters that outline the action specifically being requested.?

Response: typically what is returned by the API after a request is processed by the recipient. It contains the confirmation of the action requested, which is then carried out by the application.

Authentication: required by many APIs nowadays, ensuring that only users with the appropriate access can make certain requests, with API keys being the most widely used form of authentication.

Additionally key performance elements include:

Rate limiting: this, as its name entails, limits the number of requests that can be made, this typically applying to a certain time frame. This is to prevent abuse or overload of the system.?

Error codes: an API also requires a way to handle errors if something goes wrong. Error codes are displayed should any flagged actions occur, such as invalid data being sent or a server being temporarily unavailable.

Where Are APIs Used In iGaming?

An online casino API is an essential component within the iGaming world. Even though they may seem one-dimensional, they actually facilitate a whole range of possibilities.

For example, they allow various providers to integrate games into a platform or casino website, all possible without the systems being overhauled.

As casinos revolve around player balances, wagering and stakes, APIs are also used to process payments in a secure fashion, connecting casinos with payment gateways, allowing deposits and withdrawals to be handled quickly and securely.

Casino APIs also handle login information and authentication, by making sure all data input aligns, allowing users to create new accounts as well as sign in across a myriad of different platforms.

APIs also ensure that casino customer support software is connected appropriately, with live chat and ticketing systems handling inquiries and other issues in a seamless fashion.?

OK, So What Makes A Good API?

Several factors determine how an effective API operates, particularly relating to iGaming.

Secure: as covered in our recent piece on cybersecurity, it’s no surprise that security is a top priority due to the handling of personal data. Thanks to authentication, access control, and encryption, though, the safety of both users and operators is ensured.

Performance: a good casino API should also have performance that is both efficient and effective, without significant delays in handling series of requests. This is especially the case in the fast online casino world, as slow APIs can negatively affect user experience.

Scalable: an API should be able to scale as the demand for a casino increases, with no effect on overall performance regardless of the situation.?

LuckyStreak Online Casino APIs

When it comes to the dedicated APIs here at LuckyStreak, from our live roulette API to our live blackjack API, all integrate seamlessly with all types of casino platforms.?

Not only are all of these designed with high performance, ease of integration and security in mind, they also seamlessly manage player bets and outcomes, provide a smooth user betting and games participation experience that is essential for live gaming, and continually output detailed reporting data at multiple levels.

Our critical API technology is protected by symmetric encryption and secure server-to-server connections, safeguarding against any unauthorised access, data manipulation and other tampering.?

All data transfers sent through our APIs are encrypted fully, retaining the integrity of any betting systems and game feeds.

For more information about LuckyStreak ’s use of advanced technology, feel free to contact us:

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