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How to Start a Sportsbook?
Sports betting businesses are gaining traction. Most of the biggest brands in iGaming have noticed that when casinos and sportsbooks are combined, project performance and user engagement skyrocket. Casinos strengthen betting businesses, and sportsbooks complement casinos. Together, they form a winning combination in the iGaming arena.
Because the market keeps growing year after year. Forecasts show steady growth of around 9 to 12 per cent annually for the online gambling industry. Just as important, sports betting alone makes up about a third of that market. And the stakes are only getting higher.
With the numbers on your side, the only question that remains is how to start a sportsbook? Here is a high-level roadmap for anyone planning to launch successfully.
Key Takeaways for Starting a Sportsbook
First of all, most successful iGaming brands offer both casino and sportsbook services, and they usually tie them together with a single seamless wallet. This combination better covers the needs of the audience, so when launching your sportsbook always consider the brand expansion perspective.
Second, it takes a lot of investment and sustained expertise to construct a complete team from scratch. Instead, trust a strong ready-made team and gain experience from them. The operator decides which tasks can be handled by their team and which should be delegated.
And third, consider ways to develop your brand from the very beginning. Invest in VIP support, gamification, and AI tools. SOFTSWISS values innovation and high-quality customer service. The brand’s product portfolio offers customers the benefit of a one-stop solution in terms of software, payments, marketing tools, and support.
How to Select Sportsbook Software
Once the decision to start a sportsbook has been made, it is time to choose professional software. Bookmakers have two basic options:
The first is to develop their own platform
The second is to buy a complete solution from a supplier
Let’s look at each of them in detail.
Creating Your Own Sportsbook Platform
Operators who decide to start development from scratch should have exceptional experience in operating an iGaming business and complete knowledge of online gambling software requirements. When operators come up with their own solution, they are responsible for all aspects of running a sports betting business, including a full team of developers, managers, risk analysts, etc.
Creating an in-house solution is a huge financial and resource investment, which does not necessarily lead to expected results. Getting the solution to market requires at least a year's preparation or more, depending on the case.
Purchasing a Turnkey Solution
The other option is buying a complete solution from a provider. If an operator possesses a strong background in iGaming, platform development can be a good way to scale the business. However, for the first sportsbook, it is better to choose a proven sports betting solution from a reliable provider. The easiest and least expensive way to gain expertise in operating a sportsbook is to use an off-the-shelf solution.
There are several reasons why a turnkey sportsbook solution makes sense.
First, it is cost-effective. Operators don’t have to spend heavily on building and maintaining separate teams, and can avoid long and expensive negotiations with payment systems and data providers.
Second, it is fast to launch. For example, with the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, the time to market is just a matter of weeks. Compare that to building a sports betting core from scratch, which can take a year or more, before you even consider all the other preparations.
And third, it is reliable. Choosing an off-the-shelf solution means you are buying more than software; you are getting a team, a history of excellence, and vetted technical know-how.
Therefore, before becoming a bookie, choosing a reliable software supplier is crucial. How can you choose the right partner?
First, check the solution customisation. Ensure that you are not just sold a template solution, but a flexible platform that can adapt to your needs.
Then consider the access to supporting services. A player support service, designers, risk management team, and technical specialists – these people are directly responsible for your reputation in the market. It's handy when the supplier takes care of this.
And finally, mind the price-to-value ratio. Choosing an off-the-shelf solution saves the operator a lot of money and time, so it makes sense not to select the cheapest solution, which could lead to overpayments and reputational damage in the future.
Finding a Data Provider
Sportsbooks cannot function without data providers – no odds, no wagers. It is essential to choose a reliable sports data supplier who can help online bookmakers capture market share and avoid costly risks.
Choosing a data provider for sports always involves risks. If you decide to become a bookie without previous experience and choose a non-professional provider, you may encounter incorrectly calculated odds or delayed calculations, leading to financial and reputational losses.
How to choose the right sports data provider?
First, think about data integrity and accuracy. Here, you risk not only time and money for data verification, but also the trust of bettors if wrongful information gets to the platform.
Methods and formats for delivering data. Most data providers offer a variety of formats and ways of implementing this data – choose the one that is right for the platform and business as a whole. Make sure the documentation is clear and transparent – it will determine how easy and cost-effective the integration itself will be.
Risk management. The tool enables operators to identify and manage potential risks. This is an essential component of a successful business and helps to make decision-making processes transparent and supported by facts. Unless the data provider has a risk management team and solution, the operator will have to form their own.
An opportunity to stand out. Audiences value data exclusivity. There is the option of generating unique sports data yourself, but this will add to the product's price, as will the development time and support efforts. This is why choosing a provider that gives you exclusive sports data for your bookie business is reasonable. Exclusive events and data will allow you to make an offer your players won't refuse.
If a bookmaker starts a sportsbook from scratch, the integration with a data provider falls on the operator – the integration is often a fee-based service. The contract is usually filled with caveats, which can be confusing to even experienced operators and can result in severe costs. After signing the deal, experienced operators find that it takes a while before the data from the provider can actually be used.
The SOFTSWISS Sportsbook works with several data providers, including esports providers. We have our own strong risk management team and take full responsibility for data quality. Our clients can focus on growing their businesses without being distracted by operational duties.
Website Design
Modern iGaming cannot overlook the importance of web design, because the front-office is the first thing players notice when they enter a sportsbook. All players have different priorities: some come for the availability of certain events and betting in crypto, other players seek out unique bonuses. Design alone is not the primary criterion, but a poorly designed website may serve as reason to change bookmaker.
What kind of design would be good for a betting platform? Fast and intuitive – a functional one. A user-friendly interface implies simple and intuitive navigation with perceivable accents. If a bettor takes too long to find the "register" button or the bonus section, they will quickly leave the site. Sorting and filtering options will enhance the bettor's experience.
Second, the design should be relevant to the niche by all means. Colour combinations, illustrations, and an appropriate font for the company name and slogan contribute to the overall look and feel of the iGaming project.
Third, ensure that the site meets business and marketing objectives, and is eye-catching and engaging as well. If bettors visit the site, the action they are looking for – registration, betting, current events – should be clear and properly accentuated.
Finally, but most importantly, pay attention to mobile versions. A majority of players (75%) use smartphones for gambling. A user-friendly and adequately adapted mobile website is particularly important for bookmakers, as important sporting events can catch bettors away from their computers. Today, failing to have a mobile version means losing out on a large segment of your audience.
Those who develop their solution from scratch, as well as those who choose off-the-shelf solutions, should consider the above criteria. If you choose an off-the-shelf solution from a supplier, pick one where the design can be modified to meet your needs.
We offer custom-designed solutions based on statistical analysis, research, and experience. Also, operators can implement their own designs via an API. The SOFTSWISS team is always willing to go the extra mile to make the website design stand out.
Legal Setup and Payment Integrations
One of the major stumbling blocks to becoming a bookie is setting up the legal infrastructure. Traditionally for all iGaming businesses, the issue of choosing a jurisdiction and licence becomes the most difficult and expensive part. It depends directly on the operator’s business objectives, the audience, and the countries the business is targeting.
Obtaining a licence on your own requires:
A professional team with strong legal expertise and a background in iGaming
Time (getting a licence may take from one month to a year)
Similar issues regarding payments exist here: long and exhausting negotiations with payment service providers can be the norm. A few connected systems are not enough: for a good player experience, it is important to offer a variety of payment options, ewallets, and cryptocurrencies. Players should have the option of choosing how to deposit and withdraw their money.
Also, to run a sportsbook, operators should determine which payment systems the target audience will need. It depends directly on the markets the sportsbook will serve. Such details are important for players and require the operator's attention and involvement.
Investing in a team and long bureaucratic procedures deprives bookmakers of the most valuable resource: the ability to enter the market quickly and test their strategies. In many cases, it is more profitable to take a white label sportsbook solution that comes with a set of licenses and payment methods already in place and delegate the legal hassle to your solution provider. Complete off-the-shelf solutions involve legal infrastructure and support from lawyers, which saves bookmakers time and money.
For operators with an existing license looking to enhance their platform, however, a sophisticated sportsbook integration can be a smart step. It simplifies offering an expanded range of betting options to players, enriching their experience and responding to changing iGaming market trends – all whilst bypassing the need for additional licensing.
Sports Events and Sports Variety
Probably this is the only instance in which ‘the more the better’ rule works without fail. To be more specific, in order to start a successful sportsbook, it is necessary to offer betting on all the top sports. Current examples include:
Football
Tennis
Basketball
Ice hockey
Volleyball
Handball
Golf
Rugby
Boxing (MMA)
esports
For those looking to become a bookie, the last point requires special attention. Leading esports events such as The International for Dota 2 and the Majors for CS:GO draw hundreds of thousands of views. Offering esports events and thematically-related bonuses will pull in a good number of fans, boosting sportsbook traffic.
Overheads
The costs will depend directly on whether bookmakers choose to develop a product from scratch or rent an off-the-shelf solution. In most cases, a white label solution implies a certain set of services, for example, the software itself, initial set-up, technical support. Those who are interested in developing their own product will have to rely solely on themselves and their expert team, which will require significant investment in hiring and training.
Since it is impossible to provide a precise and universal estimate to start a sportsbook, we offer a generalised cost comparison for an off-the-shelf solution and a custom development.
Let’s take a look at overheads.
With the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook, many of the essentials are already included. Taxes, server fees, licensing and legal services, and even salaries for the team — all of that is handled without extra investment from the client.
When building a sports platform from scratch, each of these becomes the operator’s responsibility. They need to cover the costs, find the right providers, and manage everything themselves.
Some expenses are optional with SOFTSWISS, such as office rent and staff training, while they may be required when starting from the ground up. Marketing costs and business strategy remain necessary in both cases.
Developing Marketing and Bonus Policies
The previous steps made your sportsbook a very attractive proposition but you still need to get your players onboard. Hence, it's time to start creating a marketing strategy, particularly positioning. This step includes:
The positioning statement, which is a brief statement of the brand's values
A critical analysis of competitors and the current market position
The development of a unique selling proposition
In order to handle both external and internal marketing effectively, a business needs a fully experienced marketing department. Managing PR, SEO, tournaments, and bonus policies requires a very experienced team. The team behind the SOFTSWISS Sportsbook is well-versed in shaping a brand’s strategy in a continuing effort to enhance, update and complement your market presence. Regardless, attracting traffic to the project remains the operator's responsibility.
Anyone who has ever placed a bet on a sports event knows how rewarding bonuses are for players. Hence, the bonus policy of the sportsbook has a significant impact on the bettors' choice of a betting site. Pay attention to the types of bonuses you present, offer themed tournaments, think of ways to integrate individual rewards into your players’ sports betting journeys.
A friendly reminder: bonuses create good engagement, do not forget about the powerful anti-fraud team behind the sportsbook. Obviously, the larger the brand, the more bonus hunters and other scammers it attracts. Fraudsters also pay increased attention to newly launched projects. To avoid losing money and reputation to fraud, choose a software provider with strong expertise and experience.
Almost last but not least is marketing promotion. With a fast, stylish, functional website and a well-constructed bonus system, bookmakers already have a solid foundation for promotion. If you want to make the market aware of your new sportsbook, you'll need more media space at first, so a team usually plans announcements, interviews, press releases on the main iGaming forums, reviews, and news platforms.
Besides SEO, banners, contextual advertising, and affiliate marketing should also be used. This is the core of iGaming. Sportsbook promotion involves certain subtleties and continuous restrictions from search engines, making affiliates even more influential every year. Choose the software provider that integrates with affiliate marketing solutions and takes full advantage of it.
Current Market Trends in Online Sports Betting
Understanding broader trends is essential when evaluating any sportsbook model. Several key forces are reshaping the sports betting industry.
Emerging Technologies and Innovations
Modern technologies are transforming the way the sports betting niche operates and engages its audiences:
AI-powered personalisation: Operators increasingly rely on AI to personalise odds, promotions, and user experience based on individual player behaviour.
Gamification elements: Challenges, loyalty rewards, and engagement boosters are becoming standard tools to enhance player retention.
Modular platform architecture: Flexibility in integrating data feeds, payment solutions, and content modules allows operators to build more agile and scalable products.
Cryptocurrency and blockchain integration: Accepting crypto payments and exploring blockchain technologies has become an industry norm.
Real-time data and streaming: Live stats, in-play betting, and integrated streaming services are now essential for attracting and retaining players who seek instant engagement.
Changing Consumer Expectation
Today's players demand more from their sports betting experience:
Mobile-first designs and native app support
Support for local languages, currencies, and sports markets
Growing interest in esports, niche leagues, and live betting
Demand for instant payments and fast withdrawals
Greater awareness of responsible gaming tools and KYC controls
Explore the Sports Betting Industry
Opening a sportsbook is a serious endeavour and takes time, research, and preparation. It is not the website or the bonuses that determine the sportsbook's success, but rather the competency of those who support it.
The experience of bookmakers shows that reaching out to a full-service team skilled in all stages of iGaming brand management is the best way to start a sportsbook. Our Sportsbook team is ready to support you on your journey.