SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
The betting industry is a fiercely competitive market where staying ahead of the curve requires constant innovation. With countless platforms already incorporating gamification techniques and free-to-play features, the challenge of capturing and retaining players’ attention is more formidable than ever. With its newest product, PointsInPlay, STATSCORE aims to “mark a new frontier in player engagement” on betting platforms.
Growing role of gamification in sports betting
Gamification has emerged as a transformative force across various industries, and the betting industry is no exception. By incorporating game-like elements into traditional betting platforms, operators can significantly enhance the user experience, driving both engagement and retention.
Gamification strategies, such as trivia games, leaderboards, badges and rewards, create a more interactive and enjoyable environment for players, making their experience more immersive and entertaining.
By introducing elements of competition, such as challenges or point systems, players are driven to achieve higher scores, unlock rewards and outdo their peers.
This competitive aspect not only encourages players to spend more time on a betting platform, but it also fosters a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, which is key to building long-term loyalty.
Next level of gamification with STATSCORE’s PointsInPlay
PointsInPlay, developed by STATSCORE, is an example of how gamification can be integrated into betting platforms.
“Our platform combines quizzes, challenges, and rewards with the thrill of betting, designed to not only enhance player engagement but also foster more strategic and informed betting behavior,” says Iwona Gniech-Janicka, VP of Product at STATSCORE. “This innovative approach increases player enjoyment, drives higher levels of activity, and ultimately boosts revenues for operators.”
PointsInPlay strives to merge the excitement of gamification with the strategic allure of betting, creating a “highly engaging experience that not only attracts players but also keeps them coming back”.
Moreover, this gamification tool can be used to seamlessly link the quizzes to actual market betslips, subtly guiding users towards increased betting by incorporating smart redirections to pre-match and live offers.
PointsInPlay: An In-Depth Look
STATSCORE’s product introduces a unique combination of gamification and free-to-play elements, offering players a novel way to engage with their favourite sports.
PointsInPlay invites users to participate in a points-based challenge as they navigate the operator’s site. Players can engage with trivia and challenge questions related to specific sports events, which helps deepen their connection to the game. This engagement is further enriched by the platform’s dynamic nature, featuring both pre-match and live quizzes.
For example, during a high-stakes football game, the user can see, among others, the following types of questions:
- How many offsides will occur between the 10th and 20th minute?
- Who will be the first player to receive a yellow card?
- How many shots on target will Team A have between the 50th and 60th minute?
Based on the accuracy of their predictions, users are ranked and can be rewarded by the sportsbook with prizes, such as free bets, or the ability to take part in special promotions.
Enhancing Player Engagement and Retention
STATSCORE’s PointsInPlay has been designed with a strong focus on enhancing player involvement on sportsbooks’ websites.
Gniech-Janicka adds: “PointsInPlay serves as a powerful tool for boosting player engagement and retention. Our platform keeps players fully immersed in the action, encouraging them to answer questions and make bets based on their insights.”
Moreover, STATSCORE offers operators extensive customisation options, allowing them to tailor PointsInPlay to their audience’s preferences, including adjusting access criteria, reward systems and question types.
Its diverse range of quizzes and challenges motivates players to spend more time exploring what the betting platform has to offer. The competitive drive to accumulate points and earn rewards creates a compelling experience that keeps players engaged over the long term.
PointsInPlay can also adjust its focus between competitive leaderboard-driven gamification and more social, light-hearted elements, depending on the region or player base. This adaptive approach ensures that STATSCORE’s gamification remains relevant, engaging and effective across diverse markets, fostering user loyalty globally.
Crucially, user engagement can be tracked with metrics such as Daily Active Users (DAU), Monthly Active Users (MAU), game duration and interaction rates. User retention is also measured using churn and return rates to provide key insights about the effectiveness of this solution.
Monetisation and Growth Potential
For operators, PointsInPlay presents a lucrative opportunity. By incorporating additional points or exclusive rewards, sportsbooks can significantly elevate player interaction, engagement, and ultimately, revenue. This strategic model caters to players who are eager to enrich their betting experience. Moreover, the quizzes may easily guide users to their betslips, to encourage them to place the actual bet.
By focusing on player knowledge and engagement, PointsInPlay has the potential to shift the focus from mere chance-based wagering to a more strategic and informed betting culture. The platform’s seamless integration of gamification, sports expertise and rewards creates a deeply immersive experience that benefits both players and operators – concludes STATSCORE’s VP of Product.
As operators and players alike continue to seek out fresh experiences, platforms like PointsInPlay offer a solution – one where knowledge, engagement and enjoyment are at the forefront.
