The steady growth of the betting sector has drawn investors’ attention. Read more about how to choose the best option for starting a business.
The iGaming industry is as dynamic as ever, and the number of bettors who place bets on sports in bookmakers and earn on it is growing. Entrepreneurs’ incomes in the field of online betting are also increasing. In 2021, Americans bet a record $57.22 billion on sports, up 165% from 2020, generating $4.29 billion in revenue.
In Europe, sports betting accounts for more than 40% of the iGaming sector’s total revenue. The future looks bright; experts predict annual growth of 10% until 2025. Sports betting is also huge in several emerging African markets, where legislation and infrastructure make it more accessible than other kinds of gambling.
The massive growth of the online betting market is partly due to the Covid-19 epidemic — the coronavirus outbreak has led to the restriction of the activities of land-based bookmakers and the emergence of new markets. Modern entrepreneurs are leaning towards investing in the online sector, as it allows them to cover several markets at once. Some sportsbooks target countries where gambling is prohibited, but true, long-term success lies in going the legal route.
Running a sportsbook requires a proactive approach. The services provided and markets targeted might remain fixed, but responsive, real-time odds, and real-time marketing are also necessary. Some operators can handle the constant decision-making, but others turn to industry experts for practical solutions.
Slotegrator, a developer of solutions for the gambling business, breaks down the process for launching an online sportsbook and analyzes the utility of possible solutions.
Preliminary stage — choose a market and acquire a license
Regulated markets are jurisdictions where specific requirements for sportsbooks are dictated by law. These requirements vary from market to market and may include technical specifications, player protection measures, and marketing guidelines. In regulated markets, the types of allowed bets and events may differ. For example, horse racing is often a government monopoly, even if sports betting is generally legal. It is also essential to consider the growing interest in non-traditional types of betting — e-sports, virtual sports — and the corresponding restrictions.
Unregulated markets are considered the “grey zone” of the gambling industry – countries that do not restrict online gambling but do not have legislation dedicated to this industry. Thus, bookmakers retain the right to operate from offshore territory.
Regulated markets require a local license, while unregulated markets do not restrict operators by law. On the other hand, the former markets are the most stable, while gray ones can be volatile — formal regulation or a ban on gambling can change the situation. Bettors residing in an unregulated area usually choose bookmakers with a license from a reputable jurisdiction (Malta, Gibraltar, Alderney, or the Isle of Man). This moment encourages operators to maintain high standards.
When choosing a market, it is crucial to consider its size, level of competition, and growth opportunities. For example, a novice operator should go to developing, less popular markets to avoid high costs for obtaining a license, high competition, and significant marketing costs. Attractive emerging markets include Africa and Latin America, while Europe offers many opportunities in eastern Europe or the Balkans.
Risk analysis and assessment
The amount of seed investment required to start a betting business varies depending on the chosen market — this determines the costs of the license and guarantees provided to the authorities. Similarly, market size and marketing budgets affect the amount of capital that will be necessary. Authorities will also require operators to have a certain amount of capital reserves on hand to cover player winnings. The operator’s risk of bonus abuse and player fraud grows as more bettors join the platform.
Therefore, having chosen a market and purchased a license, the operator must anticipate financial risks and allocate a budget to cover them. In some jurisdictions, the amount is determined by law. This will help avoid initial hesitation and potential bankruptcy.
Sportsbook platform
When it comes to the software that will power their sportsbook, the operator can choose one of two vectors: develop their platform or purchase a ready-made solution from a supplier.
To independently develop an effective platform, an entrepreneur must have enough experience running an iGaming business to know the requirements for online gambling software. He needs a full-fledged team of engineers, managers, analysts, marketers, and other specialists.
Due to the substantial investment of financial and human resources, serious degree of responsibility, and high level of risk, entrepreneurs often turn to suppliers of ready-made solutions.
Comprehensive solution
An experienced iGaming operator might be able to develop a betting platform on their own. However, for the first sportsbook, it is better to choose a complete solution from a reliable supplier.
Slotegrator offers several options for quickly and efficiently launching a business in the betting industry. Our jurisdictional advisory services will help you choose a market and acquire the right license to operate, and our Sportegrator solution provides everything a high-functioning online sportsbooks needs. This is a turnkey solution for an online bookmaker with a wide range of sports databases available for integration through a single API.
Sportegrator includes a functional back-end and a fully customizable front-end, an easy-to-use content management system, payment system integration, and CRM tools to help retain users. The solution gives you access to real-time sports feeds and high-quality, profitable odds compiled by industry experts using the latest mathematical models.
Sportegrator is the industry’s most efficient solution for quickly launching and effectively running an online sportsbook. Fast time-to-market and cost-effectiveness, reliability based on ten years of supplier experience, and a personalized approach push operators to rely on Slotegrator’s expertise.
Read more: Top Canadian Betting Platforms
