SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
A desire to create an increasingly personalised and strategic wagering experience was the prime ambition that lay behind the most recent introduction to the DATA.BET portfolio.
After initially becoming available for Counter-Strike 2 before being expanded to cover further titles such as Valorant, League of Legends, and others, the esports Bet Builder is designed to offer a thrilling experience for professional bettors and enthusiasts alike.
Amid a consistent approach of looking for ways to enhance the betting experience, this latest noteworthy addition is hailed by Thomas Donson, Head of Trading at DATA.BET, as a major step in the right direction for the company.
“Esports betting is constantly evolving, and with the growing diversity of game titles, players are demanding more flexibility in how they place their bets,” he begins.
“Bet Builder allows them to create custom wagers across various markets and conditions within a single match.
“This level of personalisation is something that resonates strongly with the esports audience, which tends to be very specific about how they interact with the games. Bet Builder significantly boosts player retention.
“Players who have the opportunity to create custom bets tailored to their interests are more likely to return to the operator’s platform.”
This, it is suggested, will drive operator turnover by helping to generate more revenue from each player’s bet, in addition to enabling players to become part of a broader betting experience.
“Esports, on the other hand, is a far younger, more dynamic industry”
However, it’s no secret these tools are much more commonplace across the traditional sporting landscape when contrasted with the esports ecosystem. This lack of uptake thus far, Donson explains, can be largely attributed to the large differences in how each of these are structured.
“Traditional sports have well-defined statistics, rules, and event formats consistent for decades, making it easier to develop a flexible tool like this,” he explains.
“Esports, on the other hand, is a far younger, more dynamic industry, where game mechanics, player stats, and event formats can shift frequently.
“This volatility can make developing tools that keep pace with these changes harder. However, as the esports ecosystem matures and more trusted sources become available, tools like the Bet Builder are becoming increasingly viable and in demand when developed on official data.
“Unlike esports, traditional sports, with long-studied frameworks and consistent data, don’t require the same level of specialised data precision. Esports operates in a rapidly evolving landscape where trusted data sources are essential.
“It’s the integration of the official data that enables DATA.BET to deliver accurate, real-time betting options, which is crucial in the fast-paced environment of esports.”
Despite this, Donson points to the continued transformation and evolution of the entire esports ecosystem as proof that such a move by DATA.BET was not only desirable but a necessary step.
As esports continues its rapid development, he noted that the sector may well soon catch up to traditional sports, and therefore transform the entire landscape of the betting industry.
“…we can ensure that these complex betting markets are both accurate and dynamic, even as game conditions evolve”
This ambition will be heavily fuelled by fresh innovations, with the latest DATA.BET example operating on the same premise as its sporting counterpart, but one that crucially comprises a number of subtle differences.
“Where it really differs is in the nuances of esports,” he explains. “For example, in a game like League of Legends or Dota 2, you’re looking at vastly different metrics compared to football or basketball.
“Our esports Bet Builder goes beyond simple match outcomes, incorporating unique metrics like first blood, map wins, and individual player stats, which are far more intricate than in traditional sports.
“Thanks to our use of official data, we can ensure that these complex betting markets are both accurate and dynamic, even as game conditions evolve.”
Despite only being officially unveiled during September, DATA.BET is buoyed by what has been billed as the incredibly promising results witnessed during an intense testing phase.
Donson acknowledges that the group has experienced a strong uptick in user engagement, particularly among more experienced bettors that enjoy the depth and customisation that is on offer.
“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising the variety of markets they can combine and the strategic options this opens up. Based on early tests, we expect strong adoption rates, especially in markets where esports betting is already popular,” he continues.
“The performance metrics, such as increased bet volumes, higher average bet sum, and longer user sessions, have all indicated that the Bet Builder is well-positioned to become a key product in our portfolio.
“We anticipate that this product will significantly boost user retention”
“We anticipate that this product will significantly boost user retention, as the tool provides a personalised, data-driven experience that is unmatched by other platforms.”
However, remaining stagnant can often be an avenue that results in falling behind competitors, with consistent updates necessary to ensure that you stay ahead of the game.
In a bid to maintain a heightened level of engagement after the curtain has officially been pulled back, DATA.BET is plotting a series of updates to enhance the Bet Builder experience further still.
“First, we’re looking at expanding the number of esports titles supported by the feature, ensuring that bettors can engage with a broader selection of games,” he concludes.
“At the moment it’s available for CS2 only. The next esports discipline where the Bet Builder will be available is Valorant, and we are at the final stage of integrating.
“This will help us maintain our position as the most reliable and technologically advanced Bet Builder in the market.
“We’re also working on refining the user interface to make the product even more user-friendly, particularly for newcomers to esports betting. On the backend, we’ll be integrating more real-time data and AI-driven insights, allowing for more dynamic and responsive markets.
“With every upgrade, we aim to provide an even more seamless, engaging, and secure user experience.”
