By Editorial Team, reviewed by Editorial Team (approved by site owner) · Published · 1 min read
Full rewrites of live gambling platforms are risky: the business keeps changing while the new system is built, and cutover concentrates risk into one event. An incremental approach spreads that risk.
Step 1: make the old system observable
You cannot safely change what you cannot see. Add metrics, logging and tracing around critical flows: registration, deposits, bet placement, game rounds, withdrawals.
Step 2: capture current behaviour as tests
Write characterisation tests that record what the system does today, including its quirks. They become your safety net.
Step 3: put a routing layer in front
A gateway lets you send each capability to the old or new implementation. This is the central idea of the strangler fig pattern.
Step 4: pick the first slice
Choose something valuable but not the wallet. Content, catalogue, notifications or reporting are common starting points.
Step 5: treat the wallet carefully
Wallet migration needs a plan: freeze windows or dual writes, verification of every balance, rehearsals on copies, and a rollback path. Allow extra time here.
Step 6: run in parallel for critical flows
For flows like settlement, run old and new side by side and compare outputs before switching.
Step 7: decommission
Set an end date for parallel running and remove the old components, otherwise you pay for both indefinitely.
Not just technology
Migration involves support, finance and compliance teams. Provider and payment integrations must be re-established, and data protection obligations may apply when moving personal data. Take advice where needed.
